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A How to Guide to Copying Your Favorite Sweater

Created By:

Jacquline Terry

Skill Level: Intermediate

If you’re like me, you find one perfect fit and want to duplicate that a million times over. One problem, right? Who has the time! You’re in luck because this project comes together so quickly, and once you have made one you will have to make them over and over. Here’s how I created a chic contrasting diagonal sweater that I copied from my favorite hoodie!

Instructions

 

A How to Guide to Copying Your FAVORITE Sweater!

 

If you’re like me, you find one perfect fit and want to duplicate that a million times over. One problem, right? Who has the time! You’re in luck because this project comes together so quickly, and once you have made one you will have to make them over and over. Here’s how I created a chic contrasting diagonal sweater that I copied from my favorite hoodie!

I used PONTE KNIT fabrics in black and cream. I did double up the cream because I didn't want to have to always wear an undershirt with this project. Wash and launder your fabric correctly before cutting to avoid any shrinkage! This is a sweater I PLAN TO WEAR regularly.

First grab your favorite sweater or hoodie and lay on a flat even surface.

Smooth out any wrinkles to avoid copying the pattern piece incorrectly.

 

 

 

Use tape or pins to mark out your design lines, I have chosen to do this diagonal design but you could do anything you want and you can make it your own.

 

You can lay down and trace out on paper or pin your fabric on top of or under your garment. I chose to lay my fabric flat on top and use pins to mark the outside edge of the pieces. Then I added the seam allowance around the outside of this line (of pins) you can also use your fabric marker or any method of fabric safe transfer method that you prefer.

 

 

When you cut out your pattern pieces, be sure to leave yourself seam allowance all the way around where you will be sewing the piece back together. HINT everywhere there is a seam you will need to leave 5/8" - 1/2" (1/2" minimum) to account for any error in cutting.

 

 

I will be sewing with my serger so I chose ½” seam allowance.

 

Repeat this process for every piece of your puzzle until you have pieces for every part of your sweater. For the sleeve, do not forget to fold your fabric in half and place the fold on the sleeve fold. REMINDER your sleeve is folded in half as it lays on the table.

 

 

 

Measuring the Cuffs and Waistband.

 

 

 

To make the cuffs you will measure how wide and tall your current cuff is.  Remember you’re your cuff is already folded in half both ways. Then double that measurement in each direction and add seam allowance to both sides of the rectangle.

 

Here is a diagram of what this piece will look like to cut out:

You will repeat the same process for the waistband.

(If you are making a zip up sweater just be sure that you account for the seam allowance for the zipper area in the front.)

 

Neck Opening

If you want a neck binding (turtle neck) you will not copy and cut the hood (if you have one). Instead, you will repeat the process for the cuff but with the neck opening. A neck binding will appear to be much smaller than the opening sometimes.

You will measure the neck hole opening and then make a binding piece that is at least an inch smaller than that measurement. I planned my neck binding 2" tall and so I cut my long rectangle just like the waistband and then I folded it in half both ways and placed it against the neck opening to see if I liked the way it would look finished (size).

 

 

The Assembly

 

Lay your pieces out (like a puzzle) as they will be put together so you can visually see what you need to sew.

 

On my project I started with the long contrasting diagonal seam (front and back). I placed the top front and bottom front together and used my Janome Air Thread 2000D serger to sew the seam. If you do not have a serger, you can use a stretch stitch on your sewing machine and zig zag the edge or do an overlock stitch on your machine along the edge to finish it off. I chose to sew this entire project with my serger to accommodate the stretch of the fabric as well as the stretch needs of the garment.

 

 

Next, I placed the front sweater and back sweater with right sides together. Matching up any style lines I stitched the shoulders and side seams together. HINT where the diagonal line meets at the shoulder and side seam pin the intersections so that when the garment is worn these spots line up perfect. These small details help to make your garment appear more professional.

 

SLEEVES

 

Time to set in the sleeves. line the sleeves up with your garment so you know which one is which. Then place the sleeve inside the garment. I like to have my bodice or sweater inside out and then stick the sleeve (RSO, Right side out) into the arm hole. I find it easier to sew and manage when it is set up this way. I start by Matching up the under arm and the shoulder tip to the sleeve. then I pin the armpit area smooth (in a traditional pattern this is where there would be notches. Then I take my time to ease in any fullness at the top portions of the sleeve.

when I am serging a sleeve on in the round I like to start at the underarm seam. Also, when sewing multiple layers with the serger it is important to continuously be checking that you have all of the layers together as you're going around. It is VERY EASY to lose a layer in the middle as your stretching the layers to sew them together.

After the sleeves it is just time for the bindings and cuffs and then BOOM you have made an entire sweater.

 

 

To sew cuffs and bindings that are "in the round" You will fold your binding piece in half-length wise with right sides together and sew the short side. this will give you a circle piece. Then fold the piece in half so that your right side is on the outside. you will have a piece that looks like a folded tube.

 

Next decide where you will line up your binding seam. If you have a CB seam on your garment, always line it up there or on the cuffs I line up to the sleeve seam and the waistband I lined up to the opposite side as the diagonal so that it was "tucked away" Seams are also "lost" in dark colors much more easily.

 

To line up the bindings and cuffs You must find the quarter marks. This may also be called dividing it into 4 equal parts. I first fold in half and half and again to put pins in both pieces at the quarter marks.  

 

Then I match up the pins on each side and pin the garment and binding together.

Then I stretch the binding to ease it into the garment and pin all the way around. When I am sewing on my serger I like to pin the pins perpendicular to the fabric/ seam allowance.

Next! Time to sew and finish up your new sweater.

If you are not familiar with sewing a seam in the round on the serger or sewing machine, it is time to catch you up. Because you will be stretching the binding and garment while you are sewing it will be SUPER important to make sure you are catching all layers in the process. Sewing the bindings and cuffs will be especially difficult as there will be at least three layers all the way around. It is very easy will stretching and sewing simultaneously to accidently let one layer “sneak off” and then it will not get caught in the seam properly. A WORD OF CAUTION. Pay attention to catching all layers for the entire length of the seam.

 

Finally, tie off any threads and clean up the inside of your garment.

Time to wear your creation!!

 

See you next time!

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Everyone is Talking about A How to Guide to Copying Your Favorite Sweater
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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