How to make a wrap cardigan
Well as promised before Christmas, I’ve been working away and created a little tutorial for all of you on how to make a wrap cardigan.
I really think this cardigan design is brilliant. There are just so many different ways you can wear it! (Remember when I wore it loose?) Here it is belted - I’m so glad I tried it out this way as I really like how it works.
I’m for sure getting bump-tastic these days hey?! I’m due February 26th, which means I only have 2 months until baby boy arrives. oh my gosh. freak out.
Anyway, I think I’ve waffled on enough! Lets get sewing!
What you’ll need:
- 2yds of stretchy jersey knit that does not fray (like a 4 way stretch). It’s important that it doesn’t fray as tutorial is for a cardigan with unfinished hems. The sizing on this one will be pretty flexible – I’ve based it to be a comfortable fit for a size Medium, but these measurements would still work well for a S or L. If you’re significantly different in size, just compare the sleeve and back pieces to a cardigan you like, and adjust the pattern.
What to do:
- Cut out your cardigan pieces:
In the below pictures you would cut out the pink sections. If you have a French curve, then use it for the curved sections, otherwise you can just ‘eyeball’ it, knit fabric is very forgiving!- Front ( cut 2)
- Back ( cut 1)
- Sleeve ( cut 2 on the fold)
- Place the front & back pieces together, with the sides lined up & right sides together. Sew the side seams together.
- Turn the cardigan right way round so that the right sides are facing outwards.
Line up the centre of the collar with wrong sides together, and sew.
- Turn cardigan inside out again so that the right sides are inwards and wrong sides are facing outwards. Line up the shoulder seams with right sides together, and match up the back neck opening with the collar edge. Sew from one shoulder edge all the way along the back neckline to the other shoulder edge. Note: since the fabric curves in various places you will need to stretch it in some places to ensure all the edges stay lined up.
- Fold the sleeves in half (right sides together) and sew the seam up
- Attach the sleeves to the cardigan. I find the easiest way is to turn the sleeves right way round and put them inside the cardigan, so that the raw edges are free to sew, and the cardigan body & sleeves are right sides together.
- And there you have it, a versatile wrap cardigan that will work no matter how big your belly gets!
Happy sewing!
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Ooooh thank you!
I hope I can find some time to try this one out.
Love how you styled it above!
Lovely wrap cardigan – I’ll be checking out the tutorial as I reeeeallly want one of these. A friend of mine says these are fantastic if you are planning on breastfeeding as you can use the wrap part to cover you if you are feeding out and about :)
I have the perfect fabric for this in my stash…Thanks for posting
[...] Megan from MeganNielsen.com offers a free downloadable tutorial for making this versatile wrap cardigan. It looks great cinched with a belt, but it also looks good hanging loose. Those with baby bumps will be happy to know that it works great as maternity wear also. Go to the tutorial. [...]
Beautiful!! I featured your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-versatile-wrap-cardigan/2009/12/29/
–Anne
Thanks so much for the tutorial, I will surely be making this in a heavy weight and a light weight as I live in Texas and every 30 min the weather changes. Thanks.
I’m going to be needing some of your ideas soon!!! Happy 2010!
Wow, this is fantastic! I just came across your link via CraftGossip. I can’t wait to make one. I would also love to link to this if you didn’t mind.
Looks really great on you Meg! Chic mommy!!
Thanks everyone!!
Thank you so much, Meg! I cannot wait to make this.
This is just awesome! TFS!
I ADORE your boots. You’re so cute with your baby bump – full of life!!
Yeah I love this but don’t think I have anything in my stash…. will have to see what else I can find or it’s a trip to the shops for me! thanks Meg xo
So very stylish.
Trudy
http://www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
Wow, I LOVE this! It might have to become my first project of the new year – totally fantastic. Thanks!
Thanks everyone! I’m sooo glad you’ve all found the tutorial helpful xoxo
[...] How to make a wrap cardigan (16) Alli (One Pearl Button): Wow, I LOVE this! It might have to become my first… [...]
