Red Animal Print Sweater Pillow

I recently received a bag of vintage sweaters for pillow making, and I just fell in love with this fun print. I used everything from the armholes down, leaving the zipper in the middle for a-la-mode, stitched, and stuffed. It still has the side-seam pockets, too! I think I’ll give it as a birthday or Christmas present and tuck a gift card in the pocket. Then the recipient can use the pockets for . . . hmmm . . . the TV remote? Earphones? Tissues for a sad movie? Or . . . M&M’s??? (OK, I’m still thinking about chocolate after that last post!) ♥

Spring Sweater Refashion, Chapter 3

In between my writing projects and sewing/crafting obsession, I’m going through my closet piece by piece to update the items I don’t wear often . . . or ever!  I loved the feather-weightiness and 3/4 sleeves on this plain white cardigan but not the high, round neckline, so first I changed it to a V-neck following the same technique I used here and here.  Once that was done, I dumped all my trims on the bed and found a length of pastel lace that was exactly the right length for the front, with about 1/2 inch to fold under at the top and bottom.  Next, I removed the buttons and machine-stitched the lace along the button line.  Finally,  I found a variety of buttons the right size to replace the original white ones.  I love how feminine it looks . . . but I think I’ll try a bright trim and buttons on the next one. ♥

Spring Sweater Refashion

One of my favorite new blog discoveries is Refashion Co-op, which I discovered through another new favorite blog called Chic Envelopements, which gave me the courage to take my scissors to a brand-new sweater! Here’s the story. A year or so ago, I was on my way to the cash register at Kohl’s after buying a gift and saw a beautiful pastel pink sweater, light as a feather, in my size, on a sale rack for $10, and just had to have it.  I was pretty pleased with myself . . . until I got home and tried it on. It had a too-high neck that looked dowdy buttoned all the way up and sloppy with the first couple of buttons undone, and the sleeves had tight bands at the wrist which made it feel hot and uncomfortable. So, I stuck it back in my closet until this past weekend. Taking a deep breath (and forgetting to take a “before” snapshot), I cut a diagonal line from just above the third button to the shoulder seam and around to the middle of the back just under the neck ribbing, and then I used the piece I’d cut off as a pattern for the other side. Next, I used an elbow-length-sleeved sweater I like as a pattern to cut off the lower arms. Then I rolled and pinned all the raw edges under and hand-stitched around them with tiny hem stitches. Success! It’s perfect with a white tank, brown belt, skirt, and ballet flats . . . plus I made a pin-on flower out of the ribbed cuffs I’d removed and brown embroidery floss and beads. Look out closet, here I come! ♥