diy: scarf-panel sweater

Here's the paneled sweater project I promised in my last post.  I feel like I'm always spewing some variant of "Omg guys, this project could not be simpler!!!" but really, it's true.

These days, I'm trying to focus more than ever on quality - not just when vetting new wardrobe additions, but also when making/updating garments myself.  I'm not interested in adding any poorly-constructed items to my closet, whether they were made by me or someone else - if something is crappy, I'm going to feel cheap and far from chic when wearing it.  So I'm devoting a little extra time and attention to my workmanship (e.g., slowing down while sewing, undoing mistakes and starting over when needed), rather than racing through projects and checking them off the list, as I tend to do.  This project certainly didn't turn out perfectly, but the result is vastly better than it would have been if I'd let my manic-DIYer self take over.

Process pics and steps after the jump...

diy inspiration: paneled cardigans

Top: Erdem floral cardigan, Yves Saint Laurent sheer cardigan

Bottom: See by Chloe mustard cardigan, Dolce Gabbana knit cardigan

Plain cardigan + fancy fabric = big win.  I'm in the middle of finishing off a cardigan inspired by the above.  Don't touch that dial.  Until then, I'm off for a long weekend of street-market shopping and stroopwaffel eating.  Besos!

diy: metallic triangles

On a recent thrifting run, I spotted this fitted, metallic gold/black crewneck top, which is so not me:

Though I'm pretty sure that many fashion bloggers would make it look fly, this particular piece was clearly not headed for this girl's closet.  However, I knew that it would make a good raw material for something else, and I had a comfy but soporific black sweater in need of updating.  Thus, this easy and sewing machine-optional revamp:

Materials:

- Sweater, sweatshirt, or whatever top you want to use as the main garment

- Fabric - here, another top

- Sewing machine or needle/thread

- Fabric glue (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut out 2 triangles from your fabric, leaving an extra 1/2" as an allowance on each diagonal side.  If you're cutting the triangles from a top, the side seam should run down the center of each triangle.  My triangles measured 13.5" (sides) x 15" (base) x 11.5" (height).

2. Along the sides of each triangle, fold down the extra 1/2" allowance towards the underside of the fabric.  Press.  Because the fabric I was using was synthetic and difficult to press effectively, I used fabric glue to secure the allowance.

3. Arrange each triangle so that the middle is aligned with the side seams of the main garment - this is easy to do if you cut the triangles out of another top, since you can just match up the side seams of the main garment and triangles.  

4. Hand- or machine-stitch the triangles in place.  Again, I attached the triangles to the sweatshirt using just a bit of fabric glue to keep everything tidy before sewing.  

Easy projects like these, using thrifted pieces and/or pieces from your current wardrobe, are so damn satisfying!  I'm an addict for sure.

diy inspiration: mesh sweater

Bird by Juicy Couture sweater

For me, this is DIY inspiration in theory only, as I really don't have the patience to crochet or knit.  But isn't this stripy, neutral but interesting, versatile sweater just glorious?  Almost makes me want to pick up those rusty needles again and give it a go...

diy inspiration: patchwork

1. Chinti and Parker knit dress    2. Laneus sweater dress   

3. Tsumori Chisato short top       4. 3 1 Phillip Lim long day dress

  
I don't often take apart pieces of existing garments and do a mix-match sort of thing.  But I really should, as these babies suggest.  I'm on a mission to stock up on some thrifted sweaters, chop them up, and sew the components together.  And I know you won't be shocked if I end up throwing some leather pockets onto a homespun version of #3.  Happily, I have most of this week off from work, so I'll have plenty of DIY time to do just that.  Hope you all have a great week!

diy: leather-trim pocket sweater

When I really like an idea, I work it to death. One of the first projects I posted on this blog was a linen tee to which I’d added a curved hemline and a bit of pocket adornment. Now that’s it’s cold, I applied the exact same template to give new life to a thrifted wool sweater. Thus, my summer tee now has a super-cozy big sister! And, as I’ve previously divulged, I have a full-on obsession with attaching pieces of scrap leather to everything in sight, so slapping some leather on this sweater was more or less inevitable.

Instructions after the jump!

inspiration: leather details

You know that thrifted leather skirt that I raved about the last post?  It is undergoing reincarnation as we speak.  And it gets to live on not as a single garment, but as a component of several!  If I were an old leather skirt with a busted seam, I would choose this as my fate for sure.

As a prelude to the next few leather-associated DIYs, here’s a peek at some of my latest inspiration:

 

So simple and cozy, and just a bit luxe.

Next up: Grandpa’s wool v-neck, revamped!

Top row: 1. Topshop Faux Leather Patch Sweatshirt  2. By Malene Birger long sleeve top

Bottom row: 3. Leather sleeve cardigan  4. Peter Jensen jumper sweater