sweet sweater vest
thrift stores are full of dorky sweater vests. i got this idea to restyle one into a cute dirndl-bodice-like top.
(that adorable felt flower brooch is from the fabulous woolly fabulous!)
i liked the nordic looking pattern knitted into this one, and the silver buttons.
it was kind of frumpy and big to begin with, but priced right at $1.99. it was wool so i shrunk it in the washer and dryer first, which made it small enough that i didn’t have to cut the armholes or the bottom, only the part around the bust. i should have taken a picture of how i cut it, but in my excitement i forgot so i drew this diagram to show you…
i put it on and marked where i would like it to sit at the bust. then i cut from the shoulder (leaving a little extra for seam allowance) and finished the edge with some red piping.
i also shaped it in a little bit at the waist since it was still too boxy. i think it’s cute for spring!
March 11th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
fabulous! i totally need to make one of these
March 11th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
This is awesome!
Do you have any suggestions for how to gauge what size sweater to buy? How do you estimate how much it will shrink in the dryer?
March 11th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
thanks! i got lucky with this one because it shrunk the perfect amount. i would say the sweater vest fit about a size too big when i bought it. i washed it and checked to see if i wanted it to shrink more (which i did) before i put it in the dryer. if you wash it and it shrinks enough with just the washing, then let it air dry. if you happen to find one that’s a little snug, you won’t have to shrink it at all!
March 11th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Brilliant!!!! I posted a link to your project at Craft Gossip Sewing Blog: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-turn-a-sweater-vest-into-a-dirndl/2009/03/11/
March 12th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Wow!!! Inspiring! Way to go. On another note, I LOVE the blouse! I need the details on it…did you make it? Do you have a pattern/tutorial? Was it a purchase? Or is it one of your designs? It is so sweet!
March 12th, 2009 at 9:07 am
wow! this is soo cute. i LOVE it… did you finish it with a serger? would you show a pic of the inside?
i’m thinking of adopting a haflinger pony, and i keep thinking of your blog. the braids and bows and flowers… of course we’re asian, so picturing my daughter in full austrian get up in a pony cart festooned w/all the above cracks me up (but is sooooo intriguing). :) thanks for the inspiration!!
March 12th, 2009 at 10:24 am
thanks!
the blouse was from delias.com, it was on clearance but it looks like it’s gone from the website now. i wish i had the patience to do embroidery myself, i would embroider everything i own!
i finished the side seams that i took in with a serger, the edge where i applied the piping i didn’t, the bias tape on the piping covers the raw edge nicely. the pony image is adorable, i can see it now!
March 12th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
im loving this, pity i dont have the figure to warrant making one :o(
March 12th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Wow, that looks great! You did a great job on that! What a good idea.
March 13th, 2009 at 5:01 am
As always with everything that you touch Hannah— this is awesome.
March 13th, 2009 at 10:40 am
That’s awesome, I love it! So cute with jeans and a tank.
March 14th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Hannah! I love this soooo much. You are the awesomest!
March 15th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
That is just almost Too cool. I will be looking at sweater vests with entirely new eyes now.
March 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
You are so my new favorite crafter! <3 <3
March 15th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
So cute!
March 15th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Wow! After seeing this I ran and grabbed my husbands old sweater vest he won’t wear and stuck it in my sewing machine. Maybe I should have asked him if I could have it before I altered it. No matter, he says I look so sexy in it. Great idea, thanks!
March 15th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
This is very clever and pretty.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:30 am
omg. you rock!
March 20th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Hi, I just found your blog and wanted to say that your creations are beautiful! A few years ago, a friend gave me a birthday card – and I later on found out it was one of your designs. I love it, and still keep it :)
March 24th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
You know the vest section was one area of a thrift shop that I didn’t look in. You have just changed that for me.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I’m getting back to this AWESOME project after a long hiatus! Is it hard to apply the piping? I’ve never done that~
August 26th, 2009 at 1:29 am
it’s not hard to put the piping on, i pinned it in place and sewed it on with a zipper foot so i could get up close to it. i’d love to see it when you finish!
December 31st, 2011 at 12:26 am
wow this is so CUTE! I know I’m alittle late posting but do you think it could look cute in a plus size? you did a great job on this thank you for sharing
December 31st, 2011 at 10:52 am
thanks gingerlee! i think it would look great in any size. that underbust style is super flattering, that’s why i love it so much.
May 2nd, 2012 at 10:37 am
I love your site.. escpecially the vest you felted before cutting. I have been bitten by the felting bug and have been making slippers and bags like crazy. I made a few blankets but did not like the way they finished so am using them as rugs instead. Keep up the good work. I am envious of your imagination. Absolutely lovely. Thanks for sharing.
July 14th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Greetings… going to look at a vintage husqavarna today.. and found the rest of your awesomeness and blog… do you have any online resorses for making your own piping.. as you used to finish the edge of your vest..
beautifully living in make-do-cause-you-live-in-the-middle-of-nowhere.
thanks so much
September 24th, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Wow!!! What an awesome idea!!!
December 31st, 2017 at 7:36 am
What great ideas!