All it takes is a couple of hours and a little bit of scrap fabric to update old wardrobe pieces. There are certainly no rules when it comes to design or execution (surely we’ve all seen our fair share of DIY disasters a la Regretsy), but this is an easy how-to to help even the most maladroit seamstress update any old shirt or sweater.
Maybe I’ve been nerding out on too much “Firefly” lately, but I thought this sleeveless cardigan needed a little east-meets-west action, so I gave it some epaulettes and an oversized obi-inspired sash.
Step 1: Draft yourself a pattern for the epaulettes. Give yourself some seam allowance and enough length to attach it to the inside of the sleeve when it’s finished. Cut 4 pieces out of your chosen fabric.
Step 2: Sew 2 pieces together, right sides facing, on all sides but the bottom edge. Trim the extra seam allowance and notch the corners so that they will lay flat when you turn them right side out.
Step 3: Turn each epaulette right side out and topstitch the sides. (I used orange thread and zig-zag stitched for a crafty look). Now add your button holes by making two parallel rows of small zig-zag stitches — cutting between these will create your button holes.
Step 4: Finish the bottom edges of your epaulettes however you see fit and attach them wrong side facing up to the under side of the outside sleeve edge (you probably want this on the shoulder seam). Sew down, place your button, and fold the button hole over to meet the button. Voilà: epaulettes!
Step 5: Make your sash. Make it as long and wide as you like (I know, I know, “That’s what she said!”), and finish off the seams in whatever way strikes your fancy. This is a good time for beginning seamstrixes to experiment with raw edges and decorative stitches.
Step 6: find the center back where you would like your waist gathers to be. Stitch long loose rows at the top and bottom of where you will attach your sash, making sure to leave plenty of waste thread. Pull both threads to the front, pulling to gather and tying off the thread when you’re done. You can cinch as much or as little as you like (for reference, I stitched 7″, gathering it down to about 3″.)
Step 7: Attach your sash at the gathers, being sure to zig-zag it securely, especially if you haven’t reinforced your gathers with any bias or hem tape (I’m rather fond of grosgrain ribbon for a crafty look).
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Step 8: Take your new top out on the town! Show it off to your friends and watch them marvel at your very basic sewing skills. And, most of all, revel in the feeling of acomplishment that acompanies making something with your own two hands and breaking the cycle of planned obsolescence that fast fashion has established. That will show those hipsters with their self righteous “infinity mpg” t-shirts! Save the environment and look better doing it!
