This post is written by Alli of B.Yazoo.

With its center front seam, Rachael’s tumble tee is perfect for converting into a kiddie cardigan… how lucky then that my youngest happened to need a new one! hehehe…

Although I’d initially planned to make a light cardigan out of regular jersey, I couldn’t resist when I saw this cozy and adorable Kokka terry cloth. (Just as a note, if you use a ravelly knit like terry cloth, remember to finish the edges by zig zagging or serging before throwing it into the wash.) I mean, I really wish I could make myself a cute starry cardigan, but since the sizes don’t go that high, I’ll just enjoy it vicariously!

Instructions

The tumble tee instructions do not tell you to finish your raw edges since it’s meant for knits that don’t fray. However, if you’re using terry cloth or a fabric that does unravel, remember to finish all seams and raw edges by zigzagging or serging. :)

Adjust your pattern

Cut out the front pattern piece A, but do not cut off the extra paper next to the center seam line. Add a long strip of paper so that the extra width extends 1.5″ from the solid center seam line.

Attach the front pieces to the back at the shoulder seams and finish the neckline

Sew the fronts and back together at the shoulders. Finish the shoulder seams and the center raw edges of the front pieces, if necessary. Fold the front pieces’ top center edges to the wrong side by 3/4″ and pin.

Note: If your fabric presses well, fold the the long front center edges in by 3/4″ and press. I had trouble pressing the terry cloth, which is why I only folded in the corners.

Finish the raw neckline edge, if necessary.

Fold the neckline to the wrong side by about 3/8″ (or 1/2″ for thicker fabric), pin, and topstitch with a zig zag, lightning stitch, or a double needle.

Add sleeves and finish side seams

Continue following the pattern instructions to attach sleeves (long-sleeve download available here) and sew up the side seams.

Finish the bottom hem

Finish the bottom raw edge, if necessary. Fold the front pieces’ bottom center edges to the wrong side by 3/4″. (If you pressed the center edge in earlier, this will already be done.) Fold up the bottom edge by 3/4″. Pin.

Topstitch the bottom hem by zigzagging or with a double needle.

Sew buttonholes and mark button placement

Make sure the button placket is folded evenly down both front center edges. If your fabric allows, press the front center edges. Mark buttonholes on the left front, making sure they’re over the doubled-over placket. Sew the buttonholes.

Apply Dritz Fray Check {affiliate link} to both sides of the buttonholes and let dry.

Open up the buttonholes. Lay the left button placket over the right button placket and place pins in the buttonholes to mark where the buttons will go.

Gently pull each buttonhole over its pin. Double check that buttons will be sewn through both layers of the button placket. Secure each pin to mark button placement. (Yup, I switched pins on you. :>)

Sew on buttons

Sew on your buttons! Here’s how I like to sew mine:

With a knotted, quadrupled thread, sew through the top of the button from front to back. This way, the knot will be hidden underneath the button.

Come back up through the button and down again to the back of the fabric. The button is now loosely secured with one loop. Slide a toothpick through this loop, between the button and the fabric. Pull the loop tight.

Sew two or three more loops, ending with the thread coming out the wrong side of the fabric. Poke your needle through so it comes out to the right side of the fabric, under the button, but not through the buttonhole. Pull through.

Remove the toothpick and wrap the free end of the thread 5 times around the thread sewn between the button and the right side of the fabric. This creates a button shank that makes using your buttons easier, since they’ll stand a bit away from the fabric.

Poke your needle through the thread shank you just created. Pull through and pull your thread tight. Repeat once more, sewing through the shank perpendicular to the direction that the needle went through the first time. This secures your thread without needing knots!

Clip the thread so it doesn’t stick out past your button.

Done!

You’ve made a tumble tee cardigan! Now enjoy seeing your kiddo in your handmade cardi! :)

Don’t have the tumble tee pattern yet? Purchase the PDF or paper pattern here in the shop, and download the free 3 month size here.

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