Cutting a knit dress into a top? - YouLookFab Forum

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Cutting a knit dress into a top?

Sal

Veteran

I have this oversized sweater dress that I bought in 2021. It’s been worn over 30 times. I don’t love it but I do wear it.

I wondered about turning it into a sweater. It’s a machine knit - made of wool- and the current hem sort of rolls a bit. It has ribs on it. It’s knitted not a knit stretch fabric.

Could I just cut it or would this fray? I could take it to the tailor?

I am willing to take a risk as I don’t love it, it’s not valuable, donating could mean landfill or maybe a new home - who knows - and I have had good wear. As a top it could be more useful to wear with jeans or charcoal pants to work.

Thanks!

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

kellygirl

Veteran

That’s a good question. I know you can shorten hand knits by cutting and reknitting a hem. Not sure about machine knit. Dress looks great on you with the tall boots. It would make a cool slouchy sweater too if you can figure out how to finish the hem.

Sal

Veteran

I almost wondered if I could clear nail varnish it?

It’s just an idea - the dress only really gets worn with the tall boots - I used to wear scarves with it but since I am off scarves it feels a bit stale.

It’s in very good condition still. A NZ brand that unfortunately folded.

Sal

Veteran

Close up of current hem

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Joyce B

Veteran

The dress looks great on you but I get that you prefer something else. The thing with shortening into a sweater is that the bottom part may end up being too wide, wider than the top as the dress seems to have a mild A line. You will need to secure the stitches so that they do not continously unravel. Then baste, then hem. I think it can be done but will need planning and work.

Val MN

A sweater knit will unravel. Don’t just cut it.

There are three finishes that I would consider when doing my own alterations. One is to use an overlocker to finish the cut edge, which could give a lightweight and wavy edge similar to the original. Two is to make a welted hem (aka hem band) by using a folded strip of the excess fabric from the skirt and attaching it with an overlocked seam. Three is to fold up a single-fold hem and catch-stitch it by hand.

A tailor could do either #1 or #2 as long as they have an overlock machine. A tailor would not do #3 because it’s too labor-intensive.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I agree with Val MN, but I would add that it might be possible to machine stitch option #3 with a coverstitch machine.

With all of these options, the results of the finish are difficult to predict, because knits behave so differently. (They can be tested on the cut-off portion, though.)

Joyce B brings up a good point about the lower width, though. I have shortened knit tunics into tops (t-shirts), and I have always had to narrow the width of the garment by taking in the side seams, starting from about the bust line. I've used existing tops or patterns to figure out how much to reduce the sides and what shape to make the tops. You could do the same with this dress: lay out a sweater on top of it to see how the dress compares to the kind of shape you're going for.

All that said, it's not a project I would take on for myself, as there are a lot of unknowns about how it would turn out, with my nonprofessional skills. I would maybe try some different styling with the dress to revive my interest in it, pass it on, or let it rest and see if it comes back in favor with me.

LJP

Veteran

Chiming in to agree that you’d need a serger , and it’s a tricky finish to get right even if you’re an experienced sewer . I personally wouldn’t bother .

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I often think this about dresses or tunics that I don't wear often. Anyway, I think it is a tricky job because of the knit, but have no special knowledge on this topic.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm back to add: I really think it looks fab on you, Sal, with those boots and slouchy bag!

Joyce B

Veteran

Ways to cut knits, although they would be more of a handfull for a machine knitted dress, are by steeking, which you can do both horizontally and vertically.
There are good videos on youtube that demonstrate the technique.
https://youtube.com/shorts/3QG.....RNU7LyezfE
The above is for horizontal steeking and below for vertical steeking. This may be more than you bargained for, but you got me thinking about how knits can be cut
https://youtu.be/VWKz8j9VAMw?si=ItDR_v1tMpatjzTB
I hope the links work.

Indigoprint

Veteran

Probably most depends on what kind of look you are looking for.
The most basic would be to zig-zag along your preferred hemline then cut.
The hem will roll but not ravel.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I did something similar with an oversized knit I have. To create a new hem I turned over the bottom edge and machine sewed it with stretch stitch. I then inserted elastic in the hem to cinch it in a little (not much). It now looks like a knit top with a basque waist. That way you don’t have to worry about fraying or creating a really neat hem.

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Star (Lise)

Veteran

I did the same to a knitted tunic (machine fine knit). Mine had a folded over hem. I had the seamstress cut it and overlock the raw hem, no folding, it is perfect, and it was not a difficult alteration or expensive. I think it is similar to the finish your dress has now.

I have attached photos. It is quite a rate finish but works for my needs. From a distance it is not that noticeable as it rolls. I unrolled it for the pics.

You look really cool in the pic btw. This dress suits you and your styling of it is spot on. I have been looking for a dress like this in thrift shops with no luck for ages. Curious why you don't love it. Very Charlie's Angels.

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Sal

Veteran

Thank you all!

I will sit on it - I have three weeks before a month away and then it is spring - I could wear this in spring but am less likely to do so. I will see how I feel about it next winter.

It could be that it will come back into favour - I used to wear oversized scarves with it but I am a bit off them. I only wear this with boots and my boot collection has shrunk with two pairs wearing out and me upsizing my sneaker and flats collection. A wool dress is a good thing to have though as I don’t have anything else similar.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

It will look good with sneakers imo.

Jules

Veteran

Have you tried wearing it over jeans? Maybe even your white ones?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I love it on you with the boots!

But I also get why you might prefer to shorten it. It sounds like quite a job and I probably would not bother myself unless I felt quite sure I would wear the new version.

Lisa

Veteran

Lovely sweater dress but understandable if you want to change it to a style you can wear more often. I am not help with self tailoring and take all of my items to a tailor, but I wish you good luck!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

go for it. if you want to make it fun, you could do a high-low hem!

Sal

Veteran

I wore it yesterday (with the tall boots). It was cosy and warm on one of them coldest days of the year. I have decided to hold off until next year and see how I feel then. I could not do the alteration myself so would be paying for it. I may wear it one more time this year which will make it four or five wears - it is not making me especially happy though but it may do so in 2026

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Good idea to hold off until you are sure. Seeing that I have always wanted a dress like this I am curious why you don't love it?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm glad you're holding off, Sal. It seems a pity to hack this dress.

KILLER cute look with the boots, scarf and cream bag, FWIW

If it's no longer for you - pass it on to someone else who can enjoy it as a dress!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie - I cut my lace dress into a blouse and I was on a roll. But there is no need to do so.

It's not an orphan because it is a dress, but I used to wear it with a scarf and often ankle boots and tights. But I am off that look.