Not Your Grandmother's Cardigan

But it looks like it is, and that's all that's important, right??

I saw a cardigan like this in a book the other day (I couldn't remember the title to save my life), and I've been thinking about it ever since. I just love the old, granny-inspired clothing I've seen lately and Anthro and Mod Cloth, and places like that!

I used this old long-sleeved cardigan that I've had forever, and a couple of vintage handkerchiefs. (I have a whole basket full of those to use up!)

First, I cut off the cuffs, and some of the sleeves....

Sewed a strait stitch, set to the longest length, around the (now shorter) sleeves, and pulled one thread to gather, until they matched the width of the cuff.

Then I turned the cuffs inside out, and slipped one over each sleeve, with the unfinished edges together, and right sides facing each other. And sewed them on with a zig-zag stitch.

This is what they looked like afterward!

On to the fun part; I pinned the handkerchiefs on where I wanted them....

Then trimmed the rest of the handkerchief off, leaving an inch of excess hanging off the edge of the sweater neckline.

I folded the excess over twice, and pinned it to the back of the cardigan neckline. (you can remove the pins in front now)

Then I sewed the handkerchief onto the neckline with a strait stitch.

I removed the buttons with a seam ripper, and replaced them with colorful ones that I had on hand! (to do this on your machine, simply sew them on with a zig-zag stitch, adjusting the stitch length first to make sure the needle goes in both holes cleanly.)

And done!

Granny would be so proud :o)

This cardigan made me feel so springy, that I brought out my polka-dotted skirt, and a basket of flowers to take pictures with! We've had such a mild winter here in the great northwest, that I'm even starting to see little patches of green sprout in my backyard! How heavenly!

If you look closely, you can see that (as usual) my daughter's shoes are on the wrong feet. It lends such an elegance to the photo, don't you think? :o)