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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle A Thrift Store Sweater

  • Completed Project: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle A Thrift Store Sweater Picture #1

Recycle a thrift store sweater into a snappy new bag!

Take that cute wool sweater you accidentally washed & dried or a snazzy thrift store find and turn it into a cute recycled tote!

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  1. Step 1

    Step 1

    Collect Supplies

  2. Step 2

    Step 2

    Cut a square or rectangle out of the body of the sweater, cut the same dimensions from lining fabric,
    remove sweater arms.


  3. Step 3

    Step 3

    Split sleeves up seam and cut off the tops for pockets.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4

    Cut rectangles out of the sleeve tops, cut same dimensions +1.5" in length for lining.


  5. Step 5

    Step 5

    Using the remaining scraps, cut out 2 circles and trim circles into free form flowers.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6

    Cut 2" squares out of the bottom left and right, repeat for lining fabric.

  7. Step 7

    Step 7

    Create a long tube from lining fabric for inside pockets, pin pockets to inside, mark center with chalk
    for stitching line

  8. Step 8

    Step 8

    Pin sides and bottom, stitch, leave 2" corners open, leave opening in the bottom for turning.

  9. Step 9

    Step 9

    Fold 2” cut out matching side and bottom seams.

  10. Step 10

    Step 10

    The bottom should look like this.

  11. Step 11

    Step 11

    Add magnetic snaps following package directions. Leave enough seam allowance at the top for
    stitching recommend 1" or more, using a folded piece of scrap fabric to reinforce the snap. Stitch
    around snap to reinforce extra fabric.

  12. Step 12

    Step 12

    Pin sweater pocket to lining, right sides together (lining should be 1.5" longer), stitch ends.

  13. Step 13

    Step 13

    Line up bottom of pocket, pin, then stitch sides. Leave an opening for turning.

  14. Step 14

    Step 14

    Trim corners, turn pocket & pin openings.

  15. Step 15

    Step 15

    Stitch side seams of bag, leaving bottom open.

  16. Step 16

    Step 16

    Pin pockets over side seams (right side), then stitch to attach.

  17. Step 17

    Step 17

    Stitch across bottom.

  18. Step 18

    Step 18

    Fold 2" cut out, matching side & bottom seams, pin & stitch.

  19. Step 19

    Step 19

    The inside bottom should look like this.

  20. Step 20

    Step 20

    Trim sleeves to desired width - 5" or 6" recommended.

  21. Step 21

    Step 21

    Pin ends of two sleeves together, stitch & trim seam.

  22. Step 22

    Step 22

    Fold lengthwise, stitch, leaving approx. 6" open for turning.

  23. Step 23

    Step 23

    Turn right side out & smooth opening. Stitch closed with a tight whip stitch.

  24. Step 24

    Step 24

    Pin strap to side seams, matching right sides, stitch.

  25. Step 25

    Step 25

    Making sure the straps are inside, pin lining to outside, right sides together, stitch.

  26. Step 26

    Step 26

    Turn bag right side out, through opening in the lining. Pin opening in lining and stitch.

  27. Step 27

    Step 27

    Turn lining inside, smooth and pin, top stitch ¼".

  28. Step 28

    Step 28

    Stitch flower to center of each side over snap, stitch button on top. Done!

Versions (2)


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Midnight Flower

Midnight Flower

29 Jan 18:09

This is so cool! I love the flower.
Well Done!

Cat Morley

Cat Morley

29 Jan 19:02

That looks great, what a good idea.

nicgee

nicgee

29 Jan 19:20

Love it! I recently made a similar shaped bag with a pair of worn out jeans lined with a child's stretchy cotton T shirt, must get round to posting up pics :).

Joni

Joni

29 Jan 21:15

awesome I liuv it, xx

ofenjen

ofenjen

29 Jan 21:19

Wow, thanks for all the compliments! *blush*

athenamat

athenamat

30 Jan 01:31

Great tut.

Dolly

Dolly

02 Feb 02:10

Very cute! I saw one like it at a store for 35 dollars and it wasn't even as cool. It was just the sleeves and the bottem sewn shut. Your's is much better!

ofenjen

ofenjen

02 Feb 02:41

$35? Wow! Mine probably cost $3 or $4. The sweater was $1.25 and I had everything else. Yay for thrift stores finds!

Tigerbaby1981

Tigerbaby1981

11 Mar 19:15

Soo cute :) I have just the sweater for a bag like that. Its almost the same sweater but its light pastal colors!

ofenjen

ofenjen

13 Mar 21:48

sounds perfect!

Jacqueline C.

Jacqueline C.

18 Nov 22:56

Love it! I did a similar thing with an old favourite top, but I've only just noticed your tutorial. Going to try it out with an old jumper.

Grace A.

Grace A.

11 Apr 20:00

so that's what to do with a shrunken sweater. so relieved to finally know.

ofenjen Posted By:
ofenjen »
January 29, 2008 17:47

I'm selling this item here  »
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