While in Park City, we hit the outlets. I scored a $29.95 ‘boyfriend cardigan’ at Old Navy for $8.00. I’ve been wanting a brown cardigan for a while now, and when I saw this, I loved the ruffled parts on the sleeves and front area. I didn’t love the lenth–at all. It made me feel frumpy a little bit. Just read the reviews on the cardigan on OldNavy.com–I was not alone in thinking it is extremely long, and I am at least 5′ 8″.It’s so simple to make a top shorter. Most of you are probably rolling your eyes because it is very easy, but I always appreciated people showing me how to do things when I was just starting out on my sewing ventures!
First, I tried on the cardigan and decided how much I needed to cut off. I decided 7 inches was good. I wanted to keep the bottom band to re-sew onto the portion I cut off, so since that measures 4″, I cut off at 11″. 
Next I cut off the 4″ band.
So it looks like this:
Take the 4″ band and fold over the ends and sew–the part with button holes on one side, and the part with buttons on the other. 
So it looks like this:
Take the 4″ band and fold over the ends and sew–the part with button holes on one side, and the part with buttons on the other. Take the piece with the sleeves and sew a basting strip about 1/4″ away from the edge that you cut off. Pull on basting stitch to gather a little until it lines up nicely with the seams and ends of the 4″ band. I did this because my 4″ band I cut off previously is shorter in length than the edge of the rest of the sweater. I found this method out while browsing Disney’s blog Ruffles and Stuff. She showed how to do this on the sleeves of a sweater, so I applied that technique on this sweater:).
Pin together and sew about 1/4″-1/2″ seam. I didn’t even finish my edges off. It wasn’t fraying bad at all, so I figured it’ll be fine.
Pin together and sew about 1/4″-1/2″ seam. I didn’t even finish my edges off. It wasn’t fraying bad at all, so I figured it’ll be fine.
Done! So simple!
It looks great paired with this belt, made using Disney’s awesome tutorial on Ruffles and Stuff. I am in love with this belt, and it’s so easy to make! Thanks Disney!
I have been thinking about doing this to some of my old sweaters & now I know how! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Your projects are so darling! And thank you for pointing out the obvious when it comes to sewing. I am one of those who totally need the help!