The Easy Long Cardigan, A New Staple In Your Wardrobe

easy long cardigan

This easy long cardigan is very minimalistic and streamlined –perfect for the busty girl.  I have used tulle in the back to add a bit of drama but it is completely optional and you could use the same knit fabric to make the project even simpler.  This is a super easy project.  You'll see that there isn't a long tutorial because the design and construction are so simple.

The easy long cardigan is a design that has been around since the sixties.  A favorite of women who have to step out in their pajamas to drop the kids at school.  At least that is what we see in the movies, isn't it?  The fact is that it is a staple in women's wardrobes. Worn with leggings and a tank top or shorts and heels, it is the perfect accessory to hide your bottom.  Yes, you read right.

easy long cardigan
Sydney, Australia

There's a little backstory to this design that I'd like to share with you.  I was living in Sydney, Australia in 2001 when my mother came to visit.  As far as I can recall, my mother never has never worn pants before that.  In Sydney, winter weather is usually glorious except for a couple of weeks when it can get down to 10 degrees C or 50 degrees F and it's often windy.  As you can imagine, coming from tropical Panama, my mom's wardrobe was not adequate, so we went in search of warmer clothes.

I had jeans in mind, but she refused to wear them.  Her reasons shocked me.  She said my father had told her 30 years back that she did not look good on pants.  Determined to prove him wrong, I invited my mother to sit with me at a cafe and watch the people walking by.   The women in Sydney were comfortable in jeans.  That is what she saw and I was pleased.  However, she was still hesitant to give it a try, so I made her an easy long cardigan.  This would keep her warm and provide her somewhat I personally felt was unnecessary– modesty.  It did the trick and she's literally worn that same easy long cardigan (and pants..) ever since.  I wanted to share the concept with you.  Let's call it Sydney.

easy long cardigan

Key Features of the Easy Long Cardigan:

  • Mid-calf but can be lengthened or shortened
  • No buttons or belt giving a slimming and very elegant look
  • Sizes 8 to 18
  • Adaptable to a printed or plain fabric
  • Super easy to sew

Materials

  • Thin cotton or rayon knit jersey (only).  2 1/2 to 3 1/2 yards depending on size.  Please print the pattern to make sure you have enough fabric.
  • Soft tulle to match the color of the jersey.  1 yard.
  • Woven fusible tricot.  I used Pellon.

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Double twin jersey needle.  I prefer Schmetz.
  • Jersey needle
  • Cover stitch sewing machine (optional)
  • or Serger

Finished Garment Measurements

easy long cardigan

Recommended Fabrics

Pattern Download

Make sure you have the revised version.

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Download the Free Pattern

You can download the pattern for this Easy Long Cardigan from our account at Payhip.

For help downloading and printing PDF patterns, please CLICK HERE.

Step One: Preparing the fabric.

Lay the fabric on a flat surface and let it rest overnight.  The resting time allows the fabric to relax if it is overstretched.  Apply fusible tricot to the armholes, shoulders, and neck.

easy long cardigan

Step Two: Sewing the back and shouldersimg_4082

Place the back yoke print side down, pin the tulle and sew at 5/8″ using your serger.  It is possible to make this long cardigan using only your sewing machine by using a stretchable stitch.  Some machines have a stitch that resembles a serger.  Check your manual for the best stitch possible.

For a bit more background on sewing stretchy knits, please check out our article on the topic linked below:

sewing-with-the-stretchy-knits-1

Step Three: Sewing the sleeves and sides

Before you cut the fabric, measure the sleeves and the shoulder to determine whether you are happy with the length of the sleeve.  I have designed it so it is shorter on the sleeves because of housework and the fact I work with my hands all the time and do not what the sleeves on the way.  Please make the necessary adjustments should you require a longer length.

2-notches-for-the-bac

Place the two notches of the sleeves to the back and align the middle notch of the sleeve to the shoulder seam.

Sew the sides of the cardigan and close the sleeve.

Step Four: The neck binding

Cut two 4″ wide strips of fabric the length of the cardigan from the middle of the neck to the hem.  You can measure this off the pieces you have already sewn.

Sew both strips right sides together and end to end at 5/8″ to make one long binding.  Serge the seam allowance to eliminate the bulk. Fold lengthwise and pin the center seam of the binding to the center of the neckline.

Start sewing from the center of the neckline to the hem.

img_4091Step Five: Hemming the long cardigan

img_4133

Change your machine to a twin needle.  Fold the hem 5/8″ and sew very slowly.  Do not stretch the fabric at all.  Let your machine do all the work.  Or you can use of cover stitch machine if you have one.

