::TUTORIAL:: sweater restyle

it's here!! at long last.

if you have been waiting (and waiting!) for a tutorial on how i restyled The Blazer, this is as close as you'll get :)

because i didn't really want 2 blazers i have basically done the same restyle, but on a hoodie for my daughter this time.

i will primarily focus on the construction of the sleeves -

where to cut, where to gather, where to sew.
(please click on any photos to enlarge)
.....

::you will need::

one sweater, at least 3 sizes larger than your usual size.

(you cannot use a sweater with raglan sleeves)

1::lay your sweater out flat.

2::carefully cut up the side seams and along sleeves. then cut around armholes.

3::cut the upper sleeve pattern piece. on the left is the piece i used (from an unwanted jacket i unpicked) - this is how it looks against a regular sleeve pattern.

on the right is how to make this piece yourself. basically it is the same shape but extend approx 5cm (2") on the fold as shown. make the extension longer if you would like a more fuller gather (more "poof").

also, extend 2.5cm (1") on the right. it will look kinda long and skinny but that's ok, it's just to give you room to move if you find you need it later. and if you don't, just snip it off :)

the length of my piece is approx 12.5cm (5") long in the middle and 3cm (a little over 1") at the other end.

eyeball the bottom shape of the pattern piece (left picture) and try and copy it!

4:: Take your pattern piece and pin it as close to the top of the shoulder on your sweater (so there is as little wastage as possible). cut. use another long-sleeved top to gain some idea of the finished length you'd like and trim the lower arm piece.{{remember to allow for seams when cutting}}

5::your lower arm pieces should look like this - with a gentle curve.

6:: now, because the sweater is a larger size, the arm shape will be too large so you will need to cut it down to your size. you can do this by using a pattern piece or by turning the same long-sleeved top inside out and then pulling the sleeve back through into the body of the top. you will be left with the shape of the arm hole. {{remember to leave seam allowances}}

it will also be much too wide for you, so either follow a pattern or your fave top, carefully trim away excess at the sides also.

7:: we're almost ready to sew!! but first have a really good squizz at the pattern piece i used to get an idea of where you're going to gather.{{note the bottom gather is slightly longer}} mark your gather points and, using your longest stitch, sew between your marks.

8:: (oh wow, please excuse the colour contrast, the weather was fickle and the photos were taken over quite a few days!) starting from the outside edges, pin the upper and lower arm pieces in to the gather marks.

9::gather as needed, then pin some more! if it looks something like this, reduce your stitch length and sew. overlock (serger?) if wanted.

10:: topstitch to make it look pretty :)

11:: in same way as before, pin and gather the upper arm to the shoulder of your top. overlock if want to. {{the gather on the top could possibly look VERY minimal, but trust me it will be enough...anyway, if it's too gathered it will start looking like the sleeves on an 80s ball/prom dress!}}

12:: carefully pin the side and arm seams together. sew and overlock. turn through and....

you're done!!

{isn't she gorgeous!}

{{extra notes: for the original restyle, i cut directly down the centre of the sweater and trimmed off the ribbing. i cut a gentle curve on each side at the front and hemmed it with double topstitching}}  

phew! i hope that was helpful? feel free to gush your gratitude (or donate a posh camera so i can provide you with better image quality *shame*). and if you have a go, SHOW ME!!! (please)

X