Sweater Capelet Wrap Refashion Tutorial
November 12, 2009 3:45 pmI’m obsessed. I love this thing. I think you’ll get A LOT of wear out of this item!!
This is such an easy tutorial for a beautiful sweater wrap that is like a capelet, a cowl neck scarf or a wrap. I took this sweater that I hadn’t worn in a really long time.
Measure the widest distance of your shoulders. That will be the width you will cut the sweater. Since mine was a women’s sweater, it wasn’t wide enough right side up so I had to turn it on it’s side.
(NOTE: If you use a men’s sweater, you can just cut the mid section out if it’s wide enough. Then the only thing you would have to do is finish the top hem and skip down to the gathering instruction and you’re done!)
Measure the widest distance of your shoulders. That will be the width you will cut the sweater. Since mine was a women’s sweater, it wasn’t wide enough right side up so I had to turn it on it’s side.
(NOTE: If you use a men’s sweater, you can just cut the mid section out if it’s wide enough. Then the only thing you would have to do is finish the top hem and skip down to the gathering instruction and you’re done!)
My sweater had this bottom ribbing, so I cut the bottom ribbed edge off of mine and cut the distance that I needed from there. Here’s how it will look.
Now you need to cut the side seams. Cut straight down the middle.
You will have two separate pieces now. Turn them inside out and pin. Sew it together.
After turning it right side out, it will look like this now.
Some sweaters may not fray or unravel and you wouldn’t need to hem them. But I knew this one would. I just folded it under on the top and bottom and pinned in place. I used a straight stitch to sew it down.
While I sewed I pulled the fabric as much as I could because I wanted it to have that stretchy-curvy look at the tops and bottoms. I thought it would lay nicely when I wore it. You can see how it’s slightly curvy looking. But if you don’t want that to happen, slightly push your material under the presser foot as you sew. It will help keep it from stretching.
Now it’s time to do a little gather in the front. Now my sweater had these pockets on the front that I sewed shut before beginning. So I wanted to try to camoflauge them a little bit.
Place the gather slightly off center. I got some pins and just pushed the sweater together ad pinned it when I was happy with the look of it. Stitch it straight down the gathered part.
Here’s what you’ve got now!
Here’s the completed look on my sister.
I think I love this look so much because it’s effortlessly chic. (my most favorite look)You can add a flower pin or any other pin for a different look.
You can put it in the center for more of a capelet look.
Another great way to wear it is like a scarf. It adds a big cowl neck look.
Or, maybe my favorite way, like a hood. You can pull it over your head and it keeps your head and neck warm! And its sooooo chic!
And from my sweater leftovers from this project and the other sweater tutorials I have coming up, I made these hats from Disney’s wonderful, easy ad FAST tutorial here!
I’ve been really behind on taking pictures so I have lots of tutorials and lots of pictures of other things I’ve made coming up!
Enjoy this one! Add your versions to the flickr group so I can see your recreations!
Posted in refashions, women's clothing | 33 Comments »
33 Responses
to “Sweater Capelet Wrap Refashion Tutorial”
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By Disney on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Oohhhhh I am really excited about this!! I can't wait to make one! It's so chic, but not too trendy so you'd feel weird wearing it, ya know? Thank you so much for this tutorial!
P.S. Ah!! Your hats are gorgeous!! I wish I had that ribbon!
By Tasha on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
I love it! I really want to know how you made those flowers on the sweater AND the hat! They're beautiful!
By Alexis on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Disney- I actually made ribbon out of silk fabric I had! I NEVER have good ribbon lying around. I feel the same way about the wrap, chic but not trendy!!
Tasha- the flower pin tutorial was a few posts back and check out the link to Disney's hats!
By C.G. Leong on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
I am a new follower and already a BIG FAN! I am so inspired by your creativity and style. Thank you for sharing such great talent. Because of you, I finally had the guts to refashion an old dress. I love sewing but easily gets discouraged when something doesn't work out. Refashioning is definitely a new love.
By Lisa on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
How creative and what a great look! I love how versatile it is!
By liene on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Such hipp idea to make this wonderfull peace…i have a lot off svaed unuseble clothing … now it is question of to make a time… thanky!
