Cardi -wrap i n an hour

Thi s comfy hal f sweater, hal f s hawl i s a fashi on must-have

E
ach spring and fall, one garment or accessory makes it to the top of my must-sew
list. This time around, it's the cardi-wrap-a cross between a cardigan sweater
and a stole. Fashionable and easy to make, it's just a rectangle with inserted
sleeves. Here, I'll show you how to cut and construct one in less than an hour. Then,
depending on the weight of the fabric, you can wear the garment in several artsy ways,
as shown in the bottom photo panel. Each confguration gives this stylish alternative
to a sweater or jacket an entirely diferent look and feel: Tie it, belt it, wrap it, or try a
unique combination of these for a look that's all your own.
Anna Mazur is a Threads contributing editor
Custollize the ft
The rectangle dimensions on p. 33 work for an average slim figure.
To achieve a custom fit, you only need three measurements:
Overal l length. Lay a tape measure around your neck, and determi ne how l ong you
want the cardi-wrap to fal l in the front. Thi s establ i shes the l ength ofthe rectangl e.
You can al so adj ust the wi dth ofthe rectangl e to fit your figure.
Across back. Ask a fri end to measure your back across the shoul der bl ades from arm
to arm. Thi s wi l l hel p you posi ti on the sl eeve armhol es on the rectangl e at ri ght.
Sleeve length. Measure from the shoul der poi nt (where arm and shoul der meet) to
your desi red sl eeve l ength. Adjust the sl eeve pattern accordi ngly.
WEAR I T ALL SORTS OF WAYS
Here are just a few methods for twisting, wrapping, and tying this versatile garment:
32 TH R E ADS
Cut to size
The best fabric choice i s a lightweight
two-way stretch knit. Most of the fabric
will hang to the front of the body, so stay
away from drapey, heavy knits. Chunky
knits can be used as l ong as they are light
and lofty. With 54-inch- or 6o-inch-wide
fabric, you'll need 23Ayards. With 45-inch
wide fabric, you'll need 3'; yards.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN SI E EVE
For the wrap shown, l used the sl eeve from
Neue Mode 2338, (View C, si ze 1 2) and l ength
ened it 8 i nches. But you can use any knit
sl eeve pattern of your choi ce, and use your
sl eeve-l ength measurement to adjust the fit.
You can al so use rectangl es-tapered or not
for the sl eeves, whi ch give a ki mono l ook.
DRAFT THE ARMHOLE PATTE RN
Fol l ow the di agram at right. Seam a l l owances
are i ncl uded and are '/2 i nch.
POSI TI ON
THE ARMHOLES
\
Fi rst, measure and cut
out your rectangl e
('/2-i nch hem al l owances
are i ncl uded). Fold it i n
hal f, and pi n the armhol e
pattern i n pl ace. Sni p
i nto the center of the
pattern through al l l ay
ers, then cut out on the
cutti ng l i ne.
in

7 in.
. .
17'' in.
www. t h r e a d s ma g a z i n e . c om
\
Top of sleeve
.. ....

Sewing
line
Cutting
line
"
.
-
.
.
.
.
..
Underarm
Across back
(13' in. for an average figure)
,

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v'
"
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2:
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1,
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91 in.
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ENLARGE THE
ARMHOLE
PATIERNONA
PHOTOCOPI ER
SETT0 150%.
7 in.
Dimensions
shown correspond
to the sleeve from
Neue Mode 23381.
I you use another
sleeve patter,
measure its
corresponding
armhole on the
bodice along the
sewing fine and
reconfgure into
an oval .
Position
the sleeve
armholes
as shown or
adjustfor a
custom ft.
31 in.
Sew in
a fash
Putting the card i-wrap
together is a qui ck
process on your sew
ing machi ne or serger.
Sew the sleeve
seams. Pl ace ri ght
si des together, and
sew or serge the
underarm seams.
Press the seam
al l owances and turn
right si des out.
I nsert the sleeves.
Wi th ri ght si des
together, pi n each
sl eeve i nto the oval
openi ng. Al i gn the top
of the sl eeve wi th the
top of the oval , and
the underarm seam
with the bottom of
the oval . Sew or serge,
easi ng the extra fabri c
at the ca p. Lightly
press and turn.
Hem al l edges. Press
up a '2-i nch hem
al l owance on al l
edges of the rectangl e
and on the sl eeves.
Topstitch with a si ngl e
or doubl e needl e.
A P R I L / MAY 2 0 07 33