08 Dec Style Arc – Coral Cardigan
What would you do if you received a scarf with which you had nothing to wear?
1 – “Thank you for the scarf but I never wear these colors. Please give it to someone who can enjoy it.”
2 – Put it in the closet and forget about it.
3 – Sew a new garment to wear with the scarf.
LOL – The scarf is gorgeous and while it looks good on black, it didn’t look good on me on black.
Decades ago when people ‘had their colors done’………(Color Me Beautiful), I was labeled a SPRING and its, true… I look best in clear spring colors. However, I learned the key to wearing an unflattering color is to wear white around your face.
Mood Fabrics’ beautiful stretch jacquard by Jay Godfrey is not in the Spring color palette, but I can wear it when combined with a white collar to separate the color from my face.
So let’s talk sewing….. Style Arc’s Coral Cardigan caught my eye.
I liked the nifty shorter front neck band and inseam pockets, and though it’s designed for knits, this jacquard is extremely stretchy.
Here it is without the scarf.
Due to its oversized nature I cut out a smaller size (size 4) and made no adjustments at all.
Style Arc instructions often confuse me because they do not feature the traditional sewing language I learned. I love the patterns, but I meditate heavily on each step before proceeding.
After the front and back bodices are attached at the shoulders, the band is stitched directly on top of the bodice.
Next the entire edge of the cardigan is finished in one step. (I stabilized the lower bodice edge with Steam a Seam before turning and topstitching – not pictured.)
The threads disappeared into the fabric’s texture and colors so all edges were finished on the serger making this garment quick and easy!
It’s a well-designed pattern with interesting features and a great fit for an oversized garment.
The bands end right at the waist, and since I’m wearing contrasting colors I’ve tucked in the shirt to avoid having three lengths of contrasting colors front and center. A solid color underneath would be different.
Quite often it takes an outside force to make me leave my comfort zone and try something new. Many thanks to my dear friend for the scarf! I’ve got a new color to wear – maybe she knew something I didn’t 🙂
24 Days Left Until the 2018 RTW Fast Begins!
R.S.V.P. to 2018rtwfast@gmail.com
Rheta Stears
Posted at 08:43h, 08 DecemberI love this. I will have to take a second look at that pattern and order it. I too, have scarves that have been given to me that are the wrong colors. Great inspiration.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:50h, 08 DecemberThank you, Rheta! This scarf is especially lovely and I couldn’t let it gather dust 😉
Marvel Donovan
Posted at 09:11h, 08 DecemberLove the cardi. I have a similar style pattern that I’ve been hesitant to try with a green fabric that I love but isn’t my color at all!! I’m a summer and really try to stay in those colors. However, the green has some hints of burgundy that I can wear!! I wonder if that’s what drew my eye to the fabric in the first place? I’ll let you know how it goes, and it it’s good the green cardi will be my base garment for the sewing fast 2018.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:02h, 09 DecemberHi Marvel – Many thanks and let me know how the cardi turns out 🙂
Laura Casey
Posted at 09:25h, 08 DecemberSuch a great make! I’m a winter, and with that white shirt…..it’s smashing! Love the pattern detail…..it’s looks so Asheville with the warm scarf close to your neck…..it’s snowing, maybe I can download this pattern…..because today we’re not going anywhere! As for me you’ve inspired me, and plan to make this cute jacket! Always good to wake up to your post! Laura
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:03h, 09 DecemberThank you so much, Laura, and it’s always good to hear from you! We were in Asheville mid-November – did lots of eating with Curate being one of the favorites 😉
Ellen Sherman
Posted at 09:34h, 08 DecemberI make one adjustment to the StyleArc Coral pattern and find it makes a more wearable sweater for me. I simply extend the bands to the hem. An easy fix and I find it much more flattering. Love the color and fabric you used.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:03h, 08 DecemberEllen,
Thanks for this tip. I thought about doing that on the next one for a different look – I really like how flat the cardigan lays. So you simply extended the bands and proceeded as before? 😉
Ellen Sherman
Posted at 13:38h, 08 DecemberYes, turns out great.
Angela
Posted at 15:58h, 08 DecemberClever idea! I really like it, thank you for sharing 🙂
Jacqueline Harris
Posted at 09:40h, 08 DecemberLooks very fab Sarah! I remember that phase of getting your colours done…. Fun times!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:05h, 09 DecemberThank you Jacqueline! Though I stray from time to time the color analysis has provided life long guidance 🙂
Rebecca Holdsworth
Posted at 09:53h, 08 DecemberLike the style and color you chose. Amazing how nice it matches with the jacket fabric. I am a winter and that’s good as I love the jewel tones.
Have a fantastic holiday and please do keep sharing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:06h, 09 DecemberThank you Rebecca! Winters would look fabulous in this color 🙂
Lone Star Couture
Posted at 10:52h, 08 DecemberSuper cute cardi, Sarah, and I agree with Julie this blue looks beautiful on you. I’m an autumn, go figure. The difference around my face is the break-up color is cream or beige instead of white. Roz is having color expert at her January Fashionista meeting and I’ looking forward to hearing what she has to say since I’ve been relying on the Color Me Beautiful theory since the 80’s when it was all the rage.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:08h, 09 DecemberDorcas ~ You will be a super ambassador for Roz, and what a great idea to provide a color expert at a the store. No doubt you are an Autumn!
Deon
Posted at 11:43h, 08 DecemberThanks for the details on sewing this up – I have the pattern, but hesitate because I’ve heard so much about the poor Style Arc directions (and I’m not very intuitive with sewing). The cardigan looks great on you. Maybe the white does, indeed, do the trick, because the color is also beautiful.
