Cardigans of various styles are always present in the fashion collections of the world's leading fashion brands. For example, today not short fitted button-down cardigans are more popular, but long models without fasteners. Sewing it is quite simple, even if you are a beginner seamstress. In some cases, even a cardigan pattern is not required. Gain experience and try to sew a model more difficult.
Material selection
A primal unique cardigan model can be either knitted or sewn. Not every fabric is suitable for tailoring a comfortable and beautiful thing. It is best for this purpose to opt for a fabric such as tweed. It is an elastic soft material with a relief and pleasant-looking texture. Tweed products are very comfortable to wear, do not need an iron, they always look stylish and neat.
Another good material to sew a cardigan with your own hands is mohair, the main part of which is natural angora. Thanks to this, the mohair is so gentle, fluffy, soft and comfortable. Things from it, despite the volume, look airy and elegant.
Cashmere cardigans look great, which is not at all surprising, since this is one of the most expensive wool materials in the world. Cashmere has a silky, soft, plastic and well-shaped structure. The only drawback of a cashmere cardigan is the high cost of the fabric.
A cardigan made of knitwear looks great - it is a mixed fabric that remains at the peak of popularity for many years due to affordable consumer properties, convenience, budget price and lack of complicated care. Certain minus of knitwear can be called its ability to fit and emphasize any flaw in the figure. Knitwear items require careful fit.
Wool is also a good option for a cardigan. But it should be borne in mind that wool is not only natural, but also a very warm material. Therefore, a cardigan knitted from natural wool is best worn in the coldest time of the year.
Boucle is another kind of mixed fabric in which natural and synthetic fibers are intertwined in the original embossed texture, which is why any wardrobe item looks quite voluminous. This should be considered when choosing a cardigan model.
Slim Sleeve Cardigan
For this model, you will need a rectangle of knitted fabric with a length of 1 m and a width of 1.5 m. If you want to spend a minimum of time, this is an ideal cardigan, the pattern is simply elementary. It is enough to take the only measurement - the girth of the hand directly above the elbow, where the sleeve of the product will begin. The hand will need to pass into it effortlessly. To the cuff, the sleeve width can be narrowed at will.
Now you need a cardigan pattern right on the fabric. Lay it out and cut a 1x1 m square - this is the cardigan itself, the rest of the fabric will go to the sleeves. Fold the canvas in half with the front side inward, along the both edges, lay the lines, not reaching the fold by the number of centimeters that is equal to half the measured girth of the hand.
For the sleeves, cut two rectangles 50 cm long and the width of the measured girth of the hand. Having folded each of these rectangles in half, it is necessary to grind them into the pipe in turn, and then grind the resulting sleeves into the left holes of the main part. Now you can hem the bottom of the sleeves and work on the edges of the cardigan.
Kimono cardigan
In the summer months or on vacation, an elegant and lightweight cardigan made of natural fabrics will be an excellent option. Flax with embroidery will look very good.
The basis of the cut is a flared kimono. There are only two necessary measurements: girth and chest height. The cardigan pattern is built directly on the fabric, which is folded in four layers and cut out the details of the cut, given the allowances for the seams. Having cut out the product, all the parts need to be sewn together with a direct machine line, processing the edges on the overlock.
At the same time, adding color and processing the edges will help, for example, braid with fringe.
O-Neck Cardigan
For this trendy thing, you will need 2 meters of soft knit fabric. The cut is folded in half lengthwise, a cardigan pattern is transferred to it - a shelf, a back and trims. All details will be obtained in duplicate.
Cut them, leaving room for allowances, and start stitching. To get started, fold the backrest together and make the middle seam. Place the shelves on the back facing each other, that is, inward, chip, grind the shoulder seams, and then the side sections.
Attach the details of the bar to each other and grind a short cut. Pin the bar to the edge of the cardigan face to face and stitch along the entire length.
The last step - tuck the edges of the cardigan at the bottom and hem, also hem the sections of the sleeves.
Stole Cardigan
Cardigan is one of the most versatile wardrobe items of a modern person, because various cardigans can be selected for any occasion, image and season. Even in the summer heat with a breeze, a light cardigan can be thrown over a swimsuit and go for a walk along the promenade.
You can build a garment with your own hands, even if you do not know how to sew a cardigan, and do not know how to scribble on a typewriter or knit. An unusual thing in a couple of minutes can turn out of the usual large stole.
To do this, you need to master only two movements:
1 - the stole should be folded in half in length.
2 - tightly tie the free corners at the top into a small knot and expand. The stole acquired two wide armholes. If you put your hands in them, the knot will be in the back.
The result was an original free cardigan, which at any time, if desired, can again become a stole.
Tips: how to sew a cardigan?
- When making a pattern and taking measurements, add a few centimeters so that the cardigan is not cramped. Under it will have to wear other clothes.
- If you are sewing a model from knitwear, sweep the details with a zigzag seam - this way the fabric can stretch.
- If you choose knitwear with a large knit, sew it manually with a large needle.
- Before sewing, wash and iron the fabric, so you will avoid shrinkage of the finished product.