Fitted V-neck cardigan

YOU’LL NEED:

• V-neck shirt, one size larger than you wear
• Ruler
• Fabric pencil
• Scissors
• Fabric glue (such as Unique Stitch)
• Sewing needle
• Thread in same color as shirt
• Five buttons

1. Arrange shirt on flat surface, front facing up. Using ruler and fabric pencil, draw a straight line from point of V down to shirt’s bottom hem. Cut along line.

2. Arrange shirt on flat surface again, opening it up so that reverse side of fabric faces up.

3. Working on a raw edge, apply a thin bead of glue down length, close to edge, and fold over. Repeat on other raw edge. To finish hem, wait for glue to dry, then make another thin bead of glue down length, close to edge, and fold over. If desired, reinforce by sewing hems with a simple hand stitch.

4. Arrange shirt on flat surface so cut edges meet in the middle. Use fabric pencil to mark where you want buttons to go. They should start right at the V, about ½” in from the edge. Sew in place. Note: Buttons should go down shirt’s left side (right side when shirt is facing you).

5. Pull other side of shirt to overlap button side by about 1”. Use fabric pencil to mark center point of each button, where holes will go. You might want to try on shirt to make sure everything is aligned.

6. Measure diameter of buttons― you will create holes that are ½ to ¾ that size. (The stretchier the fabric, the smaller the hole.) Start hole by pinching fabric over the marked button spot and cutting a small vertical snip. Release fabric and continue to snip until hole is correct length, about half as long as diameter of button. Repeat for each hole, testing hole as you work to ensure you have proper alignment and size.

7. Turn wrong side out and sew around each buttonhole, looping thread through hole so that edges are fully wrapped in thread to prevent fraying.