Pearl Cardigan | Tilly and the Buttons

Ad/contains gifted pattern (with no obligation to share)

Hello sewists!

I’m unbelievably excited to be publishing a brand spanking new make to the blog today. It’s been so nice to have a little bit of time to sew in the last week. I’ve seriously needed the little bit of time to myself to zone out and be creative.

I was over the moon to be sent the latest pattern by Tilly and the Buttons, Pearl. She is a lovely little cropped wrap cardigan with 3 different sleeve options. Upon seeing the photos of this pattern, I had immediate flashbacks to being 6 years old at ballet class! And there was really no doubt in my mind that I would 100% be making this with the gorgeous balloon sleeves.

Luckily I remembered that I had the most perfect cobalt blue knit fabric in my stash. I dug it out and fell in love with this fabric all over again! I bought this from Sew Me Sunshine back in lockdown #1 in 2020. It was originally destined to become a Tilly and the Buttons Bertha cardigan. But alas… time did not allow.

The pattern was as you would expect from TATB. Beautiful instructions, great descriptive bitesize steps, beginner-friendly, and an all-round joy to sew. The most difficult parts of this make were probably the balloon sleeves/cuffs, and also making the hole in the hem band (which you thread one of the waist ties through). All absolutely straightforward with the instructions though. I did watch a little video on the TATB website (linked here) about creating the hole in the hem band though (the video was actually relating to making thumb holes in cuffs, but uses the same technique). That really helped me to figure that out.

The fabric was a little tricky to sew. Very drapey and stretchy. I was quite worried that it was stretching out of shape as I was sewing it. But I kept going and it seemed to be fine. Moral of this story – worry less and sew more Jen! And I’m really happy with how this fabric has worked with the pattern. I think the drape really gives a flattering look to the balloon sleeves and also the waist ties too.

I’m so happy with the finished top! I didn’t know how much I needed a wrap cardigan in my life. If I make another one of these then I’d maybe lengthen it a little. It is quite cropped – but that is the look/style though. I’m just a little bit paranoid about flashing my tummy a bit too much. Definitely pair with high waisted jeans though, and job’s a goodun.

Hope you like this! And keep everything crossed that I continue to get some sewing time in… so I can be back on here again really soon with new makes….!

Thanks for reading guys x

Pattern: Pearl Cardigan by Tilly and the Buttons

Fabric: meetMilk Soft Lima Knit with Lenzing Ecovero Viscose Fibres from Sew Me Sunshine

Notions: Prym seam tape bought from Amazon

Size made: 5

Alterations made: None

Time taken: 1.5 hours cutting out + approx 4 hours of sewing