recycle your old sweater – DIY

January 22, 2014

I didn’t wear this short sleeve, cowl neck sweater at all last winter (please excuse the glow-in-the-dark jewelry, it was Halloween!).

Instead of tossing it, I’m transforming it into three different, fashion-forward accessories, a short infinity scarf, boot toppers, and a pillow for my sofa. My old (but hardly worn) sweater, will live to fight another day!

sweaterI have pulled out my sewing machine for this one, but these three items can be created with a mixture of no-sew fabric glue and hand-sewing (and I’m talking very basic hand sewing).

First, cut away the sleeves and cowl neck from the sweater. Fold the cut edges of each sleeve and the neck piece approximately 1/2 inch under and sew in a similar color thread (or glue). That’s all you need to do for the fashion accessories! The sleeves have become the boot toppers, wear them upside down so the former sleeve hem can be seen peeking over the top of your favorite riding boots. The cowl is, of course, your new infinity scarf. Wear it with a white t-shirt and jacket for a casual but polished look.

boot toppersscarfThe body of the sweater will become the pillow cover. You can cut the scooped neckline off, but I’m just folding mine over to prevent the sweater unraveling. Turn the sweater inside out and fold the neckline over so you have a straight line parallel with the bottom hem of the sweater. Sew (hand or machine) straight across this fold. Sew 4-6 inches from the edge in from each side, along the bottom hem of the sweater leaving an opening in the center. Turn the sweater back to the right side facing out and insert the pillow. Hand sew the opening shut and you have a cozy new sweater pillow.

sweater pillow

pillow

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1 Comment
    1. Wow you are incredible! I think I should drop a bag of my old ones for you to repurpose. Trace you are a never ending inspiration to us all!

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