Don't Buy, DIY: Michael Kors Slashed Top

Blake Lively looks sizzling on the cover of the Vogue June 2010.  In a $795 Michael Kors cashmere sweater, one can see why.  I was drawn to this sweater because not only is it a sexy take on what could be a frumpy cover-up, but it’s just begging for DIY (especially since it retails for $795!!  For shame!)

When it came to choosing the perfect soft lightweight V-neck sweater for surgery – I headed to my local Goodwill.  After agonizing an embarrassingly-long time over an Eddie Bauer cashmere-blend piece (but finally concluding its particular pukey shade of pink did me no favors), I settled on this super-soft chenille sweater, for a mere $7.99.

And making it over was a breeze.  Here’s how:

You Need:
*sweater (preferably lightweight)
*fabric scissors
*thread matching sweater color
*machine needle for knits
*sewing machine

How To:

1. Cut sweater how you like.

2. Stitch around cut-outs, close to the edge (about 1/8″ away), using a thread color similar to your sweater, and medium-length stitches.  (Too short and you may end up with puckering and gathering; too long and the sweater still may be in danger of fraying.)  Be careful to try not to stretch your sweater as you stitch.

Um…you’re DONE!  How’s that for speedy??

Since my sweater was chenille, the slashes don’t look perfect – a tight-knit cashmere (or cutting with your trusty at-home laser-cutter) will likely yield better results.

And if you don’t feel like it, you don’t even have to bother sewing – but beware that with repeat wearing, your sweater can and will unravel.  Applying Fray Check to the cut edges is also an option…but it’s also a pain, takes just as long as sewing, and isn’t permanent through washings.  If you’re annoyed about it rolling at the cut edges (like I envision myself becoming in the near future), you can also apply something like a fusible bias tape to the wrong side of the sweater just near the slashes to prevent stretching and rolling.  However you do it, you now have a sweet peekaboo sweater…for a fraction of the cost of the designer version.

I say Peek-a-DO!

Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly