DIY Lace Overlay Sweatshirt Refashion

I got this idea for a lace overlay on a sweatshirt from So, Zo..., an incredible UK blogger, when it was floating around Pinterest a while back and have been dying to try it ever since. Admittedly, I was a little intimidated and let it swim around in my head until I just couldn't stand it any longer and had to give it a go! Here's what I did:

Start with regular old sweatshirt.

Remove bands. Cut arms off (remove those bands as well). Spilt sides and shoulders.

Pin lace (containing a little bit of stretch preferably) to the front side of the trunk and trim to fit. It helped me to keep the lace pinned flat to the front the whole time, just to make sure it kept against the correct (front) side.

Sew back together* in the reverse order of how it was taken apart, with lace overlay sandwiched between right sides.

*If necessary, make any resizing adjustments. I took about an inch or two from the shoulders as this was a man's sweatshirt. I also chose to shorten the sleeve length to just below the elbow.

Sew the bands back on. (Still with the lace pinned flat to the front.) This part took the most care. For each band, I pinned at half way marks, then half way again, and again (like you would elastic)... until I felt it was pinned and spaced evenly enough to zig-zag stitch back in place.

Woah, neck band! Had to do that sucker twice to get all the layers stitched down. (Also, had to unstitch the shoulder a little bit.)

I love the finished product! I love it so much, that I'm a little saddened to have given it away to my sister for her birthday this week. But, they say the best gifts are the ones you truly love yourself, right?

Happy Birthday, sister! Love you so much!!! xx

(Looks so cute on you!)