However, I finally discovered the perfect excuse to let it go . . . or at least to re-purpose it into something new! As I was reading through that pile of magazines Robbie picked up for me, a fun idea for giving old sweaters a new life as a pretty wreath jumped out at me. I pulled out that yellow sweater, along with two other sweaters that no longer fit me very well. (My old favorite is the one with the white & blue stripes.)
I tore the directions out of the magazine and gathered the few tools and supplies necessary to complete this project - a pair of scissors, some beading wire, and wire cutters
Then I cut those sweaters into 4"x4" squares. The directions suggested using 6-8 old sweaters to cut about 130 squares. Since I only had three sweaters, I was careful to cut as many squares as possible from each one. I ended up with almost 200 squares!
I sorted them so the different colors and textures would be spread throughout the wreath.
Then I folded each piece in half & threaded it onto a piece of the wire until it was full. Robbie helped me form a loop in the wire and hook the two ends together to form the wreath. I'm so excited to have this new wreath and to know that I'll be able to continue to enjoy my favorite sweater!
As it turned out, I only needed about 100 squares since my favorite sweater was so thick. So I promptly set about using the remaining pieces to make a second wreath . . . which I'm offering as a giveaway today! Please leave a comment and let me know if you've ever re-purposed old clothes into home décor. (Leave a comment before Friday, January 3, to be in the draw for this giveaway!)
What a cute idea and of course a yellow wreath is perfect for you :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous wreath! I think I've seen that sweater in photos before?!
ReplyDeleteI haven't repurposed clothing into decor, but I'm trying to figure out how to repurpose tshirts in dresses for Sophie at the moment.
OMGosh!!! That is about the cutest thing I've ever seen. Did you have a problem with raveling? Can you give a little more detail on how it is threaded on to the wire? Is is just poked through the middle? It would be great to do this with old Christmas sweaters! Thanks so much for sharing this Melissa! What a fun project for the new year!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I have just finished up a page for Get It Scrapped about the work shirts I have been saving to make a quilt with
A lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea, I love that not only is it happy and bright, but a lovely way to keep the memories
ReplyDeleteoh Melissa that's so cute! you know I repurpose things all the time, tshirt pillows/quilts, I've made blue jeans into a quilt... but I do love this!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful,Melissa....what a perfect way to use old sweaters.
ReplyDeleteI really didn’t have much trouble with unraveling, although there were lots of little pieces of yarn on my cutting table from the thicker sweater! LOL
ReplyDeleteYes, I just poked the wire through the middle of each sweater piece (after I folded it in half).
I agree, this would be a fun project with old Christmas sweaters.
Now that is awesome & oh so clever! What an awesome way to repurpose your much loved sweater!
ReplyDeleteI made a skirt and leg warmers out of an old sweater
ReplyDeleteThat's really clever and a great way to keep those memories!
ReplyDeleteI can't say I ever have - I'm not nearly that creative! I LOVE the yellow !
ReplyDeletemannasweeps (at) gmail DOT com
I've never re-purposed old clothes into home decor like you but this inspires me for sure! :)
ReplyDeleteI have never repurposed clothig into home decor but I have repurpsed into quilts. Maybe that counts?
ReplyDeleteNever done this before! But love the creativity behind this!
ReplyDeleteThis is super cute! I would never have thought about doing this.
ReplyDeleteYour wreaths are so much fun...and I LOVE how happy the yellow patterns look together! It looks like your blog is very happy too! :)
ReplyDelete