I took some time out from making something far more time-consuming and complicated, ahem Alabama Chanin, cough cough…. ooo did I once say I would never get addicted to Alabama Chanin??? yaas, going back on my word, guilty as charged!! Anyway, I took a day to put together this simple little cardigan from some scraps. It’s a light and nothingy-to-it sort of a thing with no closure except for a necktie at the bust level. A little something to throw over a summery ensemble on cooler summer evenings, or to cope with air conditioning.
It’s mostly made from scraps; a piece of paprika stretch knit from Fabulous Fabrics, leftover from my paprika Nettie bodysuit and I bought a little extra to get out the pieces for this cardigan. Once again I used the fabric wrong side out, because I prefer the duller, deeper, richer colour of it.
Speaking of Nettie, I actually made this using the Nettie pattern too! just with a touch of ad-libbing. Such a good basic pattern and a fantabulous springboard to a lot of other variations. I can honestly see myself making like a tonne of these over my lifetime, with slightly different additions, subtractions and/or bits and bobs going on.
Changes to the pattern:
I cut size 18 which is a coupla sizes bigger than my usual, so as to get a looser “cardigan” fit rather than the skin-tight bodysuit fit; cut it to hip level with a wider shoulder, a low V-neck, and split the front up the middle. I added a wide band all along the bottom edges and wide cuffs to the edges of the sleeves, a long wide necktie, which is basically a very long skinny rectangle sewn along the top edge and with the “tie” edges sewn right side together, with pointy points on the ends of the ties, then turned right side out. The remaining gap of the necktie is slip-stitched closed to the cardigan on the inside.
The front edges I finished with strips of red crepe, itself leftover from my infinity dress here. This was sewn on to the front edges, turned inside and topstitched down along the outside. It’s a nice stable edge and the crepe takes away any tendency to stretch out, but I’m not wowed by my efforts here and in the making of this thing I conceived a much better way of doing the cardigan fronts. I’ll probably make another one of these pretty soon, incorporating my imagined improved way of finishing the edge, but I’ll need a lot more fabric than the scraps I used for this one.
Hmmm, that’s all I need; an excuse to go fabric shopping!
Project happiness factor; front edge satisfactory but I’m a bit meh about it and I’ve thought of a better way of doing it… otherwise it’s not too bad and I’m happy. 9/10
Details:
Cardigan; my own design modifications to the Nettie bodysuit, by Closet Case patterns, paprika stretch
Dress; Vogue 1194, floral stretch, details and my review of this pattern here
Thongs; Rusty
Sunnies; RayBan
Hello, here's me ditching wordpress for commenting because they were no help, and I needed a solution! I would have guessed this was a Nettie! I love the necktie feature. Good luck with the Chanin .
Never have guessed, sorry! And it worked!!
Such a good pattern hack! I have seen multiple great Nettie bodysuits that I think I need to buy the pattern.
Wonderful dress. You have used the fabric so well. . And your outfits look great. thanks fir this design clothes online idea.
Oh, I love the necktie! The cardigan turned out great and you just gave me another reason to make a Nettie! 🙂
It's so pretty! And yes cardigan finishes are the bane of my ocd perfectionist existence…..
That is one useful little throw over. Jo x
Very creative design for a very useful cardigan. Love how you do your own thing.
I would never have said this was a nettie just looking at it! I think you see things differently that other people – I would never have thought of that!
This is really pretty. I like the idea of switching up the basic square cardigan. Now I would wear this style.
Gorgeous cardigan & gorgeous pooch!
very cute and don't you love to use bits of leftover fabric – such a great feeling. I like that dress and keep thinking I will hunt down that pattern and add it to my collection (obsession) of Vogue DKNY patterns.
I love that first photo of you on your doggie who is looking so adoringly at you!
Beautiful cardigan. I'm always amazed at your creativity! It goes well with your dress. I love seeing Alabama Studio creations too but have not ventured there yet.
How pretty! I'm a lover of throw-on cardi's as well, have 7 or 8 just made up from scraps, like yours. Love love the paprika color!
This is lovely, great colour and shape. The tie closure is special too. Enjoy getting back to your Alabama chanin next.
It is beautiful! I love the color and the fit. It also goes with the dress quite nicely. Gorgeous.
What a cute little cardigan! Very clever.
thank you Vicki! 🙂
Love it – great colour, interesting design. How do you come up with all these great ideas?!
Great little cardigan – I have a ready-to-wear one that's very similar and I love it. Every time I put it on, I fiddle with the ties trying to come up with the *perfect* knot!
thanks Cussot! ah yes, the elusive perfect knot! I like it a lot just worn open, with the ties hanging loose too 🙂
A coolly elegant little cardigan. I think it will go with lots of things in your wardrobe and you'll gets masses of wear from it.
Looking really good.
Any chance of posting where you are actually photographed as you have some lovely backdrops to your photos. I know they are in Perth but where?
thanks Lizzie! I am happy to share my "locations" if anyone is interested, so thank you for asking! These pictures were taken on the South Perth foreshore, there is a small area of natural native swamp with a wooden walkway. 🙂
Hey that's pretty genius, I love all the ways you can adapt this pattern!
Hey that's pretty genius, I love all the ways you can adapt this pattern!
Oh you are so smart to adapt the Nettie pattern this way!! Brilliant. You look fabulous!
Its perfect ! I love all you do!
Great color on you & cute simple cardigan. Sure to be a workhorse!
Such a pretty color! Love the neck tie, too.
Tie closure a triumph.
Oh this is perfect for this time of year, and the perfect colour and design.
That's a neat little cardi and a fabulous pattern modification! Love the tie-front closure!