How to Make a Cardigan Shirt

Making your own clothes can be beneficial. For one, it feeds your creativity. It is also beneficial to your finances because the cost of materials is nothing compared to the price of clothing. A cardigan shirt can be worn for a number of occasions. It can be casual, business or formal. In this article, we will learn how you can make your own cardigan shirt. Before starting this project, you should have a basic knowledge and experience using a sewing machine.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing Machine Fabric Pattern Thread Pins Scissors

Instructions

1. Lay out your materials. Make sure you have a large enough work area and room to measure and cut fabric.

2. Take your measurement. You will need to know what size the cardigan must be before cutting and sewing the fabric. You can use the measurements from one of your other garments, but it is best to work off your true measurements. This way the cardigan will have a tailored fit to it.

3. Cut the pattern piece. On the pattern, there are pieces for the front, back and sleeves of the cardigan. Cut the pattern based on your measurements. There are guidelines on the pattern to instruct you on how to do this.

4. Pin the pattern pieces onto the fabric with pins. This is to hold the pattern in place while you are cutting the fabric.

5. Cut the fabric along the pattern line. You want to make sure you have the correct measurements for each piece.

6. Remove the push pins and the pattern pieces. After you have cut all of the pieces, you can remove the pattern. Fold the pattern neatly and put it away for another time. Patterns are reusable, and you will need it if you decide to make another cardigan.

7. Sew the pieces together. Using the sewing machine, sew the front and back pieces together. Next you will sew on the sleeves. Use the basic stitch.

8. Wash the cardigan. It is always a good idea to wash any garment that you've made before wearing it. This removes any fabric dust that has accumulated on the fabric while it was at the store.

Tips & Warnings

• You can customize the cardigan by adding a design stitch, buttons or pockets. Make the cardigan your own by adding your personal touch. For a more elegant cardigan that can be worn to a formal event, add gemstones along the edges. You can pair it up with a dress, skirt or dress pants.