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Upcycling a Sweater • 3rd Penny Pinching Party

Wednesday, October 14, 2009


I'm also linking up to Reinvented's Trash to Treasure party today. Kimm is a great example of upcycling!


Upcycling is "The practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value" From the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart.


As I was cleaning out my garage and getting ready to take a load of unwanted clothes to the thrift store, I had an idea. I started looking at the pile of clothes and seeing them in different forms and uses. I decided it wouldn't hurt to cut some clothes up and try upcycling since I was getting rid of them anyway.


I bought this sweater for my husband years ago, early into our marriage before I knew that he doesn't wear sweaters. It had a lot of use left in it since it was never worn.



1st I found a hat and traced the shape on the bottom part of the sweater. I sewed it up and finished it off with a zig-zag stitch. I put a flower clip that I had made on it so it can be switched out with different clips (Sorry about the yellow blobs in the pictures. I am very protective of my kids).

Then I cut the sleeves off and just sewed a zig-zag stitch to finish off the edges. I sewed the bottom of the sweater under and then did a zig-zag stitch.

I took the sleeves and cut the sides off so they were more straight. Then I sewed under the bottom edges and finished them off with a zig-zag stitch.




And that is how you upcycle!
Total cost for this project: $0
Total time: about 20 minutes




Now for my weekly
Penny Pinching Party!

Here are the rules:

  • Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address.

  • Link back to the party from your post so that your readers can join in the fun! If you have my Penny Pinching Party button on your blog I may even feature your link when I highlight my favorite Penny Pinching ideas next week.

  • 10 comments :

    1. Oh my God, you're a genius! I gotta learn to sew. Something tells me that's kind of a requirement for upcycling.

      - Margaret

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    2. That is just beyond clever and cool! The outfit is adorable!!

      Amy

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    3. I never would have thought of that. Very clever, cute and quite practical.
      Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

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    4. How fun! I've been meaning to try something like this for a long time. I love the leg warmers!
      Stopping by from SITS!

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    5. Oh my goodness, that is TOO cute! My husband doesn't wear sweaters, either, I've got a few that he's gotten as gifts, and I'm seeing them in a whole new light! :) Thanks for linking up!

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    6. This is engenious! Love the result, great job! Janell

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    7. What a wonderful idea! Love your blog ... will be visiting often.

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    8. Neato! I've yet to upcycle clothing...furniture yes, clothing not yet :O) Thanks for the ideas!
      I added your link to my list of blog parties too.
      peace.

      ReplyDelete