How to upcycle a sweater using two thrift store finds and making a perfect vintage-style cardigan refashion.
Have you ever stumbled upon a thrift store sweater that was the perfect color and the perfect price but definitely not the perfect fit?
I did. I found this knit pullover that was exactly my size and in the color I was looking for, but its design was awful.
I could have left it behind but I am so glad I didn’t. With the help of another not to so perfect thrift store find I was able to refashion this sweater into a cute cardigan with a definite vintage twist.
Thrift Store Transformations
This was the original jumper that I worked with. The color was a lovely beige, I kinda liked the open knit pattern and the V-shaped neckline is the one I prefer.
I did not like the shape at all though. It hung terribly on my body and did nothing positive for my figure.
Enter a second thrift store find that caught my eye at the same time. This time I really liked the lace looking material and the color, but the style was so outdated that it really didn’t work for me.
But I did see potential for this top.
What if I combined them?
So I got to work
Related Reading: Upcycle Sweater into Pillows
How to Upcycle a Sweater into a Cardigan Refashion
My upcycled sweater project turned out to be so easy. It only involved some basic sewing and the only sewing tools I used were a pair of sewing scissors and my sewing machine.
I had so much fun turning this basic knit sweater into a ‘new’ cardigan.
Step 1. Change the shape of the vest.
The first step in my sweater refashion was to cut off all the hems from the bottom and the center front (saving the buttons of course!) so it would fit better. Those bulked-up hems really made the little top look outdated and out of style.
The beauty of this knit fabric is that the edges do not fray. So I could pretty much leave them as they were.
It was still pretty shapeless so I sewed a couple of tailor seams in the back and took the sides in a bit to give it a waist.
I used a small zig-zag stitch when sewing those seams to make sure the fabric still had some stretch.
These two alterations were so easy and didn’t take more than 10 minutes, but it gave that shapeless vest some instant figure.
You can see the changes I made to the back that used to hang straight down. I repurposed the ribbon from the second top for an added little detail.
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Step 2. Turn Boring and Plain into Cute Couture
Now that I had altered the style of the sweater by cutting off all the seams I was left with a lot of raw edges. I decided to use the ivory top to cover up all those unsightly bits.
I basically cut up the little white sweater and used it for bits.
I cut the bodice and the sleeves into strips and turned them into ruffles. I simply sewed those ruffles underneath to left and right front panels with a straight stitch.
The pretty lace collar I repurposed as a collar on the cardigan too. My little upcycled cardigan refashion looked so much better already.
All that was left to do was add a few pretty accents. I liked the classic, vintage look my cardigan now had, so I decided to amplify that style by adding even more vintage touches.
I rummaged through my flea market stash and found this old, somewhat rusted vintage cameo brooch among my pretties. I figured it was perfect to use as a closing.
I also wanted to add a little something something extra. A custom brooch seemed like the perfect fit.
I fashioned my vintage lace brooch from some mini crochet doilies and used an old earring as the center.
Here is another look of my new revamped little vest. I really like how this one turned out.
Another Thrift Store Makeover: How to Make a New Mirror Look Old and Vintage
I think I have been bitten by this upcycling bug, and I’ll be on the lookout for more thrift store clothes the upcycle and refashion into something pretty.
I hope you like my refashion tutorial and are now as inspired and motivated as I am to start doing more upcycled clothing projects and turn old clothes from the charity shop into new and improved clothes.
I know that my head is swirling with refashion ideas now…
Miss Marple says
Er is er een jarig HOERA, HOERA! Van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! Wacht nog 7 maanden met het herstijlen van jezelf, dan doe ik ook mee (brrr, 40, ik voel me nog steeds 21 en gedraag me als 16!)
Ik sta weer eens versteld van jouw naaikunsten! Ik denk dat je dat rustig naar je werk kunt dragen.
Geniet van jouw dag en van de rest van het vrije weekend, het weer wordt prachtig…hier tenminste 😉
Hele lieve groetjes – Irma
Halo Hill says
Absolutely gorgeous! You are so talented!
Sheila
Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space says
Happy Birthday!!! This is a vision. Great transformation! Blessings.
Marina Capano says
Hi!Happy Birthday!!!what a fantastic revamp it!
xoxo
Adeline Country Cottage says
Happy 40th Birthday!!!!! hipphoray,
I would buy your beautiful top if I saw it in a boutique, amazing telant, I think this is your calling.
Hugs
Kirstie.
Lori says
Marianne, i am JUST speechless!!! that is the most amazing makeover…how you put those two pieces together and made something SO gorgeous…well, it is really so inspired…i love all of the sweet details you used to trim out your beautiful creation!!! lovely lovely work!!!
paperhill says
gorgeous! it's really lovely and so wearable! thank you for sharing your creation!
NicNacManiac says
Happy 40th Birthday !!!!
Brilliant…two mundane pieces became one sensational vest!! Bravo…lovely job!!
LiLi M. says
Nou zeg dat ik dat nou niet wist?!!! Maar ik ga je nu dan ook heeeeel hartelijk feliciteren smak, smak, smak (kusgeluiden). Van harte met je 40ste verjaardag! Het leven begint bij 40 believe you me! Ik startte met een hele forse dip (opstekertje!) maar ben daar volledig van hersteld en voel me beter dan ooit! Mentaal dan, fysiek is de afbreuk natuurlijk in volle gang, maar omdat ik lichtelijk copieus ben heb ik nauwelijks rimpels, ik word noooooooooit grijs, doesn't run in the family. Nou ja genoeg over mezelf, ik wilde alleen maar zeggen dat die uiterlijke zaken me ook allemaal niet zo bezig houden, echt een voordeel van het rijper worden.
