Since this seems to be the never-ending Winter, I thought I’d share a season-appropriate project I created for iVillage’s ’30 Days of DIY’ a few months ago….making mittens out of old sweaters!
Place hand on sweater, with the hem around your wrist, and thumb fully outstretched.
Draw around the hand with at least 1/4-inch allowance. Repeat this process twice with each hand.
Cut out your four hands, and align each mitten with right-side facing in, then pin in place.
Sew or hand-stitch, leaving the bottom at the hem open. Once you turn them right-side out, they shouldn’t look like this. I’m challenged when it comes to the sewing machine. It’s okay to laugh. And even point.
Hopefully your first attempt turns out more like my second…
And hopefully the person you made them for is this cute and happy with them!
My daughter is too hard on her clothes to save them anymore, so I picked up these sweaters at the thrift store. But in her early years, I would have loved to hang on to some of those precious outfits and re-purpose them!
I’ve got my eye on some sad-looking sweaters in my closet for my own custom pair. But we hit 70-degrees this weekend, so here’s hoping we’ve seen the last of mittens for awhile. Do you have a ‘special’ relationship with your sewing machine? Do you feel better about your skills now that you’ve witnessed mine?!
Your daughter is precious! I love that you repurposed something to make something so cute!
I love that your comments are called "witty retorts" – though now I feel under pressure lol. These mittens (and your daughter!) are so cute. Might have to crack out the needle and thread.
One day I hope to throw my sewing machine in the garbage. Until then, I will continue you curse my way through every single project. The mittens are adorable! Such a great idea.
Oh, those first ones are hysterical. Thanks for the good laughs! That's what it would look like if I tried it on the sewing machine too.
I wondered when those babies were making an appearance. LOVE the first pair!!!! She looks so adorable.
Those are just brilliant! The second ones…not the first. You aren't the only one who has had sewing mishaps. I can't tell you how many times I've had to rip apart a seam and redo it. My least favorite part of sewing. :/
Brilliant idea!
Your daughter is a cutie! I love the first pair you made! I can barely sew a straight line so I am inpressed.
OMG! Those are waaay too cute Cassie! I wish it was cold here (just for a day) so I had a reason to make them:)
Adorable! What a cute idea!
In my experience, nearly everyone, with a little guidance and practice, can become at least basically competent at the sewing machine.
It's much easier if you learn from someone else's mistakes so try to find someone who is further along on the sewing journey than you.
The right tool (sewing machine) makes a huge difference. Don't be tempted to buy one of the machines sold at Target or WalMart. Just don't. Buy used if necessary, but get a quality machine from a reputable dealer (most of whom will have used machines for sale).
A quick story: Once, when killing time, I went into JoAnn's. I wound up talking to the lady who had the "dealership" within the store. I learned that she had never sewn a stitch in her life, but had thought that buying a sewing machine dealership would be a good way to make some money. No wonder the bobbins in all her demo machines were wound backwards. Sigh.
A *reputable* dealership, friends. It makes all the difference in the world.
I LOVE that you showed that first pair for many reasons. First and foremost, it literally made me laugh out loud, which I really needed tonight! Also, I love it because so many people only show one side of themselves (the "perfect" side) and it's very refreshing to see the "real" you!! Thanks for the great idea, my daughter would love this.
OH MY GOODNESS! I laughed and laughed AND LAUGHED at your first pair. And I totally pointed too. But your 2nd pair? Now THAT'S impressive!
Ohh, such a cute little activity that I would LOVE to do with my daughter… I am thinking even going to the thrift store to search for the perfect sweater to do this with would be a fun little time!! ANd, your first pair made me laugh! LOL!
I had to come back and see the comments to see if anyone else also wet their pants after seeing the first pair! Glad I'm not alone!! 🙂
Love u!
I see nothing wrong with that first pair. #drunk Get enough wine in me (aka any time after 1pm) and I'd wear that first pair! Heck, I'd wear them sober.
P.S. These are adorable as is Sloany Girl.
P.P.S. You're going to send me those first mittens for Christmas, aren't you. #hopeful
Hi there. I hope I'm not the first to point out that in your junk drawer there are two nine-volt batteries. Please google the dangers…….they can start fires if terminals are not covered.