Making Waves with a McCall's 6844 Cardigan

Shawl collared cardigans........



It has been about 3 months since I worked on the sewing machine. Due to the many positive reviews of McCall's 6844, I was confident to try it.

Here is the peplum version with a slight "high-low" hem, that I did not sew. It is lovely, but peplums are unpredictable on me.
 

 Description: Misses/Miss Petite Cardigans: Close fitting cardigans (do not meet at center front) have collar extending int front band and narrow hem; A, C: Shaped hemline, wrong side shows. I sewed view "B".

 Size: XSm-Sml-Med, L-XL-XXL. I sewed a medium.

Fabric: Approximately 1 5/8 yards of "yarn-dyed serpentine-striped" from EOS that was in my stash for 21 months. Thank goodness it does not fray, which makes sewing with this lightweight knit a breeze.  I did the best I could with the continuity of the waves along the seams.

 

Likes:
(1) I agree with the "EASY" label, especially with view "B" not having the peplum.

(2) The flattering slight "flare" along the sides and the fit, neither snug or nor loose. The ease for me was sufficient for me not to wear a belt.

 (3) Instant chic: The style allows the cardigan to be casual, dramatic or elegant depending on the fabric you choose, and/or the accessories you wear.


Dislikes: I cannot think of any dislikes except for the back came which out looser than I had anticipated, and possibly due to the draping nature of the knit that I used, or the drafting.

 

 Directions:
They were easy to follow, with minor changes in the sequencing to further simplify the construction.

Summarizing the steps that were all printed on one two-sided sheet:
(1) Stitch the shoulder seams

(2) Attach the sleeves flat (instead of the side seams first and setting in the sleeves per the instructions) and hem the sleeves

(3) Stitch as one continuous seam the sleeve seam and side seam on both sides.

(4) Stitch the collar/front band at the center seam , stitch its facing in the same fabric along the un-notched edges and lower edges, right sides together, and turn the entire piece inside.

(5) Attach the front band to the front, right sides together, and hem the entire cardigan. I am not sure if would have been better to hem the fronts and back before attaching the front facing as instructed.



Alterations/Modifications 
I performed my typical narrowing at the upper back and 1" petite adjustment at the waist (using the marked petite adjustment line on the pattern),.

Stabilized the shoulder seams with a strip of interfacing prior to stitching.

Omitted interfacing the collar/front band.

Stitched the sleeves flat to the armholes. I did not encounter any problems easing the sleeve onto the edges of the armholes. I trimmed at most 3/8" from the sleeve cap's height after machine basting.

 Omitted the topstitching of the collar due to the "airy" nature of the knit. I just let the front drape "naturally" on its own.


Conclusion:
Without interruptions, this cardigan took me approximately 3 1/2 hours of sewing time (no serger), or simply one full evening.

McCall's 6844, already a popular pattern in Pattern Review and I can understand why. Not only that it is easy to sew and flattering, it has the potential to be addictive. I highly recommend this pattern for all levels of sewers/sewists.

Already my sewing mojo is returning. Of course, another cardigan is on my sewing queue.

I like Missoni, in general, but  I would have to spend a little over $700 to get these "lurex waves".

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