Wat een geweldige revamp! Wat een enorm verschil tussen foto 1 en foto 4 en dan zijn we nog niet eens op de helft! Jij moet je toch vaker zo uitleven. Echt, ik kan er niet over uit hoe je van absoluut niets, iets geweldigs hebt gemaakt. Ik had dat echt allemaal bij de kringloop gelaten! Ik vind de corsage die je gemaakt hebt ook helemaal geweldig, de kers op de slagroomtaart. En natuurlijk doe je dat maandag naar je werk aan. Reacties met ons delen graag! Zo nu genoeg gecomplimenteer voordat je naast je schoentjes gaat lopen ;-).
Die tacky glue is oa bedoeld om stof te lijmen zodat die niet gaat rafelen. Gewoon bij Pipoos te koop. Ik kocht het van de zomer om in huis te hebben en heb de stoffen map die ik voor Andrea maakte er mee aan elkaar geplakt en dat ging hartstikke goed. Ik had een testje gedaan met de kant en het bleek dat de lijm onzichtbaar opdroogt, heel wat anders dan velpon, dat van die plastic vlekken geeft en dat zie je natuurlijk door de kant heen, net zoals naaisteken, als ik het doe tenminste. Gisteren avond zat ik voor een project zilveren pijpragers te plakken, moest ik toch weer naar de velpon grijpen, want de Tacky deed mooi niets. Dus het is trial and error.
Ik wens je nog een heeeeele fijne verjaardag, misschien vanavond uit eten met de Grote Liefde? Hoe dan ook veel plezier!
Vintage Dutch Girl says
Yes! A beautiful revampificaiton! Wear it with pride…
Cathy says
It's absolutely gorgeous! What vision you had.
Cathy ♥
She'sSewPretty says
Oh!!! That is a gorgeous makeover!
Lavender hearts says
Your brilliance never ceases to amaze me! 🙂
Gypsy Flea Market says
YES … more than good enough to wear to work on Monday!! Beautiful work you did, I love the combination of tan and whie together … so very classy!
Thanks for sharing!
xo
Jill
Bonjade says
Wow zeg wat een metamorfose.
Allereerst van harte hoor. Wat ontzettend lief van je lief zo'n mooie taart.
Enne nu dat vest…..Ik vind hem super. Je maakt vast helemaal de blits.
Je kunt hier wel je werk van maken zeg.
Is ie te koop….?
Geniet ze en fijn weekend
Inspired Tokens says
Beautiful revamp. Your vest is lovely and oh so feminine! I love the neckline …just gorgeous.
The Rose Room says
First of all a happy birthday to you! Your ReVamp is gorgeous, all dreamy and romantic like! Rachael:)
Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden says
Stunning Marianne, I adore it!! I am getting so many wonderful ideas today, I know I shall never remember them all!
The clip is gorgeous, and that lace is TDF.
Sabii Wabii says
Happy Birthday! And you will look great wearing it while you eat your cake! It turned out beautiful.
Terisa
Manuela says
GEFELICITEERD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
en nog heel veel mooie jaren erbij,hopelijk in goede gezondheid!
maar wat een metamorfose!!!!!!geweldig….je bent gek als je die niet maandag aandoet!! iedereeen gaat vragen waar je die hebt gekocht…dat kan niet anders…super!!!!!geniet ervan….
nog een fijn weekend!!
groetjes
Stephenie says
Happy 40th Birthday!!! Hope you had a great day..
I gotta tell you, your revamping project turned out amazing… It's sooooo pretty..
Stephenie
Simple pleasure says
Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag, 40 best weer een overstap van in de 30 naar 40. Volgend jaar word ik 50 brr, dat klinkt een stuk minder.
Groetjes Jo
Zita - Mlle Magpie says
I absolutely ADORE what you did! That sweater is so incredibly beautiful – just perfect. You are one very talented woman!
Alisa says
First of all, Happy Birthday Marianne!!!
Second, what an amazing re-vamp you did! It's gorgeous!
Cassandra says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
jeanette says
zo, jij hebt al heel wat visite gehad, hihi..van harte gefeliciteerd met je 40ste verjaardag. nog vele jaren! wat heb jij je vestje mooi gepimt! heel orgineel en er is er maar 1 van, dat vind ik dan weer zo leuk, je eigen creatie je mag er trots op zijn.
fijne zondag!
Olive Rue says
Well Happy Birthday, Mariann. I've got you by 1 year. Shhhh…don't tell anyone though. I love the victorian top. You've accessorized it so well.
Thanks for the comment on my new blog banner. What kind of photo editing software do you have? I use Adobe Lightroom.
Nice and Easy Antiques says
We had a great time visiting your blog for the first time. Love your re-vamp creation and your trunk!!! Stop by sometime, we'd love to have you over!!!
Clara & Marcela
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
That is an amazing transformation!! I love what you did with two bland pieces–you created something stunning. 🙂
Hope you had a very special birthday!!!
mustard seeds says
That sweater vest is beautiful. I cant believe you made that from thrift items.
THEA says
Allereerst nog van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag !
Wat ben jij nog jong zeg !!
Wat heb je dat leuk gedaan, zeg, dat vestje ! het is een op en top modern kledingstuk geworden!! Mijn complimenten !!
Werk ze dus vandaag, en je zult wel veel bewondering oogsten in je vestje!!!
Groetjes Thea