Day 91. 274 days and $270 left to go.

Feb 27, 2010 | 28 Comments

Happy Saturday! I have to say, this piece took a whole new form from what it began like to what it ended up as.

Day 91 - Before

Day 91 - Before

Now looking at it, it looks perfectly lovely to wear it as is – vintage pink 80s sweater, straight out of Facts of Life or Square Pegs. Tightly woven wrists, ruched shoulders, pilly knit ball accents, high frilly collar. The only ish I had was that it came up to my navel when I put it on. Don‚Äôt like to expose the abdominal area all too much in general, but with it being winter and the fact that my fair, Irish skin area doesn‚Äôt get as much sun in these conditions, I was nervous that it may actually blend into the pinkness of the sweater. Two words: no bueno.

So, I had an idea to keep the sweater pretty much intact – the only change was to turn it into a cardigan. This was quick and easy and completely done by hand. First, I cut a straight line down the middle of the piece. I took the newly raw edges, turned them underneath and pinned them…

Turn edges under and pin

Turn edges under and pin

…while I hand sewed a new seam to each side.

Post hand-sewing down raw edges

Post hand-sewing down raw edges

I found amazing floral buttons at one of my local crafting spots and thought they would be lovely little clasps that would be held together by a little bit of elastic. I sewed the buttons on each side of the sweater and then took a few inches of elastic, hand sewed the edges together, formed a figure 8 and sewed the center down for my clasp.

Elastic + Buttons = THE HOTNESS

Elastic + Buttons = THE HOTNESS

And lookie at the final product…

Day 91 - After

Day 91 - After

I grabbed my figure 8 clasp and put each side of it around each of the buttons to pull the sweater together. Super cute paired with a white tank!
And, the length of the sweater…problem solved!!

Cardi/Couch/Computer

Cardi/Couch/Computer

The best veg outfit for a rainy/sunny/rainy/sunny/LA can’t make up its’ mind afternoon inside and out including drum class (yep, it’s pretty much School of Rock – there’s like a 9-year-old wunderkind who blows us all out of the water) and some grilled cheese enjoying. Saturdays really, truly, simply rule.

  • sherala

    Yes, Saturdays rule! Drum class sounds awesome & sweet makeover on this baby.

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Thanks Sherala. Looking forward to the weekend already :)

  • sherala

    Yes, Saturdays rule! Drum class sounds awesome & sweet makeover on this baby.

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Thanks Sherala. Looking forward to the weekend already :)

  • janefeebles

    As a knitter, the one thing we all go a bit wobbly about is cutting a knit up garment- even though the sewer side of me knows it’s ok. Your fearless approach to cardi making is terribly inspiring.
    And any day with grilled cheese is a good day :)

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      See, I would probably have difficulty cutting anything that I knitted myself. However since I’ve only mastered the scarf, I guess I don’t have to worry that much yet :) Buy a cheap Goodwill sweater or one from a garage sale to test it out. It’s extremely invigorating!! Mmm…craving grilled cheeses again!!

  • janefeebles

    As a knitter, the one thing we all go a bit wobbly about is cutting a knit up garment- even though the sewer side of me knows it’s ok. Your fearless approach to cardi making is terribly inspiring.
    And any day with grilled cheese is a good day :)

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      See, I would probably have difficulty cutting anything that I knitted myself. However since I’ve only mastered the scarf, I guess I don’t have to worry that much yet :) Buy a cheap Goodwill sweater or one from a garage sale to test it out. It’s extremely invigorating!! Mmm…craving grilled cheeses again!!

  • http://lifefulfilledatlanta.blogspot.com/ Katy

    I decided over the weekend that you should set up an etsy store where people can buy the dresses you’ve already beautified and worn. They’re so freaking cute — and they could make you some money.

    If you already had this idea, forgive me!

    Katy
    http://www.lifefulfilledatlanta.blogspot.com

    p.s. and write the book!

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Yay!! I totally heart you Katy :) Love that you’re putting all these fab ideas my way! I was planning to do a big auction at the end of the year and tie it in with a charity to donate proceeds. However I’m going to set something up on etsy of pieces that I’ve done outside the blog. That is when I’ve got a little more time…one long rainy weekend would be fab!! YES!! Book…compiling stuff daily. You’ll get the first copy!

  • http://lifefulfilledatlanta.blogspot.com/ Katy

    I decided over the weekend that you should set up an etsy store where people can buy the dresses you’ve already beautified and worn. They’re so freaking cute ‚Äî and they could make you some money.

    If you already had this idea, forgive me!

    Katy
    http://www.lifefulfilledatlanta.blogspot.com

    p.s. and write the book!

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Yay!! I totally heart you Katy :) Love that you’re putting all these fab ideas my way! I was planning to do a big auction at the end of the year and tie it in with a charity to donate proceeds. However I’m going to set something up on etsy of pieces that I’ve done outside the blog. That is when I’ve got a little more time…one long rainy weekend would be fab!! YES!! Book…compiling stuff daily. You’ll get the first copy!

  • http://www.classiccampbell.blogspot.com katherine

    This looks great!

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Thanks Katherine! I’m going to try to find more sweaters to do this to – loved how it came out!

  • http://www.classiccampbell.blogspot.com katherine

    This looks great!

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Thanks Katherine! I’m going to try to find more sweaters to do this to – loved how it came out!

  • http://livewide.blogspot.com Sandhya Ganesha

    LOVE this one!

  • http://livewide.blogspot.com Sandhya Ganesha

    LOVE this one!

  • http://saraballstaedt.blogspot.com Sara

    SUPER SUPER CUTE! LOVE how it turned out!

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Yay!! Thanks Sara…I kind of need to find more sweaters to do this with!

  • http://saraballstaedt.blogspot.com Sara

    SUPER SUPER CUTE! LOVE how it turned out!

    • http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

      Yay!! Thanks Sara…I kind of need to find more sweaters to do this with!

  • Candice

    I saw that sweater and thought no way will this turn out cute. I was wrong it turned out hella cute.

  • Candice

    I saw that sweater and thought no way will this turn out cute. I was wrong it turned out hella cute.

  • AmyP

    Ha! Brilliant! I’ve been remaking clothes for years, but don’t have your sewing skills or fashion sense (oh sad day!). I found a adorable vintage dress where the length was all wrong, but figured it would make a great skirt + shrug. Skirt came out, but I machined sewed the shrug (had cut down the front center like you did), and wrecked it. Now I see! Should have hand-stitched the top. I wonder if I still have it? Maybe I could stitch-rip it out and try again… Thanks!

  • AmyP

    Ha! Brilliant! I’ve been remaking clothes for years, but don’t have your sewing skills or fashion sense (oh sad day!). I found a adorable vintage dress where the length was all wrong, but figured it would make a great skirt + shrug. Skirt came out, but I machined sewed the shrug (had cut down the front center like you did), and wrecked it. Now I see! Should have hand-stitched the top. I wonder if I still have it? Maybe I could stitch-rip it out and try again… Thanks!

  • Leanne

    Wow! You took that old funky sweater and made it MARVELOUS! I could totally see that in a fashion store window.

  • vintagebeliever

    Love this idea!!! I have a few ugly sweaters that I am going to try this with…thank you so much!! I can have a new wardrobe with out spending too much!! :-)