Recycled Sweater Scarf

I own several cute sweaters that have have seen better days.
Pilly, accidentally shrunken and worn out in places, these sweaters were on the verge of being tossed out.
But the fabrics were soft and cozy and they asked me for a second chance.

Armed with my old, pilly sweaters and with the need for wintery accoutrements; I forged into the unknown world of scarves and mittens…with a seam ripper at my side.
(So, as not to overwhelm, this tutorial will focus on the scarf. I’ll add the tutorial for the mittens later.)

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own sweater scarf:
Two old sweaters
Scissors
Seam Ripper (if you sew like me)
Straight pins
Tape measure
Thread and Bobbin to match
Sewing Machine

Cut the sleeves from the body of both of the sweaters. One of my sleeves had pretties on it, which I placed strategically at the end of the scarf.

Measure the overall length of your sleeves and divide by three, cutting the sleeve in thirds. Each of my three pieces measured to be 6 1/2” long. A typical scarf if about 50-55” in length. Mine ended up being about 58”.

Lay the cut pieces out in an alternating pattern. I used the sleeves of my lime green sweater to be the end pieces of the scarf.

Cut along the old seam of each of your pieces, laying them open flat.

Pin each flat piece to the next, right sides together, with a 1/4” seam allowance.

Double check that the right sides are all on one side of the scarf by laying it out flat.
My scarf started resembling a caterpillar at this point.

Sew together each of the pinned pieces on the wrong side of the material.

The seams should all be on the wrong side of the material. If not, pull out your handy dandy seam ripper out and get to work…

Fold the scarf in half, lengthwise. Pin together, leaving a 1/4” seam allowance.

Once the length of the scarf has been sewn a fresh new seam, turn it inside out.

I left the ends of the scarf open, but you can sure as heck sew yours closed. I wanted the option of smuggling candy inside of them if need be.

Try the cuteness factor of your scarf out by wearing it around the house. Add sassy stances and flip the end of the scarf around your neck until your husband notices.
When he asks you why you are wearing a scarf when it is still 94 degrees outside, tell him that you saved him $35 by making your own scarf from old sweaters.
I guarantee you that he will love your new scarf.
(Make sure you stop back by soon. I’ll be putting up the tutorial for the matching mittens for your sewing pleasure!)

Sew Vintage Blank Note Cards

Biceps owned several vintage postcards P.R. (pre-Rebekah).
Neither of us knew what to do with them, and we revered them too much to actually use them as postcards.
But things are meant to be used in a practical way and not made to look at and clutter up my desk drawers.

Stitching Bicep’s vintage postcards onto card stock seemed like the next logical step in my strange brain.
You can do this with old photos, as well. As long as they’re weird. That’s my only stipulation.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own ‘Sew Vintage Cards’:
Old, weird photos or postcards
Vibrant colored thread
Scissors
8.5 x 11 Card Stock or pre-made blank notecards
Sewing Machine
‘Jean Needle’ (100/16)
Envelopes 3.5” x 5”
Pen
Ruler

If you don’t have pre-made blank notecards on tap, use card stock and make your own.
Fold your card stock in half and draw a line down the middle using your pen and ruler. Cut your card stock in half, making sure it fits inside of your envelope.

Dust off your sewing machine, slap in your heavy duty ‘Jean Needle’ and choose your favorite decorative stitch.

Test the look of several different types of stitches on a piece of cardboard, just to see what you are getting yourself into.
Once you’ve decided on a pattern you like, temporarily tape your photo/postcard to the card stock or your pre-made fancy note card with scotch tape.

Tack down two opposing sides of the photo/postcard with your preferred stitching method to prevent it from sliding around.

Sew around the entire perimeter of the photo/postcard, changing up the decorative stitch if you feel so inclined.

Using a straight stitch, take your time slowly stitching whatever crazy phrase comes to mind that compliments the picture. I thought that the phrase, ‘Miss You’ seemed appropriate.
Don’t get picky, get weird.

Decorate the flap of your envelope with a decorative stitch, as well.
Finally, choose someone you really love that deserves such a cool hand-crafted card. Sending them this piece of snail mail will surely impress them and make them have warm fuzzies.
If you need my address, just let me know….