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Accessoire

FrankenSanta

When fabric and haberdashery became more expensive… my grandmother told me to check the thrift stores first, sometimes she’d find a blouse for a few dollars she could scrap for parts…

Since I made opera length gloves, I’ve been on this diy kick. Especially going to the flea market every week, I see lots of clothes with great potential, it takes some looking, but they are there. It all started when I found this huge Irish cable knit sweater with really nice wool, for $1… I turned it down, but it was a shame to pass up such nice material. When fabric and haberdashery became more expensive than buying off the rack clothing, my grandmother always told me to check the thrift stores first, sometimes she’d find a blouse for a few dollars that she would scrap for parts, like silk or buttons… all very clever. So I took the flea markets looking for sweaters made with wool, cotton, or hand knit, with all the synthetics out there, it was more difficult than I thought, but I mangaged to find a few oversized sweaters to cut up. I just cut off the arms to use for legwarmers, and sewed the body into a neckwarmer. Right now I’m making these as gifts, but hopefully I’ll have enough energy at the end to keep one for myself, scratch that, the legwarmers I’m keeping… merino wool legwarmers aren’t cheap!

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Discussion

30 comments for “FrankenSanta”

  1. the neckwarmer is fantastic! i was just planning on knitting one for myself - maybe i’ll check for old sweaters first.

    Posted by Fenke | December 17, 2008, 9:38 am
  2. Ohhh I love a snood! Good work x

    Posted by Frankie - Swell Vintage | December 17, 2008, 9:41 am
  3. Great idea!

    Posted by Cécile | December 17, 2008, 9:43 am
  4. ❤ fenke, oh it’s worth a try, since you are so good at sewing, i bet it will only take 20 min. though, i wish i could knit!
    ❤ frankie…thanks love!
    ❤ cecile :)

    Posted by jennine | December 17, 2008, 10:02 am
  5. i love how the frill ruffle skirt (dress?) contrasts with all the warm knits! and the legwarmers are great!!

    Posted by violetville | December 17, 2008, 10:38 am
  6. So clever! Awesome job, you little seamstress!

    Posted by Beka | December 17, 2008, 10:41 am
  7. Brilliant idea! I’m off to find all those old sweaters I hate. Why do my aunties always buy me sweaters for xmas??

    Posted by dressedandpressed | December 17, 2008, 10:51 am
  8. This is one of my favorite outfits to date! I really love what you’ve done with old sweaters…you have inspired me to try some sewing projects when I go back home to my machine!

    Posted by Kayla | December 17, 2008, 10:54 am
  9. Did you just sew the edges for the neckwarmer or did you double it and sew it shut?? I love this and have been looking for one (I can not knit), and this is a much better idea! Thank you so much!

    Posted by vintage_mck | December 17, 2008, 11:14 am
  10. ❤violettvile… oh it’s a skirt, and i wear it wayyy too much, best $14 i ever spent.
    ❤beka, thanks!
    ❤dressed…. ooh you are lucky!
    ❤kayla… thank you! ooh, i can’t wait to get my sewing machine fixed, i’ve been doing this by hand… stubborn me.
    ❤vintage…i had to fold the edges and sew them, i’ve gotten better where you can’t see the seam, but when i doubled it, the warmer didnt come out right, believe me i tried lots of ways!

    Posted by jennine | December 17, 2008, 12:14 pm
  11. That’s such a chic outfit and the neckwarmer and legwarmers are stunning and well constructed, you are talented!

    I would totally wear that entire outfit and just top it off with my gorgeous diamond earrings I bought from http://www.idonowidont.com and have the cutest winter look of the season!

    I just wish I had the DIY talent and ability to make something as chic as a neckwarmer, what a cute idea!

    Posted by Krista | December 17, 2008, 1:20 pm
  12. Darling, you are fantastic. I decided for my new years resolution I am going to learn how to sew. EEEK! You totally inspire me with your diy projects.
    I love love both of these.

