My review of an easy to make kids cardigan sewing pattern. My kid loves wearing this comfy cocoon cardigan. See our photos and read how we adjusted the pattern.
We Love this Kids Cardigan Sewing Pattern
This Peyton Cocoon Cardigan is a quick sewing pattern for a kids cardigan. It's such a practical wardrobe piece and super fun to wear! My little girl hasn't taken it off since I finished sewing the first one.
She loves it so much, she asked for a second cardigan too. The only reason I was able to get a photo of both cardigans together was by digging them out of the dirty laundry basket (ha!). Otherwise, she is always wearing one of the two cardigans.
This is a Fast Kids Cardigan Pattern to Sew
I sewed up my first Peyton Cocoon Cardigan for my kid in one evening from start to finish. As sewing is all a bit new to me, the speed at which I finished this sewing pattern really surprised me. I'm usually not that quick. And I'm convinced it's a testament to the pattern, not me.
The second cardigan I made took even faster, and I barely had to refer to the instructions.
Only 11 pages needed for a kids cardigan sewing pattern
When I say I made this kids cardigan pattern in one evening, that includes printing and assembling the pattern too. The pattern is only 11 pages, so it's super fast to assemble, tape together, and cut out.
Only five pattern shapes to cut out
I always have a hard time placing pattern pieces to get the most efficient use of my fabric, so this step took me the longest. The pattern doesn't suggest how to place the pattern pieces on the fabric, but that's okay.
Since there are only five different shapes to cut out for this pattern (back, front, sleeves, waistband and cuff), I figured it out how I wanted to cut my pieces pretty easily. You do need to cut out two front pieces (mirrored, so folded fabric is ok), two sleeves, two collar / waistbands and two cuffs. But it's only five different pattern pieces total.
In the end, I sort of went straight down one side of the fabric against the selvedges as much as I could. I barely ended up with any scraps. Plus, I had more fabric leftover than I thought possible. That's perfect because I love these prints and I'll be able to sew a couple more pieces with them.
Very few steps needed to assemble and sew a kids cardigan
The Peyton Cocoon Cardigan sewing pattern is incredibly easy to follow, and the construction comes together so fast. In very basic steps:
- sew together at the shoulders
- add sleeves
- sew the sides together
- attach the cuffs
- sew the collar / waistband around
This photo shows the last step. I'm just about to sew the collar / waistband all the way around the cardigan.
This cardigan can be sewed together completely with just a serger
Everything was done on my serger. I didn't add any top stitching.
I love projects that I can make with a single machine, especially the serger. You can make this project using a stretch stitch on a regular sewing machine, but I'm a huge fan of using a serger.
Thinking about getting a serger? Here's How I Learned to Use a Serger.
And yes, just to brag a bit because I'm quite proud of myself, I made this with the kids around, needing snacks, interrupting, and all that good home stuff.
Kids Peyton Cocoon Cardigan Pattern is Easy to Follow
The pattern for this kids Cocoon Cardigan is very easy to follow.
The instructions include helpful illustrated photos of each of the steps. In the illustrations, the right side of the fabric is nicely indicated with a light floral pattern, which is so intuitive. I found it much less confusing than patterns that use dark grey/light grey to indicate the right and wrong side of the fabric.
The stitching is also in shown in red, making it easy to see and follow.
Sizing
I made this cardigan in size 5, with a couple grading adjustments at the sleeve (detailed below). She usually wears size 5-6 clothing.
According to the pattern, her chest measurement actually indicated size 4. However, I went with size 5 anyway because I figured looser would be okay. When she tried it on, she thought the sizing turned out perfect.
Fabric
Since I wanted to make a flowy soft cardigan, the pink diamond fabric I used is 95% tencel and 5% spandex, and weight 210gsm. She couldn't be happier with it. It's so comfy, just the perfect amount of flow, and light enough to easily toss in a backpack.
The second black floral cardigan is 95% organic cotton, 5% spandex, and weight 200gsm. This one is also super comfy, but it has a little more structure than the pink diamond cardigan.
Love the fabrics? They are both from Frollein S, which sells the cutest (and organic) fabric. Use my link to get a $5 off coupon too.
Adjustments I Made To This Kids Cardigan Sewing Pattern
I think this kids cardigan sewing pattern would be great without any adjustments. I made very minor adjustments based on my past experience making clothes for her though, detailed below.
Triangle notches vs. snips into the fabric seam allowance
The pattern indicates little triangle notches that you cut out to help with alignment when sewing pieces together. This is the first time I have seen these triangle notches, as opposed to simply cutting a notch into the fabric seam allowance.
I found the triangles cumbersome to cut out. Instead, I made little snips directly into the fabric seam allowance at the location of the triangle notches.
Sized up the sleeve cuff
Personally, I hate tight sleeve cuffs at my wrist, and so does my little one. I sized the sleeve cuff up one size. I made a size 6 sleeve cuff.
Graded the cardigan sleeves at the wrist
Since I sized up the sleeve cuff, I also graded the cardigan sleeves so it ended at the same width as size 6 at the wrist. I kept the size 5 sleeve length since she didn't need the extra sleeve length though.
When she wears the cardigan, the size 6 sleeve cuffs comfortably keep the sleeves at her wrist. Plus, the size 5 length gives her enough fabric to tuck her hands inside the sleeves when she wants.
Thumb Hole Cuff
She generally loves sleeves with thumbhole cuffs, and that's a change I might make the next time I sew this cardigan for her.
Sew This Kids Cardigan For a Wardrobe Staple
I hope this review of the kids Cocoon Cardigan is helpful. It's definitely going to be a wardrobe staple, and I can't wait to sew my next one.
Any questions? Ask below and I'll try my best to help.
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