I was going to wait another day or so to post this, but I just couldn't wait!
Not only is this one of my favorite projects, it's also my entry for Fireflies and Jellybeans' Iron Crafter: Sweaters contest. This was the perfect opportunity for me to custom make and upcycle my own sweater dress, because I have several problems with the ones in stores. They're never warm enough for winter, and usually have short sleeves and thin material. It never seems worth the money to me. I've always thought about making one from a man's shirt, but couldn't find a tutorial I liked. Now I've finally made my own!
1.Start with a sweater that's too big for you. It's easiest if you pick one that doesn't have defined shoulders, but with seams running diagonally from the underarms instead.
This one's an Old Navy men's XXL that I got from Goodwill for $3. I'm about 5'9", so I really needed the XXL in order to get it long enough, and it's still a pretty short dress. It's really the length you're going for with the extra sizes, but I was able to use the excess from the arms and sides to make the cowl neck, so a little extra width's not bad, either.
2. Turn it inside out and lay it flat on the ground. You may be able to combine these next steps (similar to the t-shirt refit tutorial), but I sized the arms and the body separately.
3. Pick a sweater you already own that fits you well, and lay it over the big sweater, lining up the shoulders and the top edge of the arms. Pin down along the bottom edge of the arm.
4. I did the same thing for the body, but chose a knit sundress that I know fits me well, and pinned all the way down the sides. See how it flares out more than the black and white non-dress sweater does? If you don't already have a dress to use as a pattern, consider how much you'll need it to flare to stretch across your hips and backside. Remember that you can belt it later if you want, so a bit of a loser fit in some areas isn't a problem.
5. Sew along the line of pins on each side, making sure to follow the line of the underarm. If your underarm seam is too angular, it'll pucker and be uncomfortable.
6. Try it on! Mine fit really weirdly at this point, because there was so much excess fabric still inside. It was almost hard to turn it right side out. But I was still able to see that it probably would fit the way I wanted once I cut that excess out.
7. Trim the excess away, leaving a small seam allowance. Go ahead and try it on again. Does it fit? If it's still too big, you can take more in.
8. Finish the inside edges. There are a lot of ways to do this- I went ahead and zigzag stitched as close to the edge as I could. Here's a pic- I know it's not pretty, but it'll do the job.
9. Roll up the sleeves and add buttons to the cuffs. The sleeves were unbelievable long on the sweater, but I didn't want to trim them and have to worry about finishing the edges nicely. So I rolled them up, folled the edge over, and sewed two button to each.
10. Make a cowl neck. Mine's just a little one, but if you have loads of extra fabric, you could make it as big as you want.
Use the extra fabric to make a tube (sew the rectangle closed with right sides together, leaving the ends open, and turn right side out).
I hand sewed the circle closed, tucking the raw edges inside, and then hand sewed it to the dress neckline. Let's look at another after pic!
That's it! Pair with thick tights, and you can keep wearing dresses all winter long.
UPDATE: My sweater dress was chosen as a finalist for the Iron Crafter competition! Please head on over to vote by clicking the button below!
Seriously cute! I'm gonna have to try!
ReplyDeleteI love this! It makes me wish I had a sewing machine and could do it! Love the idea--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletehttp://im-in-the-loop.blogspot.com
Very cute! Definitely must try this!
ReplyDeleteWow you did a great job. I really like the cowl neck. Well done!
ReplyDeleteFabulous Sarah - You are so (sew?) clever.
ReplyDeleteJackie M.
Hi Sarah, really good idea. Next time try it on inside out then you can determine if it fits well without all the fabric in the way.
ReplyDeleteEm's Mom
So cute! I love the added touch of the black buttons. Old Navy is great for buying larger sizes and then refashioning them into a smaller size. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHalsey
spunkyjunky.blogspot.com
WOW! What a great idea! It looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool, I'm looking forward to making it - you forgot another great point (though you got it at goodwill, yay for you!) in that men's sweaters are always cheaper than women's, esp women's sweater dresses. I'm adding my blog to your followers.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I'm bookmarking this one for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I think I will be heading to the thrift store soon.
