Sweatshirt Transformations
I have a friend who has a son in preschool that wanted a gift for his teachers. After a bit of discussion we decided on sweatshirts. Why? Most people like them and are soooooo easy to transform.
Because they are teachers I knew the perfect embroidery to add - it was a couple of designs from the Dear Teacher set at Bunnycup Embroidery. I had her go to the site and choose the designs she wanted. The plan was to make 2 of the same except different color, embroidery, and name. The first one took too much time so I made the second version because I knew it would be much easier transform.
I found the center of the sweatshirt, cut it down the front middle, and added more knit stay tape.
Now it was time to add the embroidery design from Bunnycup and a name. I believe I came down about 6" from the neck edge. During the embroidery I "floated" an additional piece of embroidery stabilizer at a 45 degree angle under the hoop.
I cut 4 strips of denim, pressed under one raw edge, and stitched them to the center front. I did essentially the same for the bottom of the sweatshirt and the collar. I forgot to take a picture of the collar construction. The collar was stitched ontop of the collar ribbing.
For the sleeves I cut a few inches slit and added the cuff in much the same way as the front and bottom bands. I just realized I don't have picture of the cuff construction.
The final details included back tabs, top stitching, and buttonholes. I used either a Sulky 12wt or 30wt cotton blendable thread in both the top and bobbin.
Inside of the sweatshirt was a rather large manufacturer's label and I contemplated just leaving it be but because it was so big and it was going to be given as a gift I needed a solution for covering it. The easiest thing to cover it was to create a label but stitching it in wasn't an option so I used heavy heatbond to attached the label to the sweatshirts.
I don't include labels in the things I make and since I did not have any I had to make up one. I chose to embroider my blog name on some scrap quilting cotton to create one.
Originally this was supposed to be a replica of version 1 but I changed my mind after I saw how long it took me to finish the first version.
I used a plate to create the curved shape and brought the drawn lines to a point in the center back and added knit stay tape to the edges.
To finish the edges I used a wide serger stitch and cotton thread from the Madeira Overlock Inspiration Box.
It took a minute but I finally finished them both.
I also expected to have my coat made by now (Lekala 4383) but the fabric I have fallen in love with is crazy expensive and no other fabric is acceptable to me right now. I don't see a coat in my near future.
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| Version 2 |
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| Version 1 |
How I Did It
I started with 2 fleece crewneck sweatshirts. The books that I used as inspiration were Sewing with Nancy's "Sweatshirt Jean Jackets" for version 1 and Lorine Mason's "Fashion Sweatshirts" for version 2.Version 1
I removed the bottom ribbing and an additional inch from the bottom and added knit stay tape.
I found the center of the sweatshirt, cut it down the front middle, and added more knit stay tape.
Now it was time to add the embroidery design from Bunnycup and a name. I believe I came down about 6" from the neck edge. During the embroidery I "floated" an additional piece of embroidery stabilizer at a 45 degree angle under the hoop.
I cut 4 strips of denim, pressed under one raw edge, and stitched them to the center front. I did essentially the same for the bottom of the sweatshirt and the collar. I forgot to take a picture of the collar construction. The collar was stitched ontop of the collar ribbing.
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For the sleeves I cut a few inches slit and added the cuff in much the same way as the front and bottom bands. I just realized I don't have picture of the cuff construction.
The final details included back tabs, top stitching, and buttonholes. I used either a Sulky 12wt or 30wt cotton blendable thread in both the top and bobbin.
Inside of the sweatshirt was a rather large manufacturer's label and I contemplated just leaving it be but because it was so big and it was going to be given as a gift I needed a solution for covering it. The easiest thing to cover it was to create a label but stitching it in wasn't an option so I used heavy heatbond to attached the label to the sweatshirts.
I don't include labels in the things I make and since I did not have any I had to make up one. I chose to embroider my blog name on some scrap quilting cotton to create one.
Version 2
Originally this was supposed to be a replica of version 1 but I changed my mind after I saw how long it took me to finish the first version.
I used a plate to create the curved shape and brought the drawn lines to a point in the center back and added knit stay tape to the edges.
To finish the edges I used a wide serger stitch and cotton thread from the Madeira Overlock Inspiration Box.
It took a minute but I finally finished them both.
Conclusion
These transformations are quick and easy (I'm a slow sewer) and make great gifts. I think my favorite is version 2. The sweatshirts were too small to fit on my dress form for decent pictures.What's Next
I wanted to make pants from Lekala 4692 and I did but there is something off about the pattern and it has to do with the crotch length and the leg length. I am still trying to decide if it should be tossed or if it is savable. I have put it away for now.I also expected to have my coat made by now (Lekala 4383) but the fabric I have fallen in love with is crazy expensive and no other fabric is acceptable to me right now. I don't see a coat in my near future.
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