Have you come across Pattern Emporium yet?  It’s an Australian company, with an experienced designer creating pdf patterns that are current, easy to wear, straightforward to sew and have loads of options provided in each pattern.  I’ve sewn a few of their patterns now (most still unblogged) and have been impressed by all of them.

This is the My Embrace Cardi, sewn in striped wool jersey from Eliza’s of Sunshine.  From the website: The My Embrace Cardi is the latest trans-seasonal essential to hit the PE pattern collection. Whether you are wanting an easy breezy, lightweight throw over for Summer or a snuggly Winter warmer, the My Embrace will work all year round. It’s softly draped silhouette is perfect for a myriad of stretch knit fabrics & not only can it be worn open over your fave outfits but it can also be wrapped around the body like a warm embrace. So get ready to give yourself a loving hug in the My Embrace Cardi! FABRIC SUGGESTIONS: Sweater Knit, Waffle Knit, Hacci, Sherpa Knit, Rib Knit, Stretch Velvet, Double Brushed Poly, Merino Wool Jersey, Stretch Velvet, Viscose Jersey, Rayon Jersey, Bamboo Jersey, Modal Jersey, Poly Jersey, Soft Cotton Lycra, Boucle Knit, Ponte, French Terry.

Pattern Emporium have an extremely active Facebook group, where people share their creations.  They’re also extensively tested before release. I’ve seen many lovely versions of this cardi, in a variety of fabrics, lengths and prints. The pattern contains the following options:

• Sizes AU6-24 = US2-20.
• 3 Lengths: Maxi, Knee & Tunic Length.
• 3 Height Cutting Lines.
• 3 Sleeves: Cuff, Fitted Long Sleeve & Over Long Sleeve.

I decided to sew size 14 based on my upper bust measurement, cut the knee length option for a ‘short’ person, and used the fitted sleeve.

This should be a super fast sew. There’s only one main pattern piece, then the sleeve piece. Sew shoulder seams, make the sleeves, insert the sleeves, then hem the sleeves and jacket. SO straightforward! Except I took forever to hem the jacket. I wanted the hem to be super neat, as I knew the cardi would drape and swing and show the inside of the hem, so I used fusible tape to secure a narrow double hem before stitching it in place. For some reason that took me what felt like forever!

The black top underneath is the Style Arc Abigail top. I’ve blogged about this pattern before, so you can find more detail in those earlier posts. It’s a pattern that I will continue to return to; it works for my shape really well. I sewed size 12 in a random polyesterish knit that was in stash – it’s probably a dance fabric!

While this is a departure from my preferred colour palette, I feel comfortable in it as long as I have bright glasses and lippy! I’ll be sewing more of the cardis – and this is a terrific pattern if you’re sewing a gift for someone else, as the style is very forgiving fit wise.