Cardigen from a sweater

 Most of my ideas, best and worst, begin with I wonder if. . .  This project was no exception. I was given this lovely sweater as a hand-me-down and though the color isn't something I would ordinarily pick out for myself, it happened to be the excact shade to compliment a dress my sister-in-law picked out for me.

I tried wearing the sweater under the jumper type dress, but it was far too bulky.

Next I tried wearing it over the halter topped dress, but then it lost the whole beauty of the halter top and empire waist.

The print on the dress is semi-tropical, so it is probably meant to be more of a spring/summer outfit, but I want to wear it now because I like it (the dress).

The natural solution was to turn the sweater into a cardigen.

My idea was to sew ribbon down the front, turn the ribbon to the inside and then stitch it to create a finished edge.

Luckily I was able to find both ribbon and thread in a the correct color. Notice how the ribbon is the kind that is woven rather than silky. I think it will be more durable.

The first step was to find the center of the sweater. I did this by making sure the side seams were actually at the side and then measuring to the center at the waist and across the chest. I should note at this piont that there is no turning back. It would be best to use a marking pen in case errors were made, but I used permenant marker because I figured it would be covered in the seam and I wanted it highly visible. Though I wasn't sure it was going to work, at this point, I was committed.

 I then pinned two lengths of ribbon side by side onto the front so that the big black line down the center was between the two strips. Be certain to leave excess at either end so that it can be turned under to prevent fraying.

 Also, when pinning it, it is helpful to put cardboard or something beneath it so you only pin through one layer.
 Then, of course, it is time to sew it. This is done sewing right alongside the inner edges of both strips of ribbon. Then, carefully cut through the sweater. The two strips finish off the edges so the sweater shouldn't unravel.

Once you've finished cutting down the middle, press the seam flat and turn the ribbon to the inside of the sweater. Also, tuck the ends up underneath to finish off the ends of the ribbon.

Lastly, topstich a second seam the width of the ribbon to create the finished edge of the sweater.

 At this point, one could do a whole line of buttons all the way down the front so that it could be buttoned all the way down as a true cardigan should be.

Or, if you prefer, you can find just one mismatched button left from who knows what and stitch it on at the top just to keep the neck closed. It might have been better to have something to match the sweater, but I didn't and I kind like the bling of the diamond set in the antique, tarnished brass. It sort of gives it that matronly look that I'm really trying to pull off these days. Even better is when I wear the entire ensemble with my flat, shapeless, Mary Jane Doc Martin's .