So. By now, you've checked out our most recent post on the Alice Knit, right? And now you're thinking: How TF did she remake an exact replica of her favorite pill covered, old as sweater?

Well, my friend. This sewing tutorial is going to teach you how to do just that.

Mind you--You don't need to recreate your favorite sweater. (Although, why in the world would you not want to?) You can recreate anything in your closet that your heart desires.. You favorite dress, your favorite shirt, your favorite skirt.

It really DOES NOT MATTER. You can remake anything. you. goddamn. want to remake. Let me repeat: This sewing tutorial can be used to recreate any garment in your closet.

Apply the same principles that I use, and the sky is the limit. But first.. You are certainly wondering.

First of all..

1. That isn't always the case. Most of the time, when a favorite piece of clothing has been worn to the point where it's embarrassing to continue wearing it (think: pilling, holes, tears, discoloration) years may have passed. Furthermore, with the way the fashion industry works, the same articles of clothing in the same colors and fabrics are rarely (if ever) repeated for years at a time.
2. BECAUSE YOU CAN LEARN A VALUABLE SKILL. By recreating a piece, you will already have an exact replica of how your piece should turn out. And if you aren't sure how to sew something, check the garment that is already finished and in your hands. It's an excellent guide in teaching yourself how to sew, and in how things are supposed to turn out.
3. You may not want to support that company anymore. As is the case with myself and the Alice Knit. I bought the OG inspiration for the Alice Knit from Banana Republic, long before I started paying attention to where I purchased my clothing from. And while I love my original sweater, even if Banana had that same exact sweater on sale for $10, I wouldn't want to buy it from them and support a fast fashion company.

(This month's sewing project tutorial is going to be all about how to create your own knock off pattern! So if your favorite article of clothing is looking a little worse for wear, this tutorial will be perfect for you.)

Cool, so we are on the same page.

Before we get in to the sewing tutorial, the basic steps in recreating your favorite piece of clothing are as follows:

1. Create a knock off pattern, based off of your favorite piece of clothing. (Essentially what this sewing tutorial covers, step by step.)
2. Cut out all knock off pattern pieces. (You can make a sample first if you'd like--Certainly recommended!)
3. Sew up the garment!

It really isn't too challenging to recreate your favorite clothing. You just need to go slow, follow your measurements, and make sure that the garment you are sewing up matches the original piece.

And now, you may be asking: What is a knock off pattern?

Well, my friends, it's exactly what it sounds like. A knock off pattern is essentially a pattern that is created based off of an already existing garment.

For example: The pattern for the Alice Knit is a knock off, since I used the design measurements from an already existing sweater that I purchased at Banana. But the pattern for the Emma Skirt is NOT a knock off, since I drafted that pattern from scratch, all by myself.

I went over this a bit in last week's post on the Alice Knit.. But please don't ever create a knock off pattern and call it your own work. I have worked at a company that did that, and it drove my fucking insane.

Be honest and open. Because it's really not that complicated.

So. Ready to get started with this month's sewing tutorial? I can't wait to see what you recreate!

(This month's sewing project tutorial is going to be all about how to create your own knock off pattern! So if your favorite article of clothing is looking a little worse for wear, this tutorial will be perfect for you.)

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 1

First off, I traced the garment that I was remaking--The little black sweater that I bought from Banana.

Literally, just lay a big ass sheet of pattern drafting paper flat on the table, and lay the garment flat on top of it. And trace it. (With a pencil!)

The tracing outlines don't have to be exact--We just want to get a basic shape.

Get the outline as close as possible to the actual garment, we don't want it to be too big or too small. Depending on the piece of clothing that you are remaking, you may need to trace the front and back of your garment.

For the Alice Knit, I just traced the front, since I could use the same block for the back of the sweater.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 2

After the garment has been traced, it's time to start measuring.

Measure absolutely EVERYTHING on the garment that you can measure.

