Repurposing: Cardies
A while ago, Martha had a great idea for repurposing old wool sweaters. And after seeing Chris' cute rendition, I knew it was high time. I found two wool sweaters at the thrift store for $4 each. (The above was already felted before I remembered to take its photo.)
A few snips and a little sewing later, it's a child-sized cardi for Sawyer.
I decided to take the eclectic, handmade approach and used mismatched vintage buttons. I then made a blanket-stitch along the raw edges of the front and neck.
This one is Spenser's. She has worn it every day since I finished it. (And it's not even pink!) She prefers it over her winter coat. And so far she's still warm.
The only issue I had with these cardigans was the buttonholes. My machine is not cooperative with making buttonholes on felted wool. After a dozen or more attempts, I gave up. I cut the wool in Spenser's blue sweater, but I'm afraid it will stretch.
Should I do some hand-stitching? I made a few satin stitches around the bottom buttonhole, as the ribbing didn't felt as tightly as the rest of the sweater (and I didn't notice it until I had already cut out the pattern). I haven't made buttonholes in Sawyer's yet because I need your help. Any suggestions? Please?
Comments
for the button hole, you could try backing it with some water soluble stabilizer if you wanted to use your machine. If not, I'd go with the blanket stitch. It would look pretty and be effective.
And I'm no help with the button holes, sorry.
felted wool is very warm
the kids probably love it b/c it's warm but not bulky
I'm off to the thrift store to look for wool sweaters. Around here, I don't think people part with such things...we'll see.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice work, honey! xoxo I LOVE the mis-matched buttons. And the blue hanger.
I have used cutting the button holes and then using the tiny blanket stitches and it worked fine.
You can also, if you are so inclines use bias tape and line them, but it is a PAIN!
They are both lovely. You did a great job.
I was also going to suggest water soluble stabiliser for the buttonholes, or you could do the blanket stitch.
I'm noticing now that the cardi I'm wearing has a different (less stretchy) type of knitting on the placket area.
Maybe sew a 1.5-2 inch strip of woven fabric along the length of the sweater opening, and make the buttonholes on that instead? You can use a cute kid fabric and really give it an eccentric homespun feel, y'know?
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thanks :-)
hmmmm. blanket stitches. I need to learn this.