A lot of you expressed questions about resizing sweaters. I mentioned briefly how to do that on day one but I didn't go too in depth. So today and tomorrow I'll be redoing sweaters by first showing you how to turn them into cardigans today and then tomorrow showing you how to resizing body and sleeves, nothing else.
Today I found this Wet Seal sweater for $1.50 at Community Aid. I liked the stripes and the colors used. It was soft and had some nice ribbing around the cuffs and waist but it was just a little too short as a sweater. I thought paired with a tank top or camisole and jeans it could look tastefully sporty. Some things just look better in layers.
So I turned it into a cardigan. See an in depth tutorial below. And please refer to this day whenever you want to turn a sweater into a cardigan.
1. Measure the middle of the sweater and cut from waist to neckline.
2. Take double folded bias tape that either compliments or matches the color of your sweater. And cut a piece two inches longer than the measurement from the neck to the waist.
3. Fold the raw edge of either new opening to the wrong side of your sweater.
4. Place the raw edge inside the folded bias tape.
5. Sew the bias tape down the middle. Make sure you catch the sweater in the middle of the bias tape.
6. When you get to the end (and for the beginning) to prevent fraying take your extra inch of bias tape....
7. And fold it back, under the bias tape....
8. And continue to sew down the middle to the end.
9. Done. Now if you want to add buttons. Just space them equally down the sweater and mark where each will be sewn. Then sew them to the sweater. Use this tutorial to do it quick and easy.Then use this tutorial to help you make them easily.
Done.
To make corresponding button holes mark on the opposite side where the button holes will need to be.
Today I found this Wet Seal sweater for $1.50 at Community Aid. I liked the stripes and the colors used. It was soft and had some nice ribbing around the cuffs and waist but it was just a little too short as a sweater. I thought paired with a tank top or camisole and jeans it could look tastefully sporty. Some things just look better in layers.
So I turned it into a cardigan. See an in depth tutorial below. And please refer to this day whenever you want to turn a sweater into a cardigan.
Like not spending money? 
16 {comments}:
Thanks for explaining this. I've revisited your post from last year on the black short sleeved 'Anthro' cardigan, and am just attempting a version involving a navy cardigan bought for 99 pence - brilliant - thanks so much for sharing with us!!
I love your november ideaS!
this is superb performance!
I look for u every day...
and
I think that, if you use
double stitch or decorative stitch (middle of re-cardigan) it looks better and professional.
I really love the look of this, too bad its coming into summer here and I wouldn't be able to wear anything like that for a while.
by the way, you are now officially my new hero.
You are really outdoing yourself. I think I have that same sweater, in the before picture. Note to self, alter it and actually wear it. I love this series. Your vision never ceases to amaze me.
thank you! it worked beautifully. my sweater was a hoodie so the neckline was thick but i sewed as far as the machine would and handstitched the top centimeter or so. very excited about making over older sweaters!
I really need to get myself to a thrift store so I can start trying out some of these ideas!
Turning sweaters into cardigans is such a fantastic idea. You are brilliant for coming up with a perfect way to execute it. I love the use of bias tape because it is easy to match since there are so many colours available. When you add button holes do you stabalize with anything or do you just make them close to the edge so they go through the bias tape?
I've been looking for an easy tutorial for this, thanks!
That's such a pretty sweater, but a fabulous cardigan!
I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-turn-a-pullover-into-a-cardigan/2010/11/07/
--Anne
that outfit is amazing. i love rainbow stripes! thanks for the tutorial :)
This cardigan turned out so cute!! On the sweaters that you used twill tape or grosgrain ribbon, did you fold those over the raw edge to encase it prior to sewing it down or just sew it flat over the raw edge? Thanks for all of the great tutorials!
I have just discovered your "embellish knits" series and find them so interesting!
I have a few sweaters lying around which I would love to make into cardigans or smaller sweaters for the children, but had no idea how to handle the "loose yarn" when you cut into them - so afraid it would all unravel! So you use grosgrain to stabilize it. Clever!
Still two questions, though: for buttonholes, do you use some kind of interfacing? Or just really close zigzagging around the edges of the hole?
And what about zippers: would they work against the grosgrain edging or would you recommend something extra then?
Thank you! Am looking forward to part two, about taking in the sides :-)
SabineC
I like this much better as a cardigan. :)
This might be my favorite so far; it really is sporty and unusual.
Yay! Thanks for the in-depth tute with the pix. It's so helpful!
I picked up a couple of sweaters over the weekend for $2 each. I'm so excited to make them fun!
Happy I found this info!
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