I have had several sweaters laying around my office / craft room that I purchased some months ago from Goodwill (remember this post). I had already felted them and they were just waiting for my creativity to get a hold of them. Except that was the problem……..I just didn’t really have too many ideas that motivated me to do anything with them……until today!
I decided to take a felted woman’s turtleneck and turn it into a little cardigan for my sweet Savannah Rose. So here’s what I started with:
And here is what I ended up with:
The felting REALLY reduced the original size of the sweater so I took off about 2-3 inches on the bottom, but that was it.
Here is a picture of the front. I used fabric covered buttons that coordinated with the ruffle I used on the back.
The ruffle is a piece of fabric that I folded in half and attached to the collar. I also put a coordinating ribbon underneath the collar so in case it pops up (while playing), you won’t see any raw edges.
I cuffed the sleeve to make it the right length for my daughter. I added some piping and cute pink trim and then stitched the cuff in place.
It is so fun to take something that has been discarded by someone else and turn it into something fabulous. Maybe you have an old sweater laying around that you are just waiting to donate – well don’t!! Change it up with a pair of scissors and some trim and you’ve got a new look for just pennies!!
Cottage Mama’s Note: If you have never felted before, it is super easy and very fun. What you need is a 100% wool sweater – if you can’t tell, usually wool sweaters say “dry clean only” on the washing instructions.
Take your “dry clean only” sweater and throw it in your washing machine on the highest heat setting possible. It’s a good idea to put your sweater in a lingerie bag so you don’t clog the machine with all the wool lint. You will know your sweater is felted when it looks like one piece of fabric all tight together and should be considerably smaller. You may have to run it through the wash several times.
Once your sweater is felted, I like to run mine through a hot dryer as well. Felted wool is awesome because when you cut it, you do not have to worry about it fraying. If you’ve ever worked with fleece, it’s sort of the same concept – no worrying about finished edges – yippee!!
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
Love it! What a cute idea!
Very impressive!
I love the end result! I always thought felting was real hard! I need to start looking for sweaters bcuz in Az no one is going to miss them!! Thx for sharing!
Wow super cute! Love it
No, felting is super-easy! Visit your local thrift store – sometimes the men’s section is the best because you can buy a HUGE sweater for super cheap – that way you have tons of fabric to use once it is felted.
If you have any questions about felting, feel free to ask!! I can help you any way I can :-).
Lindsay
So flipping CUTE!!!!! I’m so going to try this…. Now to find me a cheap wool sweater!!
:)Rachel
So so cute! I love the ruffle in the back. Adorable. I am going to try this one out!
XOXO
Jen
Just beautiful! I love it!
I’ve been hoarding my husband’s old wool sweaters that his grandmother gave him….knowing I would find a project someday!
Thanks!
I love how this turned out – so cute!
I have a question – how do you care for the garment now? Can it be washed on a delicate setting or does it have to be handwashed? Thanks!
Elizabeth – It is fine to wash it with the rest of the laundry – I just make sure to wash it in cold water and air dry. I do have to iron the ruffle on the back if I want it to look as neat and tidy. Felted wool is the best – so easy and once felted, no real special care!!
Lindsay, What a wonderful way to help the earth.
You did a fantstic job girlfriend. just subscribed to your blog and cant wait for the emails.
God Bless
Vanessa
This is so super cute!! I have all boys so I’m thinking of something that looks kind of like a sailor cardigan would be cute for them. Otherwise, I see my niece’s Christmas project for next week. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!