The Women’s Cardigan Love pattern is waiting for you!!
Let’s jump right in to the details:
There are two length options – mid-thigh and below the knee, so you can take your pick. Don’t you agree the best part of sewing is making exactly what you need? There are also optional side seam pockets and a hood option! You can even choose between making a tank/sleeveless version or a long-sleeved cardigan! 
I made two versions of this Cardigan during the testing process. My first one, I used the gorgeous deep plum French Terry from Sly Fox Fabrics. It was amazing and soft and cozy and pretty, and not stretchy enough for this pattern. Pay attention to the stretch percentages, they are there for a reason! My mom now has an amazing and soft and cozy and pretty cardigan! I made a 4x and she wears a XL for comparison as to why stretch percentages matter.
The second time around was better. I used a lovely double brushed poly which I picked up in a destash group last year. I had gotten 4 yards of this stripe design, so I knew I had enough to work out some pattern matching. The pattern used just under 3 yards in my size. I liked that I was able to make the tails matching! I made the mid-thigh length version. I took 3 inches out for height adjustment because I am only 5’1. I removed it all from the bodice area because in my first version the seam hit across my upper booty area…that is a place, right? Upper booty area?? Anyway, it hits me at an odd place for a seam.
The Cardigan Love is available in sizes XXS-5X. I sewed a 4X graded to a 5X bodice.
On a side note- What do you think of the new Blog colors and heading? I am sort of in love with the black background and dark lilac borders. 🙂
You can download your copy of this pattern from this link. It is currently on sale for 40% off, so hurry before October 31st!
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This blog post contains Affiliate Links. This means that when you make a purchase from one of my affiliate links, I receive a small commission. That helps me to buy more fabric to show you new and upcoming patterns. So thank you!!
When I ordered this fabric, I wasn’t even thinking how difficult it would be to work out pattern placement. Either way it made a good test fit choice. I think it will be 100% wearable under a cardigan or blazer. You could even tuck it into a skirt or pants and wear it as a layer. I adjusted the bicep 1 inch.
So thank you!!
r loose fit for the width as well. Maybe you prefer ¾ length sleeves which you hold up with a button or snap cuff. You can choose to add a belt, belt loops or even a hood. Can you see why I love 5oo4? So many options!!
ol and my heart shaped lacy pillow was oblong and ugly and my felt football was lumpy and dumb. Why did I need a felt football anyhow?? Fast forward about 15-20 years, I mentioned to my grandma that I wanted to learn to sew. Actually, I think I wanted to hem my own pants and stop paying someone to shorten them for me. My grandma made wonderful things and always had a sewing machine out. She picked me up an antique sewing machine at a yard sale and promptly informed me she didn’t know how to use it. 🙂 
understanding of how to make clothing to fit, how to sew properly, or how to size things. I bought a few patterns when they were on sale and I always sewed the largest available size option. Still nothing fit correctly. I didn’t realize most of the paper pattern companies drafted for a B-C cup. I didn’t realize my biceps were larger than normal in my size and that my hips are butt were less curvy than other ladies. (ok, I did know that.) In the PDF world, a few designers are drafting with a full bust adjusted pattern included. That just means they saved me some of the work. 5oo4 patterns and Bella Sunshine Designs both do this. 
was at Bella Sunshine Designs in October of 2017 and it was the Sahara top. I asked 739 questions during the test, but I really wanted to learn. I kept apologizing to them, but I wanted so badly to get it correct. This was the first test I applied to and was lucky enough to get in. I think I have either tested or sewn every plus size pattern of theirs since. I was SO PROUD when my garment fit. Just shy of a year later and I am still wearing this one. I love it as much now as the day I took this pic. I learned how to do a bicep adjustment on this pattern and that made a world of different in my sewing. Several months later, I made a video to teach others how to do one also. Right after this test, I did another Bella Sunshine Designs test, The Apple Cardigan. To date, this is probably the most expensive fabric I have used. I picked it up in a destash sell from another seamstress now designer. We also became friends and recently met up to go shopping. The Camo dress above is The Sahara by Bella Sunshine Designs.
they were just starting to expand into my size range, so I figured I would give it a shot. This test was totally different from my first two. I ended up with two wearable garments, but not sure if I was ready for a group without as much support as BSD. I ended up sticking around because I wanted the experience of testing and to continue to learn. Now EAM is one of my favorites. I test for them several times a month and recently began guest blogging for them. In the last year, Ellie and Mac has come a long way into the curvy world and I have sewn at least 30 of their garments. By far, they are my most sewn up pattern company. 
another pattern in my size. One designer I really loved testing for, but she sold her business to someone else. Another one just popped up, had a nearly terrible test, and disappeared. As with anything in life, you have good and bad experiences. Sometimes. you ruin the pretty fabric and sometimes, YOU LOOK AMAZING! Take the risk! 
The best thing about sewing custom clothing is everything fits. I know slender folks as well curvy folks all have fit issues, we just have different issues. People will sometimes ask what size I am in ready to wear. I have no idea! Honest! I haven’t bought and worn an off the rack dress since I got boobs in about 3rd grade. My pants vary between an 18-22, but always need to be hemmed. I am only 5’1. I have been only 5’1 since about the 5th grade. They are most likely tight on my stomach and baggy in the butt. Also, it is impossible to find a nice button down shirt to fit my bust and biceps. I have never owned a button front shirt that doesn’t gap open. These are things that lead people to have issues with their bodies. When you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, it shows. I have never in my life thought, “Dang, I look good.” I am not that kind of person, but at least now know how to get my clothes to fit. In school, I wore a lot of boys clothes, I wore men’s jeans for years. The fit better for some reason ( probably because I have no hips or butt) and I just wanted clothes to fit. Now, I really like the girlie stuff. Give me flowers and dots, and pretty colors! I think if I had a job that allowed skirts and dresses I would totally wear them more. Since I make my clothing, I can now be as girlie as I want! The above 
patterns and if someone uses their affiliate links, they earn a small commission. Trust me, I won’t be quitting my day job anytime soon. 🙂 So testers spend all the time and money making a beautiful top or well fitting pants or gasp even a swim suit and we share them with our blog readers and on social media. Mostly, we share to show others they are not the only one in their size range and it is ok to be curvy and cute! Nevertheless, I have gotten some nasty feedback.
SequoiaLynn Sews 