    Posted by alixrose | December 17, 2008, 1:20 pm
  13. Brilliant! I want some armwarmers, but thrifting a decent wool sweater for peanuts is so not gonna happen around my way. I’ll be keeping an eye out though.

    Posted by e.ss | December 17, 2008, 4:02 pm
  14. Love the legwarmers, I have kneehighs just like em. :-)

    Posted by Eyeliah | December 17, 2008, 5:56 pm
  15. love diy project. especially since they are one of a kind.

    Posted by ...love Maegan | December 17, 2008, 6:41 pm
  16. Wow great work!

    Posted by Rawbean | December 17, 2008, 7:58 pm
  17. nice job! serious cuteness! i’m going to latera bunch of thrift finds tonight. exciting! also. WOW. that lace bolero. amazing. the back is incredible.

    Posted by SwanDiamondRose | December 17, 2008, 7:58 pm
  18. oh my. that was “altered” not “latera”. a failed frankenword on my part!

    Posted by SwanDiamondRose | December 17, 2008, 7:59 pm
  19. You have a great sense of style, seriously cute.

    Posted by Blake | December 17, 2008, 9:35 pm
  20. I’ve been wanting a knit cowl but have been kind of dreading taking the time to knit one. Making one of an old thrift store sweater is so clever!!

    Posted by Rhiannon | December 17, 2008, 9:52 pm
  21. you look so franken cozy!!

    Posted by meligrosa | December 18, 2008, 1:36 am
  22. oh! on it!!!!! xox tla

    Posted by the love artist | December 18, 2008, 7:55 am
  23. That is such a good idea that frankly I am flabbergasted…

    Posted by Charm | December 18, 2008, 8:20 am
  24. You look so good! So cozy! I’ve had a sweater lying around that I bought just to cut up, but I’ve been to lazy… I’m seriously inspired now!

    Posted by april | December 18, 2008, 11:42 am
  25. ❤krista…if i can do it, you can do it, i’m the worst crafter ever… trust me.
    ❤alixrose, aw thanks so much!!
    ❤e.ss…ooh yeah, armwarmer, i have those too, now all that’s left is a belly warmer, and maybe a boob warmer. i’m sure you can find good thrift stores, just sometimes, its all about going regularly.
    ❤eyeliah…ooh knee highs, i like i like
    ❤…love megan, yeah, one of a kind is what makes it special!
    ❤swan… hehe frankenwords! i hope you post some of your altercreations!
    ❤thanks blake!
    ❤Rhiannon, i’m 10000% sure you will find an amazing sweater to do that with… i’m always amazed with all your finds!
    ❤ meli… damn right frozen, its effin freezin here!
    ❤love artist… cool!
    ❤april… once you do it, you’ll be addicted, actually i have a few left i gotta start going on.

    Posted by jennine | December 18, 2008, 11:52 am
  26. What a timely post in our tough economic times! I’ve started washing a Goodwill wool sweater in the hot wash every time I do my laundry to ‘felt’ it so I can make mittens and a hat for James for Christmas. Great minds thinking alike! We miss you out here in effin cold San Francisco (there’s frost on the ground everywhere, and I can see my breath in my apartment). Merry Christmas!!

    Posted by Aidan | December 18, 2008, 12:27 pm
  27. I’d never have guessed these pieces were parts of a sweater. Good job!

    Posted by Allure | December 19, 2008, 6:33 am
  28. ❤ooh aidan… how sweet! i can just imagine james’ delight! i miss you too love!
    ❤ allure, ahha..it is!

    Posted by jennine | December 19, 2008, 11:34 am
  29. you are soooo smart…I was making neck warmers out of regular scarfs…I didn’t think to use anything else.

    Posted by punky | December 19, 2008, 3:18 pm
  30. Without wanting to sound stalkerish, I found some black leather opera length gloves for really cheap in London and thought of you!

    Unfortunately I was all out of cash (Christmas is expensive!) but when I get back to the city I’ll have a look for them again. There were loads, so hopefully I’ll be able to grab you a pair. If I do, you’ll have to send me your address. :) x

    Posted by Amy May | December 21, 2008, 7:46 pm

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