Papercut Fjord cardi review

I loved this pattern (Fjord Cardi) so much when Papercut patterns - a New Zealand company - released it last year. I love the different seam lines and the possibility of fabric blocking.

I really love my finished version.  Its a creation from my woollen leftover scraps that were too large to move out of my fabric stash in to my rags box and too small to do much with.

There's two different black merino (blends?) from Levana in Levin. The grey was from Fabric A Brac and I *think* the lovely Desiree who has a shop in Petone now.

So so comfy and I love the pockets.

I cut and sewed the straight XL as it doesn't need to close.  I adore the pockets but they're not very deep so they're mostly comfort rather than practical!

I doubled up the merino for the side panels as the weight between the merino and grey was a little too much (as it cut the piece out 4 times rather than two and sewed it up using two layers as a single pattern piece) - I wish I'd done the same for the sleeves.  It looks and functions fine but it would be extra snuggly.

Sorry for the crappy photos.  It was never going to get posted if I waited.  At this stage, the garment is in regular rotation in my wardrobe and I still really love it.  The black on black works well as they have two different textures and the grey provides a slight contrast too.  I've recently finished another pattern blocked piece that didn't work so well - I think I was on a high after this one!  In terms of flattering my figure - it doesn't.  Its not something I'd put on to minimize or accentuate any part of my figure.  I'm not super keen on doing either of those but there are some cuts I don't like and I figured it would be helpful for other curvy sewists to know if they care.

On a final note, Papercut have fallen from my "loved" pattern companies after their handling of their Kimono pattern (now named Haori) after a blog post and follow up by a few sewists (see this for why using kimono can be problematic). 

Pattern: Papercut Fjord Cardi

Size: XL

Adjustments: doubled fabric pieces to make them similar weight to the fabric elsewhere

Fabric: Levana and Fabric A Brac 

Make again? Probably not. I love it and own the pattern but not sure I need another in my wardrobe with this one still in working order.

Spotty dotty Miffy pillow for a small human

My small human quite likes to sleep with their head elevated and we 'collaborated' on my latest make.  A small human sized pillow with specially chosen cross stitched character pocket and chosen fabric.

The dots caught her eye so that's the pillow cover. I have different fabric for the inner (from an old bed sheet via a failed Colette sorbetto muslin).

I have a two children's characters cross stitch books and Miffy made the list.  My little person picked out the dress and bucket colour and it was a nice quick stitch on border cross stitch fabric.

Papercut Palisade Trousers Round II

This was a nice quick sew from the altered pattern I made here: https://sewmancer.blogspot.com/2019/08/papercut-palisade-trousers.html

I reduced the length of the elastic from 73cm by 18cm to 55cm - quite a reduction but my elastic is a little too stretchy.  I think I needed to reduce it anyway but this is quite drastic.  

Annoyingly the pattern doesn't specify the amount of interfacing needed in length - it should be sligthly under 140cm needed for the XL size. 

I've had this fabric in my stash for a quite a few years so it was good to make it up.  I bought it in Pete's Emporium in Porirua to use as tester fabric for a trouser pattern I'd planned to make on a Fabric Hoarder's sewing retreat.  (Still haven't managed that pattern!)

I'm not sure my fabric choice was ideal for this pattern as the bum is quite baggy rather than draping so puffs out a little.  

Pleased to add another pair of trousers to my work wardrobe.  Even though these are demin they're relatively dressy so I'll be more than comfortable in my normal work day.

Same adjustments as for: https://sewmancer.blogspot.com/2019/08/papercut-palisade-trousers.html other than the 55cm elastic (I don't think I was as brutal the last time as the elastic was a bit less stretchy)

Toy tidy

For some reason, this project has been on my to do list since I was pregnant with my little one.  It finally came to life with some star canvas fabric I received at a fabric hoarders swap. Its just under 1.5m in diameter and double sided.



By pulling the string (from Made Marion) you can corral all the toys in one go.  I think I'll appreciate this when my little one moves on to lego and other small part toys!



I originally made a channel for the string but it didn't pull closed as quickly or as easily as I wanted (the down side is now the string is out so less suited for younger children).  Though I checked in the Te Papa store and the ones they sell there have the same issue.

Barbar bags

A quick make to help curtail rubbish in the car (especially Toddler messy stuff like half chewed sultanas).

Lined with PUL winnie and the pooh fabric.

Gotta love Tigger.

 

Snaps to attach to the car seat.

Two so one is in use while the other gets brought into the house for cleaning.