How to Refashion a Sweater Vest into a Sweater
Today’s refashion is what I am going to call a Frankenfashion. Let me explain.
It all began with this men’s Izod sweater vest I thrifted for $1.
After a miserable year working in an awful shop that sold golf shirts in college, I know that Izod’s stuff is usually cut to be pretty roomy, as was the case with this vest.
Now for the second part.
I also had this sweater I had worn a few times, but which had a fatal flaw.
Here…come closer…
It might not be super-visible in this photo (squint a little), but when I thrifted this $1 ’80s sweater, I completely failed to notice a coffee-looking stain towards the bottom that I could NOT get out even after multiple washings and stain removers.
I mean, I still wore it. I just did that french tuck thing that everyone is doing (but which looks good on no one) to hide it.
In summary: I had a too-big-for-me men’s sweater vest that I didn’t like much and a sweater I did like, but was tired of the paranoia induced by hiding its stupid stain.
A Frankenfashion was born!
I decided I wanted my new refashion to have a slightly oversized/comfy shape. I decided I would take it in 1.5 inches on each side.
Then, I cut off the excess fabric.
I didn’t pin it first, as there are a couple of additions I needed to deal with first.
I cut the bottom band off my white sweater and then cut that into a front and a back piece. I serged the raw edge (as otherwise, I’d be entering Fray City).
If you don’t have a serging machine, don’t worry! Just run a zigzag stitch along the raw edge, and it’ll do nicely. 🙂
I chopped off some of the bottom of my sweater vest…
Then, I added the bottom pieces from the white sweater to it.
It was now time to close up those sides, which I did!
We’re not done yet, friends. While my sweater vest was now more fitted, shorter, and had a nice contrasting bottom band, I didn’t want a sweater vest!
Time to take this refashion home to sweater city!
To add the sleeves to the vest, I cut them off the original sweater carefully, making sure the curve aligned with the vest, with a little left over for a seam allowance.
Then, I tucked it inside, making sure the outward-facing fabrics were touching each other.
I pinned my new sleeves down…
And then stitched them into place!
And just like that, my sweater vest-to-sweater refashion is complete!
I wore my new sweater to lunch with Erin at Gourmet Shop!
We had to wait over half an hour to be seated, as everyone else in town had the same delicious lunch destination in mind as we did…
But then we discovered a wine tasting was being offered in the next room, so all was well!
This has nothing whatsoever to do with my refashion, but look at this awesome salad I had to compensate for three days of eating just about nothing but cheese:
So that’s it!
….OR IS IT?????
TO BE CONTINUED….
49 Comments
Ann Marie Sikorski
Hi there!
Once again you turned out a very clever piece!
The sum of the two outshines the seperate items. I love the crochet look of the sweater though. I had an idea for the remains of it!
How about cutting off most all of the bottom, leaving enough to create a yoke up above. Then find a peasant style skirt at one of your thrift shops, and attach it to the crocheted like yoke.
Make a spring and summery dress, comfy and cool!
Sincerely,
Ann of Daytona ☮️
Emily
Cute refashion. Love the Gourmet Shop. Have gone there off and on for many years when I visit my Columbia friend.
Eve Declerck
Encore un très joli refashion , bravo !
Je ne sais pas pourquoi dans Queer Eye, on appelle le fait de mettre le devant de son tee-shirt dans le jean ou la jupe ” the french touch ” parce que je n’ai pas l’impression que ce soit typiquement français.
redbam
Love what you did. Very ingenious. I wondered what you would do with the ivory sweater. Great way to peak our curiosity. Well done.
redbam
Yes, you can. To ensure you don’t catch the pins on the blade of the serger be sure to lift the blade.
Sarah
Love it! I find attaching sleeves intimidating, so bravo for braving it out! I could see the remaining white sweater as a summer sleeveless, maybe with a bottom hem in gold?? Would be cute with jeans and fancy sandals.
Theresa Clark
You make me want to go thrifting so bad. oh and cut my hair. and go to lunch with a friend. basically be you!
Theresa Clark
yep A serger will cut and sew the two pieces together. Never done it on sweaters though I would probably practice on a scrap? Not sure how much they would stretch.
Kathy
Very cute! And love the Gourmet Shop! Haven’t been there since November. Looking for stage 2 of the sweater makeover.
