Make a Puff Sleeve Cardigan That Doubles as a Wrap Dress

Tools and materials:

• 3 meters (118 inches) wool fabric
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine

Measurements and markings

Start by making the body part. Fold your fabric and measure 110cm (43.3 inches) in length, so that the puff sleeve cardigan drapes from your shoulder to over your knee. Measure 70cm (27.5 inches) in width, which is 1.5 times longer than the measurement of my hips. Now, these measurements are true to me, if you are taller, then I suggest you go ahead and measure yourself so you have the exact height and width you desire.

Measure the width and draw a line in the middle to divide the larger piece of fabric into two.

From the middle line, you just marked, measure 10cm ( 4 inches) each side, going up and down, and make a dot on either side. This will be for the neck.

From those two markings for the neck, keep moving either side and mark 15cm (5.9 inches). This will be the width of the shoulder.

From the 15cm (5.9 inches) shoulder line, go inwards, and draw a line across. On that line, mark 2cm (0.7 inches) from the edge and make a dot.

Connect the dot you just drew to the dot on the neckline; thus creating the shoulder part of your cardigan. Easy, huh?

At the bottom line, measure 28cm (11 inches), and from that point, draw a curved line to connect to the line on top of it. This is going to be your hand line. Repeat the process on top, too.

Mark the neckline ( the middle line) at 2cm ( 0.7 inches) and using that as a guide, make a curved structure between your 10cm (4 inches) dots to create a curved neckline.

From the 10cm (4 inches) neckline, draw across to the other side, where the middle line ends. Repeat this for the other side.

The front will be shorter than the backside, so mark the shoulder lines at the front part shorter, by 2cm (0.7 inches).

Cut out your pattern

Now it’s time to cut out your pattern. You should have two separate pieces. Remember to cut the neckline for the front part, so that it’s a little shorter than the back.

Make the sleeve

Cut two rectangles, with 45cm length x 60cm width (17 x 23.6 inches).

Fold the rectangle in half at the width line, take your shoulder part and draw out the curve on your fabric, as shown.

On the other side of the fabric, mark 20cm (7.8 inches) down, and from there, draw across so that the line ends where the curve part ends.

Now, cut the sleeves.

Connect the back and front

It’s time to start assembling your pieces! Pin the shoulder pieces as shown, and sew. Don’t forget to overlock!

Make a loose seam on the sleeve

On the curved part of the sleeve, sew a loose seam so that you can gather and pull in the middle of the sleeve to achieve a puffy look.

Connect the sleeve

Now, connect the sleeve to the body of the cardigan. Pin and sew both sides.

Connect the sides and sew

After that’s done, It’s time to connect the sides. Connect the sleeves and the sides of the actual cardigan by first pinning in place, and then sewing.

Make the neckpiece

Cut a piece of fabric that is around 6cm (2.3 inches) in width and 250cm (98.4 inches) in length to connect to the front part of the cardigan. Pin the long piece from the neck of the cardigan and around the whole front part., and sew the first seam.

After the first seam is sewn, fold the fabric twice and pinned it in place. Next, sew the second seam.

Make a loose seam on the wrist

The sleeves, which look huge by the way, need to be finished too. Stitch a loose seam around the wrist and then gather until it is a little bigger than your wrist. This will also give it a nice, puffy vibe.

Cut a rectangle with 8cm width x 28cm ( 3 inches x 11 inches) length, and attach it to your wrist part. Sew around it. Then pull and gather for a puffy effect.

Next, take your fabric, flip it up and sew the sides. Fold the sleeve attachment twice and sew in place; making sure it covers the gathering part.

Sew the bottom part

Yes, this is the last step! Fold the end of your cardigan twice, as in a double fold. Pin and sew all around, thus ensuring a lovely, finished look.

And there you go, look at this beautiful puff sleeve cardigan. I love the flow of it. Bonus- You can also flaunt this as a lovely wrap dress by wearing a belt and wrapping the sides over. I’m super happy with the result. Go ahead and try it yourself!