Indiesew Fall Collection Blog Tour - Summer to Fall with The Cabin Blouse and Laurelhurst Cardigan

Welcome to the Indiesew 2015 Fall Collection  which I am thrilled to be a part of this fun tour around blogland.  Allie has done an amazing job at Indiesew, promoting independent patterns and has a great selection of patterns to jump start your fall wardrobe.

This Fall Collection includes 5 garments

1.   Cabin Dress (or blouse in my instance)

2.   Beatrix Blouse

3.   Laurelhurst Cardigan (shown here)

4.  London Backpack

5.  Sloan Leggings

Let's start with the Laurelhurst Cardigan, a knit cardigan with a draped front and three sleeve length options. A cardigan is the perfect way to transition between the seasons.  Usually Fall in Missouri means I need a cardigan in the early morning and the evening.  The Laurelhurst is a perfect piece for me.  I made a size 10 but wanted a bit less fabric in the front and the length.  I eliminated 3" from the center front and shortened the front by 4".  After completing the garment, I tried it on and just did some pinning to get the right length for me.  

Let's talk about Fall, the weather cooperated totally for a Fall Blog Tour, 60 degrees, cloudy, cool and windy. I loved having on a cardigan!

I had the silk for the Cabin blouse in my stash and ordered the knit for my Laurelhurst, I was so lucky it was a perfect match.

The pattern has three suggestions for finishing the front edges and hems.  One, do nothing, it is a knit and won't ravel or hem as normal or  rolled hem.  I went with rolled hem.  I thought it would be a nice soft look with no right or wrong side, great for the front drape.  I love the result.

Now the Cabin Dress (or blouse for me today)

A shirt or shift dress with darts, kimono sleeves, back pleat, bias finished hems and pockets.

I went with the shorter length but added one inch to the length.   The pattern has bias binding to finish the neck edge, sleeves and hem.  I did a bit of modifying on that, adding length to the sleeves for a narrow 1/2' hem and then the same on the bottom hem.  

The Cabin has incredible instructions for seam finishing, bust darts, bust alterations and general sewing information.  

My fabric is a silk from Mood Fabrics and works so nicely for this top.  

I did change the neckline a bit, adding a silk band at the neckline for a bit of soft contrast from the printed silk.   I serged the band onto the neckline, turned, pressed and added a bit of topstitching.

One final change was to add a yoke lining, using the burrito method., which encloses all the seams and gives a beautiful finish to the inside of my garment.  The sides seams are finished with a French seam.

For a look at all the patterns and Fall ideas, take the Indiesew Blog Tour.   Enjoy a treat and make a list of what you would like to sew and get inspired by some great garments from talented sewists!

Monday, August 24th: Lauren | Right Sides Together

Tuesday, August 25th: Lori | Girls in the Garden

Wednesday, August 26th: Kimberly | Straight Stitch Designs

Thursday, August 27th: Trine | Groovy Baby and Mama

Friday, August 28th: Taylor | Blueprints for Sewing

Monday, August 31st: Erin | Sewbon

Tuesday, September 1st: Elena | Randomly Happy

Wednesday, September 2nd: Tara | Girl Like the Sea

Thursday, September 3rd: Lola | Love Lola