[...] Nielsen – How to Make a Wrap Cardigan (Finally a fashion blogger that’s a [...]
Ahh! Thank you so much for this! I’ve been wanting to make a wrap cardigan for ages. Now I have no excuse not to :]
Can I feature this post on The Bump Wear Project and pinch one of your photos please? Thanks
http://bumpwearproject.com
[...] – Made by me (get the tutorial here) Leggings – Refashioned from old trackies by me (get the tutorial here) Flats – From a [...]
I just started sewing 2 months ago, and for my first clothing project, I wanted to do a cardigan like this. Wasn’t sure if I would understand a real pattern, so this tutorial was perfect because you made it seem uncomplicated. Thank You so much! Even then, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to follow your instructions correctly, so I did a trial using spare materials —–success. Thanks again for sharing.
Thank you so much for the great tutorial! I made one of these last Sunday out of some knit fabric that’s been languishing in my stash after being given to me by a friend (almost the same color as your’s, actually). I’m wearing it today with a thick elastic-y black belt (the ones that are really popular right now) and had someone tell me how great I look today (which I normally never have people tell me). Thanks for making me look awesome!
Kate you’ve you made my day! I love hearing that my tutorials have helped!
[...] – Gilet croisé, par Megan Nielsen | 2 – Echarpe, par Ruffles and stuff | 3 – Bonnet de lutin, par [...]
This is awesome!!!!
[...] week, quite randomly, I stumbled across Megan Nielsen’s blog. She has posted a tutorial for a wrap cardigan. I’m thinking this could be a good garment for me, and, as you can see, she’s pregnant [...]
[...] to the drawing board After having drafted the wrap cardigan by Megan Nielsen I was all ready to go. I brought out my fabric and got [...]
This is just what I’m looking for, for Autumn (down under!) wardrobe. Thanks for the pattern. Will drop by after it’s made and let you know how I go. :)
Well, I have a look all over your blog and I love so many things!! I put a link and a photo (again with your permission?) on my second blog: http://galimamphigouric.canalblog.com/archives/2010/05/23/17979454.html
Tahnk you!!!!
[...] I know a lot of you have been asking for examples of more ways to wear my wrap cardigan, so I thought I’d share another little one I came up with. This seriously is the best cardi in the world… I simply took the two bottom corners and tied them behind my back, then tucked the knot under, and voila – some kind of awesome cross over top!! After looking at these photos I’ve realised that I could also have tucked in that dangling bit of fabric in the front for a slightly different look… but I still like it this way. If you haven’t already downloaded the tutorial you can get it here. [...]
[...] you can sew you can make your own. Here’s a tutorial I wrote for making a wrap sweater in a style that’s been quite popular for maternity wear recently, [...]
thanks so much! I really love your tutorials!
Thanks hun! I’m so glad you like them!
This is definitely being added to my “things to make” list (after making your gorgeous Pina dress). Now I really, really want to be pregnant to try out all of these great tutorials :)
I literally just finished making this…. I am absolutly IN LOVE with it, it was so easy and it’s for more than just a preggo belly. I somehow ended up with some weird 80′s shoulder thing going on with mine though, but luckily just a little pin and tuck and it’s good to go! THank you for such an amazing pattern!
I’m so happy to hear you liked it!! I literally lived in mine while pregnant!!
I love this!!! Heading out to buy fabric right now. I’m looking at your sketch and wondering though…if the front and back pieces are the same length, does that still allow for the angled long part in the front, or should I cut the front at an angle? Can’t wait to make one!
I just made two of these! Took me about 45 minutes each. For the second one, I used a different color of fabric for the back panel to achieve a color blocked effect. So cute!!! Megan, when you wore it as a top, how did you make it not look all lumpy in the front and uneven at the bottom because of the ties? I almost want to make a slit in one of the side seams so I can thread one of the front corners through. You are brilliant!!