Valetines Day Sweatshirt

 

 This is something I made a long time ago for my son, but I wanted to participate in Crafts In Bloom project to re-fashion an article of clothing and I wasn't able to get what I had planned to make done.   He is 16 now and is horrified at thought that I ever dressed him to look "cute"

I posted a how-to over at http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/valentineCut Out and Keeps-day-sweatshirt.   It is super simple and very inexpensive and doesn't require any sewing; just used Heat'n Bond and ironed on the appliques/hearts and red and white fabric paint to finish the edges and lettering.

5 Minute No Sew Elf Skirt or Cape

To get more in the Christmas spirit, I decided to turn an old oversized sweatshirt into a Elf skirt, but it could also be worn as a cape.  It is based on the the 5 Minute No Sew T-Shirt to Skirt tutorial that I posted previously.  

All you need is:

• A red or green oversized sweatshirt
  
• Scissors
• 1 1/2 - 2 yds of ribbon
• Safety pin
  

On this the only difference is that I cut off the sleeves, then cut across the neckline then cut notches into the bottom (which was formerly the top of the sweatshirt).  

Use the scissors to cut a small hole in the bottom (which will now be the waistline casing) of the sweatshirt and thread the ribbon through the waistline casing and voilà, you have and elf skirt or elf cape.

UGLY BUT COMFY SWEATSHIRT MADE INTO A HOODIE

This was my first attempt and converting a sweatshirt to a pullover hoodie. I started with a plain black sweatshirt and cut off the ribbing at the neckline, sleeves and bottom.

I then used my son's hooded sweatshirt to make a "pattern" for the hood and the kangaroo pocket in front and used a Norman Rockwell "Freedom of Worship" flannel fabric that I bought at Hancock Fabrics for $1 yd.

While some parts of it turned out well, like the neckline:

and the hood,

others did not, specifically the kangaroo pocket.

It is uneven on the sides, is crooked and I tried the starburst stitch on my sewing machine and it was inconsistent depending on the bulk of the fabric - in some areas it is heavy and in other areas sparse.

I had planned on adding matching fabric to the bottom of the sleeve, but as it didn't turn out how I wanted I scratched that idea and just wear it as an around the house shirt. Even though it is ugly it is very warm and comfortable and my new fav around the house sweatshirt, so not it was not a total bust.