{ sewing refashion } Crew Redux, but not until after the rambling

When I had my first Aha! Moment about 3 years ago online upon discovering the World of Craft Bloggers... (it went something like, omygoodness there are people like me out there who make stuff and buy things at thrift stores and like to buy fabric just because and make more stuff.  I could spend hours just reading all these blogs.  I need a blog.  I  need to sew.  Wait, I want to make THAT.  Ohmygoodness I never thought of THAT.  I have never seen THAT before.  Where is my sewing machine?  I need to get to the fabric store STAT.  I can buy FABRIC ONLINE??  I don't really need sleep, do I?  If you are reading this blog, I'm pretty sure you had that moment, too.  I remember laying in bed that first night, with my head swimming with ideas.  It was crazy. Like the Mothership calling me home.)

...anyway, I knew I had discovered a wealth of talent and resources like nothing I had ever experienced before.  I did not know that I would

a) ever venture out of the safe zone of quilters cottons
b) experiment with stretch fabrics
c) get addicted to ripping fabric
d) start up an etsy shop
e) make the bestest friends
f) use my crafting obsession to help others
g) want or use a schmancy camera
h) looove my schmnacy camera
i) gain confidence I didn't know was missing.
j) and the friend thing again.  It bears repeating.

That is a long way of saying that although sometimes I feel totally overwhelmed and inadequate when I surf around the interwebz and see what all is going on OUT THERE, I still get that ohmygoodness this is so awesome feeling, too.  It makes we want to try things I wouldn't have before.  (And send things in the mail to people I've never met in person.  It is a small world after all!)

For Example (rejoice! this post has a point!):  This Plain Jane light blue Gap stretch crew sweater I picked up two weeks ago, thrifting.  $2.50.  

It got turned inside out, and introduced to quite a bit of iron-on tear-away stabilizer.

And it got marked up.

And stay-stitched.  And cut into.

And then I guess I stopped taking photos.  Because I decided to cut 1.75" strips from an old green t-shirt, overstitch the stretched the edges to make them ruffle, and apply it somewhat like binding to the now raw edges of the sweater.   Then I tore off the extra stabilizer which left no residue or marks.  Done.

I made a little flower pin from a hankie and stuck it on for good measure. It's going to get lots of play this Spring because I like how it looks with denim.  (Not sure how I'm really going to finish this cardi -- with a giant button or a tie or not at all.  For now, this is good.)

I threw it on with a tee and jeans and went about my business.

I think I'm going to shorten the sleeves, too.  I'm liking the way they look with longer shirts poking out from underneath. 

And that's it.  Not quite a tutorial, but I think you get it.  By the way, cutting up old tees is now my favorite thing to do. Favorite.  No serging or hem rolling or whatever required.  Makes everything faster.  Which is spectacular, in my book.

Now go!  Go find a old sweater you don't use very much and chop it up!  xoxo

Comments

[Stacy]

Gorgeous!! I love it... colors, flower, everything!

[Ali]

I was chopping up a sweater today too - but mine is to make bear arms for little kids to wear, Bizarre? Oh yes.

Love your fashion re-do!

[kirsten]

oh my gosh, so on my wavelength right now! i have a blue crewneck waiting to be cut up - and i've been itching to make ruffly cardigans for a while. yours turned out fantastic!!!

and YES on the shorter sleeves. i love shorter sleeved sweaters.

[beki]

fabulous! as always ;-)

[Patty Boyd]

Cute. Cute. Cute.

[Weedwacker]

I would love to see a tutorial with more details, since I am new at sewing and would LOVE to try that! I just don't have the confidence without more step by step instruction.

[cathygaubert]

so wonderful! and you have once again helped others (see "f" in the above list!)...yay!! i had to laugh out loud when i began reading your post as i remember that moment in time well. :)

[Sasha]

I love it! I would buy it if I saw it in the stores! (note to self, look for a sweater to cut)

[mary]

oh my gosh i love it!

[natalie]

LOVE LOVE LOVE! And the colours are fantastic for you? And you look great for having a baby not too long ago, sista!

[Tracy]

cute!!! yes ~ the internet is such a fabulous place for ideas!!
If you shorten the sleeves - you could use a green ruffle there, too :-)

[Courtney]

This is wonderful! I love the colors, the ruffle ... yum!

[Katie]

This looks so fun and springy! You never cease to amaze me, friend!

[Kelly]

Love this! You are giving me one of those omigodiwanttomakeTHAT moments!

[KateMet]

Flower pin from a hankie? Blink. Blink. Re-read. Scan for instructions. Flower pin from a hankie? Please, share!

[argyleandrea]

I have no sewing confidence at all, but I really want to try to make this. The part with overstitching the t-shirt strips to make a ruffle is a bit baffling to me. Can that be done with a regular sewing machine? Sewing with knits terrifies me.

[rebekka]

I loved the way that turned out! So good!

[liza]

that's the cutest thing i've ever seen...how clever!

[deborah]

Love it. Love the color combo. It's beyond my sewing abilities, but, dang, wish I could turn a sad pullover into that!

[Jenna]

that is JUST adorable. i love it.

[julie]

Love that sweater... it looks fabulous on you!

[Erin]

Awesome! And you are a skinny minny, by the way.

[Nikki]

So cute! Man, do I wish I liked to sew!

[Aunt Fashionista]

Love it!

[michelle]

Very cute! This is one I'm going to try for sure.

[April]

Oh my! Just had that ahha! moment myself a couple of months ago and I am laughing reading your post because I thought the exact same thing. And I swear I never thought I would start my own blog but I just starting trying to figure it out last week. Love the sweater! So cute!

[Bessiemae]

So.darn.cute.!

[Kerry]

That sweater is TRIPLE A - Absolutely Amazing and Adorable!!! Inspiring and creative and unique...thank you for such a treat to the eyes and the creative spirit!!!

[Carol - Rosey Corner Creations]

So cute. I have a sweater I've been contemplating doing a make-over on.
I'd love more info on your ruffle.

[Laura Penna]

You've just giving me so many ideas to work with. Thank you!

[meg duerksen]

WOW!!! this is amazing!

[Melissa]

I just love this and the colors you put together are wonderful!