The Sweater I Couldn’t Upcycle! (so I made a camisole instead)
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- I thrifted a handknit mohair cardigan that was too beautiful to cut! I had big plans to upcycle it, but then couldn’t bring myself to cut up this beauty, so instead I did some small alterations to it, and then made a lovely silk and lace camisole to go with it. As always, I’ll take you through the ups and downs and give you a lot of tips, tricks and techniques along the way!
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My serger - an old Kenmore
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This is the video where I made a lace trimmed camisole out of a men's undershirt: • Make a lacey camisole ...
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#sustainablefashion #sweaterupcycling #DIYFashion
Music: Dove Love by Quincas Moreira from the CZcams Audio Library
EMAIL: contactcatherinesews@gmail.com
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~Catherine
0:00 Intro
3:54 Mohair Cardigan
14:10 Silk & Lace Camisole
34:19 The Final Result!
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Oh Catherine I am a knitter. Thank goodness you didn’t cut it. So much time ,effort and expense went into that sweater. What a great find. Congratulations !
Thank you! I'm glad too. It would have felt like vandalism!
Thanks for considering the handwork! I learned a lot about manipulating buttons and holes, and working with the strap tube. Gorgeous!
Yeah, this is a beautiful classic cardigan, you made it fit just right and this way you get more versatility, because you can wear it with many different things underneath :)
Oh and this camisole is so lovely. I can't even tell if I like it more with the lace or without, I'd really want both of them xD
I’m also a knitter & knitting a lacework sweater like that is a true act of love! It would have been a travesty to chop it up. It’s so nice to see it have a new chance to be worn & loved!
It looks wonderful on you!
Knitter here! Lace weight Mohair, 4 to 5 skeins at $35 to $40 per skein, not including the time that went into the making of that beautiful sweater… we would have to hunt you down for cutting it 😂😂 Great work 👍👍‼️💯
As a knitter, I am so happy and profoundly relieved that you did not cut up that beautiful sweater!
It takes a maker to love and appreciate someone else’s work. I love this result.
I love seeing the respect you gave to the original knitter. Why something this beautiful was in a thrift store is anyone's guess, but the end results proves it wound up in the right hands.
It has never occurred to me to understitch a french seam. Genius! Also I always learn from your hand sewing. I've also been learning to try on try on try on as I go as I learn from your backlog of videos. Nobody has ever taught me such practical sewing before and I've been doing it for 50+ years! Thank you so much!
I'm a knitter. Thank you for not cutting up that sweater. The yarn it was made from would cost a lot of money today. Your camisole and sweater are beautiful together. It was well worth your time and effort. Very nice.
Love your channel. I am a self taught sewer since 11 yrs of age. I’m now over 60 and still picked up a tip or two. Thanks!
I was petrified you'd cut it. The changes look stunning. So enjoyed this episode.
Great video. Ive used crappy cheap "fabric" scissors my whole sewing life and recently when a new fabric store opened up close by, and i had some vouchers, my husband encouraged me to get some good equipment. And oh my goodness what a difference it makes to have good quality fabric shears! So much more fun! Yes expensive, but so worth it
*like* just for acknowledging the beautiful knit! 😂
Not matronly, but classic. It's beautiful. I knit and your instinct to keep it minimal was exactly right. Treasures should be, well, treasured!
Again, I have to thank you for your videos, I’m 75 and have sewn most of my life , I’m learning so much from you. Keep up the exceptional work,
« Zigzag first and then cut”; this is the first time I see you hesitate before cutting (I get cold feet all the time)! Thank you for being respectful to the knitter’s work. I occasionally knit and I can tell that this was the labor of love.
I had forgotten your trick to make the thread secure when sewing buttons. One more reason to keep watching your videos. A good teacher doesn’t mind repeating things to her slow (that’s me 😉) students. Thank you again, Catherine. This outfit is gorgeous.
I’ve been knitting since I was 5 years old and made many a sweater like this one. Was a professional tailor and I would definitely cut into it. But I seem to be in a minority here 😊
Either way, you did a great job.
I'm so glad this sweater found a home with you, Catherine! Thanks for the French seam tips in the camisole construction. - Kelly
My little knitter's heart is so glad you didn't cut up that beautiful sweater. Your changes were perfect, and your button/buttonhole solution was so clever. The lace camisole added just the right touch. Congrats! Love your upcycling videos.....
Tenho 56 e costuro há 43. Amo fazer upcycling e passei a te seguir pois seus vídeos são inspiradores e bem explicativos.aprendi muitas dicas contigo. Obrigado pelas lindas peças de hoje. ❤
To close a buttonhole you simply use the yarn (similar or raveled from the cut-off) to raw the edges, vertically/horizontally depending on how the hole was created, with ladder stitch. The same way hand-knitted seams should be sewn. I love the result you got. A beautiful feminine pair.
I, too, would have used the wool from the scraps for the button holes. Either way looks great, though!
