Hi Readers,
It is Sequoia, from www.sequoialynnsews.com, again and I am sharing another hack with you. Fall is coming to Ohio pretty quickly, so I am showing you another great cardigan! This time, I am using the Be Greater Pattern. Yes, I know that is it a dress pattern. It's a hack, remember??? Basically anytime someone in the sewing world says they are hacking something, it just means they are using a pattern for one thing and making it into something else. This time a dress into a cardigan.
So the first time I made the Be Greater Dress, my mom loved it so much she needed one also. Here we in a pic and the blog post link as well.
I loved the high low hem line of the original dress and when I saw my inspiration cardigan, I knew it would be the perfect stepping off point. .
You know what else happens in fall in Ohio? Plaid prints!! They are everywhere and this year, I will be wearing them too. Admittedly, I don't love the feel of flannel, so this ITY from Sew Blessed, is perfect. It is lightweight, soft and comfy. So are you ready to see what we will be making? Droll Roll PLEASE!!!
Fun, right? Here we go. I will walk you through step by step! Don't worry, in no time you will be hacking too!
Print and cut your pattern as usual. I printed my bodice pattern piece twice. I did this because there is a different hem line as well as neck line for the front and back pieces. To me, this is easier and I save my patterns, so I can make them more than once! I measure in the 4x bust range for EAM. Since I knew I planned to wear my cardigan over another top and my fabric is only a 2 way stretch, I went ahead and printed the 5x size. I also adjusted for height. I am only 5'1 and this pattern is drafted for 5'5, I think. I shortened it by three inches. There is a line already on the pattern for height adjustments, but I didn't want the height to come out of the upper bodice. I needed to shortened the skirt portion. I cut and overlapped my pattern by three inches.
Once you overlap the pieces, you with have a jagged edge where you want a smooth hip. Just use a French curve to smooth that area. The next picture will show you the jagged edge. The follow one shows you how to use your French curve to smooth it out.
You will do this one your front and back bodice pieces. See how I changed the labeling on the pattern to keep myself straight. Be sure to cut your new front bodice pieces in MIRROR image.
I always need a little extra room in the bicep area. I traced the normal sleeve pattern so that instead of 'cut on the fold' I have an entire sleeve. If you need to bicep adjust you will need an entire sleeve. This ISN'T the proper way to do a bicep adjustment. I needed this sleeve a little extra flowy. There is a video on my blog to teach how to do it correctly. This is the link.
Now cut a BACK BODICE, 2 FRONT MIRRORED FRONT BODICES, and 2 MIRRORED SLEEVES.
Now follow the directions for attaching at shoulder seams and then sleeves. Sew down side seams while you are at it. I used my serger to get it sewn quickly.
Now you have your cardigan in one piece. I serged all edges including around the neck and down the fronts.
Double fold and pin/clip all seams. I used a lengthened straight stitch for my hemming.
TA-DA!!
Thanks for following along! If you need the Be Greater Pattern you can use my Affiliate link and pick it up here. I can't wait to see your hacked Be Greater dresses!! If you want to read more about what I am doing check me out here.
Enjoy Hacking!
