SEWTORIAL

sewing tutorials & tips

Sew & Tell: The Cool Cardigan

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Today’s Sew & Tell contributor is Renee from Two Many and she has sewn two of the cutest Cool Cardigans, EVER! Love!

The Cool Cardigan is wonderful basic cardigan pattern for girls and boys – with lots of fun details. Read on to hear all about Renee’s experience!

I’m so happy I got a chance to sew up and review the Cool Cardigan, a Blank Slate Pattern available with Go To Patterns. It’s a versatile pattern that works with both girls and boys. Here’s my “boy” version, though worn on one of my girls.

This pattern printed off and pieced together wonderfully. I love when pdf patterns are organized well so that less paper is required to be printed. I made the cardigan in a 3T, which is what she wears commercially. The fit is spot on with a little room to layer. Both the Fox and the the Houndstooth fabric are from Girl Charlee and are the perfect weight to sew with. I was totally singing that song (What does a fox say?) while sewing this. It’s one of the girls’ favorite songs right now, so of course this fabric was a hit.

The cardigan can be sewn by using a serger and leaving seams exposed or with a regular machine and seams enclosed. I tried both methods – leaving seams exposed is definitely easier and really quick. But enclosing the seams isn’t really much more difficult (just more pressing involved) and leaves the insides looking beautiful with flat seams.

The most difficult part of the entire pattern is the button placket for me. My machine is a little finicky when sewing the buttonholes and likes to eat up the knit. I would suggest adding some light interfacing to the waistband corners (similar to what you would use in the placket) if you have experienced similar issues with your machine.

And because I make at least two of everything, especially when I find a great pattern, I made a “girl” version of the Cool Cardigan. It compliments the Sweetheart Dress she’s wearing perfectly and reminds me of a 50s cardigan that belongs with a poodle skirt.
The baby pink fabric is from a women’s medium sweater that I upcycled. I added some white stretch lace from JoAnn Fabrics to make the contrast cuffs, collar, and waistband.

Instead of knit pockets like the other cardigan, I crocheted two hearts and sewed them on as pockets. I also only added one button closure to the placket so more of the dress could peak through.

Hope these variations inspire you to make your own Cool Cardigans so your kids can look “cool” like these jokers! (her cool face)