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How to make a Bow Back Cardigan

March 17, 2014

Greetings!

Today I’ve just got a quick and easy customisation to show you which you could make to a cardigan, jumper or even a tshirt.  It was inspired by a Topshop cardigan one of my friends was wearing one time.  You know when you look at something and think ‘I could make that!’?  Well this time, I actually did!

Here’s the original inspiration…

Lace bow cardigan - back view - from Topshop

Lace bow cardigan – back view – from Topshop

Here’s how I made my own version:

Step 1 - Pin and sew lace strip in a dipped curve across shoulders

Step 1 – Pin and baste lace strip in a dipped curve across shoulders.

Step 2 - Pin and sew lace strip for right-hand side of bow, flipping over at the lower corner

Step 2 – Pin and baste lace strip for right-hand side of bow, flipping over at the lower corner.

Step 3 - Pin and sew the left-hand side of the bow as symmetrically as possible to the right-hand side

Step 3 – Pin and baste the left-hand side of the bow as symmetrically as possible to the right-hand side.

Step 4 - Pin and sew the two 'tails' of the bow

Step 4 – Pin and baste the two ‘tails’ of the bow.

Step 5 - Using an applique zig zag stitch (I used width 2.5 length 0.5), sew around the edges of the lace strips on the right side, with stabilising tissue paper on the underside to help it glide through more easily

Step 5 – Using an applique zig zag stitch (I used stitch width 2.5 length 0.5), sew around the edges of the lace strips on the right side, with stabilising tissue paper on the underside to help it glide through more easily.  Reducing the tension on your machine will also help with this stitch.  I reduced from 5 to 0.

Step 6 - Remove stabilising paper from the wrong side of the garment.  It should now look something like this on the wrong side

Step 6 – Remove stabilising paper from the wrong side of the garment. It should now look something like this on the wrong side.  You can still see my basting stitches here as I didn’t remove them.

Step 7 - Admire your work on the right side!

Step 7 – Admire your work on the right side!

Tada!

Tada!

I love this unexpected detailing on an otherwise really plain cardigan.  I used up some vintage lace that was with my grandma’s sewing stuff and it took around an hour to do.  Simple, but effective!

6 Comments
  1. March 17, 2014 11:53 pm

    OMG! I love it! It’s a really pretty touch 🙂

    • tabathatweedie permalink*
      March 18, 2014 11:58 am

      Thanks. Was easy to do, too.

  2. March 18, 2014 8:30 am

    That is such a lovely detail – I’m already thinking about which cardigans I could do this to!

    • tabathatweedie permalink*
      March 18, 2014 11:58 am

      Excellent!

  3. March 18, 2014 10:14 am

    this is great!

    • tabathatweedie permalink*
      March 18, 2014 11:59 am

      Yes, thanks Topshop! 🙂

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