FINISHED! The inside out cocoon cardigan

It's a little bit embarrassing to admit that for the second week in a row, I've copied  been inspired by the Project Sewn outfit by Groovy Baby and Mama.  This week it is the Burda Cocoon Cardigan.
It's starting to get cold now as Autumn starts to look to Winter and when I saw the Cocoon cardigan I knew that I needed this snuggly in my wardrobe and I knew exactly the fabric for it.  For a while now I'd been eyeing off a ginormous roll of knitted boucle type fabric at Addicted to Fabric, called Colombine  (Style 70031427: width 145cm 30% polyseter, 65% wool, 5% mohair). It is quite thick but there are some gaps in the weaving which provide little air holes (Have a look at the photo of the insides to see this effect).  It was rolled with the boucle side (left) out but for some reason I always thought that this was the wrong side and that the simple stocking stitch side (right) was the correct side.
I bought and taped up the pattern on Thursday and on Friday raced off and bought 2 metres of the fabric in my lunch hour, only to find from the lovely ladies at A2F that my assumption of what was the right and wrong sides was completely wrong. Never mind, I prefer the wrong side.
I had done a little bit of research on the fit of this jacket, which is gigantic. I was worried about it swamping me and so I read in detail the Ginger Makes post and comments on her cardigan.

I'm 5'2" (at a push) so I made the following adjustments on the 36:
  • No hem allowance and removed 20cm through the waist
  • No hem allowance on the sleeves, they are overlocked and underturned by about 15cm.  One thing I noticed about a lot of the versions was the length of the sleeves that in my opinion seemed too long. I haven't yet stictched the sleeves down, but I will along the seams. I like the weight that this large underturn provides in the sleeves
  • I took a small wedge from under the arms as there was just way too much fabric there. There is still a lot but it is better.
I used the same fabric for the inseam pockets - I wanted them to be snuggly as well and there is already so much bulk with this cardigan that they don't add extra bulk.

I admit to having white line fever with this make and it might not be my best sewing.  I sewed it up on Friday night and got it into my head that I wanted to wear it the next day so sewed beyond where I should have.
 The instructions call for you to bind the seams but I convinced myself with the ladies at the fabric store that I didn't need to do this and just overlocked them.  That was fine until it came to attaching the 'binding' onto the edge of the cardigan which I ended up doing twice. The first time I thought I could attach it like normal binding but 4 layers was just too much and the width of the binding in the pattern was just too small to cope effectively.  I ended up cutting it off and starting again.. with just enough fabric. The second time, I simply folded the binding in half and sewed it on, overlocked the edge then stitched it down.   I used my walking foot for the whole make to help with the thickness.  There are a few wobbly bits but generally it works and the fabric hides everything.
The result? I can see myself often reaching for this when the chill creeps in. It was certainly a stylishly snuggly option yesterday morning at soccer

57 comments:

  1. Oooh looks so snuggly and warm. Perfect for Canberra winters!!

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  2. Like a big warm hug! I love pieces like this when the weather turns icy.
    "white line fever" - love it. Sorry to declare my ignorance but is that a sporting term?

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  3. Oh I LOVE that!!!! Now you have me wishing I was making a cocoon jacket instead of the one I'm working on. ..don't you hate that ;-)

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  4. I would love to wear that, but it's never cold enough in Brisbane. You've done another great job, and will no doubt boost the sales in Burda cocoon coat patterns!

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  5. I soo need one if these but At 5ft 3 I tend to stick to more fitted styles! I saw this fabric only yesterday at my local fabrics shop. It looked so warm and cosy!

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  6. Oh my god I love this more than words can say!!!! If I gave you enough money to pick up some of this fabric and whip this up for me would you do it??? And I'm only half joking. Oh my gosh I really love it. I have to have it.

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  7. You can defnitely still buy the fabric at Addicted to Fabric (I'm sure they will mail order) and really it doesn't take long to sew. I think you should do it!!!!

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  8. Oh I'm only 5'2 which is why I took so much out of the length! It is toasty fabric without being over the top.

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  9. What a sweet thing to say. Thank you! I agree that it might be too warm for Brisbane, but it might still be nice in a lighter fabric!

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  10. I'm sure whatever you are working on at the moment will be finished in a nano second so you can move onto the Cocoon. It must be all summer sewing for you now though!

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  11. What a great term.. yes, it's just like a big warm hug. I think white line fever is a sporting term. To me it refers to being kind of obsessed about finishing!

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  12. Thanks Mel. You know, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't colder yesterday so I could give the cardi a real test!! :)

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  13. This is such a beautiful jacket! Looks so warm and cozy and those colours are so pretty. It's summer here and it almost makes me wish for fall ; )

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  14. Wow you're a woman on a mission! It suits your petite frame beautifully Kirsty. And what a find - boucle knit is kind of my holy grail.... I'm checking their website now. Bring on the cardigans!

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  15. Thanks Sarah, I'm not sure the knit is on their website, but if you are interested I can send you a sample from my leftovers. Yes, I agree. Bring on the cardis. What have you settled on as your first!

