My favourite piece of knitwear is a fitted, red John Smedley cardigan. It was a birthday present from my husband about five years ago and I LOVE it.
Being red, it goes with almost everything in my wardrobe and being from John Smedley, the quality is excellent. After almost daily wear, the wool isn't the slightest bit bobbled, but sadly the poor old cuffs have suffered. I don't know what's happened to them, maybe somebody fancied a nibble or they caught on something in the washing machine (most likely scenario), but they're basically knackered. I've tried to repair the damage a few times but it still looks a bit ratty and I don't wear it out of the house any longer.
It's been at the back of my mind to try to rescue the cuffs in some way, but nothing really struck me until my recent visit to Liberty. On display was a selection of cashmere jumpers and cardigans with Liberty print cuffs, oooh!
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| First outing of my beloved cardigan in 2011, pictured with my gingham twin and long time sewing pal Scruffy Badger |
Being red, it goes with almost everything in my wardrobe and being from John Smedley, the quality is excellent. After almost daily wear, the wool isn't the slightest bit bobbled, but sadly the poor old cuffs have suffered. I don't know what's happened to them, maybe somebody fancied a nibble or they caught on something in the washing machine (most likely scenario), but they're basically knackered. I've tried to repair the damage a few times but it still looks a bit ratty and I don't wear it out of the house any longer.
It's been at the back of my mind to try to rescue the cuffs in some way, but nothing really struck me until my recent visit to Liberty. On display was a selection of cashmere jumpers and cardigans with Liberty print cuffs, oooh!
When I saw them I could almost hear the lightbulb pinging on in my head! I set to work…
I'm pretty good at donating small, scraps of fabric to my children's schools, but Liberty scraps I keep, so I had a fair few designs to choose from. A navy Glenjade print left over from my Liberty Afternoon Blouse was the perfect contrast against the red. I didn't need much fabric either, just 29cms x 10cms for each cuff.
I'm pretty good at donating small, scraps of fabric to my children's schools, but Liberty scraps I keep, so I had a fair few designs to choose from. A navy Glenjade print left over from my Liberty Afternoon Blouse was the perfect contrast against the red. I didn't need much fabric either, just 29cms x 10cms for each cuff.
I looked at a few tutorials online and read various cuff instructions before coming up with my own simple method of making and attaching them. Once constructed, I sewed the cuffs to the sleeves with a zigzag stitch and finished the seams with my overlocker. I then top stitched the edge of the cuff to the seam allowance to anchor it in place.
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| Oooh Liberty cuffs! |
Yes, my long sleeved cardigan now has three quarter length sleeves, but just look at how awesome they are!
I'm so pleased I was able to rescue my beloved cardigan with style! Obviously you could use any fabric, but Liberty fabric is so timeless and classic, I think it really adds a certain something. I'm now tempted to give a few boring jumpers the same treatment just to spruce them up a bit!
Have a great weekend. x
I'm so pleased I was able to rescue my beloved cardigan with style! Obviously you could use any fabric, but Liberty fabric is so timeless and classic, I think it really adds a certain something. I'm now tempted to give a few boring jumpers the same treatment just to spruce them up a bit!
Have a great weekend. x
I had your lightbulb moment when I saw your pic on IG. I am thinking of something similar for a Merino Mink(possum)cardi that I got when we were living in NZ. The cuffs seemed to distingrate last time I gave it a proper handwash, and have been pondering some kind of visible mend like this for a little while. BTW your cardi looks fab and I really like your cuff fabric.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamsin! You should give it a try with your possum cardi, it's great to give those well loved knits a second innings! x
DeleteBeautiful. You look lovely in your sweater. I enjoy reading your blog. It gives me so many good ideas.
ReplyDeleteAh thanks Anne, that's great to hear! x
DeleteI've had a vague plan to do this to a beloved jumper, but was a bit worried it might look terrible. I'm glad to see an example of it working out - it looks great!
