Embellish Knit Month: Day 8

November 10, 2010

I saved this for today since I wanted the Shabby Apple Giveaway to get center stage for Tuesday. But later in the day I'll be posting day new 9's embellish knit.
I found this cardigan at the Community Aid store for $2. It originally had big gold buttons down the front side. See the before.
I added the gathered floral chiffon to the inside opening of the cardigan. See tutorial. Then I finished it off by adding the natural woven trim.
I really love it. I wore it to pick up Lily at school today and felt totally stylish. I love the way the gathered chiffon pops up at the nape of the neck. It gives the cardigan a touch of sophistication.

1. First I cut 6" wide pieces of floral chiffon and sewed the together.
2. I then folded the long piece in half lengthwise and gathered it at the raw edges.
3. I then took the ruffled piece and sewed it to the wrong side of the cardigan's opening.
4. I then sewed the trim on next to the ruffle and removed the gold buttons with a seam ripper.

53 {comments}:

Kathryn said... Best Blogger Tips

I absolutely love this series you're doing, I can't wait to try making over sweaters now! :) You're so creative!

Thanks for your hard work!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

absolutely fabulous!!!!!!!!!

Lindsay said... Best Blogger Tips

Holy cow! I think this is my favorite yet! How did you get the fabric to ruffle?

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow! I love this! The chiffon is amazing!

Rebecca said... Best Blogger Tips

You're just too good! Do you usually have a stash of these trims and things that you use or do you get them separately for each project?

Marianne Elixir said... Best Blogger Tips

This is gorgeous and you look amazing.

Carolyn said... Best Blogger Tips

I LOVE this one! Definitely my favorite so far.
I have an old sweater that I thought I would make into a cardigan and dress up a bit after reading some of these posts, but when I got dug it out of the recesses of my dresser I discovered that the sleeves are too tight! Don't suppose you have a solution for that huh?

sarah said... Best Blogger Tips

This is lovely.
really enjoying your embellishment projects, very inspiring :)

http://fashbrickroad.blogspot.com/

Jessica at Me Sew Crazy said... Best Blogger Tips

I absolutely love this! Gorgeous! Just this morning was thinking of making a bolero with similar ruffle style for my daughter. Love it!

mommy Orkid Belle said... Best Blogger Tips

I always love checking your blog everyday because I learn so many ideas from you. I love to go to rummage sales and find stuff that I know has potential. I have this black sweater that looks like this, maybe I can do something with it. Thanks again!

Ana said... Best Blogger Tips

This is my favorite one too! Very pretty.

Simple Sage said... Best Blogger Tips

I LOVE this one! It is absolutely perfect, I want one for myself!!

Simple Sage said... Best Blogger Tips

I LOVE this one! It is absolutely perfect, I want one for myself!!

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

This one is my favorite so far! Love the chiffon at the collar.

Popbabe7 said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm usually not a big fan of long cardigans but you convinced me! Next time I go to a charity shop I'll see if they have any!

Am I the only one totally obsessed with these posts??

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

This series has given me so much inspiration! This is my favorite so far - it's gorgeous!
Do you have a short-sleeve sweater makeover in the future? I bought some thrifted sweaters to make leg-warmers for my little girl, and then I'll have these short-sleeve sweaters to turn into fun cardigans (because they're too small for me).

Pretty Zesty said... Best Blogger Tips

That trim is beautiful!

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

MayMade,
I do both. Sometimes if I see something that catches my eye I snatch it up. But if I have something in mind for another thing I'll go with a specific item in mind. Although that isn't always fun. It's a bummer when you can't find what you're looking for.

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

Carolyn,
Are they long sleeves? Perhaps you could trim them to above your elbow to make short sleeves.

If you like the long sleeved look perhaps you could wash it in cold water and take it out, stretch it and let it air dry. I guess it really depends on what kind of material it is made out of. Man-made materials don't shrink which is good but they don't stretch that well either.

MushyWear said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, I love this one. All the blues mingling together and the chiffon... so romantic without looking hard to wear.

Eric and Carrie said... Best Blogger Tips

absolutely beautiful! i want to be able to make one just like this.

Jo said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this one. It's my favourite that you've done so far!

