Sew: The BFF Cardi {Turn Any Tee Pattern into a Scarf Neck Cardigan}

I tell The Bestie everything, including my upcoming sewing plans. I told her about an idea I had for a casual yet classy cardigan made out of sweatshirt fabric. The kind of thing you could wear at home or out to the supermarket or out and about on the weekend. She thought it was a cool idea. Then she saw the dragonfly fabric and fancied one of her own! So a bargain was made – I’d sew her the cardi if she crocheted me a couch blankie. Deal done! The Bestie just picked up basic crochet again, she used to crochet years ago and thought she’d forgotten. It seems she remembered, which is lucky for me!

I admit to totally winging the sizing but we have a 20 year history of raiding each other’s wardrobes, being honest in change rooms and planning special occasion outfits! I thought I could handle it. Yes, we have been friends 20 years! Here’s a photo to prove it. That’s no Instagram filter, that’s how a Polaroid looks after 14 years on the fridge. This was taken after she got married but before her first child. I often use that line from Ab Fab, “But I’ve known you longer than your daughter, Sweetie!”. The Bestie put this pic on the fridge as soon as it developed and it’s stayed there through what feels like a million years and has survived a number of house moves.

But back to the sewing! I’m about two sizes bigger than The Bestie in a tshirt. She’s nowhere near as big as me but she is broader in the back/shoulder than me and taller too. The Bestie is the queen of layers, so I knew I had to give her more space than I would give myself.

Sew: Saturday Afternoon Dress {Ever So Easy Stretch Dress}

I started with my new fave pattern, vintage Knit Wit 3300, that I used for this tee and this dress. I also used the same size I used in those projects to allow for The Besties layering etc (I would have only gone one size up for myself, I hate layers). I still see this pattern kicking around on eBay but any relaxed fit tee pattern with a set in sleeve would work. In fact, this free one would work (scroll down to ‘Issue 19. Jersey Girl’ for download links).

First, I had draft the neckline. I did that by making a mark at the underbust point on centre front and marking out a gently curving sort of vee neck. I also changed the cutting directions for cut 1 on fold to cut 2. I made sure my new front neckline would line up with my back neckline. If you’re not sure, this tutorial explains all. I sewed it up as per the pattern directions. I used my overlocker for most of it but a regular machine is just fine too. I also hemmed the sleeve and bottom hems, leaving a continuous raw edge along the centre fonts and neckline.

I really wanted the front to drape, so I used some poly/cotton/lycra left over from this jacket. I realized that the photos of how I did this were missing when I went to post this, so I really quickly made a sample. The quality is crappy but it will give you the idea. In the pics the navy is the main body of the cardi and the floral scrap is the scarf section.

I measured the length of the raw edge, from hem to centre back neck. Let’s call that scarf length.

I then cut out two rectangles, 15″ wide x scarf length.
I joined the fabric, right sides together, to make one very long 15″ strip.
I folded the strip in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitched the ends closed.
I turned the strip right side out.
Pin the strip to the right side of the cardi, all three raw edges together. Match up the closed ends of the strip with the hem and matching the join in the strip to centre back.
Sew or overlock the scarf section to the cardi and voila!

I was so excited when it fitted The Bestie perfectly and she loved it! She has a tee and a jumper under that jacket! I did add a couple of hooks and eyes to cinch it in a bit but I waited until we were together so I could put them in the right spot!

And tada! Doesn’t she look just fab? We were chatting on the phone as I was putting this post together and dear Bestie says she’s about a quarter of the way through my blankie. I’ll post about that when it’s done. Here’s a couple of updated pics for the road….