CARDIGAN FOR GIRLS TUTORIAL (FREE PATTERN)

This Fall cardigan for girls tutorial is perfect for adding a light layer for warmth and style to your little girl’s outfit.  Make several to mix and match with outfits.

Create a Fall Cardigan for Girls with a free pattern and tutorial from FleeceFun.

As the leaves begin to change and temperatures start to drop, it’s time to update your little girl’s wardrobe with cozy and stylish fall cardigans. And what better way to do that than by creating your own DIY fashion pieces? In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make adorable jersey knit fall cardigans that will keep your little one warm and fashionable all season long.

Benefits of a Jersey Knit Cardigan for Little Girls in Fall

When it comes to dressing your little girl for fall, a Jersey knit cardigan is a versatile and cozy option that offers both style and comfort. The soft and stretchy fabric of Jersey knit provides warmth without being bulky, making it perfect for those crisp autumn days.

One of the key benefits of a Jersey knit cardigan is its ability to layer effortlessly over different outfits. Whether paired with a dress, jeans, or leggings, this cardigan adds an extra touch of warmth and style to any ensemble.

The lightweight nature of Jersey knit makes it easy for little girls to move around comfortably while keeping them snug on cooler days. Plus, the durability of Jersey knit ensures that the cardigan will hold up well throughout the season.

With various colors and patterns available in Jersey knit fabric, you can easily find or create a unique cardigan that suits your little one’s personality and taste. From vibrant prints to classic solids, there are endless customization options to choose from.

YOU WILL NEED:

FleeceFun offers a free template and tutorial for a DIY Fall Cardigan for Girls.

Girls’ Fall Cardigan Sewing Tutorial

Step 1 – Cut Out the Free Pattern Pieces

2 front (mirror images)

1 back on fold

2 sleeve band

3″ strip running across the width of the fabric (from selvage to selvage) – this will be your front band

Step 2 – Sew the Girls’ Cardigan

Seam allowances are 3/8″ / 1 cm.

With right sides together, sew front to back at shoulders and underarm seams.

Step 3 – Make the Cuffs for the Cardigan

Sew short ends of arm bands together, right sides facing, to form a loop. Fold loop in half, wrong sides together and raw edges meeting.

Stitch raw edges of arm band to sleeve, right sides together, matching arm band seam to sleeve underarm seam.

Step 4 – Attach the Collar to the Cardigan

Step 4: Attach the collar to the girls' fall cardigan using FleeceFun's free pattern

Take long front band strip (see cutting list above) and fold so that raw edges meet, wrong sides together. Press.

Pin to front edge, back neck, and down the other front edge on the right side of the cardigan.

Stitch.

You’ll have some left over, just trim it off.

Step 5 – Finish Sewing the Fall Cardigan

Step 5: Finish sewing the girls' fall cardigan with FleeceFun's free template and tutorial

Press seam allowance towards cardigan and topstitch if desired.

Finish bottom edge with a serger or zigzag stitch. Fold bottom edge 1″ to the wrong side and pin in place.

Pattern was drafted by Gracious Threads.

Download the Free Girls’ Cardigan Pattern Below:

You can get a free copy of Adobe reader here. By downloading  you are agreeing to pattern terms of use. Click the picture of the pattern envelope to download the .pdf!

Fleece Fall Season Cardigan for Girls sizes 2 to 7 made with free pattern and tutorial from fleece fun, with the text "CLICK TO GO TO DOWNLOAD" displayed at the bottom.

Tips and tricks for working with Jersey knit material

Jersey knit material can be a dream to work with for DIY clothing projects, but it does come with its own set of challenges. One tip is to always use a ballpoint needle on your sewing machine when working with Jersey knit fabric. This prevents the fabric from getting snagged or pulled while stitching.

Another trick is to use stretch stitches or a narrow zigzag stitch when sewing Jersey knit material. These types of stitches allow the fabric to stretch without breaking the thread, ensuring that your seams are both durable and flexible.

When cutting out pattern pieces from Jersey knit fabric, it’s helpful to use weights instead of pins to hold the pattern in place. Pins can distort the fabric and cause uneven cutting, whereas weights keep everything flat and smooth for more precise cuts.

While you can leave the Jersey knit edges raw, consider finishing them with either a serger or a simple zigzag stitch on your regular sewing machine. This will give your garment a clean and professional-looking edge finish!

MORE GIRL PATTERNS:

More Fall Tutorials: