{DIY} Early Fall Cardi

Hey!  It's a tutorial!  Can you believe it?! Due to several events that I will tell you about later this week, I have been very very distracted.  BUT I did manage to whip up this little cardigan. If you're one of my Florida readers you're probably laughing at the thought of needing a little something extra in the evenings - but here in TN it's been dropping into the 50's at night, so I needed something light that I could toss on over a t-shirt or tank top.

 

Here are the supplies you'll need:

1 yard of 60" wide fabric - preferably something flowy like voile or a rayon

Thread/scissors/sewing machine

yardstick

a shirt that fits you kinda loosely

Step 1:  Lay your shirt on top of the fabric.

Step 2:  Measure down 7" or 8" from the top fold on one edge and cut straight across toward the underarm of the existing shirt.  Stop about 1/2" from the shirt then follow along the side seam cutting down to the selvage.

Remove the shirt and fold the material right to left and cut out the other side of the fabric - using the first half as a pattern.  When you unfold it, it should look like this:

Step 2:  Cut along the fold at the top to make a front and back piece.

Then cut down the center of the top layer only.

So now you should have 3 pieces:  1 back panel and 2 front panels

Step 3:  Along the top split edge, place a pin that lines up with the underarm.  

Then gather the material from the center split to the pin, using a basting stitch. 

After you've sewed it, pull the threads so that it measures about 5".

Repeat this process with the other front panel.

Step 4:  Now lay both front panels on the back panel, right sides together and pin along the top edge.  Make sure the ends of the sleeves line up.  Sew along the top edge of one panel, stopping when you reach the center split.  Sew the other panel on.  It should now look like this:

Step 5:  Finish all of the raw edges (along the back neckline, down both center front panels, and the edges of the sleeves) by pressing each edge under 1/4" then under 1/4" again.  Top stitch in place.

Step 6:  Final step!  Pin the underarm and side edges right sides together.  Sew a seam on each side, using a zig zag stitch.  Turn your cardi inside out and you're ready to go!

Hope I made that clear.  If not, please email me at jessica(at)sewhomegrown(dot)com and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Happy Sewing!

jessica

Projects

I had mentioned some clothing projects that have been keeping me busy lately. Here they are:

This denim skirt emerged from two pairs of jeans that were slightly too big to wear as jeans. The bustle down the back was very fun and simple to make.

This next skirt was inspired by Alabama Studio Style by Ms. Natalie Chanin. I love the way she appliques and builds her textiles. You can read more about her and view her lovely collections here.

Next is a brown cardigan made from an old knit long-sleeved t-shirt. I appliqued the flowers on, then cut holes in the neckline and wove the ribbon through. Super easy!

This ruffle shirt was inspired by a tutorial here

So I have been having fun updating my spring wardrobe- I encourage you to do the same. I spent $0 dollars on these projects. I used scraps of fabric that I already had. If you don't have any- you can always find bins at fabric stores that sell remnants for a discounted price. My next clothing hurdle is going to be making an Indian Kurta for Ryan to wear to an Indian wedding reception Saturday. I will include a tutorial- I couldn't find one anywhere! So, Bollywood here I come!