Found you, subscribed and love your videos; I am 72 years old, trying to sew more and really appreciate how you describe everything, easily and to the point. I sew doll clothes from thrifted girl clothes and can adapt all your tutorials to my pastime. Thank you ❤
So, I am also a knitter. The sweater is beautiful, but the saddest thing of all would be that it was never worn again because it didn’t fit properly or look current enough. I wouldn’t have been sad for you had totally refashioned it! It should be worn and you have the skills to get it new life!
Oh, thanks for that! That makes me feel much more confident about future upcycles. I'll always respect the work, but I agree that it would be sad for it to go to waste as is.
That is my opinion as well (knitter here too)
As a knitter, my heart would freeze at the thought of cutting up a beautiful sweater like that one. Modifying it as you did was lovely, but cutting it into pieces would be a travesty. Chop up all the fast fashion sweaters you like, but beautiful handknits are another story.
Sewing down the French seam before finishing the seam is brilliant!
Understitching a French seam is new to me. Thank you for showing us how.
very nice job
That new cammie is so cute! So professional too. I feel a little envious. It's beautiful with that wonderful sweater too. As someone who only knits on a loom and does only a little crochey, I think that the creator of the hand knit sweater wouldn't be too upset. Her beautiful sweater was made to fit someone so well and shown off with the new cammie. I would be smiling I hope, yea, I'd be thinking "why didn't I think of that!". Very lovely together😊
wow! just wow!! thanks so much.
I have my father's scissors, and they are solid steal. All of them are over 50 years old and were used when he was doing upholstery... Which is when I started sewing, when he bought me my own sewing machine and electric scissors.
Beautiful work!
When you started the video I was mentally saying " Not that sweater!!!! Please not that type of change.
I appreciated the deceased shoulder volume. Love all the gentle changes you managed. The camisole was perfect. Very nice use of the wedding lace. Hope you can show us the wedding dress of your sister in law.
Great hack love it. You can remove the sticky tape residue using a pice of brown paper over it and a hot iron !! 😊
All the knitters of the world salute you for making something beautiful that suits your style without destroying some dedicated knitters' hours, if not months, of work.
Catherine, that lovely duo looks so pretty on you, and it does you credit to respect the original artist.
I look forward to all new uploads of yours. Your a inspiration to me. I really like your personality and wish I had a sewing teacher like you.(I'm 65 and mostly self taught) I love to upcycling.)
Yay, I echo exactly what you said. I have the same reaction to Catherine's methodology, skills, flexibility & personality. She's a treasure & an inspiration. J.
Just when I think you can't surprise me anymore with your beautiful creations, you manage to surprise me. Thank you for your inspiring work.
I really admire your expertise!
Part of the fun of watching your videos is observing the choices you make for each project! This is sooo pretty and really suits you. I love the camisole and the linked, earlier video, too. I finally understand what "under stitching" is and how it is useful!!! I thought it was something slightly different. I think that it could be a really important skill/technique to use. I'm looking forward to more sewing in 2024, once I move. I'm getting rid of most of my things (clutter), but I am taking my sewing machine and the serger that I haven't tried to use since I bought it in July 2022. Looking forward to learning from you in 2024. Happy Holidays to you, and thank you for teaching and inspiring me in 2023!!
Beautiful !!!!!
A lot of people would say I'm crazy but this would be one outfit that would benefit from some very thin shoulder pads. It's beautiful as is but shoulder pads would give it a very nice shape.
Exquisite work! And you've solved the mystery of the French seam on delicate silk for me. Thank you!
Love this luxury make over! Classy clothes, for a classy lady!
I've lost 8 stone in the last 6 months and need to be altering clothes to show it off.
As a knitter, I’m so happy you didn’t cut it up, you did a beautiful job❤
Thank God you haven't cut this beautiful cardigan up - I am a knitter, love the stitches on this garment! X x x
No, I'm a knitter and was ready to cry when I saw that sweater. It's beautiful ❤. I up cycle knits too and won't cut up beautiful hand knits when I'm lucky enough to find them.
Looks great!
I can see your husband happy with it too. It looks that good on you😊
Even us little old ladies don’t like looking matronly. At least I don’t. I think what you did was timeless and beautiful
Beautiful i’m in knitter. There is a technique called steeking where you knit a garment in the round then you sew to secure your stitches and cut and then add the button band or a sleeve or whatever.
I’m so glad you didn’t cut that beautiful sweater. The new look is fabulous
As a knitter well done, it is beautifully knitted and would have taken many hours.
I love how you speed up the straightforward (boring) parts, but non-sewing folks may think you're acftually that speedy! Oh dear!
Ok, this was very suspenseful! I'm glad that sweater ended up in your hands.
Thanks for the tip with the french seams. As usual a stunning creation. ❤
I just enjoy watching and listening to you share your expertise. I especially appreciate you sharing those buttons hole tips, and that french seam... just beautiful ❤️
I agree, the sweater is beautiful, so much work. Shoukd never be harmed, should be washed delicately, treated very well.
