Grüetzi! I’m excited to be blogging from Switzerland. The husband and I will be based here for the
next three months while he is a visiting fellow at the University of Basel. I finally have a chance to practice my
non-existent German on the unsuspecting masses.
Before I left home I
reinvented a few items of clothing and some decorative pieces, which I’ll share
in the coming months. I’ll also post a few travel photos and tips, so check
back often for some European inspiration.
First up, I converted my
husband’s old sweater into a fitted faux leather top. I loved wearing his oversized sweater on
wintery days at home. But it turns out that
the moths in my closet loved it too.
When the sweater became too embarrassing to wear, I decided to reinvent
it by keeping the wool sleeves and adding a faux leather body. Now I have a new piece to wear around Europe,
which, judging by all the faux leather jackets in Switzerland, is bang on
trend.
Supplies:
Old wool sweater
1 yard of costume pleather
(should have some stretch if you want a more fitted top)
Black thread
Scissors
Chalk
Method:
1) Carefully remove
sleeves from body.
2) Use the old sweater bodice
as a template to cut a faux leather back and front. If you prefer a more fitted top, cut faux leather
to preferred size, using the armholes of the original sweater as a template. Just remember to add a ½ inch seam allowance.
3) With right sides
facing, sew front and back of bodice together.
4) Insert the sleeves
and attach to bodice.
Why not reimagine an old
piece of clothing from your closet? If you’re stuck, send me a photo and I’ll
try my best to help. Nicole
