The Meridian Cardi - Imagine Gnats Winter Tour

I'm honored to be a part of Rachael from Imagine Gnats' Winter Tour.  If you're stopping here by way of there then welcome!

I had been eyeing the Meridian for Women since it's release.  I love that there are different ways to wear it and that it works with more than just your regular knits.  Have you seen one of the sweatshirt fleece versions?  They look insanely cozy.

Anyway, I used what I had in my stash (trying desperately to sew down the stash this year!) and I found this lovely sweater knit from JoAnn and a jersey knit from G Street Fabrics.  The jersey is a much heavier weight than the sweater knit, so I cut the jersey pieces a shade smaller knowing they'd stretch when worn.  It turned out perfectly (please ignore the creases in the sleeves - I had been wearing it all day hehe).

Now this was my first time sewing the pattern so I had planned to stick to the instructions.  But of course I didn't, hehe.  After I sewed the shoulder seams (seriously guys, Rachael is awesome. Who thinks to design a raglan cardigan? She does!) I tried it on to make sure the size would look right on my shoulders.  I liked the way the lining and main fabric draped so I thought it would be fun to leave the two layers detached so they could drape along the front edge.  I LOVE the result.

The only change I made to the pattern was instead of sewing the entire outside edges of the lining and main together I left two openings.  I sewed the collar edge from the front edge of one shoulder to the front edge of the other around the neck and tapering the seam at either end.  Then I sewed the back bottom edge together from side seam to side seam again tapering at each end.  This leaves the whole front edging loose for a pretty drape, but hides any seams from view.  It's also fully reversible which is great (the pattern version is too!).  I think it looks so lovely with a dress for a more formal look.  I would definitely have worn this to work back before I was a stay at home mom.

But let's face it: these days I wear it more like this, hehe.  I made this cardi well before Christmas and I have worn it so many times since then.  It's the perfect layering piece.  I think the look is unique and fun while still letting me blend in a little when I'm out and about with Bean.

Or just running around the yard!

Rachael has graciously offered a pattern to giveaway today so just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you can't wait to see if you won, you can buy the pattern for yourself here.  Also, it's worth a look at all the other ladies on the winter tour.  There are so many amazing looks out there.  I just love seeing what different things people make using the same patterns.  Here's the list of awesome:

Inder Loves Folk Art / mon petit lyons / Sew Delicious
la inglesita / Miss Matatabi / Rae Gun Ramblings
Welcome to the Mouse House / Casa Crafty
Make it Handmade / Made with Moxie / Buzzmills
girl like the sea / just me jay / Play Crafts
Sew Well Maide / Sew Charleston / Mingo and Grace
Caila Made / Sewbon / do Guincho / call ajaire
Alison Glass / a.Amelia Handmade / Bored & Crafty
you & mie / Stitched Together / things for boys
fake it while you make it / Sanae Ishida
Behind the Hedgerow / I Seam Stressed / Charming Doodle
The Crafty Kitty / Siestas & Sewing / Figgy's