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Carefree Cardigan

Written by Kimberly Coffin ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 6 Comments

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At the close of every summer, I find myself yearning for fall. Nothing quite compares to the way the leaves turn scarlet and gold. The crisp chill in the air and all those wonderful fall smells. Right now I'd do just about anything to exchange the hot summer days for a brisk fall afternoon and a cozy cardigan!

I can't help myself but go into full-blown fall-sewing mode at the end of every summer! My closet contains an astronomical amount of winter clothing. Really it's slightly absurd, especially since I live in California. But I love all the layers, the boots, the scarves, the hats, and the warm fuzzy socks. So you can imagine why the only things I want to sew right now are comfy, fall layers.

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The Carefree Cardigan has been at the top of my sewing list for awhile and that's saying something because my list is a mile long. ๐Ÿ™‚ I made two for my sister and three for my mother for their back-to-school wardrobes.  After seeing how awesome they looked in their cardigans, I was feeling a little jealous and I finally cut one out for myself!

It makes for the perfect transition piece moving into the fall season. The timing is great while it's not cold enough for anything too heavy, but you still want to layer.

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It was really quite an easy sew. It's only five pieces. The body of the cardigan is shaped like a rectangle. And can I tell you my dirty little secret?!? I didn't even hem it. I just folded over the hem twice and used some Pellon-fusible web to secure the hem in place. It's one of my favorite little secrets for sewing with knits to prevent that unsightly tunneling that happens all too often!

Carefree Cardigan Features:

Sizes: XXS-3X

Sleeves: Short, 3/4, long and hemmed or banded

No band, Neckband or Fully Banded

Belted Version

Modifications:

 The only adjustment I made to the pattern was to take about an inch from the seam under the armpit. It was gaping a little too much for my liking and even though it's a flowy top, I prefer clothing with a little bit of structure. Other than that I followed the instructions to a T. Well, minus the sneaky little hem secret.

Fit:

Overall, the fit was pretty good. I probably should have made a size smaller instead of taking in the extra fabric under the arms. The Cardigan is a little bit long on me since I'm on the shorter side, but I chose not to take off any length because I prefer longer cardigans.

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If you need a little more inspiration check out the Facebook group Patterns for Pirates PDF Patterns. It's a closed group of over 7,000 women who sew. You can get more inspiration in that group by searching "Carefree Cardigan" in the search bar or looking for the album titled "Carefree Cardigan". If you're new to sewing I can't stress enough how important it is to join a couple of sewing groups. That can really make all the difference! It will allow you to ask questions and get quick responses if you get stuck on part of the pattern and also interact with other seamstresses.

For the fabric, I used a knit I picked up at Michael Levine. It was $3.00 a pound. I wish I would have gotten more because it is SOOO soft! Green isn't typically isn't a color I pick out for myself, but in this case I'm really loving it!

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If you like this look but you're not wanting to commit to buying a pattern, then you could check out Swoon patterns FREE Scarf Neck Cardigan I've heard great things about that pattern but I've yet to try it.

Well my sewing machine is beckoning me so that's all for now. Check back next week for more sewing inspiration!

« Pat-A-Cake Romper Pattern For Boys
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cristin says

    September 24, 2015 at 11:56 am

    I love this! I own the pattern but haven't found the right sweater knit to buy for it yet. LOVE the green! I'm trying to convert my entire wardrobe to grey, navy, mustard, and grass green so I'm totally going to look for green knit now.
    Its 83 degrees today in Ohio... I'm SO OVER summer and ready for chilly fall days! Maybe if it ever dips below 70 I'll make this cardigan ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Kimberly Coffin says

      September 24, 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Thanks so much Cristin! I feel your pain! It's been 90+ all week and I'm dying! On the bright side I can still go swimming. ๐Ÿ™‚ But I'm really just ready for fall.

      Reply
  2. melissa evans of mahlicadesigns says

    September 24, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    It looks great! I can't decide if I like this green or the pink from your last cardigan better. I'm good for longish cardigans, but I'm putting your black top on my inspiration board for something to copy. I love the lace insert.

    Reply
    • Kimberly Coffin says

      September 24, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Thanks Melissa! I wish I could say that I made the black top but that was a store bought top from DownEast. But I totally need a pattern just like it. I'm obsessed with lace inserts. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Ellen says

    September 24, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    I loooove this! What Pellon # do you use? Do you find that even after washing, the tape holds the hem together well? Because I'm totally going to start doing this for some of my hems!!

    Reply
    • Kimberly Coffin says

      September 25, 2015 at 12:33 pm

      Thank you Ellen! I haven't had any problems with it holding after being washed. I used the extra wide tape so that the whole hem was basically glued down. Just make sure you really press it well so it all adheres. Here is a link to it http://www.joann.com/wonder-under-tape-%E2%80%94-5-8in-x-20-yards/12142378.html#q=pellon&prefn1=prod_type&sz=54&start=109&prefv1=Product I love the paper backed kind because it allows you to press it down on one side and get it exactly where you want it. Then you remove the paper and press the other side. Without the paper there is just too much guesswork.

      Reply

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Ready, Set, Sew! An online sewing course for beginners by top US sewing blogger, Sweet Red Poppy.

Hello, Iโ€™m Kimberly, the creator of Sweet Red Poppy!

Iโ€™m a wife, mother to 3, seamstress, and lover of all things crafty! Sweet Red Poppy is my creative outlet where I find and create inspiration. Itโ€™s a place where I can share my never-ending sewing projects and my love of learning!

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Ready, Set, Sew! An online sewing course for beginners by top US sewing blogger, Sweet Red Poppy.

Hello, Iโ€™m Kimberly, the creator of Sweet Red Poppy!

Iโ€™m a wife, mother to 3, seamstress, and lover of all things crafty! Sweet Red Poppy is my creative outlet where I find and create inspiration. Itโ€™s a place where I can share my never-ending sewing projects and my love of learning!

Read more about me โ†’

The Latest

  • Aeon Mira5 S Sweet Red Poppy
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