Is your baby ready to be a trendy hipster, geeky nerd, or chic preppy? Choose your baby’s style with the new cardigan onesie style. Just take a long-sleeved onesie make a couple of snips and additions, and it’s a whole new style.
I’ll tell you how to do it in this simple baby cardigan onesie tutorial. I have updated and simplified this tutorial! You can see the new cardigan onesie tutorial or keep reading!
There are lots of fun details about this cardigan even though it’s fairly simple to make. It’s so fun to mix and match the colors and buttons.
I just love baby sewing projects!
It can be worn with or without pants or a skirt. It would be fun paired with a collared shirt, suspenders, and a bow tie. I would love to see it with a skirt and knee high socks for a little girl!
Update: I’ve had a lot of people have problems with the knit band or ask questions about it. The reason you multiply by .8 is so that the band does not gap or stretch out. When you cut the onesie and then sew a seam, it will stretch. By using a slightly smaller band, it will counter the stretching out and make it lay nicely. Also, use RIBBING and preferably with spandex to make your life a lot easier.
Supplies
- Long or short sleeved onesie- (I think the short sleeved ones look best on girls.)
- RIBBING (make your life easier by using ribbing with spandex!)
- Buttons or snaps
- Sewing tools and sewing machine
- Find the updated cardigan onesie tutorial here!
- Tips for sewing knit fabric
Instructions
- If your onesie has crossover shoulders, find where the crossover lays flat and pin two layers together.
- Sew with a straight stitch the two layers together so they don’t come apart.
- Measure across the front of the onesie and mark the center all the way down. At the bottom slant to one side between two of the snaps.
- Cut on the line.
- Draw from shoulders to parallel with the armpits.
- Cut on lines up around the neckline so that you cut off the neck band.
- This is perfect if there’s a small picture, phrase, or stain near the neckline that you want to get rid of.
- This is perfect if there’s a small picture, phrase, or stain near the neckline that you want to get rid of.
- Measure the whole length of the cut edge. Take the measurement and multiply by .8. Add 1/4″ seam allowance. This is the length of the front band. I wanted my band to be 3/4″ tall, so double that amount and add 1/4″ seam allowance. Make sure the stretch goes with the long sides.
- Sew ends at 1/4″.
- Turn right side out and poke out corners.
- Find the center of the band and then the center of each side, so you divide the band into four sections. Use the same method to divide the cut edge of the onesie into four sections. Match pins.
- Stretch each section and pin so the excess is distributed evenly.
- Stretch while zigzagging at 1/4″.
- Zigzag the edges of the snap facing to prevent fraying.
- With your machine set on to a straight stitch, stretch and sew the seam allowance towards the onesie. Sew at 1/8″. Careful when going over the shoulders.
- Snap the snaps together overlapping the two sides.
- Pin the two layers together and sew together.
- Pin two layers of the front band together at three or four places. Sew buttons on at each pin.
Optional
- Cut off sleeve hems. Measure length.
- Take the measurement and multiply by .8. Add 1/4″ seam allowance. Use the same height as the front band.
- Sew short edges to make a tube. Fold in half with right sides out.
- Sew band to each sleeve end at 1/4″ stretching to fit.
- With a straight stitch, stretch and sew the seam allowance towards the sleeve at 1/8″.
These baby boys are off to college in their new cardigan onesies.
Maria says
I like the idea very much! I was looking for something like this to work on. Congratulations for your hard work and for giving so clear instructions! My site
Lidia says
This idea is really amazing! Now that we’re closed during the quarantine I was looking for some project to work on, and this one looks really cool. I’ll do my best! my sewing website
Lucia says
Awesome!! I love this idea 🙂
Papel para patronaje says
I fell in love as soon as I saw it, as soon as I passed the quarantine I’m going to buy the fabric to make it for my grandson.
Teresa Davides says
I really love it. I am glad I know have more time with this quarentine to complete all projects I have in mind. My husband loved it, too. máquinas de coser pro
Calvin Harris says
This is awesome….It can be worn with or without pants. Or a skirt for girls. It would be fun paired with a collared shirt, suspenders, and a bow tie. maquinas de coser
Calvin Ewers says
It can be worn with or without pants. Or a skirt for girls. It would be fun paired with a collared shirt, suspenders, and a bow tie. maquinas de coser
Dottie Lou Crisp says
I love this idea!! Do you think you could use snaps instead of buttons and button holes?
Heather Feather says
You definitely could!
Julie-Katie H says
This is awesome!i can't wait to make an old man cardigan out of a onesie for my oversized 1 month old boy! I've just pinned this and someone posted a pic of their own version in the peek a boo patterns Facebook group.
-Julie
P.s. Congrats on your new baby!