Yelena Dressmaking & Accessories

  Look at the photo below: that’s the only photo I have to show the original look of that sweater. Though nicely knitted of 4ply cashmere, it had a bizarre shape. Very baggy bodice with super tight sleeves. Was it meant to be a cape-sweater to be worn over shoulders with sleeves functioning as a scarf?—I will never know because it was passed onto me by a friend who couldn’t wear it either. I made my first attempt at wearing in as seen on that photo, with sleeves removed and body slightly pinched for shape. That’s what you see in that photo in a ski resort town in the province of Quebec in Canada. The newly made vest was warm, but I didn’t like its bulk. So, I decided to go to the extreme measures and unravel the whole sweater, sleeves and all. Try doing that, it’s surprisingly rewarding, like any small and peaceful act of destruction.  Then, with several balls of yarn and an array of hooks I set up to experiment. I looked at some magazine photos (see the mood board below) from...

Original sweater from Garnet Hill. A pin at the bottom marks the only hole, so tiny, it was easy to avoid in my experiment. A “dickey” — a decorative scarf alternative that can be worn over another sweater or shirt, under a jacket or cardigan to keep you warm and stylish without extra bulk or constraint. The edging is crochet cashmere. Hat (cut from the bottom of the sweater) and mittens (cut from the sleeve ends) with crocheted thumbs that open for technology. The pink yarn, just like on the dickey, was sourced from another cashmere sweater that was easier to unravel. It’s the same gnome on both photos. His boots, mittens, nose and beard are from other discarded cashmere sweaters.  One more hat with the bottom part from a different sweater, same as the pompon.  It all started with a few cashmere sweaters whose sleeves were too tight to wear. The obvious choice was to make them into vests. I did some of that, but I wanted to experiment beyond the obvious. So, above are the 5 i...

 A friend came by with an off-white vintage cashmere coat, and a message “do what you wish with it!”  She knew my interest in preserving old jackets (see my post “The vintage vintage coat”). I examined the sample: the coat was in great condition, save one 3mm hole on the back; it was well made and maintained, the lining was impeccable. However, the A-line style with 3/4 length and 3/4 sleeves needed my intervention. Lengthening the sleeves was the easiest improvement. But there came a dilemma: what do I lengthening them with? Fur? Contrasting fabric? Oh, crochet might work! So, I got out my yarns. Unexpectedly, I liked the brown acrylic crocheted into bubbles best next to the shade and smooth texture of the coat’s cashmere. I decided to adorn the collar as well, so there would be cohesiveness in the garment. The plastic buttons were old and slightly cracked and discolored by time. Thus, I crocheted over them, making sure they sill fit into original buttonholes. And that hole i...