Second Chances by Susan: sweater

Showing posts with label sweater. Show all posts

Feb 8, 2014

To Infinity Scarf...and Beyond!

I know, I know, what is so great about an infinity scarf tutorial? After all, you can find them all over the web. That is, if you even need a tutorial at all. But, none the less, I'm posting one anyway. This one, however, may be slightly different.

I started with this sweater that I had in my stash. Originally, I was going to use it for a Christmas stocking, but plans tend to change around here.

Then I got to work...

After cutting, you will have two "tubes." Cut the seams off the tubes and even the seams up if they are flared out at all. With right sides together, stitch all the pieces together—forming one larger tube.

Serge, or zigzag the edges of your scarf. Don't worry if it ripples a little.

Cover your edges with a decorative stitch.

More fanciness, if desired...

Now, on to the finishing touches that puts this infinity scarf "beyond" others!

And there you have it! A nice infinity scarf with decorative edges and moveable pieces that can be positioned wherever you desire!

I like to link to these great parties!

Oct 14, 2013

The Leather Challenge

This week on Refashion Runway, the challenge was leather. As has been throughout this whole competition, I have only used things that are in my refashion stash. I had a couple of leather items to choose from. A black coat and a grey suede shirt. I preferred the grey over the black, so that's what I started with. Also in my stash was a sweater that my son was getting rid of, and some wool fabric I had picked up long ago at a thrift store for $1.50. Considering that the sweater was free, and the shirt was $2.00, this outfit cost me $3.50. And, I have lots of grey suede left over for future creations!

Since this refashion consists of four parts, I'll show you how each was accomplished.

Feb 21, 2013

Corduroy Shirt Dress and Sweater Bag

After spending weeks hanging on my dress form, half done, I finally finished my latest refashion. This dress was created from an XXL men's shirt and L men's sweater. I spotted the shirt at the thrift shop and pictured it right away as a dress with a rolled sweater collar. I patiently waited for it to go on sale. In fact, in my waiting, I thought I had missed the opportunity when I went back and couldn't find it, but no worries, it was just hanging in a different spot. So I snatched it up!

This is what I started with...

I used the lower half of the sleeves for my new 3/4 sleeves, retaining the cuff detail. With the excess fabric from the upper part of the sleeves, I was able to lengthen the shirt to a more suitable dress length.

I left the shirt's collar band in place, but cut off the actual collar. I used a portion of the removed collar to create a triangular extension so that one end of my new rolled collar could tuck neatly under the other end. In fact, since the original collar was a button-down collar, I was able to utilize the existing buttonhole at the point of the collar to keep my new collar in place.

I added elastic to the waist so that it would cinch up evenly.

I had plenty of the sweater leftover and thought it would be fun to make a purse. So back to the thrift shop for the lining and details. I found an extra long belt with studs that I thought would be fun. And, a pair of brown corduroy pants would be perfect for the lining and trim.

I love the corduroy plaid fabric! The dress is comfortable and the purse is roomy. Besides from a broken needle while sewing the purse, I think it was a success!

Shirt.....$3.00

Sweater.....$2.00

Belt.....$2.00

Pants.....$2.50

Total cost for dress and purse.....$9.50!

For a tutorial on the dress, click here!

For a tutorial on the purse, click here!

I like to link to these great parties!

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Threading My Way

Jan 17, 2012

Simple Sweater to Skirt

As far as upcycling goes, this is about as easy as it gets! I just cut off the sleeves at the seams, then cut across the sweater about 4" down from the neckline. (Of course, you will cut it off at a length that is right for you...allowing enough to turn down for the waistband.) I then placed the sweater inside out on my dress form (which I recently purchased...and LOVE!) and pinned the side seams to fit my hips and waist. I stitched and serged the seams, added some wide elastic at the waist and that was it! The matching leg warmers were cut from the sleeves and stitched to the right size. I serged around the bottom edge. Easy peasy and comfortable! If the necklace in the AFTER picture looks familiar, you may have seen it close-up in this post!