As gals who believe basics are better when they’re bedazzled and that fashion should be fun first, Gwyneth and I have had our eyes on Markus Lupfer’s embellished knits for a while. When we saw this Sequin Sunglasses Embellished Sweater from Net-a-Porter, we knew we couldn’t live without it. But at $385.00, it didn’t seem like the wisest living expense to squeeze in the budget.
Since we couldn’t buy, we chose to DIY. And we’re sharing the tutorial today, so you can too.
Shopping Guide:
1. Garnet Drop Earrings from Jewel Africa (similar, costume style at BaubleBar)
2. Essential Lipstick in Sociable c/o e.l.f. Cosmetics
3. DIY Sequin Sunglasses Sweater Tutorial below (or Markus Lupfer Sweater from Net-a-Porter)
4. Rhinestone Bracelet from Forever 21 (old, but similar style at Piperlime)
5. Michael Kors Watch from Charlotte’s
6. Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in It’s Raining Men from Beauty.com
7. Emerald Mini Skirt (old, but similar style on sale at J. Crew)
Now that all the big spenders have left us for Net-a-Porter, let’s get on with the project!
You’ll need:
- A basic sweater, ready for some zhushing
- An image of your favorite sunglasses silhouette (Google “Cateye Sunglasses Silhouette,” “Wayfarer Sunglasses Silhouette” etc)
- A 9″ x 6″ piece of sewing interfacing (available at any fabric/sewing store)
- A Sharpie
- A 9″ x 6″ piece of colored felt (for the frame of your sunglasses)
- 2 pair of scissors – one pair for cutting fabric and one pair for cutting paper
- Pins
- A 9″ x 6″ piece of black felt (for the lenses of your sunglasses)
- A 9″ x 6″ piece of sequin fabric
- 2′ chain (we used this chain from M&J Trimming)
- A needle & thread
- (Optional) A sewing machine
First, find the sunglasses silhouette you like best. You’ll want to make sure it’s sized appropriately for your sweater. Ours was a little small, so we used PicMonkey to make it 8″ wide. Once you have yours sized, print and cut it out. Trace your silhouette onto your interfacing, and cut out your pattern.
Then use your Sharpie to draw the lens onto one of the eyes of your pattern.
Fold your interfacing in half and trace the outline of the lens onto the other eye – this step makes sure the two sides match.
Cut the lens area out of the interfacing, pin your pattern to your colored piece of felt and cut out your felt frames.
Layer your frames on top of your sequin fabric and your sequin fabric on top of your black felt. Pin the three layers together.
Cut away the excess sequin fabric & black felt. Don’t worry about making it perfect yet – it’s better to have a little extra around the edge than not enough.
Sew the three layers together, going around the entire shape and then each of the lenses. (A big thanks to my Mom for teaching me how to do this!) Carefully trim any black felt or sequins that are showing outside your frames.
Next, hand sew the ends of your chain to the back of your sunglasses. (Double check to make sure your chain is the right length for your desired sunglasses placement on the front before you do this step!)
Then hand sew a few links to the back neck of your sweater. We tacked our chain on at both shoulder seams and two points between them.
Lastly, pin and sew your sunglasses to the front of your sweater!
Please note the attention to detail from my supervisor as I finished up the hand sewing!
And that’s a wrap! Including two emergency walks fake outs to play outside, this project took us five hours from start to finish. Not quick and a little tedious, but our savings made this DIY worth it! We had everything except for the felt and the sequin fabric on hand, so we only spent $3.49! How’s that for a savings of $381.51?!?
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xoxo,
mk
Part of the Link Parties at:
Fancy Little Things, Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, Live Laugh Rowe, House of Hepworth’s, The 36th Avenue, 504 Main, Friday’s Fancies, Serenity Now, Five Days Five Ways, Tatertots and Jello, Tutus and Teaparties, Too Much Time On My Hands, I Heart Naptime, DIY Showoff, Life in a Breakdown, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Home Stories A2Z, Sugar Bee Crafts, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Embracing Change
aw, such a lovely thing!
xo, A.
RIITZERLAND – Photography and Lifestyle Blog
Thank you, Ana! So glad you found us – we’re headed over to check out your blog now…always looking for some good photography tips and ideas!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
Your sweater turned out so great! I even like it better than the inspiration!
Thanks, Andi! So sweet of you to say! Now we’re thinking of all the other styles we’ve loved and wondering how to recreate those too! LOVED your home tour today, by the way!
xoxo,
mk & G
I love your sweater!! It came out awesome!! Wow, I can’t believe you did this yourself!! I’m so impressed, its so good!!
Thank you, Mree! Now that we’ve dipped our toes (paws) into sewing, there’s a whole new world of DIY to explore. (Music to my Mom’s ears, I’m sure!) Hope you are having a wonderful week!
xoxo,
mk & G
Absolutely amazing!!!
Thank you, Julie! Saw your sweet tweet this morning – you made our day!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
I am SO impressed (and inspired). You are brilliant!
-hannah
justcallmehaha.blogspot.com
We don’t know if we’re brilliant, but we know YOU are sweet! Thank you!
xoxo,
mk & Gwyneth
i like yours better than the original! can you please come to san diego and help me DIY everything?!
Thanks, Elle! We know you can do this yourself, but we’d love to come play in San Diego!!! Big hugs and kisses from both of us!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
You and Gwyneth are too clever! Came out great!
Thank you!!
xoxo,
mk & G
Wow!
Thanks, Matilda!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
So cute! Great job : )
xo
Rebecca
http://www.rebeccamarin.com
Thanks, Rebecca!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
So adorable!!
Thank you!
xoxo,
mk & G
I am not sure how you thought of it, but it is SUPER cute!
hugs x
Crystelle
This one was thought up out of sheer longing for the version that was WAY out of our budget!
Thank you!
xoxo,
mk & Little G
Holy crap.
This is amazing.
You guys are so fricken artsy and creative! I can’t believe how well this turned out, and you’ve cojmpletely inspired me to go to Target, buy a cheap sweater, and embellish away!
I’d love to do a big letter, or maybe even take the animal-face plunge. A lion, maybe? A peacock? haha.
You guys have totally opened my eyes to how boring I’ve been being!
Now all I need to learn is how to sew!
-Gabrielle
Hi Gabrielle! THANK YOU! We are in the same boat – we want to go to Target and make a million versions of these! Love the ideas you have! DO IT! And don’t worry too much about the sewing – we are complete novices, and the sewing this project requires is so minimal. It could not be any easier – promise!
xoxo,
mk & G
You never cease to amaze me with your bedazzling ‘thrifty’ ideas! Its stunning, yet easy on he purse!
Thank you, Mary!
xoxo,
mk & G
I LOVE this sweater-seriously! I am such a newbie with the sewing machine and I am not 100% sure I could pull it off:)
Hi Kim! Promise that you could do the sewing! I barely know how to operate the machine, and didn’t think it was too tough. You can do it!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
oh my goodness! i love love love love love love it.
I am soooooo making one!!!!!!
Thank you! So glad you’re inspired to make your own! Good luck, and be sure to let us know how it goes!
xoxo,
mk & G
What a fum sweater!! I love the skirt you paired it with too! Visiting from Sumo’s Sweet Stuff!
Thank you! So glad you stopped by! Hope you’ll stay a while!
xoxo,
mk & G
Just adorable…love it! I would love for you to submit it on my website!
Susan @ Oh My! Creative
Thanks, Susan! We definitely will! Headed over there now!
xoxo,
mk & G
I think your version looks better than the Net a Porter Version. Pinning it!
Wow, thank you! You made our night!
xoxo,
mk & G