Monday, September 28, 2015

DIY Varsity Sweater

With the weather getting cooler (well, in relative terms), I'm getting so excited for autumn! I've been thinking of all the sweaters and scarves in my future. I've had this particular cardigan in my closet for a couple years now. I got it for free in a box of someone else's yard sale leftovers. It's super comfy, but not the most stylish of garments. Time for a facelift!

DIY Varsity Sweater

I sketched out my letter "C" and an elbow patch onto a brown paper bag. Then I grabbed the leather scraps leftover from my messenger bag remake and cut out my pieces. [If you're not comfortable drawing letters, you could always just print one out in a giant font and cut that out to use as a template.]

DIY Varsity SweaterDIY Varsity Sweater

I laid out my cardigan and pinned my pieces where I wanted them. Normally, you wouldn't want to pin leather since its not as forgiving of tiny pin holes as other fabrics, but I just made sure to pin along the edges, where I'll be sewing, so my stitches will cover up the holes.

DIY Varsity Sweater

Then I sat down with my needle, thread, and Netflix, and got to sewing!

DIY Varsity SweaterDIY Varsity Sweater

Now I have the perfect light-weight sweater with awesome leather details. I think cutting your letter from a shrunken wool sweater could look really cool too though, and those are always easy to be found at thrift shops.

DIY Varsity Sweater

DIY Varsity Sweater

DIY Varsity Sweater

DIY Varsity Sweater

DIY Varsity Sweater

11 comments:

  1. Eek! I am soooo jealous of your sweater! I need to do a version.

    JJ
    www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should! It was super easy. A bit time consuming with the hand-stitching, but easy!

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  2. Very Retro !! All the way back to the "50s !
    Leather elbow patches are always cool - no matter the decade.
    I really like the shirt sleeve cuffs turned back on the sweater - a small detail, but the finishing touch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! The shirt and the cardigan both have too-long sleeves, so it seemed only natural to cuff them up. :)

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  3. I'm all about applique. That's awesome you did it by hand.

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    Replies
    1. With the combination of stretchy knit and sticking leather, I didn't want to get this project anywhere near my sewing machine! Not to say it can't be done. I just didn't have the courage. ;)

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  4. This project turned out really well. I'm wondering how you will launder it, and if you tested the leather for colorfastness? It would be a shame if the color ran on such a pretty project.

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    Replies
    1. I had thought about this before I started, while I was rummaging through scraps of fabric to use for the appliques. I wanted a color that would contrast with the cream cardigan, but anything too bold might bleed in the wash. In the end, I figured it wouldn't need to washed too frequently since it's outerwear, so I went with the leather.

      I intend to just spot-clean the knitted fabric and avoid the leather. I suppose I could take it to a professional leather cleaner if I absolutely have to though. Considering both the cardigan and the leather jacket were free, I honestly wouldn't be heartbroken if it got messed up.

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  5. "C" for Carissa, "C" for Cute. I always liked elbow patches too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "C" is also for cookie. Mmmm... cookies...

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  6. A few materials can be very bothersome and they can aggravate the skin and give you trouble partaking in the gathering.skyfall leather jacket

    ReplyDelete