Love Notions Origami

Hi Y’all! I’m so glad to welcome you to the Love Notions Origami Blog Tour!!

It’s been a while now since I last posted. With motherhood and a naughty crawling baby, my sewing has been relegated to the bottom of the to-do list. So when I had the golden opportunity to join the Love Notions Origami Blog Tour (affiliate links), I jumped at the chance! I already had and loved the pattern, and it would exactly fit within my Fall Wardrobe Plan 2017. I refer to it that way because it’s not just any old plan, it’s a PLAN. And likely to stay that way unless I hustle!

My plan focuses on layers and ways to keep wearing my tanks through the slightly cooler Texas winters, which means more leggings and cardigans. I knew I wanted 3/4 sleeves, a trendy draped front and a neutral colorway – something that is super rare for me. I always gravitate to the big florals and the flamboyant prints, but really, a solid classic cardigan will always ground your outfit.

The Love Notions Origami released in 2014, when waterfall cardigans and handkerchief hems were totally in. They blew my mind, the whole draping and sheer geometry of the style. The Origami Cardigan offered straight or handkerchief hems, and a pretty draped front that is super cozy. The tunic version had even more options!

However, I wanted to update the look a little and make it a little more current, with a softly flowing front that doesn’t overpower my frame, considering I would most likely wear a floral tank under the cardigan. 3/4 sleeves flatter my shape as does a simple hem. I used the existing Origami straight hem cut line, but made a couple of small modifications to make it “mine”.

I cut the front a little lower than the pattern suggested, angling straight down from the curved part of the neckline about 6″. This took away a lot of the bulk at collar.

The other big deviation from the pattern was that I finished the neckline and hem raw edges with a bright white skinny binding. I used a lightweight rayon spandex fabric that when folded in two, had the same weight and drape as the single layer of the main fabric used. If the band was thicker than the main fabric, it would have a stiffer look and we would lose a lot of the drape. Were the band fabric any thinner, it would curl and be quite ineffective.

I cut my band at just about 1 1/4″ wide, folded it over and serged it on with a 3/8″ seam allowance. Remember to only stretch the band at the neck to bring it in. My finished band is a nice 1/4″ – just enough for a pop of white against the quiet oatmeal. To topstitch I used a twin needle – had I coverstitched it on, the bulk would have ruined the flowy look of the front.

I used a lovely soft Oatmeal colored poly-rayon-spandex french terry for this version. It has two-way 25% stretch, which means it keeps it’s length nicely and doesn’t grow throughout the day. I think I would use a sweater knit for my next iteration, if I were to need a warmer version.

All in all, I’m so proud of myself. I usually never sew solids but I did, just trying to stay true to the plan and making what I need instead of what I fancy. I’m so proud I used a pattern I already had, instead of spending money to buy more patterns that I would eventually forget about. I think I did well this time! Don’t you agree?

Enter the fabulous giveaway for a chance to win a $50 credit to the Love Notions Pattern Website - that's enough to fuel your sewing dreams for a long lovely time!