I came across this gorgeous lacey knit fabric at Walmart’s fabric remnants section for just $3 per yard! Originally, I planned to create a Kaftan with it, but then I stumbled upon a TikTok tutorial by Paz. She modified the Elliot top from Cool Stitches (available for optional donations) into the viral Ganni-inspired top. I thought the fabric would be great for it.

A picture of the modified sewing pattern pieces for the top.

The Tie-Front Cardigan

The pattern modification is straightforward, raising the neckline, changing the V-neck into a rounded neckline, reducing the shoulder, and drafting longer puffy sleeves. I decided to put my spin on it, skipping the peplum!

Sewing stretch knit fabric can be challenging, especially when it’s open-weave and prone to stretching out. I was intimidated by it, but once I began sewing, I was pleasantly surprised by how manageable it was. I sewed with a zigzag stitch to catch as much fabric as possible, preventing stitches from popping when stretched. Since the fabric doesn’t fray, I could have sewn two rows of zigzag stitches for extra security. Instead, I chose French seams to encase the raw edges, providing additional strength and a cleaner look.

I finished the neckline and front with black bias tape to create a contrasting bias binding. For the tie front details, I had a quick (and lazy) solution for the ties. I folded a black bias tape and fabric glued them together. I then attached 6 pieces to the top, creating 3 pairs of tie front details. While they look stylish, the ties don’t feel as great because I might have gone overboard with the fabric glue, making them a tad stiff.

A close-up look at the tie front details, made from folded and glued bias tapes.
Cute bow tie-front details
The finished open-knit white cardigan on a dress form
The finished tie-front cardigan!

The Matching Shorts

I have some fabric left over, and I thought it would be fun to make matching shorts that you can wear over your bikini at the beach. I used the Rosery PJ shorts pattern by Janelle from Rosery Apparel but shortened it by 2 inches. Because of the open-knit fabric, I also skipped the pockets.

The finished matching open-knit shorts.

I think the matching set is so cute! The top is versatile enough to dress up any outfit, but paired with the shorts, it transforms into a perfect beachwear set!

A full view of the open-knit cardigan and shorts set.