Monday, October 05, 2015

Flowy Fall Flowers

This weekend, we got our first real taste of autumn, and It. Was. Glorious. Highs around 80F and overnight lows in the upper 50s. (Don't laugh! That is totally fall weather!) It had me thinking about all the sweaters I'll be wearing soon. So I decided to revamp one that didn't get much lovin' last year. This rusty orange cardigan seemed perfect for the low, low price of $3 at my local thrift shop. Unfortunately, the first time I wore it, I realized the double-breasted button placket was super annoying. The bottom layer kept getting wadded up under the top layer. I decided to turn this into a flowy top using remnants of another refashion from a few years back.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - BeforeFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - Before

First, to fix that awkward button placket. I simply removed all the buttons - five functional and five decorative - and reattached half of them closer to the edge opposite the button holes.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

I wanted to add a bit of color around the collar. So I put the floral shirt on Rosy, followed by the cardigan, and pinned the layers together. Then off the dress form it came, and I trimmed off the excess fabric about a half-inch below the pins.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

I folded the edge under and sewed just at the bottom end of the ribbing, so the stitching is barely even visible from the outside.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

To make it a looser, flowier top, I wanted to add a triangular insert in the back, as I've seen on Pinterest a million times. So I cut one of the sleeves at an angle and hemmed the raw edges.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

I marked the center back of the sweater with pins to the same height as the side of the triangular insert. Then I zig-zag stitched on either side so the knitted fabric won't unravel when I cut it.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

Next, I carefully cut up between the zig-zags, which was remarkably difficult for the knitter in me, I might add. Then the two fabrics were sewn together with right sides facing.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

I put a little pleat into the top edge on the inside and pinned it in place from the outside.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

Then I top-stitched around the entire insert, with a few back-and-forths at the top to make sure nothing's going to unravel.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

Lastly, I decided to add back the other half of the buttons, just to make sure there's no gaping between buttons around my bust. Since I can now get the sweater on and off over my head without unbuttoning it, I didn't bother creating new buttonholes. I simply re-attached four of the other five extra buttons in between the existing five, sewing through both layers of the button placket. The final button was sewn to the inner side seam as an extra, just in case I need it in the future.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In ProgressFlowy Fall Flowers Sweater - In Progress

Tada! No more awkward fabric bulges at the button placket.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - After

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - After

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - After

For right now, the sheer panel in the back provides a nice bit of ventilation so the sweater isn't too warm. I imagine I'll probably wear it with a cami underneath as the weather cools off more.

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - After

Flowy Fall Flowers Sweater - After


Flowy Fall Flowers - Before & After

7 comments:

  1. VERY NICE ! A great combo for that layered effect ! Color is awesome for you, Carrisa.

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  2. My sister called me this evening asking how to do this very thing to a t-shirt. I said hang on, I'll send you a link to Carissa...she'll explain it clearer than I can over the phone. :o)

    JJ
    www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks, JJ!

      Welcome, sis! Let me know if you have any questions.

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