As I had mentioned in one of the recent wardrobe posts, I had a red cardigan that needed a bit of refashioning. It was nice, I mean it’s cashmere and soft and feels lovely, but it was also kinda boring. Okay, really boring. You know, the kind of cardigan that looks perfect on a tall, classic, elegant woman. Which I am not. I am a yang gamine so that cardigan was not speaking to what John Kitchener calls my “high-spirited” essence. Ha! No problem. At least, it’s nothing that a good pair of scissors and some double fold bias tape couldn’t fix.
I present to you, my refashioned cardigan:
It looks even better worn with a simple black dress and a jaunty scarf.
It started out life as a regular Land’s End cashmere cardigan. I took it in a total of 2″ at the waist, cut off the buttons, buttonholes, and bottom ribbing, and turned the neckline shape into a V (or is it Y?). The bias tape is cotton – the leftover Kona cotton from my husband’s quilt. I finally used the super-duper Clover bias tape tool that I bought years ago and now that I’ve seen what awesomeness it does, you can bet there will be other bias tape projects in the future.
See you soon!
Amy
Looks very fresh and new. Will work so well with your “new” wardrobe!
Alexandra
Thank you Amy!
Andrea
What a lovely refashion! I would love to see this modeled. I bet this looks stunning on you!
Andrea
Oh, and those bias tape tools are so fab!
Alexandra
Thank you Andrea! I will model this as soon as the temperatures allow and post a picture. Or two or three, hehe.
Towanda
That is so cool. Looks like an entirely different sweater.
Alexandra
Thank you Towanda! Yes, it does, doesn’t it? I think it’s the trim, more so than the shape change. I have pinned the leftover bias tape to a black coat and it totally changed its mood.
Rhonda
First of all, I don’t know how tall you are, but you are elegant.
Now for the cardigan, really nice and it will work beautifully with your wardrobe plan.
Alexandra
Thank you Rhonda! Yes, the cardigan will work really well. So well in fact, that I am wondering what else I can refashion, hehe. Bias tape is going to be my best friend.
Berry
Such a great idea! I noticed that the cardigans with v-necklines are so much easier to combine than the ones with round neck. I do have some I will alter, thanks for your inspiration.
Alexandra
Thank you Berry and you’re welcome! Please come back and share a link or a picture when you alter your cardigans. I’d love to see.
Brenz
Very cool – I can picture you wearing that with a scarf and you will look amazing. Nice job.
Alexandra
Thank you Brenz!
Sandra
Alexandra, yes you are elegant! You have refashioned this beautifully. I hope you enjoy wearing it!
Alexandra
Thank you Sandra!
Anelise
Wow, I’m amazed that such a simple refashion can make such a big difference to your cardigan! Super chic!
Michelle
I LOVE this!!! I have several LE cardi’s I bought before I understood that a round neckline does not flatter a busty girl. I have been looking for a way to refashion them into something with a v neckline. This is the first refashion I have seen that I like for cardigans. Are there any actual step by step directions? I don’t see anything.