Have you looked and looked and looked for a pattern that matches your vision, but you can’t seem to find aaaany that work for you? What do you at that time? Wait for someone to come up with a sewing pattern that matches, or come up with your own hack? You know MY answer to that question!! Make your own hack, of course! That’s how I got this cardigan hack.
The cardigan inspiration
Do I make a lot of Lilli’s clothes? Yes. Do I also occasionally buy things that I don’t have time to make? Also Yes. Nothing wrong with that – she grows so quickly! Any way, we got this one cropped cardigan last month and she loves the circle cut and ruffle edging of this cardigan so I decided to make a copy.
Only problem was that there were no sewing patterns out there that fit the design lines I was looking for. And it wasn’t from lack of looking, believe me!
Okay, Plan B…
Soooo, I figured I could work something out using a pattern that had even remotely close features – like a crew neck and simple button band. Instead every cardigan pattern I found was shawl collar or v-neck!
Insert deep sigh… lets go to Plan C? I had made a different hacked Love Notions Boyfriend Cardigan last year for Lilli and she loved her cropped cardigan. So I decided to modify it.
The cardigan pattern
The original Boyfriend Cardigan pattern has dropped shoulders with shawl collar or hooded. It goes down to mid thigh and features a side vent with patch pockets.
To be honest, I didn’t realize that it was dropped shoulders because the last one made, the shoulders were according to measurements but didn’t drop past her shoulders. Not sure what happened there!
Sizing
I updated the size from 4 to 5, grading to a 4 at the waist.
The Cardigan Hack
The Boyfriend Cardigan has a v-neck for the shawl collar, but I wanted a crew neck. To make this cardigan hack, I first had to raise the neckline, and create crew neck in the front.
The inspiration cardigan has a circular front, so using my french ruler, created the quarter circle, from the neckline, all the way to the side seam. I wasn’t worried about the hem, because I was going to be attaching the ruffled strip to it. The ruffle was finished using a rolled hem on the serger.
I also did a swayback adjustment in the back – by curving the back hem from center back to nothing at the side seam.
The fabric
I got this beautiful rainbow sweater knit from FabScrap during one of their Instagram flash sales. I just knew Lilli would love it and I was planning some cardigans for her so it all worked out. It is a very loose weave and was hoping to use the same techniques as last time to keep the knit fabric from unraveling.
But this project was full of challenges – I couldn’t find my water soluble tape. ugh!!!
My next “wing it” tip worked out well anyways – pin strips of tissue paper along the neckline or shoulders. I “pleated” the strips to match the neckline curve. Then stay stitched the lines along with the tissue paper.
Let Lilli pick out the one button – she picked a pretty purple one.
conclusion
I’d say I got pretty close right?!
If you decide to get the Boyfriend Cardigan, be sure to use the coupon code for a discount!D
USE CODE BEE10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF!
I’d say it is perfect for the fall weather!
Pin this for later!!
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Links and Patterns
Links and patterns mentioned in this post are listed below for your convenience.