I had a big problem…and I do mean BIG. It was a sweater from my plus-size days that I just couldn’t get rid of. After all, I had brought it from the US with me on my move to Australia and I loved the snow flakes on it, but it’s now many sizes too big. So I finally decided to up-cycle my sweater and do a little DIY with the help of a few buttons.
Snowflake sweater and a selection of buttons
The original sweater: Maybe the snowflakes remind me of my years in Denver? They aren’t the most gorgeous but I couldn’t face giving them away. After seeing some pillows on Pinterest made from old sweaters and loving how my creative friend K at Pillows-ala-mode adds buttons to pillows, I was inspired to give it a go myself.
My biggest obstacle was going to be the fact that I don’t own a sewing machine and really am not much of a seamstress. But I thought I could probably do a pillow or two.
Sleeve Beanie
Beanie: I used part of one of the sleeves and a strip of the ribbing that was around the neck to create this cute little beanie.
Many Pillows and More!
Much More: Once I finish stuffing the last two pillows I will have 5 pillows, 1 coffee cup holder, 1 beanie and 3 Christmas tree ornaments.
Pillows and a coffee cup holder
Coffee Cup Holder: For the coffee cup holder I just used a piece of one of the cuffs and a floral button. I like the envelope pillow, it’s part of the bottom of the sweater with the edge pulled over and stitched with a button to look like and envelope. The next pillow back is an ode to the sweater. I used the top front of the sweater with the neck ribbing cut out. Folded it in half and used the other cuff to look like neck ribbing. Then added a button at the top (shoulder) for decoration. The largest pillow was the first one, made from most of the bottom front of the sweater, with the ribbing and a plain piece from the back. I stitched it closed at the ribbing and added three buttons for fun.
Envelope style Pillow
Christmas Ornaments: After using all the other bigger pieces and all the ribbing, I had three of the smaller snowflakes left so I cut them into circles with a plain piece from the surrounding areas and added some ribbon so they will hang from the branch of the Christmas tree next year.
I just about managed to up-cycle all of the original sweater! There were a few small pieces of plain green and the two shoulder pads left over. Yes, shoulder pads! That is how old this sweater was! It all turned out pretty well considering I have such little talent for sewing and no sewing machine but I am really happy with all my new creations made by my up-cycled sweater DIY.
What do you think? Do I pass the novice up-cycler test? Any pieces you like best? What might you have created from this old sweater?
Related articles
- Upcycled Sweater Pillows (judysturman.typepad.com)
- Top 5 DIY Pillows (mjtrim.com)
- Sweater wreath :: upcycled (bargainhoot.com)
- Crafty Christmas Projects for Upcycling Old Sweaters (craftingagreenworld.com)
- Our Pillows Got Cold, So I Made Them Sweaters (bandbbuildalife.com)
- DIY upcycled sweater project (sevendaywardrobe.wordpress.com)
January 28th, 2013 at 00:06
Now that’s impressive!!!
January 28th, 2013 at 00:29
Why thank you!
It helps that the sweater was huge.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 00:19
Hi Laura,
First, you’re so crafty! Second, that sweater has Northern New England written all over it.
Jodie
January 28th, 2013 at 00:31
Thanks Jodie!
I loved the sweater and print so when I finally decided to do something nice with it, all has worked well.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 02:00
How clever is that!
January 28th, 2013 at 09:40
Why thank you.
Inspired by others.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 02:43
I love the ornaments.
January 28th, 2013 at 09:41
thanks!
I thought they turned out kind of cute and as I am a big ornament collector it seemed like a good idea.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 03:38
Someone’s gettin’ crafty
Very creative love!
Paula
Impressed Stylist
January 28th, 2013 at 09:42
Thanks Paula!
I’m always crafty…just not always in a good way
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 04:49
Everything looks great, but I just love the coffee cup holder. I’ve never seen that before!
January 28th, 2013 at 09:43
Thank you!
I totally got the idea from Pillows-a-la-mode when she remade my jacket.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 05:39
Brava….great DIY!!!!
January 28th, 2013 at 09:44
Thank you!
I’m really pleased with how the parts all turned out.
Especially the pillows.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 06:39
Look at you go!!! I love them all!!!
January 28th, 2013 at 09:44
Well Thank you Madam Inspiration!
I thought it was worth a try to turn it into something useful.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 07:47
Too cute Laura. I am not that handy. You did a wonderful job.
January 28th, 2013 at 09:46
Thanks Gail!
Trust me, I’m not that handy either.
I just loved the print on the sweater and thought, I’ll give it a try.
I’m really more of a glue gun kind of girl.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 10:14
Wow… quite impressive Laura! Such a cute idea! I love them all but I think the ornaments are my favorite! So adorable! I think you are an official DIYer!
xo, Kenya
January 28th, 2013 at 10:32
Thanks Kenya!
I do like to actually make things sometimes, I’m just not the most patient person.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 11:36
Love the beanie, i am going to remember that idea! c
January 28th, 2013 at 15:08
Thanks Cecilia!
I was rather impressed with myself for coming up with that one.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 12:31
Wow you’re so crafty! I love the ornaments.. super cute!
January 28th, 2013 at 15:09
Thanks Mandy!
I do like to be a little creative and crafty sometimes and I’m a |HUGE fan of Christmas ornaments so it seemed a natural.
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 14:53
Well done! This sort of things is so much fun and right up my alley. I love the beanie and those cute little ornaments. Adorable.
January 28th, 2013 at 15:13
Thanks Alys!
I’m really not much of a sewer but thought I could do pillows easily enough. Then when I had some odd bits left over I wanted to use all of the sweater so I got more creative.With the beanie I thought if it doesn’t work I can take it apart and create more ornaments!
Cheers,
Laura
January 28th, 2013 at 16:21
That’s half the fun!
January 28th, 2013 at 19:35
It was kind of cool to see what I could come up with.
So much so that I’ll probably try it again sometime.
January 29th, 2013 at 11:00
Absolutely! Now that you’ve done one project, you’ll be looking at your wardrobe with a critical eye.
Years ago I bought some beautiful French cotton to make a dress (which I didn’t like). I refashioned it into a skirt instead. I later remade it again into shorts for a trip to Hawaii. I was so sorry when they finally wore out.
January 29th, 2013 at 13:51
I’m going to have to get a sewing machine and learn to sew if I decide to get that creative!
January 28th, 2013 at 17:36
Re-cycling is the way to go – so creative, and good looking…
I used my husband’s old fair isle jumpers for cushions – old jumpers are so cosy as cushions, aren’t they….
January 28th, 2013 at 19:37
Ohhhh! Those would have been lovely!
I really like how jumpers look and the sense of homeliness that you get from them turned into pillows.
It makes me want to go to the op shop and find some more material to work with.
January 29th, 2013 at 03:55
Wow! That is such a good idea! It looks stunning, wow, thanks for sharing the idea, got loads of jumpers I can give a ‘make-over’!
January 29th, 2013 at 08:51
Thanks!
Would love to see some pics when you do make them over.
Cheers,
Laura
February 17th, 2013 at 06:20
Hello, I just found you via Sylvia’s 40+ Style Blog Roll. Very nice looking blog and I look forward to reading some post.
Your upcycled sweater is brilliant. I have made sweaters myself, but your ornaments and cup holder are so cute. And great little reminders of snowy winters.
Sue xo
February 17th, 2013 at 09:06
Thanks Sue!
That was why I couldn’t get rid of the sweater, it reminded me of the beautiful white winters in Colorado.
Now every year when we put the Christmas Tree up I have a nice memory with the snowflakes.
Cheers,
Laura