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makery

DIY, how to, refashioning, Restyles, Sewing, Thrifting, Tutorials

Refashion: Fleece Sweatshirt to Minimalist Cropped Jacket

25th January 2016

refashion a fleece sweatshirt into a cropped jacket

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!

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan (1)

“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!turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

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…turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

Trimmed away the neckband close to the stitching and rounded off that V shape a little (optional)…

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

Cut straight up the middle to create the opening….

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

Cut a dipped/curved hem, removing the hem band in the process…

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

Cut the sleeves down to my preferred “bracelet” length, leaving a little extra for turning…

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

Turn and hem the cuffs and bottom hem…

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

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 🙂

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

Then turn under and stitch either side of the opening….

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

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)

turn a aweatshirt into a cropped cardigan

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!

Related

26 Comments

  1. Victoria Maus says

    25th January 2016 at 12:01 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  2. Chris Griffin says

    25th January 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Could you add some grosgrain ribbon to allow for buttons and buttonholes?

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      25th January 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Absolutely. Or a zip. Or snaps. ?

      Reply
      • Portia Lawrie says

        25th January 2016 at 12:27 pm

        You may want to think about how overlapping the opening will impact the shape and position of the neckline and shoulders though. Px

        Reply
  3. Camilla says

    25th January 2016 at 1:36 pm

    I love that mushroom colour. From frumpy sweatshirt to chic cardi!

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      25th January 2016 at 5:39 pm

      Can’t beat a good neutral right Camilla?!

      Reply
  4. Chris says

    25th January 2016 at 2:48 pm

    that worked out really well…
    in the pictures it almost looks like cashmere.

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      25th January 2016 at 5:38 pm

      It does kinda look like felted cashmere in real life Chris!

      Reply
  5. lisa San Francisco Bay Area says

    25th January 2016 at 4:18 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      25th January 2016 at 5:36 pm

      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?

      Reply
    • marijka says

      2nd July 2016 at 6:27 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Portia Lawrie says

        3rd July 2016 at 10:39 am

        On a loose knot totally. In this case, it’s a fleece knit so not a problem 🙂

        Reply
        • marijka says

          3rd July 2016 at 1:13 pm

          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)

          Reply
          • Portia Lawrie says

            4th July 2016 at 6:09 pm

            Ha ha! Oooops! Marijka. 😉

  6. Hélène says

    25th January 2016 at 4:35 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      25th January 2016 at 5:37 pm

      Aw thanks Helene! Clear pictures are better than a thousand words I think!

      Reply
  7. Alison says

    25th January 2016 at 9:59 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      25th January 2016 at 10:15 pm

      You’re welcome. Simple projects are the BEST 🙂

      Reply
  8. Amelia says

    27th January 2016 at 12:34 pm

    This is so much more chic than a big sweatshirt! Definitely tempted to give this a go, especially in this dreary cold weather!

    Reply
  9. agnes says

    27th January 2016 at 6:43 pm

    January 27 2016

    This is so much more chic than a big sweatshirt! Definitely tempted to give this a go
    Agnes

    Reply
  10. Jenny Bowman says

    28th January 2016 at 8:45 am

    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?

    Reply
  11. Lynda Scott says

    29th January 2016 at 2:08 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      29th January 2016 at 7:44 am

      The back is longer Linda. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Vicky Houlson says

    25th June 2016 at 9:03 pm

    I just love this idea. You make it look so easy. Keep the projects coming. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Carolyn says

    11th December 2018 at 12:07 am

    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?

    Reply
  14. Margaret Hughes says

    23rd February 2019 at 7:57 pm

    Love your post and I want to “follow’ your board. I would also be glad to sign up for a mailing list.

    Reply

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