ReplyDeleteI just popped over from Tea Rose Home's Link Party.
Ruth
This is my favorite project of yours so far! I love it!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I need an old mens sweater...! This dress is really cool! And I like the grey colour, it's wearable to work but also nice for an evening :)
ReplyDeleteSarah - Hi there! Love your posts and your creativity!! I am wondering if you could possibly email me a picture of your hair. I know - weird but I am wanting a change and by the looks of the bottom of your hair, you may have what I want. :) I would be so grateful!!!
ReplyDeleteTeri
selbher@gmail.com
Great idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! It fits you perfectly! I like the buttons.
ReplyDeleteYour dress turned out so cute! Great tutorial too. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is SO stinking cute!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks SO MUCH for linking up to my party! :)
Very cute! Now the only thing i need is a sewing machine:P I am already a follower of yours, but i just stopped by to say hello:)
ReplyDeleteOh and today we have some brand new tips to better our blogs, so make sure you don't miss that! Happy Thursday!
This is gorgeous - and a FABULOUS tutorial. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love this! Very talented!
ReplyDeleteI've done this before with sweatpants because my legs are so long that I need XL pants with a huge crotch, but I've never tried a sweater. On my to-do list!
Wow!amazing makeover!
ReplyDeleteI had never thought of being able to do something like this with an old sweater. I absolutely have to try this!
ReplyDeleteApplause, applause! Who would have thought an XXL men's sweater could be so cute?
ReplyDeleteI love this and so want to do it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou turned it into a gorgeous dress - love the buttons, too. I'd love for you to add this to my link party, "Sweets This Week" @ www.sugarbananas.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSo cute! You did a great job on this!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this brilliant sweater redo. I really like the additional neck bit. I wouldn't have thought of doing that on my own.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason this (and your other projects) look so good...is that YOU are gorgeous!!
I dare you to post up you wearing a restyled bin-liner and I bet it'll still look good!!!
Sarahx
Wow! I love this! You did a great job thinking of extra details like the button and the neck. :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE your sweater dress! I hope to find a men's sweater at Goodwill this weekend!
ReplyDeleteFabulous job! It looks stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
So cute! I have done this with some old sweaters for my daughter but never for myself:)
ReplyDeleteLove it i mean looking at it no one would have thought it was refashioned by you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to Sew Crafty Saturday
Mayya @ Sew Chic and Unique
You are so creative!I sew, but never thought of using a man's sweater!
ReplyDeletei absolutely LOVE this!
ReplyDeletethis is awesome! so so excited to find this!
ReplyDeleteI'm so making one! Thanks for your inspiration- :)
Michelle
OMGoodness, you are ever so clever. Thanks for the tutorial! **blows kisses** Deb
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good! Now I'm inspired to find some old sweaters to make over. :)
ReplyDeleteI am trying to figure out whether I can do this with a men's sweater that doesn't have raglan sleeves. Any ideas???? I really love the look of your creation....any help would be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea...and so cute!
ReplyDeleteJen- I've never done this with any other kind of sweater, but you might have to just cut the sleeves off and reattach them with a new seam so they'll fit. I'm a beginner myself- I'll let you know if I think of anything better!
ReplyDeleteWow! It is gorgeous! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden.
Seriously amazing. Can I send you mine and you can work your magic on them :) Really cute.
ReplyDeleteI am hosting a "Trash to Treasure" party over at Sassy Sites! You should come by and join in! :) xoxo!- Marni
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sassysites.blogspot.com
So so beautiful! I love it! I seriously have to try it. I am going to bookmark this so I can do it! Thanks for the tutorial, it sounds awesome! So simple to follow!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh this is amazing and i love the cowl neck! This is my kind of outfit. Thanks for the tute and thx for linking up at a crafty soiree.... hope you join us again on thursday.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! =)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, My husband has some sweaters he has shrunk out of this si a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you would link up to my reuse project linky!
http://www.lifelovegreen.com/2010/10/green-challenge-reuse-week-4/
Love this! I'm going to have to see if I can find a HUGE sweater to repurpose for me. (I'm 5' 11" so the length may be an issue!)