Elaine
Posted at 04:47h, 09 DecemberTheir early instructions were brief to the point of non-existence, later ones are improving with diagrmas and some photos added to explain tricky bits. They still use Australian industry anguage from time to time, which can cause confusion, but they have a glossary on their site and are helpful if you get lost. I love their styling. modern and fresh. They are also beautifully drafted.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:12h, 09 DecemberElaine ~. I too love the Style Arc patterns! I’m very careful when I sew the patterns not only due to the language but also the sparsity of instructions. Often I will read through and go back and write in steps that aren’t there. You are so right – her patterns are b e a u t I f u l l y drafted and I’m delighted that they can now be ordered from Amazon 🙂
Referring to the glossary is excellent advice.
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 12:03h, 08 Decemberthat cardigan looks great with the scarf – perfect combo.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:13h, 09 DecemberThank you, Beth !
Anonymous
Posted at 12:24h, 08 DecemberYour fabric and pattern choices are so much fun to see. It is such a joy to read and learn from your blogs. Thank goodness you decided that RTW is not all it is cracked up to be.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:15h, 09 DecemberMany thanks! Some RTW is all it’s cracked up to be – just very, very expensive! I love being inspired to sew by the good stuff 😉
Mary Anne Chambers
Posted at 12:39h, 08 DecemberThis looks like a super comfy cardigan, but still with lots of style! I have just ordered this pattern. Thanks for the review!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:29h, 09 DecemberI think you’ll enjoy the pattern Mary Anne!
Jennifer Shaw
Posted at 13:00h, 08 DecemberWow!! I really love the color combination of the black with the white shirt and the dark denim blue of the cardigan. The scarf is a perfect fit with the new cardigan.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:29h, 09 DecemberMany thanks, Jennifer!
Donna Strawser
Posted at 13:17h, 08 DecemberI LOVE this! Nice job, as always.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:33h, 09 DecemberThank you so much, Donna!
Diane G
Posted at 13:54h, 08 DecemberOh, gosh I have to confess to thinking that you had stitched the scarf to the cardigan as a collar when I first saw this on Instagram, as the scarf drapes like a waterfall front. It’s such a lovely match to your fabric. I must check out that Style Arc pattern too. Love the band and pocket feature.
Alice Elliot
Posted at 14:33h, 08 DecemberGreat tidbit hint to wear white to wear a less flattering color. I’ll try that soon with a jacket I love but makes my skin look green!
Style Arc patterns are my current favorite because I know the fit is true to the measurements and can adjust the ease accordingly.
I too have been going with my “winter” color palette since the 80’s.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:34h, 09 DecemberLOL – The scarf is wool challis and stays put once it is placed 🙂 I agree with you about the fit of Style Arc patterns, Alice!
Alania Sheeley
Posted at 15:00h, 08 DecemberLove your jacket. I often wonder why more individuals do not find out what their “best” colors are. Everyone has “safe tones” that can rescue an outfit/garment/fabric and make it look great on them. Your white shirt is spot on. For me, ivory is one of my “go to” rescue colors.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:37h, 09 DecemberMany thanks, Alania! A very light ivory is the better color for me, but white works too, especially if I’m pairing it with winter and/or summer colors. Dorcas from Lone Star Couture commented that a Houston fabric store is presenting a color expert for customers in January. Such a wonderful idea!
Jeanne MacKenzie
Posted at 16:56h, 08 DecemberWhite only works to separate your face from a color not on your color palette if white is on your color palette. My color palette is Fall so white isn’t on it. I have to do cream.
Yours is the only blog I follow and am impressed and inspired by your site.
Thanks.
Jeanne
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:39h, 09 DecemberMany thanks for your comment, and for being a Goodbye Valentino reader, Jeanne 🙂
Julie Starr
Posted at 17:43h, 08 DecemberI’m glad you figured out a way to make this beautiful color work for you – the shade is just so lovely. Looks like a great cardigan pattern to try – I especially love the pockets. I somehow missed that whole phase of having your colors done. I may be wearing all sorts of colors that I shouldn’t😳
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:40h, 09 DecemberThank you, Julie! You seem to know what colors work best for you without the official color analysis 😀
Caroline Emmons
Posted at 18:15h, 08 DecemberThat is a gorgeous scarf and it is perfect with the beautiful cardigan.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:40h, 09 DecemberThank you so much, Caroline!
Karen Neal
Posted at 18:27h, 08 DecemberDid you make the white shirt?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:42h, 09 DecemberThe shirt is a 10-year old RTW from the Brooks Brothers’ outlet ;). BTW – it’s sleeveless.
Valerie Strunk
Posted at 23:16h, 10 DecemberI used to do color analysis. you are definitely a “Spring”! But were you not told that your most flattering colors are those that match your skin, you hair, & your eyes? This color brings out the blue in your eyes! You look beautiful in it! Val
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:37h, 12 DecemberIt’s been so long ago since I did this………. My hair was darker and longer, my eyes are actually green, but they do look blue here don’t they? While this color looks lovely with the white shirt underneath, it does not look good against my skin.
Many thanks for your comment, Valerie!
LinB
Posted at 11:14h, 14 DecemberOh, the early 1980s! My (female) boss took every woman in our department to have our colors done — not the famous book one, but someone who classified us as Warm/Cool, Low Contrast/High Contrast. That dear soul’s advice was to “never wear a white near your face that is any brighter than your teeth.”
In this age of tooth bleaching, you can wear any white you gosh-darned please, I reckon.