Junky Styling refashion: bat-back jumper-dress

Instructions

Annika Sanders from Junky Styling shows how to make this bat-back jumper/dress from two old, pre-worn jumpers.

You will need:

  • 2 jumpers
  • scissors
  • sewing machine, overlocker or needle and thread
  • dress maker's dummy (optional)
  • dress maker's dummy (optional)

Click on the links below for detailed instructions:

Step 1

Step 1

Take two big jumpers. It doesn't matter if they are made of a different fabric, as long as they are of the same size. Turn them inside out. You will be doing the same thing to each of them. If you are doing this for the first time, you might want to use some old jumpers, in case you make mistakes.

Step 2

Step 2

Take one of the jumpers and slice the seam from the bottom of the side edge, all the way along the sleeve to the armhole. Repeat on the other side of the jumper. Try to keep the jumper as flat as possible and peel away the seam while you cut it.

Step 3

Step 3

Repeat the previous step with the other jumper.

Step 4

Step 4

Open out both jumpers and lay them one on top of the other (wrong side up) so the neck holes of both are as centred as possible. The length of the body of the two jumpers must be the same. If one jumper is particularly wide compared to the other, you can cut it down.

Step 5

Step 5

Pin the side seams of the jumpers together all around (remember to leave holes at the top, bottom and sides for the head and arms). If you put the pins in at right angles to the line you will sew, you can stitch straight over them on a machine without removing the pins first.

Step 6

Step 6

Sew the two jumpers together on each of the four seams, from the bottom edge to the edge of the sleeve. Leave about one centimetre seam allowance (you might want to increase this if the edges are not exactly the same). This design needs an overlocker to secure the edges, but if you don't have one, you can sew a straight line along the line you have drawn and use a zig zag stitch to finish off the edges.

Step 7

Step 7

Turn the garment the right way and put it on and check how it looks. You might want to slim down the sleeves, ruche the neck (see UD-Shrug for an example of how to do this) or slim the skirt section of the garment.

Step 8

Step 8

You can wear the garment in different ways. Try using the old neck hole and letting the top part of the garment drape down the back like a cape.

Download the full instructions

Download 'How to make a bat-back jumper/dress' (PDF file, 386 KB)

Related content

Related images from the collections

Paper dollFashion plateDress with swagEvening dressEvening dressDressDressEvening dress and petticoat
Search the Collections home

Donate to the Stained Glass Appeal

We are currently working on an exciting project to conserve and re-install the original stained glass on the landings of the Manfred and Lydia Gorvy Lecture Theatre. We need your help to raise £75,000 to bring these historical features back to their former glory for us all to enjoy.

Give now

Shop online

'Mindy' Dress (Size 8) - Coast for the V&A

'Mindy' Dress (Size 8) - Coast for the V&A

The perfect fitted sleeveless cocktail dress in a jacquard weave, tailored to skim over the hips for a flawless and chic silhouette.

Buy now

Event - Back-packs & Trails

Sat 27 December 2008–Mon 31 December 2012

FAMILY EVENT: Journey across the V&A with fantastic stories, games and multi-sensory materials. Choose from Back-Packs, trails or, for the under 5s, an Agent Animal bag.

More details
  • China Flag
  • Japan Flag
  • France Flag
  • Germany Flag
  • Italy Flag
  • Spain Flag
  • Russia Flag
  • Poland Flag
  • Arabic Script
Sign up for our e-newsletter Explore A-Z Search the Collections