If you need some more guidance about how to use a twin needle, please check out our tutorial linked below:

twin-needles

In five easy steps, it is possible to have a very stylish cardigan.  Worn with leggings and a tank top, it has become my go-to outfit to rush out of the house to pick something or someone.  It is the perfect car ride outfit or for a long haul overnight flight.  As for my mother, she uses her easy long cardigan with straight pants or jeans but hiding her bum is no longer the reason.  She is turning 70 in a couple of months and she's no longer concerned about what people think.

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easy long cardigan


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Mrs ELIZABETH A ROSS
Mrs ELIZABETH A ROSS

i think your site is great but am unable to download the easy long cardigan please help

Myriam Audet
Myriam Audet

Hi,
If I want it sleeveless, do I just omit the sleeves, or do I have to adjust the harm holes, do I have to add some biding ?

Thank you

Ginger
Ginger

I am excited to make this cardigan, however I have one question how far down do should you measure for the yoke?

RW
RW
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

I see an unlabelled dark line across the back pattern piece. Is this where you cut for the yoke/back inset? And then presumably you have to add seam allowances after you’ve cut the back piece in two.

It’s confusing because the line is not labelled in the pattern, and not shown at all in the diagram in Step 1 here.

yeohas
yeohas

Hi. Thank you for everything……the download patterns are awesome for someone like me….a beginner.

Soni C
Soni C

Hi I am new to sewing. Do you have step by step instructions to stitch this cardigan like you have for Pajama?

Betty
Betty

Hi. I really enjoy your patterns and videos. I have a question about the fabric requirements. The instructions say 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 yards depending on size. How do I know how much to buy for a particular size? I don”t want to buy 3 1/2 yards if I only need 2 1/2 yards.

Thank you

Clarissa
Clarissa

The neck binding says right sides together, but it never says to turn insideout. Shouldn’t it say wrong sides together?

Wyn
Wyn
Reply to  Clarissa

Hi Clarissa. The “right sides together” are the 4 inch long short end, of each long strip of the neck binding. Only one end of each strip. So it’s the 4 inch long seam which is sewn right sides together. Then trimmed and overlooked or zigzagged then opened and the long edges are put wrong sides together. Hope that helps.

Gail Mitchell
Gail Mitchell
Reply to  Wyn

Oh good clarification. I was wondering too. This sounds like a very easy make. Could this be considered a “duster”.

Melissa
Melissa

Hey I was trying to down load it but I can’t help please!!!!

lrichards550

Aloha Myra,

I have just purchased the long cardigan pattern, I can’t wait to make it! I want to make mine hit at mid thigh, is it appropriate the simply cut the extra length off the bottom or would that interrupt the flow of the jacket at the hem? Or should I cut the pattern apart higher up and move the original hemline up?

Mahalo for any advice you can give me.

Linda
Kailua Kona, HI

So Sew Easy
Admin
Active Member
Reply to  lrichards550

Aloha Linda, great question and it is one I should address in a separate tutorial since pictures in this case will tell more (as the saying goes). Basically it is up to you, if you cut the hem area off, the A shape will be narrower. IF you do the traditional method you will keep the hem width to avoid increasing the hips area trace a line from the waist to the hem.

lrichards550
Reply to  So Sew Easy

Thank you for your reply and my condolences for your loss, that is always hard and even more so around holidays.

I was eager to make the sweater and ultimately just decided to dive right into the pattern! As I am only 5’2” and I wanted it to hit me mid thigh, I was shortening it by almost 10”!! I ended up slashing & shifting the pieces up in 4 places to keep the line and flow of the jacket. That also made redrawing the side seam across the changes a little easier as it seemed a bit more gradual overall. Overkill probably but it worked for me! I have everything cut out & I’m ready to put it all together! Wish me luck…

Linda

Tracy
Tracy

Where can I find the pattern sizing chart I see the finish garment chart but not that one to choose the initial size

Anne Morrow
Anne Morrow

I am having difficulty getting to the pattern the Easy Long Cardigan to print the size I need. I wear size 14. Please list the steps for me to follow.
I love your web-site. I have shared it with a lot of my friends.

Lilly
Lilly

Hi,
Since I am able to print on A1, would it be possible to get the pattern in this format?
Thank you.

Gudrun
Gudrun

Hi,
I like the cardigan very much, but I am having trouble printing and assembling it. After looking closely I found a pattern layout diagram, but that doesn’t help me much putting the pages together as they do not have a marked margin and I have no idea what the overlap is. Also, I had to print on A4 paper, but it seems to be designed for letter format. As such, I am at a loss of how to put them together and can only guess. Pity!

Pat Melton
Pat Melton

I need it in a size 24 do you have a pattern for that size?