Adrianna - Adzik tworzy
I really love this transformation! I have few old blouses and sweaters that look like… hm, not so good, so I need to try this idea. Maybe I’ll make something nice to wear replacing parts between old clothes. 🙂
Camile
Love the sweater! BUT, I tuck almost all my shirts like that and I love how it defines my waist. It looks cute on so many people!! It would look cute on you too, I think you just don’t like it 😉
Alex
First thing, excellent refashion. I love how this turned out.
Second thing, question. I don’t have a serger so i’m not 100% sure how they work. Can you put the seams together and run them through the serger together?
Karen
Great idea! Looks good with jeans!
Yona
No matter how busy, tired, etc…. I am, I am soooo happy to see a new message from you in my Inbox. Your great sense of humor and imaginative re-dos are a delight. Can’t wait to see what you’ll do to the left over white sweater sans sleeves.
Loly
Love what You do!
Tammy
You are amazing! This is my favorite refashion so far! ` I love how you think outside the box for fashion!
Francesca
You are such an entertaining writer as well as a majorly fab creatrix. I love you.
judy ross
Very cute!
Gemma Petracca
Gillian, This sweater/vest refashion is a very fashionable addition to keep you warm. I like that you thought it through and then went with it. I truly do like what you do with discarded clothing instead of them going into the landfill to rot. I have been refashioning clothing for many years. Like yourself, you name it, and I have done it. And thank goodness for the sewing machines and especially sergers that are available to make our sewing look more professional and attractive. Thank you for returning to your blog.
Ann
This is one of my favorite refashions you have done. I absolutely love it and would wear it often as it’s just my style.
Murielle
Yes! You vastly improved two by making them one. And you’ve still got part of one to recession. Can’t wait. And thank you for what you said about the French tuck. I agree, wholeheartedly.
Rosemarie O'Neill
I turn those huge sweaters from the 90s into great cushion covers. the back is usually plain and I make a button placket so I can just slip pillow inside to get a fresh new look on my sofa. Love your vest combo.
Dana Lott
Super cute sweater! I don’t know you personally, but you selling golf shirts?Sounds awful for you
monica benson
Thanks for the inspiration. Going into my closet now to see what I can merge together. Isn’t a serger FUN?! I love mine too.
Christina Robbins
I love this refashion!
Elise
This looks fab, but wait wait wait – you don’t think the french tuck looks good? Really?!?!
Maria Victoria Del Toro
Love that idea, love reading your refashions, I wish we had those prices in our area, at thrift stores, unreal what they want now a days.. Awesome job!!!
Jaimee
I missed your posts so much! So glad to see you back!
Joy
It just makes me happy when I see a post from you! The creativity, the humor, the up cycling, the event to wear your creation to- all make me feel light with the world. Thanks!
invaderstim
This is so good! I love this idea
Gray
Love it.
Linda Wilson
AWESOME JOB!
Sarah
I don’t usually do pink, but I love this sweater.
terrigardner1
OK, that’s a very cool idea!
Rachel Aubie
Is it weird I saw the left-over sweater and though “CROP TOP”? Like … immediately. That or a cropped sweater vest circa 1995? (Think Clueless style with a collared dress shirt underneath)
Vickie Bailey
High End from $2.00! ❤️❤️❤️
Carol
A very good idea that I never would have thought of doing. Well done, Jillian.
Lori Yeo
This one is awesome. It’s so practical, and has turned two so-so items into one that is unique and which would no doubt become a standard in my wardrobe. I love your ingenuity!
SJ
Love this! Any special tips (in addition to serging/zig zagging) for sewing sweater material? Can’t wait to see part 2…
Daggett Betty
Very cute.
Allison LaBonte
Soooooo Cute! You are a talented gal. Love seeing your creations.
Amy Levengood
I bought a seam ripper yesterday because of you. I don’t know how to sew but gotta start somewhere!
Janice
Darling! You’re a genius!!!
Patty DeMasso-Anderson
…Dream Stitcher 787……LOVE IT!
MaryJo
So cute, good job!
Denise Richard
What?! So creative! That would never have occured to me!
blissinger
A spiffy save on that sweater vest! The bottom edge ties it all in nicely.
Catherine
So adorable.
Catherine
Debbie Weinbel
Oooooo, this might be one of your best things yet! So cute!!