ReplyDeleteFound you through Hope Studios Tutorial Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteI love this, what a great idea!
Now I just need to made a goodwill/Salvation army trip :)
That's amazing! So much cuter than ones in stores!!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely brilliant!!! The design is so sleek and pretty. I am sure it is much warmer than those I have seen in the womens section in the large department stores! Thank you so much for the step by step guide. I am going to try to make one just like this for myself. I would like for you to know that this is especially awsome for me because I am a very petite young lady. I am 4'10 and I have never been able to wear any dress unless it is floor length because the shorter dresses always fall in the wrong place on me. Now I can make my own and it will be the exact length that I need!! I am so excited about making this for myself! Thank you so much for this tutorial!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSarah, This is an incredible transformation! Love it! Thanks so much for linking to The Sunday Showcase party - I greatly appreciate it. I have featured thison my first round of showcases; please feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
ReplyDeleteThis is a great outfit! The cowl neck really makes it look finished :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I am bookmarking this while I rummage through hubby's closet. ;)
ReplyDeletelove it! Thanks for the inspiration!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I'll be featuring it on my blog tomorrow! :-)
ReplyDeleteI just hopped over here from Thrifty Decor Chick -- this is amazing! I'm a really new beginner seamstress but I think I might try this! Can't wait to go to Goodwill to find a sweater! :)
ReplyDeleteThe dress is super cute!! Your tutorial makes this seem so do-able! Great job : )
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning Iron Crafter!
Love it!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
ReplyDeletehttp://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-cowl-neck-tunic-from-a-too-big-sweater/2010/11/08/
--Anne
Great tutorial. I'm going to have to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! And your tutorial is awesome. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea, and a super-clear tutorial! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutley GORGEOUS! That was an amazing refashion. I love that you added the cowl neckline as well. Excellent work and thanks for linking this up. I hope everyone stops over to take a peek!
ReplyDeleteCheri
I am going to vote for you now, this was an amazing tutorial. So easy to follow! I am going to use this to make a dress for my 2 year old from an old sweater of mine. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tutorial! Thanks so much! I'm just getting back into sewing(after a long hiatus of getting my sewing machine fixed). I can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteI think I found you through a blog hop yesterday(although now I'm not entirely sure) and can't wait to go through some of your other posts. I'm following you and I'd love for you to follow me back at:
http://norwegianphoenix.blogspot.com/
I love this! I can't wait until I've lost all this weight so I can wear that! BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteI think this is awesome! what a clever Idea! I had to go through and make sure I didn't comment when I orginally saw it (cause I loved it back then too!) I am always stuck will all my husbands don'twants...and now they are going to be my new loves!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this guide! I saw many tutorials about such dresses but this is the first time that I was able to read a guide on how to make this for adults. This helps a lot.
ReplyDeleteAMAZING<<<< I am featuring this on my facebook page,,, LOVE it. Can't even imagine the possibilities I passed up with ugly huge looking sweaters just like that,,, erghhh. WHere have you been Mrs. Thing, you are awesome.
ReplyDeletePlease come link up some of your wonderful tutorials, at my party sometime. I'd be honored to have you!!!
Bella Before and After , I really appreciate the support.
Hugs,
Bella :)
I am not a seamstress/sewer by any means, but I followed your instructions and was able to have an awesome end product!! I was so impressed how easy this was, even with handstitching. I managed to make the dress in 3 hours ( should have been less, but my cats very jumping all over the sweater! ). So thank you! This was so great and it made me feel so good to accomplish.
ReplyDelete