It’s been all about the cozy around here. Temperatures as we know have been less than balmy and Shedquarters has been a little chilly to say the least. So an extra layer (or two) has been a prerequisite recently. Enter this oatmeal coloured “blah” fleece!
“Blah” because of the shape. But the fleece itself is super soft and has the appearance of felted wool….except way way softer! So I set about chopping it up….and this is what I ended up with!
A cute little cropped cardi/jacket with simple lines, that sits just on the hip at the front and dips down at the back. Couldn’t be simpler really. No raw edge finishing required as the fabric doesn’t fray. Just a few cut’s and minimal sewing. You can apply this to any similar fleece or sweatshirt. Here’s what I did…
Trimmed away the neckband close to the stitching and rounded off that V shape a little (optional)…
Cut straight up the middle to create the opening….
Cut a dipped/curved hem, removing the hem band in the process…
Cut the sleeves down to my preferred “bracelet” length, leaving a little extra for turning…
Turn and hem the cuffs and bottom hem…
Turn and stitch a narrow hem arround the neckline. This would normally be a no no but as this fabric had a degree of stretch (and I didn’t have any fabric left for a facing) I went with it and it worked fine 🙂
Then turn under and stitch either side of the opening….
In all instances stitch as close to the raw edge as poss. This will give you a super clean finish and as you can see, that rule breaking I did with turning rather than facing the neckline? Not a problem 😉 Still a nice clean corner there . You can also see a double row of stitching along the vertical edge of the opening. (Partly decorative. Partly functional)
And that’s that! It’s a perfect little extra layer to chuck on and much much less blah than the original! Even better, it takes about 30 mins. Gotta love fleece/sweatshirt fabric! More sweatshirt stuff coming up this week. Watch this space!
You and your rule breaking… #whatwillPatsay I like this quick refashion though, might be a good option for a few sweatshirts my girls have that don’t quite fit anymore 🙂
Could you add some grosgrain ribbon to allow for buttons and buttonholes?
Absolutely. Or a zip. Or snaps. ?
You may want to think about how overlapping the opening will impact the shape and position of the neckline and shoulders though. Px
I love that mushroom colour. From frumpy sweatshirt to chic cardi!
Can’t beat a good neutral right Camilla?!
that worked out really well…
in the pictures it almost looks like cashmere.
It does kinda look like felted cashmere in real life Chris!
I have an oversized and overpriced cashmere v neck pullover that I never wear because I feel so dumpy in it and your idea could save it! I will probably have to stabilize the edges for the stitching –maybe an ultra lite knit interfacing?
Yeah, that could work. I’ve successfully zig zagged knit edges before. Maybe a bias facing would give a cleaner finish? Or bind the edges?
Late reply, but it might be good to do a stay-stitch before cutting knits to prevent raveling. Ask me how I know. 🙂 I was able to recover, but barely!
On a loose knot totally. In this case, it’s a fleece knit so not a problem 🙂
I was actually replying to Lisa re her cashmere sweater – should’ve addressed it with her name. 🙂 Have loved exploring your blog these last few days, PORTIA! (see what I did? lol)
Ha ha! Oooops! Marijka. 😉
Lovely! What a simple and effective refashion. I love that your pictures are always very clear with close-ups that really illustrate the process. Great work.
Aw thanks Helene! Clear pictures are better than a thousand words I think!
That’s amazing! Brilliant, simple idea. I’m inspired and have some suitably boring fleeces that are now for the chop. Thanks for the idea.
You’re welcome. Simple projects are the BEST 🙂
This is so much more chic than a big sweatshirt! Definitely tempted to give this a go, especially in this dreary cold weather!
January 27 2016
This is so much more chic than a big sweatshirt! Definitely tempted to give this a go
Agnes
I love this! I am tempted now to steal all those sweatshirts my other half says are ‘too snug’ when I ask why he never wears them, I think a slightly oversized one would look great with jeans. Hummmmm I wonder what other colours he has?
This may be a dumb question but……you’ve cut the lower him on a slant but is the back or the front longer? Love the look of this cardigan and I really want to make at least one!
The back is longer Linda. 🙂
I just love this idea. You make it look so easy. Keep the projects coming. 🙂
How would you do a sweatshirt with the logo right across front (chest area)?
How about doing a fancy trim all around, maybe a light fury, instead of buttons?