Did this picture grab your attention? I thought so. A little button usage and a scrap of fabric makes my heart go all a-flutter, too.
Remember the blog post I did at the very end of 2010 about Wearing Your Art on Your Sleeve? We’ll ever since I wrote that article, I’ve been flipping through the Winter/Spring issue of Stitch and hunting down the perfect sweater to make my own asymmetrical pullover (p. 56).
I finally found a great crewneck sweater at my local thrift store (you didn’t think I was going to experiment on a brand new sweater, did you?), picked a thread color and a couple buttons, and sat down to work.
The Sweater Before |
The instructions by designer Kirsten Coplans are pretty easy. (Get full instructions including clear illustrations in the Winter/Spring issue of Stitch.)
1. Cut the sweater
This includes cutting from the collar to the hem just a bit off center, trimming off the cuffs and hem (partially or completely—I went for completely).
2. Sew the sweater
Almost as easy as step one, this step includes using a zigzag stitch around the new neckline, hem, sleeves and back up that slightly off-center seam.
The Sweater After |
The directions also call for tacking down the newly created lapel with button, but the mixed-media nut in me wanted a little more. I used a bit of the excess hem to create a little spiral around one of the buttons, to create the little flower you see in picture above.
Detail of Neckline |
I’m looking forward to altering more clothing and you can bet you’ll find me rifling through the sale rack at the discount department stores looking for my next victim…ahem, I mean project. I hope I’ve inspired you to give it a try, too!
Cheers,