By Happy Together on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
I really like the wrap with the flower on it. Beautiful
By Megan on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
I've been reading for about a month now and I have to say: you are AMAZING. I've bookmarked so many of your posts as inspiration for future projects. This sweater refashion just shot to the top of my list of things to do. Thank you for sharing not only your lovely creations, but the tutorials as well — how generous! Have you thought about doing a book?
By casserole on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
This is SO cool! I can see that I'm going to be digging through my sweater drawer this morning.
I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-capelet-from-a-sweater/2009/11/14/
–Anne
By Hashi on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Gorgeous!
By Melinda H. on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Just stop it, will ya? How in the heck am I going to get all the projects in my "try this!" list completed if you keep coming up with so many darn cool projects?!
Actually, please DON'T stop
By Briauna on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
You are so talented. It makes my mind spin with ideas. I absolutely love your blog. I am always eager for your next post. Your creativity is amazing.
By ohbrooke on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
SOOOOOO cute. I love it.
By Torey on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
I don't even know how to sew but I love your blog. I'm hoping to get a sewing machine soon! How sad is it that my mother was an excellent seamstress and yet I never learned from her. Sadly, she passed away last year. . . but I feel that learning to sew would really not only be really fun, but help me to honor my mom. I have a pile of clothes waiting to be refashioned already. Now to get the sewing machine. Any recommendations for a beginner machine that's not too expensive? Thanks,
Torey
By "Jo" in many sizes on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
I love your blog, and all of your great ideas! Inspiring me to reuse and get out that sewing machine!
By Jessica on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
I made this today from an old black sweater I had lying around-so quick and cute! Thanks for what you do!
By Kara on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
I've been looking at your blog for sometime now and have never written a comment….. You are so talented! I love your work. I am definitely going to try this caplet! Keep em coming!
By Kellie on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
ooooo tres chic!
love love the great idea!
By Rachel@oneprettything.com on Nov 16, 2009 | Reply
That is so pretty and I love how versatile it is! great job, I can't wait to make one! I'll be linking as well.
By Tricia on Nov 16, 2009 | Reply
I have a cashmere sweater that has been waiting for a project like this. Love it!
By amy t. on Nov 16, 2009 | Reply
oh my gosh!!! i absolutely love this idea!!! I'm running, not walking to try this!!!
By Heather on Nov 17, 2009 | Reply
These are both on my list of things to try and do soon! Today I'll hit the local thrift store, where sweaters are only $.79! I want one of the hats for me!
Heather
theherberfamily.blogspot.com
By CB on Nov 18, 2009 | Reply
i love this!!!
By rosamary on Nov 22, 2009 | Reply
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by
http://busragok.blogspot.com/2009/11/kestim-kazagm-yaptm-salms-bolero.html
By Tricia on Nov 22, 2009 | Reply
I followed your excellent tutorial and made my own wrap, which I absolutely love! I put up photos and a link to your blog, at http://ohsocrafty.blogspot.com/
By Elle on Nov 23, 2009 | Reply
I like this idea quite a bit. I just hope I can pull it off! I'm definitely a novice when it comes to sewing.
By madame craft on Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Brilliant!!! thanks for sharing this tutorial,a caplet is one of my favorite accesories and doing it recycling a sweater is just double fabulous!, looove it.
By samsstuff on Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Great idea! Thanks for posting. I saw this in Craft Magazine & had to stop by.
By ~ Junkyard Jennifer on Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
Hi, I linked to you today. You have so many pretty and fun ideas for sewing and I don't think I've commented before but I have popped in from time to time. I found you through Amy (The Motherload/MomAdvice).
I used a photo from this post. I hope that's okay. If not, please let me know and I'll gladly remove it.
I love this capelet idea and the scarf you did recently with the cashmere sweater. I've been wanting to doctor up some of my daughter's T-shirts and you have so many great ideas for doing that, too. So, I guess I just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
~ Jennifer
By Amanda Kay on Nov 26, 2009 | Reply
Beautiful! Love it! (that's my sister Jennifer btw!)
By Anonymous on Dec 11, 2009 | Reply
So cute! i am making one right now! And, oh my gosh, you look so much like Kate Hudson!
By abeni on Nov 15, 2010 | Reply
That is very cute, I think I will be making this today.