3 Sweaters Get New Life

This mix of colors fell together for me at a thrift store - and have new life in a brand new sweater that I'm adopting for my own wardrobe AND a great Patchwork Vest for Sale.

Starting with....

Color is the beginning of ALL of my upcycle projects! I sort/collect by COLOR. I'm so grateful for the color and design training I received as part of my college degree at the University of Illinois AND an increased sense of how value (lightness or darkness) and intensity (brightness or dullness) needs to 'go with' the God-given coloration on the person who will wear it. While I certainly try my best to design for all 'looks' and coloration in people and sizes in my Londa Original Collection, I must admit that I'm easily swayed toward the softer tonality - quite evident in this mix. It's no surprise that I ended up deciding the first garment - a sweater combo of these - would end up in MY closet!

Commenting on images above:

1. The Calvin Klein sleeveless shell is 'my brown' - a brown with some pink tossed in which yields a great TAUPE. I knew from the start though, that since this is a short, small, sleeveless top, I'd have to be very 'stingy' and careful as I designed utilizing this 'fabric'.

2. I loved the 'rolled' collar on the tan bulky knit cotton sweater as seen in Image 2. Even this sweater is more of a taupey tan, rather than a 'yellowy' tan.... AND

3. The magestic eagle woven in on the front of this sweater! That eagle ends up on the back of my creation.

Every Sewing Studio Needs an Assistant

And here's my furry friend: Musty. He's 2 and quite the long-hair snowshoe Tuxedo good-looking guy! His favorite place is the Sewing Studio - even when there are students. Generally his help is appreciated, but there are times.....

SKETCH & DEFINE YOUR DESIGN IDEAS

Sketching with a pencil and utlizing colored pencils to give even a better idea of placement, proportion, etc. is something that I seem to always utilize as I design and stitch.

As I designed, at this point, I was making sure that the proportions of the division of the space would be attractive on the body. I HATE things with a strong 1/2...1/2 division - as it simply is not good design principles. Here you can see that on the Front, I'm aiming for 1/3 at the top and 2/3 at the bottom, and vice versa on the back - due largely to making use of that woven in eagle for the back.

Listen In to my Considerations, Plans, and Order of Execution

Below is a lengthy 5' or so unedited recording of things I'm considering, including stitching execution/bulk concerns, etc. Deciding to utilize the very lightweight Dark Taupe knit shell as a collar and binding was a challenge with the bulk of the tan cotton sweater....

You'll also hear my thinking about if the entire sweater ends up single layer, or double layer in places AND my utilization of the finished edges of the dark taupe shell's neckline, lower ribbing, and armhole ribbing.... I think you'll find my 'thinking' quite interesting.

All Ideas Do NOT Have to Be Original...

Here'a a quick video sharing how my collection of printed and organized ideas from internet screenshots helps give me ideas of where to place garment components.

Construction Specifics

The dark taupe Calvin Klein shell was so lightweight that I utilized double or 'French' bindings in places. And, since there was such a limited amount of this 'fabric', I didn't want any especially important pieces to get misplaced, so I came up with this idea...

AND, as I shared at the end of the above video, I find that as I have ideas, or make decisions, that I need to write them down. Or...I likely will forget!

And there is a backside to design and construct as well. Again, the decision regarding single or double layer is one that I was still struggling with at this stage of the construction. After all, I am not using a 'pattern' per say, but rather the aqua sweater itself was the 'pattern.

As shared above though, the bulk was an issue - and a double layer of sweater would be VERY warm, so while I ultimately went with single layer, I still utilized the aqua sweater as the 'pattern. That did necessitate very careful cutting from the backside, and on the generous side so that I could CAREFULLY serge off those interior edges - which was [retty much nerve-wracking and not fun. For SURE, I engaged the differential feed on my serger so as to not stretch out the edges. More on all that in the videos below.

Neckline Stabilization - All Important Step

Here is the thread that I use (in the needle ONLY) VERY often when doing finishing 'top work'. Whenever I need to 'tack' something down, this is the thread I use. However, I do NOT construct with this thread - using a good polyester brand instead for construction.

Be the Boss When You Sew!

The video below reveals 'real world' sewing experience - especially with knits and especially when engaging in upcycle sewing! If you are obsessive/compulsive, this kind of sewing likely will not be your favorite. Free spirit that I am - I LOVE UPCYCLE SEWING!

Here is that really thin, yet stable Stay Tape I love.

ANOTHER HINT - Experience Talking

Summary: use a notebook for all your notes rather than slips of paper.

FITTING

I did fit this sweater upcycle on myself - tweeking the side seam fit - especially at the armhole.

I did spend way too much time measuring, thinking about the armholes on this project. In the end, knit fabrics - especially sweaters - pretty much just 'work out'. At least that's what I've experienced.

MORE NITTY GRITTY

Final RESULT

I have other 'stories' of upcycle sewing on my YouTube channel that you might want to view if you feel pulled to this kind of sewing. Here's a lijk to that Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZoYttnHTLg&list=PL26PHsFO-znd9Vv9Vs7yXgdk9DFKJm6Zn

For me, its absolute FUN and boring is following a pattern utilizing uncut yardage. Besides, with the closure of JoAnn Fabrics across the country, for fashion fabric, consider yourself very lucky if you can find and 'feel' any nic fashion fabrics. Instead, I find that my local thrift stores are full of fabric and great buttons. Larger sizes, and even men's garments yield more fabric, so I start there.

Give it a try... you just might like it. Or LOVE it, as I do.

I HAD AMPLE SCRAPS ...

Though I did have to add a dark grey double kit (which was a fur-collareed llightweight coat, read (and listen) on.

Which, after 3 full days of designing and stitching became this vest. Be sure to note the execution of that idea I had entertained of utilizing the lower aqua sweater ribbing around the armholes! Take a tour with me. This one IS available for purchase: only ever one-of-a-kind, this is a large. FREE USA Shipping too!