Testers are such an important part of the indie pattern design process. They help ensure that a pattern fits just right on a wide range of bodies and makes sense to the average sewist across the world. Good testers help me to polish off any last bits of roughness from a pattern, asking all the questions I might have missed answering.
The testers for the Mahina Cardigan were just wonderful. You can tell how amazing they are by how many of them made multiple cardigans, just because they enjoyed sewing them and wearing them so much!
Here are the tester makes!
Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow@craftingarainbow
Gillian made the Mahina View C out of a delicious purple knit that looks incredibly soft even in the photos.
It shows off the drape of the cardigan beautifully! Read her blog post for a full review of the pattern.
Kerstin of Hertzwerk-Freiburg
Kerstin’s Mahina is a wonderful example of what the cardigan looks like in a very light, sheer knit. And she sent me photos with 13 different ways to wear the Mahina. Versatility!
I’ve restrained from showing you all of them (but go check out her hilarious blog post to see them for yourself!), so here are my two favourites. A classic View C Mahina:
And a rectangular hack of the pattern. The pattern includes suggestions for playing with the shape, and the basic construction techniques, and Kerstin decided to have fun with the ideas. I love it!
Nina of Smash the Stash @ninavirgo
Nina has been the most consistent campaigner for me to release the Mahina Cardigan pattern. She’s loved it ever since she helped me photograph my geeky version.
She particularly loved the fabric I used for my original cardigan, and I had quite a bit of it left in my stash, so was delighted to be able to give her a cardigan length to test with.
(Nina is my editing tester, who tests every single one of my patterns for stylistic consistency, so giving her fabric is a thank you for her amazing help – not a bribe for a good review!)
Tales of the Sewing City
The Mahina can look so different depending on the fabric used, and how you wear and style it. I LOVE how this ponte de roma falls in View B, especially pinned at the neck like this!
Do pop over to her blog to read her lovely review of the pattern.
(also THOSE SHOES!!!!!! Did you see the shoes!!!!)
Teresa of Books ‘n’ Threads @books.n.threads
I am absolutely in love with the fabric that Teresa chose for her View C Mahina. That lattice pattern really shows off the drape and cut of the cardigan, and it works beautifully with the wide binding.
The Sewing Goatherd @thesewinggoatherd
I like to have a mix of experienced testers, and people who are new to testing, and testers I’ve worked with before, and testers I’ve never worked with, for every pattern. It ensures that I get a range of viewpoints and perspectives on the pattern, and that some of those viewpoints are familiar with my usual fit and instructions, and can point out if I’m doing something really differently to what I usually do.
Alyssa is one of the testers I’ve worked with a lot, because she’s great at testing – really thoughtful, and notices all sorts of things I could improve.
And also, she takes photos with baby goats! Do check out her blog post for this one – it’s all spring blossoms and baby animals, and looks like a fairy tale!
Anna of Andropial
When Anna applied to be a tester I loved her bright IG account, and her fun poses. She did not disappoint with her Mahina photos!
She made View A in blue-purple, and then maroon, and I think they both look amazing with that red top!
Kristina of Plum Kitchen @plumkitchen
Kristina made her Mahina in a lighter weight merino knit: perfect for autumn in New Zealand.
@MrsNickiPea
Pink was a bit of a theme with the testers (and one of the pattern samples is pink!), but Nicola is definitely winning the bright contest with this amazing hot pink and black reversible fabric.
Sewing with Music in Mind
Sarah enjoyed making her test Mahina so much that she made one in dark pink:
And one in light pink:
And one in blue, but you’ll have to go to her blog to see that one!
A huge thank you to everyone who tested! I really enjoyed working with you, and am very grateful for your time and feedback.
Lovely makes all! I especially enjoyed seeing the different edge treatments. Congratulations on a successful pattern that works so well for so many.
Pink and purple! 🙂
I always enjoy the tester posts because it’s so interesting to see the variations in one place.
Didn’t get to say before: Congratulations on the wonderful new pattern! I love the inspiration behind the name and shape. This is wonderful.
And what wonderful test cardigans! The best part about sewing is that other sewers are able to add their own tastes to the pattern and the interpretations here are swell. Congrats, everyone!