It’s been pretty slow-going, and I’m not sure why. I have plenty of time to sew, just haven’t had the mojo. Another hobby of mine is genealogy, and I’ve been preoccupied with it lately. When you start finding folks in your family lineage that were famous at the time of the American Revolution, it’s hard to let it go.
I did finish the fifth piece of my travel wardrobe/six pac. I’m not sure this one will actually make it into the suitcase for a couple of reasons, but it was a good learning experience. A year ago at Sew Expo, Puyallup, I took Marcy Tilton’s “Arty Cardi” class. As is typical of me, it took a year to actually apply that knowledge to my sewing.
I started out with a Katherine Tilton pattern that I’ve made before, as a regular t-shirt, and transformed the pattern into a cardigan. This is the original pattern from Vogue:
This is the process I used to make this t-shirt into a cardigan:
1. I made copies of the fronts (it has a princess seam coming out from the sleeve, so there were two front pieces) and back pieces.
2. I drew in the center front line, added 2 3/4″ to the center front, and drew the fold line 5/8″ from the center front (see below left).
3. I added 1/2″ at the side seams (see above right)
4. I deepened the armhole 1/2″ (see below)
5. After cutting out the fabric, I interfaced the center fronts from the fold line to the edge to stabilized for the buttons and buttonholes.
6. I made the buttonholes before adding the neckband.
Here is the final cardigan again:
The reason why I’m not in love with it? The fabric is too thin for a cardi. It just doesn’t feel right. Also, the top buttonhole is too far down, which makes the front center neckline gape. Live and learn. Again.
You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way. ~Marvin Minsky
Grainlines and Biases 
Janis, the cardi is just lovely! Thanks for the wonderful directions on how to do this!
Thanks so much for showing how you altered the pattern. I will very likely be using this!
Cardigan fabrics are hard to find, I find.
Hi Janis,
Could you convert this cardi to a top? The print matches so well. Just an idea.
Great looking cardi. Interesting sleeves
Marciae
I knew we were twins…I just cut out a cardigan (Kwik Sew 2759, not as ‘arty’ as yours). It’s the first garment I’ve sewn since January. Yours looks good! But I can’t remember what Marcy said in the Arty Cardi class! LOL
Hi Alison, you mean you didn’t save the handout? The instructions actually work well, she just forgot to tell me where to put the top button. And I need every bit of instruction I can get, lol.
I think this cardi is lovely — perhaps you could put a second button just above the first? A last-minute design detail that you could claim as inspiration.
Thank you for showing how you did this! I wonder if you could add a snap to the very top to keep it closed. Maybe even find one that (almost) matches so it’s almost invisible.
I like the thin fabric idea, would be good for summer. That’s why I’m glad you showed how you did this (I never would have thought to lower the arm holes). I wouldn’t mind one for spring/summary/fall when it’s a little extra cool, but too warm for long sleeves.
Debbi & PK, I’ll probably put a black snap at the top, and I’m sure I’ll wear it open, too. Thanks for your comments.