How to Make a Vintage Valentine’s Sweater Wreath
Sometimes it’s fun to have Valentine’s Day decorations that don’t scream “look at me, I’m so cute!” That’s how I feel about today’s Valentine wreath made with a vintage sweater because it’s both simple and unique. It looks especially beautiful with white ironstone as a backdrop.
*This post contains affiliate links to a products I love. If you click on one of the links and purchase these, or any other item, I will receive compensation that in part helps me to continue providing [what I hope is] valuable and enjoyable content. Thanks so much for your support!
Materials to Make Valentine’s Day Wreath
I put together this pretty wreath using a vintage wool sweater and a grapevine wreath. I made the flowers out of the same sweater using a Sizzix Big Shot die machine and the Tim Holtz’ Tattered Flowers Die, but you can use silk, paper, felt, or any kind of flowers you like.
Materials
-
- Vintage 100% wool red or pink sweater (mine was vintage made in Scotland)
- 10″ Grapevine wreath (or other wreath form)
- Sizzix Big Shot die cut machine
- Tattered Flowers Die
- Pearl dots (or buttons)
- Hot glue gun
Step 1: Felt the Sweater
Felting a wool sweater creates a nicer edge when cut and prevents unravelling. The sweater must be made entirely of 100% wool or it won’t felt.
Wash it in hot water in the washing machine and dry it on “hot” in the dryer. You may have to repeat this, since felting varies from sweater to sweater. Keep in mind though that you don’t want to shrink it to toddler size!
Step2: Cut & Wrap
After the felting is done, snip off the ribbed bottom of the sweater. Then cut it into approximately 2″ strips. It took about six feet total of sweater strips to cover the entire wreath.
Hot glued the end of the first strip onto the back of the wreath, wrapped it around continuously and when you get to the end, hot glue the end to the back. Then start with a fresh strip and continue wrapping until the entire wreath is covered.
Step 3: Make Decorations for the Wreath
To decorate the wreath, I decided to cut some flowers using scraps from the same sweater. I made the flower shapes with a Sizzix Big Shot die cut machine.
The machine is very simple to operate and the results can be pretty amazing. Honestly, I love my Sizzix machine. I used it to make these star ornaments, Valentine’s Day decorations, and tags.
Here’s what the shapes look like after using the Tim Holtz “Tattered Petals” die. Layer the shapes to create 3-D flowers and add pearl dots or buttons to the centers, using hot glue.
Step4: Attach Decorations to the Wreath
Next, decide how you want to lay them out on the wreath and then hot glue them into place.
As you can see, I made a variety of flowers by stacking two or three sizes together, and sometimes using the smallest flowers as accents. I settled on decorating just one third, rather than the entire wreath.
The bright red looks lovely against a light or dark background, making it versatile.
I’m happy with it right now on my ironstone-filled corner cupboard.
Final Thoughts
If you’re tired of seeing the same old Valentine decorations at the craft store and want to create something with your own personality, make your own! Craft this sweater wreath in pink or white. Change up the color of the flowers or decorate with pretty silk flowers. You’ve got this!
Other Articles I Think You’ll Enjoy
Thanks for stopping by–
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe today
and get a FREE copy of my eBook:
Bye for now,
I’d love it if you’d pin me!
This Project Was Featured In:
Very Cute Diana!
Thanks Tammy!
I LOVE this. I would also make…
SO sweet of you to say, Cookie–thank you.
Adorable!
Thank you, Debbie!!
This is so pretty, Diana..love the adorable little flowers! They would be cute decorating another sweater!
Thanks Linda–you’re right, they would look great on a sweater. Perhaps as little pins? Another great crafty idea 🙂
Love your sweater wreath Diana! The flowers are a fabulous finishing touch. I think I may have to get me one of those machines. Looks like fun!
Thanks so much Tuula!! Glad you liked the project. I REALLY like my machine; I think you’d probably find a lot of uses for it 🙂
Well, I am totally impressed. I have started cutting out felt with my Sizzix, but I would never have thought to cut out flowers made from a sweater. You are awesome!
Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!
Thanks Carol–it’s amazing what a Sizzix can do, isn’t it?
It is beautiful. Very clever way you shrunk it. Thanks for sharing.
Love this! Very creative!
Of course I love the red color and the layered flowers are fabulous Diana! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I feel like I want to felt a bunch of old wool sweaters, now lol, because this is just sooo cozy looking. Thank you for the felting tip and your wreath is stunning!!
I adore this red wreath! Glad to know to felt it first before cutting-great tip!
Thanks Darrielle–you’re so sweet 🙂
What a great idea, I love it. Thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Thing Blog Hop.
Great idea! What a great way to recycle and old sweater!
If you have time, would love for you to come and share this post over at the Really Crafty link party that is live right now! (http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2016/01/the-really-crafty-link-party-3-is-live.html).
Hi Teresa–I’m so glad you like the wreath! Somehow I missed your comment and therefore missed your party, but I will drop by this week 🙂 Thanks for the invite.
This is beautiful! Those die cut flowers look amazing!
Thanks so much Becky!
How clever is this? I love those sweet flowers and will never look at an old sweater the same way again. Thanks for sharing with us at Talk of the Town.
Glad you liked it Betsy, and thanks again for the feature 🙂
The tiny flowers are my favorites. Please you can think of at least one more sweater craft.
You. Are. A. Troublemaker. LOL
Love the flower and pearly button detail… the sizzix cutter is impressive! I am featuring your wreath tomorrow morning for Let’s Talk Vintage!
Thanks so much Jill!! You’re a sweetheart 🙂
Hi again… just wondering if you still link back to the blogs that have link parties… I am having trouble finding where you link to my LTV post?
Under the navigation bar tab “Features & Parties.” I edited it last week and must’ve left off the word “Parties,” but you were there since you’ve featured me 🙂 Sorry about that, Jill–
That was MEAN of you to promise no more red sweater crafts; I don’t think I’ve seen any ot the others–yet! You could never tire ME out with repeats of project bases. I got a Sissix at a thrift store for $6 and have only taken it out of the box to look at it; a friend has a Big Shot and I leave my few dies and lot of embossing folders at her house for “play” dates! I have an old yard sale Cricut but I really need a lesson–and more dies! I finally scored some pieces of upholstery jute “ribbon” with the red stripes at Restore and will eventually get to ornament making with it!
Love! I must do this!
Debby
Debbygoesshabby.blogspot.com