Back this summer I picked up a bunh sweaters for cheap at thrift stores to put away for the winter. When I pulled them out to list some in my Etsy shop I realized I had been a little too hasty in my buying and not noticed that this one lovely sweater actually had quite a few big holes in it. I was totally crushed, and just couldn't bring myself to throw it away. It sat in my work room for a few months before it hit me - mittens! I remembered this post Elsie did about making an old sweater into mittens and decided it was the best way to go. But I did mine a little different since it was really important to me save the cute little deer that were right in the middle of the chest, which meant I wouldn't have the cuff parts like how she did.
So, I did mine a little different. I acutally did take some photos of the process, but accidentily erased them off my camera before I uploaded them. It was really easy though, so if you need to do the same hopefully you can follow my sometimes strange brain process...
Start by cutting down the side seams of the sweater so that you have the front and the back in two sperate peices and lay them out flat. Then figure out what part of the sweater you want for your mittens. Trace around your hands and then cut them out (go wide around your hand - you can always sew them smaller but you don't want them too tight!). If you also had to cut out of the middle of your sweater, like me, you'll need to make the wrist bands too. Use the bottom waist band of your sweater, cutting to fit your wrists with about 1/4 for the seam, then cut in half. Sew the one half of your wrist band to the top peice of your mitten (right sides together!) and the other half to the bottom peices, then sew both peices you now have together (once again, right sides!). Repeat for other mitten. You can always try them on once you're done and if they're not snug enough for you just flip them inside out again and sew a little smaller.
It actually was pretty easy, even with the extra complication, I just had to take my time and think through everything before I did it, which was hard since I'm pretty hasty with crafts sometimes! Hope this helps those of you who might find yourself in a similar predicament. It's great to have a way to save cute sweaters that get ruined - I just couldn't bear throwing one with deer on it away! If I come across another sweater I need to do this too I'll definitely take some process pictures that way it's a little clearer (pictures are always better, am I right?).
Has anyone else tried making mittens into sweaters?
These are really cute. But honestly, it seems like you take a lot of DIYs from A Beautiful Mess and claim them as your own.
Posted by: Julie | January 30, 2013 at 08:35 AM
hm, did you use a sewing machine? Or did you hand sew? I have some sweaters I think need to retire at the end of this season.
Kim
http://loopsoflavender.blogspot.com/
Posted by: kim | January 30, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Hi Julie - I do do a lot of DIYs from A Beautiful Mess, as that blog is very inspiring and full of great ideas. However, I never claim them as my own - I always link back and say outright that that's where it came from and only do directions on my blog if I changed/added/or had trouble that they didn't talk about on theirs.
On the other token, I've seen people literally steal original DIYs from me and NOT link back. I firmly believe in giving credit where credit is due, so you'll find that even if I was simply inspired by something and didn't even use their DIY I still link back.
Posted by: FineandFeathered | January 30, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Sorry Kim - I did use a sewing machine! I would say that you certainly could hand sew if you need too, but you'll probably want to "baby" them since they just won't be as strong as using a machine.
Posted by: FineandFeathered | January 30, 2013 at 10:16 AM
They're great! And I've always been impressed with your diligence in linking back to anyone you were inspired by. In this age of pinterest and a billion blogs that all do the same thing, it's easy to just copy something and take credit for the idea. I don't even feel comfortable taking credit when someone compliments me in person for something I found on a blog. While not all ideas are original (it's hard to have an original idea with Pinterest around!) respecting the person you were inspired by is just plain polite!
Good job.
Posted by: Laura | January 30, 2013 at 10:45 AM
I love this!! Sadly, I do not own any funky sweaters like this (or else I'd actually wear them lol) but I'll be making a trip to Salvation Army so I can make a few pairs of these, love it!!
Posted by: Caitlin | January 30, 2013 at 12:39 PM
Thanks, Laur! Very true, there's so much out there already it's hard to not be inspired by someone else's projects or just want to do them! I don't think there's anything wrong with that at all, just as long as you link back:)
Posted by: FineandFeathered | January 30, 2013 at 01:15 PM
Sounds great, Caitlin! If you blog about it, make sure you leave me a link so I can check 'em out:)
Posted by: FineandFeathered | January 30, 2013 at 01:17 PM
These mittens turned out adorably!
Posted by: Amanda | January 30, 2013 at 01:31 PM
They are awesome!
Posted by: Kim | January 30, 2013 at 02:26 PM
Those are adorable! Great job saving the sweater! :)
http://2ndhandknowledge.wordpress.com
Posted by: Maggie | January 30, 2013 at 06:15 PM
these are cute! love them.
Posted by: mariana | February 1, 2013 at 07:47 PM
So cute :).
Posted by: Cinnamon & Thyme | February 10, 2013 at 12:39 PM