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  16. Thanks Pauline. Only a momentary wish I'm sure!!

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  17. Kirsty! This is so lovely and snuggly!! You did a great job adjusting it to you petiteness. If we didn't just come out of a long winter, I would be wanting one right now! Although...I could use a cardigan like this in the lacrosse rink. I will put this post in my "likes" for the fall.

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  18. Gorgeous! and so warm. I've seen that fabric at A2F, you've done wonders with it.

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  19. Thanks Barbara! I thought you would have seen it! So funny that I thought it went the other way!

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  20. Ha ha.. I know the feeling when your mind turns to new season sewing it's hard to go back! I am sure you are stylishly rugged up at lacrosse!

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  21. I love it! Every time you make something, I want it. And I want to visit A2F - it looks like it has amazing fabric!

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  22. Thanks Rachel, you are too kind!! Happy to take you to A2F any day, but it is only small - and you have all those amazing Melbourne shops. I think I'd rather come to Melb!!

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  23. Gosh I love this!! I may now have to copy you. How will I fit it in? I have so much on the go right now.....

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  24. This is so perfectly snuggly!! Fabulous! ;)

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  25. Looking good! I'm jealous about how warm (& stylish) you'll be on the sports field! I think I need to invest in some of the wool at A2F & make something warm myself.

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  26. another great make! I've never been sold on cocoon cardis but there are some really great ones around at the moment. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for some fabric as good as yours!

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  27. This looks SO snuggly!! I just love it! And this sort of cocoon silhouette is one of my favorites for chilly weather! Love!

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  28. So stylish! You will be comfy, warm and looking great!

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  29. This cardigan is perfect! Beautiful, cozy, comfortable...it has got everything I´d ask from a cardigan and more. But let me tell you: I won´t be ashamed if I ever copy it from you...I´m shameless, ha!

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  30. gorgeous! it looks so snuggly. i so badly want one of these next fall/winter. love it!

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  31. I love the shorter length of your version. Looks super snuggly for winter (although it is feeling pretty warm here in Auckland and I'm wondering when winter is going to hit).

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  32. I love how you've used this fabric and finished it. It's a wonderful shape on you. And for your coming winter too.

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  33. Maider....MasustakMay 19, 2014 at 6:35 PM

    It turned out great!!! I love the whole outfit with the beret.

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  34. That's very sweet of you to offer! I think I'll do the simplicity one first with a drapey knit first....that boucle would be great for the cream burda pattern I liked.... I'm trying to be good though this month!

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  35. Thanks! I thought it would be just a casual cardi, but in fact I wore it to work today and it was great!

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  36. Thanks Maria. It is already getting a lot of use :)

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  37. Thanks Jane. It is just cold here in the mornings and the evenings at the moment.. I'm sure winter will hit us soon!

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  38. Thanks Angela. I love a coat that gives you can snuggle up under.

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  39. Thanks Sallie! I would never have thought that this shape would work on me, but I think it does and the length at the back is great for staying warm :)

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  40. I was not a fan either but now that I've taken the plunge I think you would look great in one.. but you have months of sunny weather to get through before you start worrying about winter dressing again!

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  41. I wore it to work today as my 'coat' and felt a bit guilty about how comfy I was all snuggled up inside.. I don't think it was cold enough but who cares :)

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  42. Ha! If I can sew this up in a night - you can sew it up in your lunch hour!!

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  43. I think the 'right' side of the fabric is in the eye of the beholder! I love how the front curves - I'm sure you will get a lot of wear out of it.

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  44. The short length looks perfect!! This looks like a fabulous piece to see you through fall/winter. And I'm sure I've said this before, but for some reason, you always strike me as a tall person!

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  45. Ha, you are absolutely right and I'm still not convinced it's inside out :)

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  46. Thanks Morgan - I must have the camera set at the right 'distortion' height :)

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  47. I've never seen fabric like this before. I really want to get into thick knitted fabrics this winter. This pattern is so you too, Groovy Baby's version was so beautiful in that grey I can see why you were inspired by it.

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  48. I've never seen anything like this fabric at our fabric store before. It really stood out because it is just sooo much wider than the other rolls. It was fun and forgiving!

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  49. So lovely and luscious!!! And gorgeous against the autumnal background, too. I'm still struggling to believe that fabric is a knit though! It's a stunner :)

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  50. I was sure you were at least 5'9"! This coat is gorgeous and it fits you so well. I may just have to copy you and Trine when fall comes back to these parts.

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  51. Hi Kirsty! Is everything alright? I´ve been looking for an e-mail adress but I can´t find any, and I´m a bit worried about your absence from MMM.

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  52. Merche! I'm fine, just got caught up with things and lost my mojo for putting photos up of old makes :(. I'll jump back in there tonight and have a look. I've still been checking out your makes of course. xx

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  53. P.S. Just got my email sorted on a button. Thanks for the hurry up.!

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  54. I´m relieved now! Thank you for answering so soon! I just missed you!

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