The Straight Grain said... Best Blogger Tips

So wonderful! I can't wait to try some of these out!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

this one is my favorite ,you are so brilliant :)

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm a beginner and I'm a little lost between steps 1 and 2. How many 6" long pieces of chiffon did you cut for Step 1, and how did you sew them together (at the ends or along the sides?)? Also, I haven't ever ruffled before :) Could you show how you did the gathering? I love this whole series - thanks so much for the inspiration!!

Magpie Shinies said... Best Blogger Tips

This week has been VERY inspiring for me, this is my favorite so far.

I want to hit Goodwill HARD for some sweaters!

Sarah said... Best Blogger Tips

They keep getting better!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

This is totally my favorite so far!

GORGEOUS!

Sabi said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi! I love your blog, it always features such beautiful clothes and you make it look so easy... and you have great taste aswell! I am loving this series you're making on the embelished knits... it already gave me so many ideas on how to jazz up my boring cardigans! Thank you :) Sabi @ boladepensamento.blogspot.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

I think this is beautiful. I want one!! lol it may be a good project for my mom and I. Thank you!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Love this idea! Question, if you sewed the chiffon to the inside of the cardi did you cover the raw edge at all? Will it fray when it's washed?

Karin van D. said... Best Blogger Tips

It's so lovely Kathleen. You do amazing work with these knitted sweaters. Cute!

Carolyn said... Best Blogger Tips

I hadn't thought of cutting the sleeves shorter. I think I'll try stretching it wet first and if that doesn't work I'll try cutting it.
Thanks!

stola said... Best Blogger Tips

This is gorgeous. It's been interesting to see how you've improved all of your sweaters but this particular one is something I'm actually going to try. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.

The Limerick Lane said... Best Blogger Tips

This is absolutely adorable!! I'm truly inspired by your blog!!!

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

This is my favorite embellishment so far! I love how the ruffled chiffon looks. This series is making me look at my boring sweater bin in a whole new light...

Tamsin said... Best Blogger Tips

These are all beautiful, and so inspiring! I will definitely be referring to these tutorials in the future.

Sharon Milne said... Best Blogger Tips

I am totally in awe of your talent your vision and imagination, I am LOVING all these embellished knits you have absolutely inspired me! I am even going to rant about you at my craft group and maybe we could all attempt one of your creations. Thanks again!! :)

magdamagda said... Best Blogger Tips

beautiful and smart like everything you do!:)

Lori said... Best Blogger Tips

My goodness! This is just beautiful, and it seems so simple. Thank you so much for putting in the extra hard work it takes to share all your hard work with us. :)

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Do you think cotton fabric would work for the ruffle instead of chiffon?
(I love all your site!)

krista

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I really like this one, and I'm not usually a ruffle girl!

erin said... Best Blogger Tips

my favorite embellish so far :D i can't wait for the rest of the entries for this month! :)

Aubree said... Best Blogger Tips

This might be my fav so far but hard to choose!

MJ said... Best Blogger Tips

Very cool :) you have inspired me to start working on my old knits too :)

lili ash said... Best Blogger Tips

This one is so pretty! I love the trims that you used- such a nice touch of charm.

Lori said... Best Blogger Tips

So I tried this one at home and ended up with a chiffonsplosion of frayed bits everywhere. I am about as novice as they get - any suggestions to stop/prevent the chiffon from fraying like crazy? Thanks!

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

Lori,
I'd recommend one of two things. Either before you sew on the chiffon use a zigzag stitch to encase the ends. In fact, do this twice. OR use nylon chiffon. It does not fray. I just bought some myself yesterday.

If you're looking for a solid colored fabric you can buy nylon chiffon here:
http://www.afc-express.com/nylon-chiffon.html
It's only $1.59 a yard.

Patterned nylon chiffon is a bit harder to find. You could always use a patterned sweater and solid color chiffon.

Or just do the zigzag thing.

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

I just found some animal print chiffon here:
http://www.afc-express.com/neanprch.html

Actually that might make a pretty cool pettiskirt. Makes me want to try it.

Lori said... Best Blogger Tips

Hooray, thank you!

Dawanna Roberts Taylor said... Best Blogger Tips

SO cute!!!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I did have a bag of sweaters I was about to donate because I haven't worn them recently - not anymore!!! I am a newbie sewer but can't wait to try out some of your ideas. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Jess
www.jbeedelightful.blogspot.com

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I did have a bag of sweaters I was about to donate because I haven't worn them recently - not anymore!!! I am a newbie sewer but can't wait to try out some of your ideas. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Jess
www.jbeedelightful.blogspot.com

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