This Sweater Upstyle is Perfect and Chic

This is a great way to get more use out of an old sweater or one that’s a little too tight.

It’s even worth picking up a cheap one at the thrift store if you don’t have anything suitable.

Follow along for this quick, chic upstyle!

Tools and materials: 

• Long sleeved sweater
• Ruler
• Fabric clips
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Sewing machine

1. Sweater

I chose a boucle knit one that won’t fray because I’m going to leave the edges raw. A thin sweatshirt would also work for this.

2. Cut the front

Lay your sweater flat and line up the side seams and lower edges.

Cut straight up the center front, from the hem to the neckline.

3. Shape the lower edge

The sweater was too long for the look I wanted, so I cropped it to around waist level.

I cut the eye - a cutting board is really useful for this.

Otherwise measure and mark the amount you want to cut first.

I cut the lower front edges into a curve.

Measure this from the corners so you cut an equal curve on both sides.

4. Make the ties

Cut off the original hem from the strip you removed from the lower edge.

I also cut off the two side pieces at the seams.

Divide the remaining piece in half lengthways.

Clip and sew the long edges together with the right side inside.

Use a loop turner or a safety pin to turn them right side out.

Attach the ties to the inside of the front edges. Make sure they’re the same distance from the neckline.

Easy sweater upcycle idea

Now you have a cool, trendy bolero style cardigan for about an hour’s work!

It looks great worn casually with jeans and equally good over an evening outfit.

Please let me know what you think of this easy upstyle in the comments below.

Next, learn How to Turn a Long Sleeve Into a Halter.