Easy Flounce Cardigan Sewing Pattern Tutorial

Tools and materials:

• Callie cardigan sewing pattern 
• 1 - 2 yards (meters) stretchy fabric
• 2 sets of hooks and eyes
• Paper for pattern
• Pins
• Scissors
• Hand sewing needle and thread
• Sewing machine
• Serger (optional)

1. Prepare your fabric

Print out the pattern on to A4 or US letter size paper, identify your size and cut out the fabric pieces.

Join the straight edges of the neck and bottom flounces together, with the right sides facing. 

I used my serger for this, but a zigzag or straight stitch will also work.

2. Insert the sleeves

Place the two front sections on the back piece with the right sides facing, and join them at the shoulders.

Open out the cardigan with the right side uppermost.

Place the sleeve head between one of the armhole curves.

Make sure the front of the sleeve head faces the front of the cardigan.

Flip the sleeve over and pin the notch at the top of the sleeve to the shoulder seam, with the right sides facing.

Pin the rest of the sleeve head outwards from here to the front and back armhole, easing any excess fabric into the curves. Use as many pins as possible to make sewing easier.

Repeat on the other sleeve and sew both into place.

Attach the flounces to the bottom of each sleeve with the right sides facing.

Use a stretch stitch for this as we need to be able to pull the sleeves on over our hands.

3. Assemble the cardigan

Fold the front pieces over the back with the right sides together.

Align the underarm seam and pin outwards from here down the side and sleeve seams.

Sew in place, making sure you also line up the seams on the sleeve flounces for a clean finish.

4. Attach the flounces

Open the cardigan with the wrong side uppermost.

Find the center of the bottom edge of the back section.

Pin the center seam of the flounce to the center of the back with the right sides facing.

Pin outwards from the center to attach the rest of the flounce.

Repeat the same steps for the neck flounce, but pin the right side of the flounce to the wrong side of the neckline.

Before sewing, make sure the frills are attached symmetrically so that both ends finish opposite each other when the cardigan is worn.

I used my serger again, but a normal straight stitch is fine for this.

5. Finishing

Finish all the raw edges with a narrow rolled hem using either your serger or a tight zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.

I wouldn’t recommend a single or double fold hem because of all the curved edges. 

When all the raw edges have been hemmed, fold the neck flounce to the right side.

Top stitch around the neck on the right side with a straight stitch, encasing the seam inside the flounce.

This will ensure the flounce stays in place on the right side.

Finally, hand sew two sets of hooks and eyes securely to the front edges, where indicated on the pattern.

If you prefer, you could replace the hooks and eyes with ribbon ties, buttons or even a zipper.

Cardigan sewing pattern tutorial

With that, you’ve finished learning how to sew a cardigan! 

I think this style is so flattering and feminine and immediately upgrades a pair of jeans into something a lot more special and extra.

I’m not wearing a top underneath as I prefer the slightly risque look, but you could of course choose to wear a thin top or bralet under it. 

Technically any of the flounces are optional, so you could certainly leave out one or more of them for a less “frilly” look.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them in the comments below.

Next up, learn How to Make a Plunge Neckline Blouse From Old Sheets.