| Create an Account

Dare to Make It: Holiday

Dare to Make It: Holiday


How to Make an Embellished Blanket with Recycled Sweaters

comments (6) October 9th, 2008     

Pin It

leethal Lee Meredith, contributor
Love it! 40 users recommend
A functional work of art is the best kind of gift!
This is a good quiltlike project for someone with no actual quilting experience!
I did a gridlike design with the ties, but you could go crazy and put the knots in randomly or in a swirl design or whatever you can think of!
A functional work of art is the best kind of gift!

A functional work of art is the best kind of gift!

Photo: Lee Meredith
< 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 > View all
Add CommentAdd Comment
PrintPrint

Now you can start sewing the blocks together. Using a zigzag stitch, attach the sides of pieces that are the same length, which will probably be the smaller pieces. Pin the edges together, right sides facing, stretching as needed so they line up evenly. Then as you sew (trying not to stretch too much, unless you don't have a zigzag stitch, in which case you'll want to stretch a bit), make sure you keep the two pieces even so the edges match up.


 The orange lines show where the seams are being sewn for the first batch of blocks.

Once you've sewn the smaller pieces together, those now act as bigger blocks. You'll repeat sewing together blocks with edges of the same length, forming a new set of bigger blocks.


 After a couple rounds of sewing, the orange lines are around each of the larger blocks.

Keep repeating until your blanket is whole. Depending on your particular block shapes, the sewing step might be a little different for you—basically, you just need to sew the blocks together in whatever order makes sense to you.


 If your blanket has uneven or messy edges or seams, don't worry—everything will get evened out in the end.

< 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 > View all
Did you make this?
After you make this project, show off your work to other members!
Post your project in the gallery
 

View 3 member project galleries
My Recycled Sweater Blanket My Recycled Sweater...
evansfamilyof7
Recycled Sweater Blanket Recycled Sweater...
BoneyM
My Sewing Room My Sewing Room
craftylady72

 
posted in: embroidery, recycle, sweater, quilt, applique, embellish, wool, blanket
Add CommentAdd Comment PrintPrint
Back to List

Comments (6)

1Suprise writes: I love it, so beautiful, and practical to have in cool nigth
I love or idea, thank you for sharing with us...have a good day to you...thank you again.

Posted: 12:38 am on January 14th
YouMustBeKidding writes: Great idea but this has got to be one of the ugliest blankets I have ever seen!!!
Posted: 7:48 pm on February 28th
sophiecai writes: wow...love this recycled ideas!
Posted: 8:39 pm on February 15th
Jen1964 writes: Ingenious! I have to admit, I've never thought of quilting with sweaters. I've seen people quilt old t-shirts, but not as nicely as this. I love the crazy quilt appearance, and the cuddly sweater factor. Just nutty enough to be genius. (Yes, that's a compliment) Some folks swear by tufting, but I like what you've done better. The backing is SOOOO important. For this kind, I'll bet you want it to breathe, too. Wouldn't hurt if it was as fuzzy as fleece or a light knit velour. Just watch out for static electricity! Sometimes the stores have $10 lap robes, in good washable fabric. Sounds a little like cheating, but not if you're just after the fabric. They make excellent slipcover fabric as well. Betcha could do some cute pillows from your idea.
Posted: 11:45 am on October 20th
croqzine writes: Nice! I love blankies!
Posted: 1:03 pm on October 9th
Sister_Diane writes: Okay, it must be said: he looks adorable. :-) And I love the blanket!
Posted: 11:29 am on October 9th
You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.