sincerest form of flattery tutorial- banana republic cardigan knock-off

Denver, widely known as the Mile High City, holds another (slightly less well known) distinction. It is the City of Dressing in Layers. You have to. The mild climate means that, even in the summer, you should always have a light jacket on hand. It also means that all across Denver, there are closets and dressers stuffed to the gills with a necessary array of cardigans and that stores at Denver malls feature large-but-still-picked-over cardigan sections.

Children's wardrobes are not exempt from this unusually high cardigan requirement; I am always looking for layers for Piper Jane and Burke.

Enter this fabulous Banana Republic Peplum Cardigan knock-off. Simple to make, comfy and neutral, it has easily become a Piper Jane wardrobe staple... And even if you don't have the high cardigan requirements that we do, you should definitely add one of these to your little one's wardrobe!

Here's a peak at the original (cute, right?).

To make a mini sized knock-off you'll need:
-a long sleeved onesie a size (or two) larger than your intended recipient is currently wearing... I think a longsleeved t-shirt would work too, but haven't tried it
-extra white jersey (if you're using a white onesie/shirt) for the ruffles
-a snap

1. Cut off the bottom of the onesie, making a straight bottom edge. Find the center point (fold in half and mark) and cut up the middle.

 2. Add a snap right below the collar. For stability, add an extra scrap of fabric to the onesie on the back of the fabric where each snap will go before you attach with a snap attachment tool (available near the snaps at JoAnn's).

3. Ruffle long, thin strips of jersey by sewing a basting stitch down the center of the fabric strip and pulling taut. Ruffle three thicker strips of fabric for the back ruffles.

4.Pin the thin ruffled fabric strips along each side of the cardigan opening. Sew in place (careful with your stitching near the snap).

5. Turn one of the longer ruffled fabric strips upside down and backwards. Pin in place about three inches up from the bottom of the back of the cardigan and sew in place. Repeat two inches from the top and one inch from the top. You should have three tiers of ruffles on the back.

6. Pair with, well, everything your little one owns! So lovely!


ps- I strongly considered calling this post "Shake your tail feathers."




Don't forget to check out Knock Off Decor (the sponsor of The Sincerest Form of Flattery series) for Knock Off inspiration galore!