A great place to find bargains at your thrift store is in the men’s section.
So often we women buy our men wonderful cashmere sweaters as gifts. We imagine ourselves snuggling up to our sweetie pie, watching movies, and feeling luxurious next to some manly cashmere.
But usually our men have other ideas. Let’s face it, cashmere just doesn’t seem to work in hunting camp or on the fishing boat. Woodsmoke and worm guts don’t seem to work with cashmere for some reason. Needless to say, after that warm, cozy, soft sweater sits, unworn, in the closet for several years, off to the thrift store it goes.
Lucky for me!!!
I found this soft beautiful cashmere hiding behind a bunch of scratchy old acrylic sweaters at the DI for three bucks!
Score!
However, it is WAY too big and droopy!!
No problemo!
Let’s make a peplum to go with the new polka dot skirt I made using my custom skirt pattern and some fabric I found at the thrift store for a quarter. It’ll be nice for a transition outfit going into spring.
Here we go:
Turn your sweater inside out and get started.
Finish the bottom of the peplum with navy silk bias tape.
Now, I’m pretty sure this cashmere sweater is going to be much happier as a peplum being covered in perfume than it would’ve been as a man’s sweater covered in sweat, woodsmoke, and worm guts.
You might also like:
If you haven’t had a chance to enter into Being Zhenya’s beautiful Blue Nile Sterling Silver Earring Giveaway, be sure to head on over and sign up. It ends on March 8th.
The Renegade Seamstress 
That transformation is amazing!
Thank you, Laurie. The sweater is so soft and luxurious! I want to wear it everyday!
Beth
I love this ! Peplums are so feminine and classy. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thank you, Claudia! I just can’t seem to get enough peplums. I want to make a t shirt peplum next.
Happy sewing!
Beth
Yes Beth! That’s it right there. Lol. You made the skirt. Yaaayy! You are on the move mama. And you find the best deals. Great job!
I did make the skirt. It’s fun to put the time and effort into something when you know it’s going to fit perfectly when its finished. I think pencil skirts are going to be my new signature look. SUPER comfy! Thanks as always for your nice comments. It’s fun to be in such a nice community of people who like doing what I do.
Happy sewing!
Beth
What a great project! You are my new hero!!!! I look forward to reading all of your transformations….thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Jan, for your encouragement! It’s fun to share with nice people like you!
Beth
Very cute……and soft!
Thanks, Paula! I have to say, I’m going to make it my personal mission to find all the cashmere I can possibly find at my thrift stores. I want to wear it everyday. The feel against my skin is like no other. I have a new love.
🙂
Beth
That’s amazing! I have a friend who bought a really cute off white cable knit fishing sweater. I’m sure it’s called something else – but anyway. It was a peplum and adorable. But 200 smackeroos!!! Not that cute! So now I’m heading to the thrift store and find one and re-do it like you have taught me!!! Thanks!!!
Oh, what a great idea. A cable knit peplum. I hope you find just the right sweater to transform and please share when you’re finished, I’d love to see it!
Happy sewing!
Beth
That’s super cute: well done!
Thank you, Ann.
Now that is seriously adorable!! I’m inspired!
Thank you, Anny! If you get a chance to make one, I hope you share pictures!
Beth
Wow! It looks fantastic! I’m so inspired by your transformations!
Thanks, Steph! It’s fun to share with people like you!
Wow! I love what you are doing. The Salvation Army is my favorite shopping place and now I have new items to look for. Thanks for the inspiration Beth.
Thanks, Virginia! Once you start refashioning, thrift store shopping has a whole new meaning. So many possibilities. I hope you’re staying warm up there in wild Alaska. I miss playing Bunko with you! Those were fun times!
Beth
Love this refashion. You have a way of envisioning that I haven/’t embraced yet.
so cute!! i had no idea that old navy even did anything with cashmere. i love this tutorial i’m definitely going to try it out :))
Another inspirational refashion!! LOVE it and looks adorable on you! Great find on the cashmere – will keep my eyes open from here on out 😉
Thank you, Lisa. It’s amazing what you can find at a thrift store! Happy treasure hunting!
Beth
This outfit looks SO nice on you! Lovely job on both pieces.
Thank you, Jo!
When you cut a sweater – like up the front to make a cardigan – how do you finish the edge to avoid raveling?
Thanks
Hi Debbie,
Each sweater will be different depending on the fibers. Some will fray and some won’t. There are several ways to finish check out this post for a cardigan finish https://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/upcycle-a-thrift-store-sweater-just-in-time-for-valentines-day/
Here’s one that didn’t require finishing the edge. I think because the fibers are interlocked (like a t shirt) it won’t fray. https://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/sweater-refashion/
You could also use bias tape to finish your sweater.
Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.
Beth
Thanks – worked great!- used iron on bias tape then folded sweater over tape and used contrasting thread and a blanket stitch to finish
I’m so glad it worked for you, I’d love to see pictures!
YOU are the best sewcreativity women:)))
I’ve been collecting cashmere for some time as part of a quilting project so I don’t mind if they have moth holes and such – I can confirm that there are a lot of wonderful sweaters out there. I recently picked up a fabulous alpaca sweater 4 sizes to large with a nifty hole right in front at the waistline. This sweater has been waiting for inspiration and I think this is it! What a wonderful idea and it looks so nice on you. Thank you for posting this.
You are so welcome, Jonalee! Have fun and I’d love to see your finished sweater!