I Could Do That: J.Crew Dapple Dot Cardigan

I have been coveting the dapple dot cardigan from the first time I laid my beady little eyes on it.


I swore to myself that I would figure out a way to make something similar for myself. Imagine how pleased I was when I spied this twin set while thrifting. I realized that a sweater set would give me enough disposable fabric in the shell that it would work.

Here is the process:


I really wanted a 3/4 sleeve so I shortened the sleeves. I cut at the boundary of the cuff, and cut about 5" of the sleeve out above that point. I used this great tutorial to reattach the cuff.

Next, I cut the shell into 1 1/2" strips. I ironed the strips to prepare for 1/4" seams down each side. After sewing those seams, I pinned these strips in the pleated pattern around the neckline. Each visible pleat is 1", and they overlap each other for 1". I purposely made the pattern assymetrical, with the pleats extending further down on one side. I also decided to do one row of pleats on each side, because the v-neck cardigan left less space to attach them. (If you are lucky enough to score a twin set with a crew neck cardi, I would definitey do two rows.)

Last week, I had the opportunity to do a photoshoot with Jackie Norris. We focused on taking pictures showcase my projects. {By the way, she is awesome to work with}.

Here is my finished cardigan:


We went to Memory Grove, which seems to be everyone's choice of venue for pictures. There is a reason, because there are so many different backdrops and textures. You want it in the trees? Done. You want it next to a roman column, done. I was taken with Ottinger Hall, which isn't technically inside the park, but it is close by on Canyon Road.


What do you think? Were you eyeing this cardigan? Anything you are craving to make this week?

Thanks for reading!