It started with the jeans.
I bought a new pair of jeans from Chicos after reading about them over at Une Femme. My local Chico's doesn't carry the premium denim line, and doesn't carry tall sizes either, so I had to order them.
On me, the waist hits at my actual waist, not below as shown on the model, but the fit was otherwise good, so I thought I started checking the closet to see what might work with them style-wise and color wise as they are a rather interesting shade of grayed brown but not a taupe.
I immediately realized that this Peruvian Connection cardigan was a perfect match. I've had this cardigan several years, and I although I love it, I've had a hard time actually wearing it.
The color of the cardigan itself is actually a little dull and dark on me, and I can't really wear it unless I pair it with a top with a rich cool color like the turtleneck shown. Luckily there are several of "my" colors in the print, so finding a coordinating blouse is not difficult.
Finding a coordinating bottom, that goes with other things in my wardrobe, has proved more difficult, as I really don't like the way it looks with black, despite the black in the pattern.
Perfection does not always fall so easily into one's lap however. The color match was perfect, and the sweater fit, but the boxy shape wasn't all that flattering, perhaps another reason it has sat neglected on my shelves for some time.
I was about to throw it in the Salvation army basket when I stopped myself. If I loved the sweater enough to hold onto it so long, why not try to alter it. What could I lose? In the worst case I would have a sweater I still couldn't wear. So it might end up in the trash rather than in the donation pile; that was a risk worth taking.
I pinched out the excess fabric at the waist and figured I could easily take out four to five inches, tapering to nothing below the sleeves and at the hip. When I looked at the sweater pattern, I noticed that if I tapered the seams in one inch on each side I could make one of the black diamond shapes meet perfectly at the waistline, which meant that not only would I not mess up the pattern, the perfectly placed diamonds right at waist level would add another illusion of waist-shape to the garment.
I wanted to do it the seaming on my Bernina rather than on the serger as I felt I had more control. I put on the 1C foot and selected the double overlock stitch, marked my reference points so I would take the same amount out on both sides and started sewing.
I was a little nervous before I cut the fabric. But I gritted my teeth and did it anyway.
I am rather happy with the results. The photo at the top of the post shows the sweater after the alterations were made. I didn't think to take a before photo, I was just too caught up in the excitement of the moment. In fact I was so excited that I wore the sweater and the new jeans that day, even though it was too hot to wear a turtleneck, and the little camisole I wore with it didn't provide enough color to keep the cardigan from making me look as washed out and tired as I felt. Never mind, it was a happy kind of tired.
Comments
32 responses to “New life for an old sweater”
Cute sweater! It’s good that you could solve the fit issue because it looks nice on you.
I always have that moment of fear when cutting into sweaters, but have successfully tweaked them several times. I usually baste the changes first before cutting the excess off the sweater and serging. Not foolproof but it at least makes me more comfortable.
Cute sweater! It’s good that you could solve the fit issue because it looks nice on you.
I always have that moment of fear when cutting into sweaters, but have successfully tweaked them several times. I usually baste the changes first before cutting the excess off the sweater and serging. Not foolproof but it at least makes me more comfortable.
What a brilliant solution. I really like the outfit on you as you climb the stairs. Please wear it without a turtle neck. You can do it!
What a brilliant solution. I really like the outfit on you as you climb the stairs. Please wear it without a turtle neck. You can do it!
Wow, what a transforming alteration. (Peruvian Connection have interesting fabrics but I’ve never ordered b/c of the blocky, very conventional styling.)
Actually prefer it with the cami, looks more current, and shows your necklace.
Wow, what a transforming alteration. (Peruvian Connection have interesting fabrics but I’ve never ordered b/c of the blocky, very conventional styling.)
Actually prefer it with the cami, looks more current, and shows your necklace.
Wow! That looks great — what a clever alteration. I’m impressed that you actually found the time and followed through — when I’ve had such inspirations in the past, I generally retrieve the item from my giveaway bag, park it somewhere for inspiration to turn to action, and then a year later conced that the alteration is not going to happen!
Wow! That looks great — what a clever alteration. I’m impressed that you actually found the time and followed through — when I’ve had such inspirations in the past, I generally retrieve the item from my giveaway bag, park it somewhere for inspiration to turn to action, and then a year later conced that the alteration is not going to happen!
Great idea! I mean, if you’re ready to toss it, then alteration is a win-win proposition. And it looks terrific.
Great idea! I mean, if you’re ready to toss it, then alteration is a win-win proposition. And it looks terrific.
Thanks Nancy! It is a cute sweater and I like it. The more I look at the picture of it on me the more I like it too.
Ive basted and serged sweaters too. I think I like the sewing machine stitch because with the back and forth action of the needle, it goes more slowly and I am less afraid of botching it.
Thanks Nancy! It is a cute sweater and I like it. The more I look at the picture of it on me the more I like it too.
Ive basted and serged sweaters too. I think I like the sewing machine stitch because with the back and forth action of the needle, it goes more slowly and I am less afraid of botching it.
Metscan, I will try to wear it without the turtleneck. I am working on other scoop neck tops or camis. I had already decided to buy no more turtlenecks, but havent yet given up my old ones.
Metscan, I will try to wear it without the turtleneck. I am working on other scoop neck tops or camis. I had already decided to buy no more turtlenecks, but havent yet given up my old ones.
Yes, they have beautiful fabrics but too many are too blocky, or too short or otherwise just not right. When I was younger and thin either I wore them better or noticed less.
I increasingly like it with the cami, it is just hard to give up the security of my turtlenecks.
Yes, they have beautiful fabrics but too many are too blocky, or too short or otherwise just not right. When I was younger and thin either I wore them better or noticed less.
I increasingly like it with the cami, it is just hard to give up the security of my turtlenecks.
Mater, I hate to admit how many of my intended alterations eventually find their way to the trash or the donation pile. But it is very nice to have a success.
Mater, I hate to admit how many of my intended alterations eventually find their way to the trash or the donation pile. But it is very nice to have a success.
What a wonderful save on a nice sweater – and an expensive one too. I think I;ll follow your lead and tackle a similar sweater to get rid of the boxy shape.
You’re always an inspiration! Thanks!
What a wonderful save on a nice sweater – and an expensive one too. I think I;ll follow your lead and tackle a similar sweater to get rid of the boxy shape.
You’re always an inspiration! Thanks!
Thank you K-Line.
Thank you K-Line.
Thanks, Lyn!
You know I felt very virtuous saving that sweater. I used to wear a lot of those things, now I wonder. Anyway now I am eyeing many other things in my closet to see what I can hack away at.
Thanks, Lyn!
You know I felt very virtuous saving that sweater. I used to wear a lot of those things, now I wonder. Anyway now I am eyeing many other things in my closet to see what I can hack away at.
What a great save! I love those Chico’s pants….have the brown now will order the grey, too. I have some sweaters reserved to remake so thanks for the inspiration. I agree, the camis make them so chic and current while still being comfy.
What a great save! I love those Chico’s pants….have the brown now will order the grey, too. I have some sweaters reserved to remake so thanks for the inspiration. I agree, the camis make them so chic and current while still being comfy.
Jane, I got the grey ones also but havent hemmed them yet. Those little mending tasks are so easy, yet I put them off and off and off. Good luck with the sweaters.
Jane, I got the grey ones also but havent hemmed them yet. Those little mending tasks are so easy, yet I put them off and off and off. Good luck with the sweaters.
Great save, well done!
Great save, well done!
Annabel Record
Fantastic blog post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Annabel Record
Fantastic blog post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.