Hesthet
Hesthet

I would like it in a larger bust size 48 is it easy to enlarge,or would I need to do a full bust adjustmemt

Martha
Martha

If you want the cardigan to be made from a single fabric, should we purchase 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 yards (depending on size) instead of the suggested yardage? and I don’t see any pattern layout diagram showing the back yoke pattern.

The cardigan looks great. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Ellen Noblitt
Ellen Noblitt

Thank you !

joni
joni

Would I be able to use this pattern with a woven fabric?

Megan J Tuffley
Megan J Tuffley
Reply to  joni

No, it is designed for stretch fabric.

Maria Robeson
Maria Robeson

What size seam allowance do you use? I don’t seem to find that information in the actual pattern. Am I missing something?

سیما
سیما

Hi, thank you for your sewing site

Laurie
Laurie

Just wondering if you show somewhere how to make a pattern a smaller size. I would like this in a size 4.
It is difficult to find patterns in this size.
Thank you so much for any suggestions you may have.

JoAnne
JoAnne
Reply to  Laurie

Me, too! I need size 4. Thanks!

Melissa McCann
Melissa McCann

Wow! I really love this. Can’t wait to make it. Thanks sew much.

t
t

What is the size of the included seam allowance on this pattern?

Michele Drinkwalter
Michele Drinkwalter

I am having trouble putting the pattern together. do you have a picture of the pieces on the fabric before cutting? I can’t find this

Brenda
Brenda

hi, How can I shorten the cardigan, this is way too long for me.

thank you

Anna
Anna

Hi, I absolutely adore this pattern – one question though? What size/shape of interfacing should be cut? I don’t see interfacing pieces on the pattern.

Deborah Lancaster
Deborah Lancaster

I love this pattern and you guys are so wonderful I have been following from first time I saw your posts!!!
My question is about the first step “Apply fusible tricot to the armholes, shoulders, and neck.” I’m confused about how much to cut out and where to exactly apply it have been sewing for 40+ yrs so not new to sewing can you help a girl out!!! Ty

Deborah Lancaster
Deborah Lancaster
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Ty so much I figured it out and used knit sewing tape….

Lisa Hastrup
Lisa Hastrup

Please tell me how long the pattern should be when it is taped together. I’m having so much trouble getting it together. The sideseam please! I’m tearing my hair in frustration!

Lisa Hastrup
Lisa Hastrup
Reply to  Lisa Hastrup

Never mind. Itwas a printer-error!

Caitlin
Caitlin

Hey, just a question, I measure 32″ bust 26″ waist and 37.5″ hips and am 5’5″ 1/2 or 166 cm tall. Would a size 8 be too large or would it be a good fit for me? I’ve never used patterns before so I am not sure.

THILAGAVATHY kandiah
THILAGAVATHY kandiah

how to assemble the pattern

Ruth
Ruth

Hi, could this be made sleeveless with a few adjustments?

Lisa
Lisa

Do you topstitch the binding? Seems like that would help it to lay flatter.

Sue Volek
Sue Volek

So sorry, but where’s the tutorial? Can’t wait to try this! Thanks

Patricia Regul
Patricia Regul

In a previous question you mention a video showing how to grade up this pattern to a larger size. I was looking for this but have not been able to find it. Is there a video on this? I am especially concerned about enlarging bust area. Thanks for your help and I just love this site

Janelle

Hi Ijust made this cardigan but found the sleeve length too short. I had to add cuffs which have not added to the streamlined look of the cardigan. I would advise adding two inches to the sleeve length. Also, I needed to reduce the width of both back and fronts…I’m a size 10-12 and found this pattern far too wide, preferring a more fitted streamlined look.

Abby McSherry
Abby McSherry

hi could you tell me, do you use american sizes or UK ones? if so what UK size is the 18 please

RIrby
RIrby

Can someone tell me how this can be adjusted to use cotton (Ankara) fabric. And, I would like it to be floor length.

zainabmomoh

Hi, does this pattern include allowance?

Jasmine Rojas

Hi, thank you for answering!

“Place the two notches of the sleeves to the back and align the middle notch of the sleeve to the shoulder seam.

Sew the sides of the cardigan and the close the sleeve.”

I am new to sewing clothing, I don’t know how to attach and “close the sleeves”. I will sew more, get experience and come back. Thank you!

Jasmine Rojas

Hi, I am newish to sewing knits. I don’t understand before step 3. How do you attach everything, in what order.I don’t see how to attach the sleeves. Does anyone have pictures or instructions for those steps?

belvinda Pinto
belvinda Pinto
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Is the neck binding cut on the bias?