My Meridian Cardi Hoodie

Every once in a while the stars align and magic happens.


A few days after Christmas we went to the Natural History Smithsonian with my brother and his family. While wondering about the dinosaurs my eye was drawn to a woman wearing a brightly colored Southwestern pattern cardigan. I probably stared at her a bit too long like a nutter, but I really liked the look of her sweater and found it especially odd because I normally dislike Southwestern patterns. In any case, she was lost into the crowds within a few seconds and my attention turned else where.

I was perusing my Instagram feed later that week when I wasn't sleeping well and lo, and behold, there was that sweater again! Thanks to the commenters I found it online at LuLus.com. When I showed it to my husband he thought I had lost my mind. A) He thought it was ugly, and B) he was surprised I was in love with it. To be honest, I was still surprised I was in love with it, but who am I to argue with love at first sight?

I continued contemplating dropping fifty dollars on the "ugly" sweater until the fateful day arrived. I had spent the afternoon taping together my copy of the Meridian {for women} cardi pattern. As I was browsing through my knit fabrics for inspiration, lightening struck! There, on buried under newer fabrics, was the most fabulous Southwestern patterned fabric that I had bought as part of a Girl Charlee Bargain Lot. Not only was it the same bright rusts and teals, but the most perfect aqua thermal knit was stacked right with it.

Fast forward a few hours of sewing (with kids) and I present to you my Meridian:


I made some very slight edits to the pattern for style sake only. I squared out the top corners of the Meridian to mimic the original cardi that I loved. I cut my thermal sleeve lining a few inches longer so I could roll them up for contrast. I drafted a quick hood because I love hoodies. To add a hood, assemble the hood and lining, sew them together along the font face seam, turn them right sides facing and pin it in place before you do the final sewing around the outside edge of your Meridian.


The Meridian cardi for women is a great pattern to use if you are new to knits, or a pro. While it does require a good amount of fabric yardage, it is yardage well used. Who doesn't like to be swaddled in soft and lovely knits? The pattern fits well and make a garment that is quite versatile. Throw it on over jeans and a tshirt. Wear it to dress up a basic shift dress for work. You could shorten it up to just under the bust for an adorable shrug, too. Make a basic black one and wear it with just about everything. I'm thinking my next Meridian will be unlined with sweatshirt knit.



I am completely in love with my Meridian. I may wear it often, and by often I mean almost every day. I really need to get going on a second one so I can wash this one. Ha!

How would you make your Meridian?

Now through the end of the month, you can get 20% off all imagine gnats patterns using the code "januarytour". Rachael has also graciously offered to giveaway one imagine gnats PDF pattern of the winner's choice. Make sure you enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. And, as always, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it.


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Lady Skater Pattern Tour

Have you all met Amanda of Kitschy Coo yet? If not, today is your lucky day! Amanda is the maker behind some pretty fantastic kiddos patterns, like this Revesible Zippy Hoodie and the ever adorable Little Girl's Skater Dress. I'm of the opinion that kids get the most adorable and awesome sewing patterns made for them. No one ever makes the adult versions of them...until now! When Amanda let on that she was making the Lady Skater Dress I begged her to be part of it. Folks, Kitschy Coo does not disappoint!


I'll start by disclosing that I altered the Lady Skater Dress pattern in to a tunic, as you can see. I did make it as a dress first, but then decided I'd rather have a new top since most of my shirts don't fit right now that I have more proportionate boobs. The pattern can also be altered into a peplum top. Amanda has posted instructions to make a Lady Skater peplum top. I was tempted to make one, but figured a peplum would only accentuate my hips and I'm curvy enough on my own.


To make your Lady Skater Dress pattern into a tunic, measure the distance from your natural waist (the narrowest point around your middle) up to your underbust (rib cage measurement directly below your bust.) Take this measurement and remove that amount from the bottom of the front and back bodice pattern pieces. Next you need to remove some of the fullness from the dress skirt. Mark a point one and a half (1.5) inches in along the bottom corner of the angled side (the one not on the fold.) Use a ruler to draw a straight line from that point up to the top corner of the angled side of the pattern piece. Otherwise, assemble as instructed.


Amanda has also been so awesome as to include two different sets of instructions with her Lady Skater Dress pattern. One set holds your hand, step by step wit loads of pictures, so you don't have to be wary of using knits or if you are new to sewing. The other set is a crib sheet for "bad*sses" that helps you zip through if you know what you're doing. I totally appreciated the crib sheet, but admit to peeking at the hand holding instructions when sewing in clear elastic tape. (Note: I didn't have clear elastic tape and used flat 1/4" elastic instead with no ill effects.) Amanda makes sewing with knits a breeze. No tears. No fabric throwing. I promise!


This pattern is super versatile. Another maker likened it to The Girl Next Door. It fits well, it has so many easy alterations from top to tunic to dress to maxi, and who doesn't love a comfortable jersey dress? I have some thermal waffle knit that I think will be my next Lady Skater for this fall. Want to peruse the other maker's Lady Skater versions? Click the tour button below. The Lady Skater Dress pattern has a wide range of fashions for most everyone's life. It's going into my Must Have Sewing Patterns list.