cardigan Archives - Patterns for Pirates

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

February 25, 2020

What an outstanding week! I am so proud of each an every one of you! We have seen so many gorgeous Cocoon and Butterfly cardigans being sewn last week…wow!! <3

So let’s not keep everyone in suspense any longer and announce our two winners!

Congratulations Erin Cooper! You won a $20 Gift Card from Patterns For Pirates and a $25 from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

Congratulations Rachel Wait Ferre! You won a $20 Gift Card from Made for Mermaids and a $25 from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

A big thank you to Raspberry Creek Fabrics who was the sew along sponsor and provided the fabric I used for my cardigan.

Stay tuned for the mermaids’ announcement for March Sew Along!

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

February 22, 2020

You did it!! We made it to the last day of the Cocoon and Butterfly Cardigan sew along. All we have left to do today is finish the sleeves. If you opted for the short sleeve or banded long sleeves style, you will be adding cuffs. Press each of the two cuffs wrong side together length wise. Open them up and stitch them in a loop; fold them again and mark the quarter points. Using pins, clips or a marking pen, find and mark the quarter point of the sleeve opening. Attach the cuffs to the sleeve opening matching the quarter points. You will stretch the cuffs to fit.

I opted for the hemmed long sleeve option so all I had to do is fold 1/2″ and stitch down. For this step you can use a coverstitch, a zig zag stitch or a triple stretch stitch. All done!

Once you finish your cardigans, post a picture in the day 6 photo comments of the SAL album. I do encourage you to share your creations in the main P4P group too but make sure you have added your last picture in the comments too. We will select the two winners from the day 6 photo comments entries.

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

February 21, 2020

Yay! We made it to day 5 of the sew along. Today our cardigans will take shape regardless of the options chosen. First thing first, let’s sew the side seams. Match the front and back side seams at the armpit and pin in place. Add a pin to the sleeve end and one to the bottom of the side seam. If you are comfortable with just the 3 points pinned together go ahead and stitch with a stretch stitch or serger, remembering to use a 1/2 inch seam allowance. If not, add a few more pins or clips and proceed to stitching.

Mark the center back neckline and the center bottom back with a pin, clip or marking pen. Mark the center of the bottom band with a pin or a marking pen too. Set aside for now. Next step will be to create a big loop with your neckband pieces. You should have two long ones and a short one. Sew them right side together at the short ends to create a loop. Attach the neckband to the opening matching the center back bottom pins, the center back neckline to the seam that attached the two long strips and the bottom side seams to the other two seams. Stitch in place with a 1/2″ seam allowance and PRESS!!! Do not skip pressing and steaming!

You can see how I added my band in the video below. When you finish today’s steps and your cardigan looks almost done (just missing finishing the sleeves), add a picture of it in the comments of day 5 photos of the Cocoon/Butterfly cardigan sew along album.

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

February 20, 2020

Good morning and welcome to day 4 of our sew along. Today we add the elbow patches and the sleeves. The patches are great for an accent color or print. You can pretty much use any fabric for them. I went with a custom cotton spandex in a maps print because…why not? I can totally see the patches made with some cute sparkle or sequence fabric.

If you are using a thinner material for the elbow patches, I highly encourage you to add a lightweight interfacing to the outer fabric. This will ensure that the patch won’t lose its shape when sewn. For fabrics like thicker cotton spandex, french terry and the likes, interfacing is not a must.

All that is left to do today is sew the sleeves to the main bodice, making sure to match the center sleeve to the shoulder seam. If you added the patches triple check that they are towards the back of the cardigan!!! If you opted for the short sleeve style, today is pretty much a free day as you will not have any sleeves to add.

You can see my progress in the video below. As always, once you complete today’s steps, post a picture of the cardigan in the comments of day 4 photo of the Butterfly/Cocoon SAL album.

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

February 19, 2020

Day 3 is here! Let’s start sewing! Today we will add the pockets and sew the shoulder seam. The Butterfly and Cocoon patterns include inseam and patch pockets. They are optional but I would not skip them!

The key to the patch pocket, as you can see in my video is to press and steam after every step. This style pocket is perfect to add a pop of color to the cardigan or showcase a print you love. If you are skipping the pockets all together, all you have to do today is match the shoulder front and back right sides together and stitch with a 1/2 seam allowance.

Tip: Add clear elastic to the shoulder seams to strengthen them and make sure the shoulders don’t stretch throughout the day.

You can see my progress below. Once you add your pockets and sew the shoulder seams post a picture of the cardigan in works in the comments of DAY 3 photo of the cardigan album in the SAL group.

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

February 18, 2020

Welcome to day 2 of our Butterfly and Cocoon Cardigan sew along! Today we will be deciding on the fabric(s) and cutting the pieces. You should have your pattern ready from yesterday.

But first let’s talk a little about the right fabric for this pattern. As you can see in the video below I am using a pretty pin dots mint French Terry from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. These two cardigans can be made with virtually any knit fabric with soft drape. Some favorites include Double Brushed poly, Rayon Spandex, Rayon French Terry, sweater knits or bamboo spandex. Raspberry Creek Fabrics is this SAL’s sponsor too, our two lucky winners will be getting gift cards to their shop so you can treat your to some gorgeous knits (and not only) too.

