to fashion (something) again or differently; remake; alter.
I know I have made patterns exactly according to instructions, and I’ve also made them in my own haphazard way. Refashioning this cardigan was something new for me!
My sister bought this cardigan on-line. As soon as it arrived she knew that it was NOT what was pictured in the catalogue photo. She was disgusted with her purchase and asked me to take it off her hands. Do whatever I wanted with it.
So first let me show you what she purchased …
Ok, the colour is a light beige, cream, almost white – not a darker beige like in the photo. Also, it is quite long in the back – perhaps too long for her style.
Now comes the worst part. You have to be careful with these types of cardigans. Not only does the outside have to look finished, but the inside too. But all they did on this RTW cardigan was turn up the hem and sew it down to the inside of the cardigan, which was then turned to the outside along the front. But look at those terribly sewn stitches, crooked cuts, crooked topstitching and hanging threads!
Then there were the pockets – I’m not a fan of pockets in these types of cardigans. The whole appeal with these cardigans is the ruffled fronts and those clean lines, not pocket innards flapping around all over the place!
Now for the fix. Cutting and hemming the back to a shorter, more comfortable, length was easy.
Fixing the hem was easy. I decided to wrap the hem in a lace trim to hide the messy sewing.
Next those flapping pockets. I picked them off with my seam ripper and covered the hole with the help of Wonder Tape and more lace trim.
Lace trim sewed on. This reminds me of a stained glass window for some reason!
Hmm, now what to do with the wrong side. It has to look good too!
I covered the back with the narrowest ribbon I had. Must press it well next!
Looking good on the outside!
Not bad on the inside either!
I really love this cardigan now!
This was an expensive purchase. I look at the quality I see in this RTW cardigan and it makes me happy that I have been slowly sewing my own me-made wardrobe over the past few years. Sure, I might not have everything done on my long “sewing to do” list but at least what is finished is better quality than what is available in RTW. I can be patient for quality.
Today, I came across Vasi’s entry for the “Refashioners Challenge” on Instagram and on the blog “Delightfully Peculiar”. Have a read about it here. Is anyone else out there entering this Challenge? Let us know in the comments, I would love to see your Refashions! If you haven’t entered that Challenge, have you refashioned a garment of your own lately, let us know in the comments too!
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? Nothing! There is still 130.2 metres left in the fabric stash!
Goodness, what a mess the original cardigan was 🙁 You have done an amazing job to elevate it totally. Gorgeous job…bravo!!
Thanks Diane! It is a shame they didn’t take their time and care with it in the first place. It certainly wasn’t cheap in price!
Your addition of lace elevates this cardi to ‘wanting’ to be worn! Love what you did here! The lace, and the color you chose, is simply perfect.
Thanks! I only had two choices that were enough length that was needed. I was lucky this one worked!
Wow Linda. It’s beautiful! I love everything you did with it, especially removing the pockets which always bunch up and ruin the line. This is an example of turning a pig’s ear into a silk purse, beautifully done.
Thank you Susan! I was lucky I had the necessary supplies to fix this pig’s ear! 😂😂
I saw this up close and personal before you fixed it and it was horrible. Nice job Linda, it is definitely wearable now. I hate when you buy something, based on the picture, and it turns out to be nothing like what you saw.
Thanks Rose! It’s amazing what they think they can get away with!
Wow, you really improved that boring cardigan!! Love the lace, brilliant idea!
Thank you! It was an easy fix, but I was also lucky I had the right lace in my stash!
Good save Linda. It’s a garment to be proud of now.
Thank you Kim! It worked out well.
And yes, I was the sister who bought it. WOW. Linda, you took a very sad looking cardigan and turned it into a lovely cardigan. Gosh it looked sad hanging on Dolly. That’s the mannequin right? You gave it shape, structure, cleaned it up. You gave it a face-lift. It’s no longer a rag with sleeves. I have not made anymore purchases online.
Thanks Jo! On line purchases are tricky! When purchasing fabric on line you can get small samples sent to you first, before they cut, it really helps with the surprises!
How disappointing that cardigan must have been as a purchase – your refashion really turned it around! Love the addition of the lace – it’s so good when the inside looks as great as the outside!
Yes, it was. When she gave it to me she said just take it. I don’t care what you do with it. 😡 I’m glad I had all the necessary materials in my stash too!
Great save, Linda! You made it look very haute couture.
Speaking of online fabric purchases, I recently bought some without ordering samples first. Of course it was totally disappointing especially since it was from a well known retailer.
Thanks! On no! That would have been a big disappointment!
Really great save, Linda! It looks awesome!
Thanks Alex! I just couldn’t let it go to waste!