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Add Ribbon Trim to a Cardigan

Posted on Jul 07, 2013

Add Ribbon Trim to a Cardigan

Is your cardigan looking tired and dull? If so, why not add a pretty ribbon trim to the front edges and some decorative buttons? This technique could be applied to any style of cardigan. You could even embellish the neck and cuffs of a sweater in the same way, in which case you won’t need the snap fasteners. <b>You will need:</b> - A cardigan - 80" (2m) firm ribbon, the width of the button band - 15-20 assorted buttons - Snap fasteners - 1 spool matching all-purpose sewing thread

Step 1

Carefully remove the buttons using sharp scissors. Take care not to cut the fabric.

Step 2

Taking care not to stretch the cardigan, pin a single length of ribbon, wide enough to cover up the button band, from the hem of one front up, around the neck, and down to the other hem.

Step 3

Machine carefully along both sides of the ribbon to hold it in place.

Step 4

Evenly space assorted buttons, with a diameter no wider than the ribbon, the length of the ribbon, leaving it free of buttons where the two fronts will join. Stitch in place.

Step 5

Where the two fronts are to join, stitch one half of a snap fastener beneath each button and the other half in the corresponding position on the other side of the ribbon trim.

Step 6

This how-to is excerpted with permission from <a href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756698200/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0756698200&linkCode=as2&tag=craftfocom-20">"Dressmaking: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Making your Own Clothes"</a> by Alison Smith (DK Publishing).