Knitter here: I agree with many comments - it's much better to thoughtfully cut into a knitted garment than never wearing it again. It's not a museum piece after all. Everyone now can appreciate the wonderful yarn and exquisite knitting. Thank you for sharing your lovely videos. Happy New Year from New Zealand!
Beautiful you saved the knit and made a beautiful camisole to go with it ❤
Thank goodness! This took weeks to make, I imagine. If it had been a storebought, machine knit, go for it, but don't destroy a handknit when it's in good condition! This is a stunning sweater/cardigan as is. I just hope the person who donated it wasn't gifted this item, because that would be infuriating to me as a knitter and crocheter.
Catherine, your voice is so comforting and encouraging. I really enjoyed watching this entire video. Bless you!
So pretty. Glad you worked with the older garment, and just modified it.
Oh, To be able to cut that rapidly and accurately! Tis lovely❤
The generous sleeves elevate it and are current. Thin narrow sleeves are cheap.
Beautiful! I love your soothing voice. No vocal fry!
I am a knitter. NEVER cut up such fine work. It is heartbreaking!
BRAVO!!!! Thank you for sharing this experience -- reminded me of sewing with my mother and grandmother. They were so verry talented... My mom made both my wedding dress and my sister's.... with us helping with the appliqued lace to the bodice..... great memories.
I so enjoy your videos. You make us all feel like we are your friends. Your ideas are so fantastic. Thank you.
What a pleasure. Thank you. I learned a lot. I don't knit or pretend to sew. But I would like to try some simple things and you are a real motivator.
I love all of your videos. That being said I think this one has to be one of my favorites. I love making French seams, but never thought to understitch them. Thank you.
The good news is you found a way to rescue and wear this beautiful sweater❤
I just ordered my own Wiss scissors. You teach me so much everytime I check in. Thank you for respecting that knitted garment....
So many thanks for showing how to repair a knitted cardigan. I wish I knew that technique before to aplly it to my moms woolen sweaters.
Knitter here: It’s gorgeous glad you didn’t cut!
So lovely. That sweater is way beyond any pattern I've tried and really does look great with the minor changes. The silk cami is really beautiful. I really love how silk drape but haven't gotten brave enough to try sewing with it
I learn so much from your videos! I’ve been sewing for more than 50 yrs, but I constantly learn new techniques from your videos. The final product is beautiful! The one thing that I’m sure makes a huge difference is trying on at each step to check the fit.
the way you styled them is very cute, you look so pretty !!
That's so beautiful!! What a wonderful holiday piece!
Thank you for this great video! I inherited giant scissors like yours from my grandma. The scissors are now over a hundred years old and I really enjoy using them. 😊
Wow, that is so beautiful! I can't wait to watch more of your videos! Awesome
As always, your videos are so enjoyable to watch! Love the result of the camisole and the knit cardigan.
Haha, well the outdated puff shoulder is back on trend, but I don't like it either! I'm glad you were able to reduce those. Very clever solutions for the button holes. I'm always learning something from you!
I applaud you! It's beautiful by itself, but a little will make that all the better!
Beautiful outcome as always. I love the look!
I love watching your videos - it’s like the most wonderful relaxing therapy! Xx
I’m a lotsa crocheter and sometimes knitter. Yep, definitely so happy that you didn’t cut it. I was thinking about how much time and money went into it, and all of the 200 reasons in the comments.❤❤❤
Delightful session. Being a knitter, I agreed with not cutting, but only enough to fit properly and thus being able to enjoy using a beautiful garment. Thanks for such a lovely program.
Outstanding results as always. I’m also a knitter, and it would have been a criminal act to butcher the cardigan totally. I loved all of the tips you gave whilst making that gorgeous camisole. They make for a beautiful pairing.
Lovely, lovely job on both pieces Catherine. So glad you didn’t can’t that beautiful cardi. There was a lot of work in that original knit but you took it from a tad dowdy to stylish - especially with the silk cami. 🧑🏻🎄🎄🏴
Great job, fabulous knitting and great to see how to update something as beautiful as this.
NO Catherine, don't cut it up!!!! it is beautiful. As a knitter myself, it is amazing and would have taken ages to knit.
Such beautiful work Catherine.
Thank you for all that knowledge you passed along in one video! Holy smokes, you know so much and are so talented!!
I love your upcycles. It's amazing what you can do with your items and I appreciate how you are so concerned about each piece you work on.
Well done Catherine. You've done a lovely job on that.🥰🥰
You are a visionary! I really, really, really want to work with silk and lace now. Brilliant! 👑
what a beautiful sweater, and the cami is perfect with it!
What a cool makeover! I love the camisole just as much as the cardi.
Beautiful work! Thank you for giving that amazing sweater a longer life.
Absolutely gorgeous all around. I can't wait to get started on making a camisole like that on . I am going to have to go hunting for a similar sweater.
Thank you for the tips. And you gentle voice is so refreshing.
That sweater was such a great find! Excellent job, as always.
Stunning! 😍
Absolutely beautiful! Both garments turned out so well. You are soooo talented & patient. Love watching your creations ☺️xx
You made that treasure of a sweater perfect for you!