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december 17, 2008
sweater dress First it was my favorite cashmere sweater. Then it was a winter snack for some moths. Now, it's a dress for wee one.
Ta da! I managed to transform that old sweater into something wee one can actually wear! I felted it several times in the washing machine until it was about the right width for a toddler dress. Next, I pulled out some pattern pieces from the Pink Fig peasant-style tops I've been making and used them to cut out the body and sleeves. I kept the side seams and hem of the original sweater, just cutting into the sweater body for the armhole openings and neck, and did the same with the sleeves, even keeping the original ribbed cuffs. This allowed me to cut off almost all of the moth holes. There was still one moth hole on the lower front, so I stitched over it several times, then added a couple of pretty felt flowers right there. For the flowers, I used leftovers from wee one's elf hat as well as Amy Karol
This is all a total experiment. I have no idea what will happen to the neck, the embroidery, the shirring after further washing. But it's a success so far and I certainly don't have any problems reworking it after a wash if necessary. Best of all, it is suuuuuuper soft. Wee one is pretty snuggly to start with, but now she's positively snugglicious! posted by alison at 10:28 am | in
recycling
Comments
That is a great dress! what a nice way to give something a new life! Posted by: Antoinette at December 17, 2008 10:59 AMThat dress is so cute! It's awesome how you used that old sweater to make it! I love reading your blog- it is my favorite and I look forward to it every day. That wee one is adorable! Posted by: Alison at December 17, 2008 11:00 AMNot only is the dress super darling, the color is perfect for Wee One! Great way to save a moth bitten cashmere sweater! Posted by: Katherine at December 17, 2008 11:29 AMThat dress is super cute! You are so talented, Alison! Posted by: Minneapolismama at December 17, 2008 12:21 PMOh my goodness, that is such a cute dress and wee one looks wonderful in it! What a great way to easen the pain from the loss of a favorite sweater. Posted by: Becky at December 17, 2008 12:32 PMOh, that is so cute and snuggly; what a creative job you did. Now, if you would just come to my house and help me repurpose my daughter's felted Abercrombie & Fitch sweater from her (former) boyfriend into a snazzy winter bag for her for Christmas. I'm stuck at the zipper part...... Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport at December 17, 2008 12:38 PMWhat a great idea! And so cute, too. Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) at December 17, 2008 12:49 PMLove this! It's so cute on her! This gives me a great idea too! My 1st Cashmere sweater got a moth hole in it right on the front as well. Maybe I can rework it into a dress for my 1 yr old daughter as well! Posted by: kelly jo at December 17, 2008 12:53 PMAwesome! I'm so glad it's such a success! Posted by: Johanna at December 17, 2008 1:01 PMThis is probably my favorite sewing project you've done for Wee One so far!! It's so sweet, and the flower is the perfect touch-- you would never know it had a practical reason for being there. Posted by: Mary at December 17, 2008 1:02 PMClever! I would never have thought of doing that. Recycling at it's best. Posted by: Sallie at December 17, 2008 1:15 PMAwesome!!! Posted by: cath at December 17, 2008 1:59 PMOoh one of your best creations yet. I love the dress with the big ribbed cuffs and gathered neckline. What a sweet little model she is too. Posted by: sue at December 17, 2008 4:02 PMSo cute! Posted by: Leann at December 17, 2008 4:28 PMWhat a lucky girl! A cashmere sweater at such a tender age! I'm sure I never had one until I was pushing forty. Adorable! Posted by: Pattipurls at December 17, 2008 5:11 PMThe dress turned out beautifully! You are so creative! Posted by: Jane at December 17, 2008 5:14 PMYou are a genius! Wee One looks absolutely gorgeous and it makes this frugal reader happy that you were able to use your sweater. (I am not cheap, just hate waste.) Posted by: JudithNYC at December 17, 2008 6:42 PMTotally cool! Posted by: Silke at December 18, 2008 12:06 AMHow sweet! It looks adorable on her! ^_^ Posted by: Jolynn at December 18, 2008 1:04 AMOMG!!! Now that is what I call Recycling. I'm so impressed and it's so pretty and looks great!!! Posted by: Orli at December 18, 2008 4:02 AMUse it up! Wear it out! Fantastic dress for Wee One- she even LOOKS snuggilicous! Posted by: Kate M. at December 18, 2008 9:37 AMThat is super cute! Even if it doesn't truly survive the washing process, it is success! (Just more of one if it survives the washing well). Hopefully she'll get a lot of use out of the sweater dress with the chilly weather all around. Posted by: Seanna Lea at December 18, 2008 10:32 AMGreat sweater save! And I can't get over how much Wee One looks like her older brothers in the second photo. Posted by: Ina at December 18, 2008 11:01 AMGreat sweater save! And I can't get over how much Wee One looks like her older brothers in the second photo. Posted by: Ina at December 18, 2008 11:02 AMPure genious!! It looks amazing on her. What a great save :) Posted by: Vicki at December 18, 2008 11:37 AMhurray! Love it! I love the cuffs, little hands kept warm, so cute! Posted by: lissa (notforkitties) at December 18, 2008 11:52 AMI'm with Libby in the comments! That is a great and cute transformation! Posted by: Marie at December 18, 2008 11:53 AMThere's nothing salvaged about this. Top designing! A new industry perhaps? Lucky Wee One. Posted by: Angie at December 18, 2008 2:00 PMI liked this so much, I had to show my husband. Its fantastic. Posted by: Ingrid at December 25, 2008 4:39 PM |
's clever method of creating the flower embellishments.