ReplyDeleteI was worried too, but in the end I just decided to be brave! I think using Liberty fabric helps because it always looks classy! x
DeleteIt seems as good as new! Great idea and lovely choice of fabric.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it feels like it's as good as new too! x
DeleteYAY! I'm so glad you did it, it looks great. What a fantastic way to breathe new life into an old favorite!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tasha, I was so happy with the end result! x
DeleteThis looks fabulous! You are so smart to do this. I will have to see if I can save some of my sweaters in future with this treatment.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give it a try with some others too! x
DeleteLovely, what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'll be using it again before long! x
DeleteThat is a lovely idea, and such a great way to add years more use to your beloved cardi!
ReplyDeleteI know, doubly satisfying to be able to save my lovely cardi AND use up some Liberty scraps! x
DeleteWhat a great idea and the results are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm so pleased with it! x
DeleteThis is genius - Genius!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought so when I saw it for the first time too Lynne! x
DeleteVery clever and very lovely! I hope inspiration of all kinds strikes tomorrow when I'm visiting the exhibition :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks love, I'm sure it will, so many lovely things to see. Have a fab time! x
DeleteThere should be an extra bit added, just for you Jane, to the old "make do & mend" slogan. Maybe: "Make do & mend, & make the original even lovelier!" I'm sure there's a catchier way to put it, but you get my drift! Well done! :)
ReplyDeleteAw thank you! x
DeleteA very pretty cardigan and a great stash buster project!
ReplyDeleteYes, the stash busting bit is particularly satisfying! x
DeleteA great way to save a cardigan. And LIBERTY! What more is there to say :)
ReplyDeleteI know, it speaks for itself! x
DeleteIt does indeed look awesome! Inspired
ReplyDeleteXxx
Thanks Ashley, so glad I took those photos in Liberty! x
DeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! x
DeleteGreat work. Love me a bit of Liberty print. Could you give more detailed instructions on how you did it and/or links to the tutorials you found useful?
ReplyDeleteThanks! The tutorials I looked up were mostly different ways of attaching cuffs but in the end I did it my own way. It's probably easier for me to take a few photos to explain it. If you don't mind waiting a week or two I'll make another one and put together a quick tutorial. x
DeleteThat would be great!
DeleteToday, I opened my overlocker for the first time. And then learned what everybody was talking about with the threading. I was ready to put the thing back in its box (possibly in tiny pieces) when I found an online tutorial. I learn so much better through them, hence asking you for more photos for the cuffs.
My overlocker is threaded, and I have baby burp cloths waiting for its first proper run tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Good idea. Looks superb. I'm inspired to 'expand' two Hobbs cashmere cardigans which have become a bit tight due to too much interest in food.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have one a bit like that too! x
DeleteMy man just told me not to bother darning a whole in a beautiful green wool jumper and I threw it behind the sofa thinking I will fashion a cardigan out of that with liberty fabric!! Honestly I am off to shop right now. Jo x
ReplyDeleteHoorah! x
DeleteYay that is one smart way rescuing that lovely cardigan! Like you, I love red accent in my wardrobe. It gives that nice pop of color you need on every outfit. Looks fab on you Jane.:) Thinking cap on. TFS!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do love red! x
DeleteJane! You are so clever! I love it when mending means making something even more beautiful than it started. I think i'm going to have liberty trims on everything now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stevie! I'm tempted to put Liberty trims on everything too, so satisfying! x
DeleteWhat a clever idea, it looks immensely better than any repair could. Stylish and practical, what could be better!
ReplyDeleteI was a bit worried it would look like a really obvious repair but I think it really works. Phew! x
DeleteThis is a great idea and the fabric you've used matches perfectly! My knitwear always gets stretched at the cuffs from pushing it up so I'll need to keep this in mind as a rescue plan!
ReplyDeleteCuffs seem to suffer more than other areas with me too! x
DeleteFantastic idea, yey new lease of life.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased about the new lease of life! x
DeleteGreat idea. It's fab when you get extra wear out of a long loved garment. Hooray
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! It's so satisfying! x
DeleteThis pattern is absolutely gorgeous! You've chosen one of the most elegant pattern making to recreate. Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteCute cardigan :)
ReplyDeleteBLOG M&MFASHIONBITES : http://mmfashionbites.blogspot.gr/
Maria V.