Refashion: Cardigan and Shorts
11:09 AM
I don't do that much clothing refashioning. I don't know why, it's usually easy and cost effective.
Probably a big reason is the fact I hate shopping for clothes, and I never look in the clothes at the thrift store.
I'm don't mind wearing used clothing, but I don't buy thrifted clothing because I'm just too cheap. It kills me how expensive used second-hand clothing can be. In my mind used clothing that has been worn, should be $2.00 tops. Used t-shirts should be less than a dollar. I could go on about thrift stores with rip-off prices, but I will move on to the project at hand.
I'm starting off with the pants. I was killing time in an Old Navy and they had a huge rack of clearance pants for $6.00 a pair. I found these grey pants that were way too short. Pants are usually too short. But I thought they were worth $6.00 to cut off into shorts because usually shorts are also too short for where they should be. So basically I just cut off the legs and hemmed them for a pair of bermuda shorts.
Typical bermuda inseams are 12", but I measured mine to be 15" long and drew a chalk line where I wanted the pants to end. Then I added a 2" hem strip and sliced the rest off.
To hem the legs, I ironed each pant leg on the fold/ chalk line then top stitched the hem.
Easy to get a $6 pair of shorts.
The next item was making a cardigan out of a lime green sweater I've had for a while.
I rarely wore the sweater because it also seemed too short.
So I cut down the center of the sweater front. Next I sewed twill tape on the right sides of the sweater, right along the raw sweater edge. Then I folded the twill tape under and top stitched it in place. This created a finished edge, and the twill tape minimized distorting and stretching the sweater, and provided thick backing for the buttons and button holes.
Then I just sewed a row of buttons on one side, the button holes on the other. I rarely button cardigans, so to be honest, I only cut a few button holes in the middle of the placket. So the majority are just decorative buttons really.
So quick easy ways you probably already knew to get something old out of the closet and make a cheap pair of shorts.
My hair has grown out to fit in pig tails now. I can't wait until it's long enough to be an actual pony tail again.
13 comments
I never do refashions either! I know I should. I always get stuck on what to do with something...
ReplyDeleteAwesome Ideas! I have a ton of pant which seem to short, I think I will go ahead and make some bermuda shorts for the summer!
ReplyDeleteYeah! I love both of them. It's always nice to make things work for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat redo! You've inspired me!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for shorts. I'm maybe a little too thin and have a hard time buying shorts that don't make my legs look like sticks. I think I will try this!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind paying for decent clothes at the thrift store - like say a pretty dress that I know would cost a lot more in the stores etc.BUT I agree, some of their items are super overpriced - like for example VHS tapes. $1 each. Really?! Who even has a VCR anymore!!
I've looked at a few sweaters and thought to myself, "I think I could turn that into a cartigan." But I never took the time to figure it out. Thanks for showing us how! I love it! I have made some of my pants in to cropped pants before though!
ReplyDeleteSuper idea ! Love you pig tails !!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the idea of turning pants into bermuda shorts!!! I love bermuda shorts (does great at hiding stretch marks :P) but I am having a hard time finding them this summer.
ReplyDeletehow adorable are you!? (answer: very)
ReplyDeletei just discovered i can now pull up my hair into a high ponytail, and it probably made me happier than a ponytail should.
Good job! Wonderful additions to your wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI have actually thought about turning a sweater into a cardigan but could never imagine how to make it look good. Yours looks great! I never would have thought of the twill tape, I would have just made a big old mess on my own - you are quite brilliant. And quite lovely for sharing. Thanks a bunch.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree about thrift stores!
ReplyDeleteHi, I just found your website today. What fun! I like to refashion pants in to shorts as well, but haven't tried a cardigan. I will now! Thanks for the tutorial!! ;o)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, we love to hear from you!