How to Make a Vintage Valentine’s Sweater Wreath
Since Valentine’s Day is coming right up, I thought I’d share a vintage Valentine’s sweater wreath that I made the other day using an old sweater.
I ended up doing a whole series of fall sweater crafts that you may remember, but I promise just one this time!
Using a vintage red sweater and grapevine wreath–both of which I had on hand–I put together this simple, understated wreath in no time at all.
I made the flowers out of the same sweater using my Sizzix Big Kick machine and Tim Holtz’ Tattered Flowers Die, but you can use silk, paper, or felt flowers, or you can pick something up at the craft store.
I started out with this 10 1/2″ wreath that I picked up at Goodwill not too long ago for 50¢.
I purchased the red sweater at a thrift store in Pennsylvania for just $1. Initially, I listed it for sale in my Etsy shop since it was a lovely, 100% wool cable knit sweater made in Scotland.
When no one bought it, I decided to craft with it. By washing it in hot water in the washing machine and drying it on “hot” in the dryer, it shrunk (felted) so that it wouldn’t unravel when cut.
Keep in mind that the sweater must be made entirely of wool and felting varies from sweater to sweater.
After I’d felted it, I snipped off the ribbed bottom of the sweater. Then I began cutting it into approximately 2″ strips. It took about six feet of sweater strips to cover the entire wreath.
I hot glued the end of the first strip onto the back of the wreath, wrapped it around, and then glued the end to the back when it ran out. Then I would start with a fresh strip.
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Once the wreath was completely wrapped, I had to consider how I would like to decorate it. I decide to cut some flowers from the same sweater using my Sizzix Big Shot die cut machine.
It’s very simple to use and the results can be pretty amazing. I can honestly say that I love my Sizzix.
These are the shapes that can be cut with the Tim Holtz Tattered Petals die that I used.
Here’s what they look like after cutting. I used up most of the rest of the sweater making enough for the wreath. Like I promised, there will be no more red sweater crafts after this one!
Next I had to decide how to layer and place the flowers.
As you can see, I made a variety of flowers by stacking two or three sizes together, and sometimes using the smallest flower alone.
For the centers, I chose small half pearls, which add just the right amount of contrast. And I settled on decorating just the lower 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.
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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