I'm really excited to share my newly refashioned sweater. I'm especially happy because I made it to match my Mrs. Peacock skirt and my teal Pendrell blouse!
Awhile back (ok, too far back), the folks at Sixth & Spring Books sent me the book Custom Couture to review. I feel like in order to properly review I need to do one of the projects from the book. This book includes 32 refashion projects. While flipping through I saw this picture for the 'Folk Cardigan':
I had a matching black sweater in my closet (except mine was a turtleneck sweater) that was earmarked for the local charity shop. It's an older sweater (a hand-me down from my sister) and it lacks a bit of shape to look flattering as a main layer. Plus, the fibers from the cable knit are starting to stretch--just enough that it's slightly see-through. So as a main layer you'd have to wear something black underneath. When I saw this project in the book I got really excited because the sweater is a perfect candidate to become a refashioned cardigan. Cardigans come in super handy in scotland--so I decided to try it out.
First, I marked the centre front of the sweater. This was very easy because as a cable knit it was perfectly symmetrical. I also marked and cut around the turtle neck. The next step was to make binding and sew it around the newly cut openings.
I decided to use some left over fabric from my Mrs. Peacock skirt. It was really easy to sew the binding on and since the sweater is black--you can see any stitching.
There were a few parts of the book's instructions that I found confusing. There are a few illustrations included and that was good because it made it very clear but I felt that some of the sections of text could have been clearer. The illustrations for making the bow were clear but since I was using tweed, I had to adjust the stated measurements to accommodate the thicker fabric.
There's also some very interesting refashions in the book. Some that I don't think I'd ever do--they are just not my style but I could see that maybe some people could pull it off?? This sweater refashion with bows on the arms is one good example. I'm not exactly sure what look they are going for or if the refashion is even better than the original (lol):
Despite a few projects like that, there are some real gems in this book, including a few really neat ways to refashion tank tops! All templates are included at the back of the book as well.
Lots of the projects are simple and are things I wouldn't have thought of. It helped me to look at my wardrobe in a new way and to use some of their ideas to think about what I could do to change up items that are no longer working for me.
I am very happy with my sweater refashion and I love that it automatically completes this outfit for autumn/winter! Makes me want to go out and find more sweaters in charity shops to make matching cardigans for all my me-made outfits!!!
The Giveaway
I'm hosting a giveaway to win a copy of Custom Couture. This giveaway is open to all my readers anywhere in the world. To enter, just leave a comment on this post and tell me about any garments in your closet that are candidates for refashioning. Is there something you don't want to get rid of but that's not really working for you in it's current state? Enter your comment by midnight (London time) on Monday the 21st of November for a chance to win a copy of Custom Couture by Helene Le Berre.
