MAKE YOUR OWN V-NECK CARDIGAN PATTERN

TUTORIAL: Toddler V-Neck Cardigan Pattern
LEVEL: Easy Peasy


Have you ever found a piece of clothing that you loved but it only came in one or two colors? This is a recurring problem for me with cardigans. I love cardigans for myself and my children. I'd wear one everyday if I could. Its just a simple way to update an outfit and keep warm at the same time.
 
I recently found this cardigan at H&M and its only available in grey or teal. Bummer. Not really, I'm going to show you how to make your own pattern so that you can make a cardigan in any color you choose.

The easiest way to make your own pattern is to use a piece of clothing you already have as your guideline.  For this tutorial I'm using the H&M cardigan as a guideline. If your child has a well fitting cardigan but they grew out of it you could use that also, you would just need to make adjustments for growth.

Lets get started:
 
Fold the cardigan so that you only see the front pattern piece. Try nestling the sleeves together so that the garment lays flat.


Place the cardigan/pattern piece on a piece of paper or old fabric. ( I use craft paper leftover from a renovation from years ago.) Using a pencil/marker/crayon or whatever you have on hand, trace all around the cardigan. You could add in the seam allowance now or after you are finished tracing all of the pieces like I did.


This is what your pattern pieces should look like after you've traced the front, back and sleeves.

Now that the pattern pieces are traced, use a ruler to define and straighten out the lines.

Looks better, right? We are almost finished.

Now that all your lines are defined. It's time to adjust the pattern for the seam allowance and ribbing/trim

I like to color code my patterns. Its like having your own reference key right on the pattern. I plan to sew the entire cardi on the serger so I need a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Mark out  a 1/4 inch all the way around the pattern piece (black line). This is illustrated in red.

Measure the width of your ribbing. I used one inch plus a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Mark out 1.25 inches from the bottom, front edges and back neck of your pattern. This is illustrated in green.

Cut the pattern on the green line, the discarded pieces will be replace by the ribbing/trim.

Now go and find yourself some fabric, because you are ready to sew. Click here to see the cardigan tutorial.

*Note: Don't worry if  your pattern is not perfect. Pattern making is an evolution.You can make tweaks and  adjustments as you go along.