Upcycle Project! From Sweater to Sweater Jacket!
I bought this sweater a few years back because the fabric is soft and fluffy, but I never wear it because the collar is too tight! If I could just open that collar up; then it occurred to me – upcycle into a sweater jacket by adding a zipper.
Supplies:
- 22” separating zipper (measure in the center of the sweater from the top of the collar to the hemline to determine the length of the zipper)
- 4 pieces of vinyl cut the length of the center front by 3” wide
- Fusible interfacing 2” wide by the length of the center front of the sweater, including the collar
- Non-stick foot
- Zipper foot
- Universal thread in coordinating color
- THE Dream Machine
Prep the Sweater
- Start by marking the center front of the sweater. I am marking the sweater a contrasting color thread, if the fabric allows you can use a fabric marking pen or tailors chalk.
- Turn the sweater inside out. Center the fusible interfacing along the center of the sweater and press in place.
- Cut along the center marking, from hem to the top of the collar.
Sew the Zipper to the Vinyl
- Line up each side of the zipper with the vinyl as shown. Stitch along the edge of the zipper teeth.
- Be sure to push the zipper head out of the way while stitching along the zipper teeth.
- With right sides together, layer another piece of vinyl. Stitch. Try to stitch along the same stitch.
- You have a choice to finish the ends of the vinyl or just cut off the edges. The vinyl doesn’t fray, so either looks great! In order to finish the edges, sew the edge as shown.
- Trim the corner, so when the fabric is folded there won’t be any extra bulk. 😊
- Change the foot to a NON-STICK FOOT and choose the triple stitch (1-05 on THE Dream Machine), and change the stitch length to 4.5. Move the needle close to the zipper by adjusting the width.
- Stitch along the edge of the zipper as shown.
- Lay the vinyl flat and trim the width of the zipper to the vinyl down to 1 ½” or 1 ¾” – either width will work.
Attach the Vinyl to the Sweater
- With right sides together, line up the vinyl with the edge of the sweater as shown.
- Use fabric clips to secure the vinyl to the sweater knit.
- Change the stitch to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 3.5. Stitch with a ½” seam allowance.
- Trim the edge of the vinyl at the top of the collar. (Trim at the bottom of the sweater if you didn’t finish the edges as shown previously).
That’s it! The sweater is now more of a sweater-jacket and I can hardly wait to wear it. On a side note - If you can’t find vinyl to match your sweater, you could just sew in the exposed zipper. Can’t wait to see your upcycled sweaters! #brothersews #angelawolf
Cheers,
Angela
Related Projects
Stay Connected
* Required fields
Follow Us
- Product Support
- Product Support Assistant
- Terms of Sale
- Product-Registration
- Search Supplies/Accessories
- Ordering & Shipping Information
- Ordering & Account FAQs
- View Order Status
- Warranty & Extended Warranty Information
- Recall Information
- Return Policy
- Security Support Information(Opens in a new tab)
- Contact Brother