If you are unsure about which knit type will work best for your desired look, take a look over our P4P University Knit Types blog. Judy also included a cheat sheet that you can print. If you are like me and sometime are just keen on using a specific print for a specific pattern, read our Different fabric, different fit blog post before you cut your fabric.

The Day 2 video is posted below. Check it out and once you are done cutting your fabric post a picture of your pretty pile in the comments of the Day 2 photo of the Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL album in the M4M & P4P Sew Along group.

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

February 17, 2020

Welcome to the Cocoon and Butterfly Cardigan Sew Along!

Day 1 is reserved for purchasing the patterns, printing and cutting the size(s) you need. If you plan on sewing for yourself you can get the Cocoon Cardigan here, if you’re sewing for your little one, the Butterfly Cardigan can be purchased here and if you’re sewing for both of you (just think of the mommy and me matching outfits!) you can get the bundle. Back in 2016, P4P did a Cardi week where the blog team showcased some easy hacks to our cardigan patterns. We included a ruffled edge Butterfly and a lace edge Cocoon. You can sew these styes for the sew along too!

This Sew Along will take place in the M4M & P4P Sew Along group so be sure to join the group not only for the exclusive discount code available for the Cocoon and Butterfly Cardigan patterns but also to post your progress this week. As always, we have a Cocoon/Butterfly cardigan SAL album and your daily check in will be in the comments of each day photo.

Now that you purchased the pattern(s), print the size needed. In order to do that it is very important that you take your most accurate measurements

You will need your waist, hips and chest measurements in order to choose the correct cardigan size. The cardigans are relaxed fit throughout the body and slim fit arms. P4P has an amazing blog that gives you tips for accurately taking your measurements. You can read all about it here. If your measurements put you in a different size for chest/waist/hips be sure to check out our P4P University blog and grade to achieve the perfect fit.

Check out the day 1 video below and then comment “done” on the Day 1 picture of the Cadigan SAL album in the sew along group. We don’t allow pictures of the pattern pieces so this will count as your day 1 check in.

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 1

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 2

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 3

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 4

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 5

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 6

P4P Cocoon/Butterfly Cardigan SAL day 7

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

January 18, 2019

FriYAY! One more sewing day left and we’ll be all done. Today we focus on finishing the sleeves and the bottom hem. Both the women and youth cardigans include options for a banded or hemmed bottom edge finish as well as cuffs or hemmed sleeves. My cardigan is a tunic length with hemmed sleeves.

If you are sewing a banded cardigan your waistband lengthwise, wrong sides together before you attach it, press and steam it after too!

If you went for the hemmed sleeves all you have to do is hem them 1/2″ allowance using either a zig zag stitch, a triple stretch stitch or your coverstitch. Remember that memory hem we did a few days ago? It makes hemming so easy now.

If you chose the sleeves cuffs take a look over our Knit Cuffs 101 blog post and once again, don’t forget to press. In this video I am hemming both the sleeves and the bottom edge. Once you finish, post your progress in the day 5 picture comments of the Cardigan Sew Along album in the M4M & P4P Sew Along group.

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 7 (winners announcements)

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 3 (sew pocket and elbow patches)

January 16, 2019

Good morning, pirates! Today’s sew along is all about details. We are addin pockets and elbow patches. This is the time to get creative! Use some cute accent fabric, like sequins or faux leather or go classic and match the pockets with the main fabric.

The patterns include two options for the pocket, a hemmed and banded one. The banded one is a great alternative if you’re not the biggest hemming knits fan, plus it gives you the option to incorporated some more accent fabrics too. As I mentioned yesterday, the elbow patches will add a fun detail to your cardigans. Whether you’re making one for yourself and or one for your little, add a pop of color or texture to your patches! You’ll love it!

Tip: When adding the elbow patches mark the left arm and the right arm to make sure that you will not have the pockets on the inside of your arm vs the elbow.

If you have chosen to make your cardigan with sweater knits, go over our Sweater knits blog post where I am giving you some wasy tricks to work with this fabric base.

Watch the videos below and post a picture of your pockets and added elbow patches in the day 3 photo comments of the Cardigan SAL album.

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along – Day 7 (winners announcements)

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 1 (print and cut pattern)

January 14, 2019

Welcome to the Grandpa Cardi / Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan Sew Along!

Day One is reserved to purchasing the patterns, printing and cutting the size(s) you need. If you plan on sewing for yourself you can get the Grandpa Cardi here, if you’re sewing for your little one, the Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan can be purchased here and if you’re sewing for both of you (just think of the mommy and me matching outfits!) you can get the bundle.

This Sew Along will take place in the new M4M & P4P Sew Along group so be sure to join the group not only for the exclusive discount code available for the Grandpa Cardi and Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan patterns but also to post your progress this week.

Now that you purchased the pattern(s), print the size needed. In order to do that it is very important that you take your most accurate measurements.

You will need your waist, hips and chest measurements in order to choose the correct cardigan size. P4P has an amazing blog that gives you tip for accurately taking your measurements. You can read all about it here. If your measurements put you in a different size for chest/waist/hips be sure to check out our P4P University blog and grade to achieve the perfect fit.