Trying BabyLock’s cardigan patterns

I tried out two cardigan patterns from BabyLock Japan. Here’s what what worked and what didn’t, along with adjustments I made for a better fit to pair with a skirt or my everything dress.

Cardigan #1: V-neck cardi

I first tested the V-neck short cardigan pattern in size L, making a quick prototype without the buttons, using my leftover knit lining fabric.

It turned out pretty cute, but since I used the same fabric instead of ribbing for the front and hem bands, the front bodice ended up gathered and slightly warped. When I measured the front and hem band pattern pieces, they were each about 5 cm shorter than the bodice edges—likely drafted with the expectation that ribbing fabric would stretch.

If there were buttons though, only the bottom one would close. Still looks cute with just the bottom overlapping, but the vertical button area don’t close enough.

Next time, I’ll cut the front and hem band rectangles 5 cm longer if I’m using the same fabric as the bodice. I’d also shorten the cuff panels by 2 cm so they sit more neatly at the wrist.

Altererations to the V-neck cardi

For the V‑neck cardigan, I made the following alterations:

• Front and hem band rectangles cut 5 cm longer so they don’t gather
• Shortened the cuff panels by 2 cm
• Added buttons as suggested

I made this one with Cotton Lycra (Duck Egg Blue) from Homecraft Textiles. Removing the gathered hem gave it a less casual sporty look which is nice, but it also left the fit too wide. If I don’t gather the hem with the band, the back pattern needs to be about 4 cm slimmer at the hem. The sleeves also came out slightly long, so shortening them by 2 cm next time should improve the fit.

Following the pattern’s suggestion of four buttons caused the top corner to stretch awkwardly. Even in my pink prototype, I noticed the front pieces don’t overlap properly to close. Comparing the front and back pattern pieces, it seems this issue comes from the design itself rather than my sewing. (Perhaps that’s why the official photos show the cardigan worn open?)

Cardigan #2 : Bolero cardi

Next, I tried out the one-size bolero cardigan pattern—using my old warped bed sheet before I threw it away 🤣.

It looked dressier than the V-neck, but a bit long in the back when paired with a dress. The banding was cut the same length as the bodice edge, so there was no gathering, though the front band tends to flip outward. From the front it looks pretty, but from the back it can appear a little awkward because of the dolman sleeves.

This cardigan pattern would be good for shielding the arms from the sun or air-con, since it can’t be a closable layer for warmth. Next time, I’d shorten it by about 5 cm overall to pair more neatly with a dress, though it does require extra fabric since the dolman sleeves are cut as part of the bodice.

Altererations to the bolero

• Reduced back panel height by 5cm
• Reduced front panels height by 5cm and redraw hem curve until notch
• Increased hem band by 1cm when folded in half (2cm in total)
• Reduced front band by 4cm each (8cm in total)
• Reduced cuff band by 2cm and gather sleeve slightly.

I made this one with Cotton Lycra (Sea Blue) from Homecraft Textiles, though the fabric feels crisp and doesn’t drape well which hurts for dolman sleeves. In comparison, my grey marle bed sheet bolero made earlier drapes much more gracefully and is light enough for summer wear.

Reducing the cuff band by 2 cm improved the fit and feel. Length is also nice. However, when I serged the banding at an increased 1.5 differential feed, the front lost its smooth finish.

Next time, I’d seek softer fabric and use consistent differential feed throughout.

Cardigan #3

I haven’t tried this raglan sleeve cardigan yet because it looked too long to wear with a dress (and the V-neck seemed quite deep), but it’s actually 53 cm in length—only 2 cm longer than the V-neck version—so not as long as it appears on the model.

I might try it out next time, after I check the pattern to make sure it has a chance to overlap properly.

But so far, the winner is my button-down bomber cardigan I made by altering babylock’s raglan hoodie pattern: