Caring For Vintage Ladies Cardigans - By: Vikram kuamr

A vintage ladies cardigan in good repair can be a great find. But knitwear in general is rarely found in perfect condition, and will usually require some repairs, and special care when storing and cleaning. If you’re buying vintage ladies cardigans for the first time, here are some tips for repairs and care that you can do yourself. It’s always best to avoid the expense of a specialist tailor if possible, and much more satisfying to restore an item to its original beauty without outside help. And it’s surprising easy to care for most vintage clothes, including knitwear, as long as you are prepared to do a little by hand.

If you’ve fallen in love with, and bought, a cardigan that’s worn or even holed, hopefully you’ll have looked at the necessary repairs before hand over your cash, and got yourself a good price that takes your valuable time into account. Depending on the kind of yarn the clothing is made from, you may be able to find a close match and darn through the existing yarn to make a relatively invisible mend. If the damaged area is relatively unobtrusive, such as under the arm, where a lot of wear occurs, your repairs won’t be on show for close scrutiny anyway.

If your item has a hole or has already been patched, the best alternative may be to simply cover up the area. Consider an appliqué patch on shoulders or front panels, for example. If you pick the patch carefully, you can sometimes make it look as though it was part of the original design. Or, if the damage is lower down on the front, you could add a patch pocket or two in fabric or lace, or even knit a patch yourself in a contrasting or coordinating colour, to create a truly unique, yet still vintage piece.

With a worn hem, collars, or cuffs, lace may again be your saving grace. A narrow lace edging stitched through the existing knitwear, and backed with either edging tape or ribbon, can look beautiful and actually add to the attractiveness of vintage clothes. If you can find some lace that comes from the period, great, but if not, there are plenty of vintage-style lace ribbons and collars available that will still look fantastic. Do be careful, though, to attach the lace and the underlying tape or ribbon loosely enough so that it doesn’t pull the cardigan out of shape, or make it impossible to get your arms through the sleeves!

Finally, although many clothes (including modern ones) carry labels that stipulate dry cleaning only, most fabrics can be hand-washed (ideally in detergent-free soap) without detrimental effect. Obviously, a few trimming fabrics (such as furs, real or fake) and some decorative items, such as metal or mother of pearl buttons, may need special care, but it’s easy to check online to find out what cleaners to use if you know what the items are made of. If in doubt, remove the items before washing and simply clean with a soft cloth before replacing. Hand wash, blot dryish, shape while damp, and dry all knitwear flat on a clothes horse with a towel or cloth underneath it to avoid line marks, and you should find your vintage clothes can last another lifetime!

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Alternatively, why not try new ladies cardigans and other items in vintage clothes styles, which you can find online and at Siren London. You might find the perfect piece, and of course it will be brand new!

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