Literally anything and everything. As an example, here are some of the measurements that I took from the Alice:

• Hip width: Side seam to side seam.
• Waist width: Side seam to side seam.
• Length of side seam.
• Raglan sleeve seam length.
• Length of upper raglan sleeve.
• Length of lower raglan sleeve.

And the list goes on and on.

Seriously, just measure everything you can.

You might not even need some of the measurements, but it's better to have them than to not have them. Write the measurements next to the outlines of the garment, so that you know what goes where.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 3

Now that you have both your garment outline and your measurements, it's time to combine the two. The rough original outline and the measurements need to become one.

Using both straight & curved rulers, define the original outlines in to strong, bold lines. Follow the measurements to either extend or retract those lines, depending on the fit of your garment.

If your garment is symmetrical (as is the Alice Knit) then only perfect the lines & measurements for ONE side.

NOTE: I prefer to follow measurements, rather than outlines. If the measurement is longer, wider, or shorter than the drawn outline, I TRUST THE MEASUREMENTS.

But the choice is yours, you do you.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 4

With one side of the front pattern PERFECT, it's time to repeat the process for the other side of the garment.

Simply fold the pattern in half, along the center front. Using a tracing wheel, trace all of your bold, beautiful lines so that they transfer to the folded side.

(Not sure what a tracing wheel is? Check out the post that covers what's in my sewing kit. We've got you covered.)

I recommend tracing a line at a time, and then unfolding the pattern and going over the dotted marks with ruler and pencil. This ensures that both sides of your symmetrical garment match EXACTLY.

NOTE: If your garment is asymmetrical, then ignore this step and repeat step 3 for both the left and right hand sides of the garment.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 5

Once the firm lines are drawn on the front of the pattern (following measurements, of course) it's time to repeat the same process for the back of the pattern.

More often than not, the back of a pattern is completely different from the front. The Alice is no exception, in that the raglan seam lines are different, the hemline is different, and there is a seam along the center back of the garment that is definitely not on the center front of the garment.

Make the adjustments as necessary. As with the front, FOLLOW YOUR MEASUREMENTS.

They will not lead you astray. If you get lost, just look at the measurements, and at your original garment. They will tell you where to go.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 6

At this point, the basic blocks of the pattern should represent the front and backs of your garment.

I'm talking just the general shape, nothing more. Am I right? Fingers crossed.

Now, cut out each piece along the seam lines. Once each piece is cut out, you should have all of the individual pattern pieces that make up the garment.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 7

Once all of the individual pattern pieces are cut out, it's time to walk your seams.

What does that mean, exactly? It's literally just placing the patterns front side to front side, and walking the seam lines.

This just ensures that the seams are the same measurement, and that they will match up once you are ultimately sewing up the garment. If the seams are off at all, even them out.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 8

Once all of the seams match up, it's time to add seam allowances.

Piece by piece, start adding seam allowances to each pattern piece.

With the Alice Knit, I pretty much just used 1/2" seams for each seam allowance. Choosing the seam allowance really just depends on the design though, you do you girl.

How to remake your favorite clothing sewing tutorial: Step 9

Once seam allowances have been added to all seams, it's time to walk your seams again. Everything should match up, but it's always better to be safe and double check the seams.

And once your seams have been walked and checked one final time, you are ready to cut and sew your garment!

It really is that simple. Creating a knock off garment is essentially just tracing the original garment, then cutting and sewing it in your own fabric.

It's an easy way to recreate a favorite piece that may be past repair, or maybe you just want a second garment in a different color? Either way, it's 100% possible to do.

Not only will you be adding to your handmade wardrobe, but you'll also be learning a new skill!

So. Pretty impressive, am I right?

Do you have any projects in your closet that you would love to recreate, but are nervous to start? Let me know, I would LOVE to talk about it!

(This month's sewing project tutorial is going to be all about how to create your own knock off pattern! So if your favorite article of clothing is looking a little worse for wear, this tutorial will be perfect for you.)