A Little Update

13 Comments

Hello!! It’s so good to be back. Penelope & I had such a blast playing around & exploring Myrtle Beach last week. I’m proud to say, not one of us lilly white Esplins got burned the entire trip. This is a HUGE feat for us. Chris and I are both so white, we got sunburned on our honeymoon in Cancun while in the shade with sunscreen on. Unfortunately, Penelope doesn’t fall too far from the tree as she got second degree sunburns on her cheeks at two months old (while in the shade, too). Since then we’ve vowed to be crazy diligent about using sunscreen even at a very young age.

This vacation was great in so many ways. I was able to spend some quality one-on-one time with my folks, take naps everyday & recharge my creative batteries. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve not been feeling very inspired lately. This trip cured that. I’m just swimming with all sorts of ideas now. One of those ideas was to modify a sweater that I’ve had for a while.

I bought this sweater from DownEast Basics the beginning of summer. I thought it was really sweet; the knitted lace really caught my eye. After getting it I think I wore it once or twice & let it filter to the back of my cardigan stash. For some reason we didn’t mesh well. I’ve not really been able to put my finger on it. Maybe it was the length, maybe it was the sleeve. MEH. It just wasn’t doing anything for me. I had this crazy brain wave the other day when I thought about chopping the sleeves & making it a sweater vest. Maybe I was channeling some Project Runway or something. So I chopped off the sleeves.

Outfit details:

  • Top – Ann Taylor Loft
  • Cardigan – DownEast Basics
  • Belt – D.I.
  • Corduroys – Gap
  • Moccasins – D.I.

I was going to cut a seam allowance & then tuck & hem the edges, but then I realized if I cut the fabric close to the seam, I wouldn’t have to go through all that and it would still look finished. I wouldn’t have to hem it at all! What started out as a semi daunting refashion (hems are my least favorite), turned into a 30 second face-lift. I’m glad I went for it! I feel like the sweater gives off more of a stylish vibe now that the sleeves are gone.

It was a bit of a risk to modify this garment because I typically LOVE this length of sleeve & this cardigan wasn’t a $3 thrift store find. I think I paid $30 for it. I kept thinking to myself, how much am I getting out of this sweater now? Practically nothing. How much could I potentially get out of this sweater after I modify it? A lot more than nothing.

I think it’s a big improvement. What do you think?

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    1. M. Peterson says:

      Really cute refashion! This is actually knit lace, though, not crochet. If anyone else thinks of trying a similar refashion, be careful where you cut. Stay in front of a seam because the whole sweater could unravel otherwise – yikes!

      You’re so brave – very pretty vest!

    2. Mandy Ford says:

      Super cute! I’m always impressed by anyone who can alter clothing, and a sweater is even more impressive! :)

      Mandy @ This Girl’s Life

    3. Looks fab. And look at your cute little tummy! This whole outfit looks great.

    4. Love! I applaud your daring. You’re right that it looks really stylish this way, but those risks don’t always pan out. I guess that’s why they’re risks.

      You look great!

    5. summer says:

      i actually looked twice! that small change made the sweater look so different that i didn’t immediately notice that you were wearing it in both photos. worth the risk!

    6. Aynna says:

      I love it! It’s so much better as a vest. I love the crocheted detail, but never have liked the look of anything I’ve seen, but maybe if I find a vest or make a vest out of something like this, I would like it even more

    7. You only cut it?! I don’t sew so I would be afraid to try this but if you really only cut it…I have a cardigan in my closet that might benefit from a pair of scissors…hm….

      • Melissa says:

        Seriously, I only cut it! I love minor no-sew alterations that make all the difference!

        Like M. Peterson said in the comment above, you want to be careful on which side of the seam you cut it. I cut to the outside of the seam, so the seam is still on the garment. Otherwise the knit would unravel.

    8. Laura Chavous says:

      Well done again! I recently found a adorable halter style navy swing dress with a tiny white polka dot print and big white coordinating buttons. $4. But it was too short for my liking so I sewed a thick white ruffle to the hem and I cant stop wearing it!

    9. quinn says:

      oh i love that! did you just cut the sleeves? i wish i had the guts to do that with some of my things!

    10. Louise says:

      Love it! It looked fine before, but great in the ‘after’ shot. Did you also say you made the belt?!

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