April 6, 2010

How to go from cardi blah to cardi HOORAH!


This was a lot of fun to make!  All you need is some cute trim, needle, thread, cardigan and about 15 minutes (depending on your hand stitching skills).
Here is my Anthro inspiration (link).

 The before and after...


Materials list:
  • Cardigan - I used a Mossimo cardigan that I purchased from Target a few years ago.  That's why I don't throw things away (ahem sweet husband of mine).
  • Trim - I used a little more than a 1/2 yard of the Nylon lace (link).  Important note on the trim you choose: Make sure you can cut into the trim to allow the trim to separate along the bottom edge (see step 2)
  • Needle and thread
And we're off...

Step 1.  Measure the amount of trim you need by pinning the trim to the neckline.  Do not simply rely on measuring with measuring tape.  You need to see the placement of the pattern.  If you are using the same trim I used, or one similar, make sure you have placed the motifs so that you do not end up with a full circle on one side of the neckline and a half circle on the other side.  If you find that you end up with a half circle on one side, then adjust where you begin the placement of your first motif.  Either move it back or forward to allow for more or less room (cut off excess if less room).  Once you know how much trim is needed, cut off the excess.  Re-pin the trim to the neckline if you unpinned it to cut off the excess.


Step 2.  The trim is not cut as a collar, yet we are sewing it on as a collar, so you will have to cut into the bottom of the trim to allow it to expand with the circumference of the neckline.  However, you do not want to cut all the way through the trim.  Notice below that I cut around the circles and stopped where the larger circles are joined.  I also made sure that each motif had the same amount of small circles (4 small circles).  If desired, you can add fray check to edges that are cut.


Step 3.  Thread your needle (I double threaded it for extra strength) and bring your needle up from underneath the first motif.  Pick up a couple of threads from the trim and insert it back into the trim and through the sweater.  When I brought the needle through the sweater I tried to just grab a few threads making sure I didn't go all the way through the sweater.  I didn't want the beige thread to show on the wrong side of the sweater (sometimes it did).


Step 4.  Continue to stitch the trim to the sweater. Stitch the tops of the circles and continue to stitch down to where the circles join, then back up the circle (see white line path in pic below).


Step 5.  When you get to the last motif, finish it off, tie a knot, and smile.



Enjoy =)

Jamie

13 comments:

Sandy a la Mode said...

ohhh i love this!!! looks like something anthropologie would sell! and thanks for the link to that lace, i've been looking for something like this to dress up outfits!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT! This lace would look great on tons of things!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Adventures in Dressmaking said...

I have had that Anthro cardigan picture in my "Inspiration: Clothes" folder for a while now, glad someone copied it! I have similar plans using a vintage crocheted collar.
You did a great job on this!

Mary said...

Sweeeet! I love it.

ByNightCreations said...

These new trims are just amazingly beautiful!

jacqueline said...

This is such a neat idea and i adore this gorgeous trim! Looks amazing! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

Kimmay said...

Very lovely- and you make it look so easy! I have some boring sweaters that could use a kick. I also gave my boyfriend's Mom an updated sweater for Christmas. I used a simple plum colored sweater, and added cloth yo-yo's with gorgeous buttons in the center. They formed a pretty trail down the left and it was a unique gift, just for her!

Lisa said...

LOVE the whole re-fashioning clothes thing. I have my eye on two of my cardigans...

Anonymous said...

Your blog is adorable - I just did a little bit of blog hopping and came across it! I love adding a little bit of pizazz to sweaters :) It looks gorgeous! I turned a sweater into a cardi here - http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/day-91-274-days-and-270-left-to-go/
So fun to refashion!

Tiziana Nidodilana said...

hi!
I visit now your blog for the first time..it's fantastic!
Your creations are great!
If you want visit my blog
http://nidodilana.blogspot.com
see you soon
tiziana

Madeline said...

That turned out wonderfully!

uberchicforcheap.blogspot.com

Rebecca said...

This is so wonderful! It's exactly something I would buy in a shop. Now I need to find the perfect cardigan to try this out on :)

Rae said...

I have been eyeing that trim since I first saw it...I LOVE that!! It looks so fantastic on that cardigan.