Seams And Scissors

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Quilting
    • Baby Quilts
    • Bed Quilts
    • Mini Quilts
    • Quilt Blocks
    • Throws & Lap Quilts
  • Sewing
    • Accessories
    • Clothing
    • Decor
  • Tutorials
  • Giveaways

Upcycled Sweatshirt to Classy Cardigan

January 16, 2021 by Carolyn

Carolyn Wainscott back again with a sweatshirt makeover into a classy cardigan. My fave old throw-over cardigan that I work in around the house and have even run errands in (in fact, I have it on as I write this piece!) was created by simply whacking off the sleeves to the length I wanted and cutting open down the center front. I favor 3/4-length sleeves. That took about 3 or 4 minutes—no sewing, no trims.

However, I wanted something a little more refined to wear out. I have looked for a long time to replace a couple of old cardigans with pockets but haven’t been successful. It was easier to find sweatshirts that would do the job. The sweatshirts were bought a couple of sizes too large to fit over other sweaters.

Shopping in my stash yielded fabrics to match the sweatshirts for pockets, cuffs, and edge trim. One afternoon’s work turned out 2 sweatshirt cardigans. Two pairs of sweatpants also had to be cut shorter and hemmed. I don’t like the elastic around the ankles, so now they have a dressier look. They were on sale for $5 in the men’s department, they fit nicely, and they match the sweatshirts.

Cuffs:

Measure the length for your sleeves. You may choose to leave the sleeve as is, but I wanted matching cuffs.

Measure around the sleeve bottom—mine were 15″—and cut 2-16″ x 9″

Sew 9″ sides, right sides together. Turn right sides out and fold in half, wrong sides together.

dsc05817

Sew inside sleeves. Fold to outside of sleeve and top stitch all around the cuffs.

dsc05824

Cut down the center front and around the neckline, thereby removing ribbing.

dsc05818 dsc05819

Bias Strip:

Cut bias strip: 2″ wide x the length around front sides and neckline. Mine was about 86″.

Fold to wrong side and press 1/2″ on each long side to create a double fold bias strip.

dsc05820

Fold in 1/2″ on one end of bias strip.

Sew bias strip to the inside front, starting at the bottom of one side. Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew all around front, neckline, and down the other front side to the bottom of the ribbing. Make sure to fold under 1/2″ at the other end of the strip.

dsc05822

Fold 1/2″ bias strip over the edge and sew all around.

dsc05823

For the blue cardigan, I chose not to finish the front edges with bias (truthfully, I kind of ran out of material—LOL). The edges were simply folded over and stitched all around.

Pockets:

Cut 2-16″ x 8″.

Fold in half, right sides facing, to create a square.

Sew around 3 sides, leaving 2″ open for turning.

Clip corners, turn right side out, and press.

Top stitch to cardigan.

Voila! You are done (unless you decide to add buttons, snaps, etc.)

dsc05826 dsc05830

sweatshirt-cardigan-3

Toasty warm and ready to go.

It took longer to write about the sweatshirt makeovers than to make both of them. I’m pleased with the way  they both turned out, love the big pockets-that is the main reason for making these-the pockets.

Happy Crafting

Carolyn Wainscott

www.carolynscanvas.blogspot.com

What’s been your favorite refashioning project ever? Let us know below in the comments!

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Carolyn
Latest posts by Carolyn (see all)
  • Casserole Carrier Sewing Pattern - May 17, 2022
  • The “Almost Everything” Tote Bag Sewing Pattern - May 3, 2022
  • DIY Sewing Room Organizers - April 23, 2022

Filed Under: Clothing Tagged With: Carolyn Wainscott, Guest Post, Refashion/Upcycle, sweater, upcycle

Email Email Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS

Subscribe to the Seams and Scissors Newsletter.

Full Pattern Tutorials

Felt Storage Cube Tutorial With a Free Template

Easy Felt Storage Cube Tutorial

Love and Oven Mitts: Oven Mitt Pattern

Archives

More Recent Posts

11 Easy Quilt Patterns for a Perfect Picnic Blanket

Sewing Tip: How to Remove Stitch Marks From Your Fabric

23 A+ Apron Patterns

9 Helpful Quilting Tips Straight from Our Readers

Summer Style Preview: 15 Summer Sewing Patterns

See All Posts Here

Categories

Our Favorites

All the Essentials Baby Clutch

The Biggest Selection of Free Bag Sewing Patterns!

Sewing

23 A+ Apron Patterns

23 A+ Apron Patterns

Quilting

11 Easy Quilt Patterns for a Perfect Picnic Blanket

Tips

Sewing Tip: How to Remove Stitch Marks From Your Fabric

Baby Patterns

What We Loved This Week: Baby Sewing Projects

Free eBooks

How to Make a T-Shirt Quilt: New Free eBook!

Full Projects

Door Stop Tutorial from So Much Better With Age

Prime Publishing Craft Group
Copyright © 2022 · SeamsandScissors.com - A Prime Publishing LLC property. All rights reserved.

About Us Advertise Contact Us FAQs Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Subscribe Terms of Service Unsubscribe

Copyright © 2022 · Tidy Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in