Released September 4, 2009
By Judy Roberson
Oh how we all love the warmth and comfort of sweat suits even though they are not the prettiest outfits in the world.
As I was pulling out some fall clothes that were packed away, I ran into a new bag of “end of season sale” items I had stashed away. It was a blue sweatshirt and pink sweat pants. As I looked at them the first thing that came to mind, of course, was embroidering them.
I continued on with my thoughts and an idea was born. How about making a jacket out of the sweatshirt and then adding a T-shirt and my pants for a cute outfit? As all of you know when these brain waves hit, the excitement begins to race.
So, off I went to my sewing room to pick the perfect embroidery design.
As I was flipping through my embroidery design notebook I saw the cutest snowmen and snowflakes. I know pink and blue are not your traditional Christmas colors, but an idea was being born.
Simple instructions for turning a Sweat shirt into a Jacket:
#1-Find and mark your front center at neck and bottom of shirt.
Using a wooden ruler, mark center with a washable marking pen.
Cut open.
#2-Surge each side of opening or either use pinking shears.
Turn under 1 inch on each side and sew down .
Let your imagination run wild. You could use decorative stitching to match your design or add buttons & button holes or loops.
Or, you can do as I have done. I found a pretty white ribbon trim that had a pink ribbon running through it. I sewed it to each side of my jacket.
I like to keep my jacket open so I left it as is..
Really cute.
#3-Fun Part: I marked places on the front of my jacket, for my embroidery designs.
On the right side I embroidered my name with snowflakes on it.
On the left side, I chose a really cute little snowman design from Designs by SiCK called “snowmen”. Under the design I wrote “Let it Snow” in pink.
My cute little snowman is adorned in pink, to match my pink sweat pants.
#4- Take your pants and open up one leg about 12 inches. (This is very easy to do with a seam ripper and makes it easy to hoop your design. It is very easy to sew it back up when finished.
I embroidered the words “Let it Snow” on the pants’ leg.
I just love my new outfit and can’t wait for the season to wear it.
I know it is not the traditional colors of Christmas. But a pink and blue Christmas it is!!!
It turned out so cute that it has the excitement racing to find more sweat suits and do a fall pumpkin set.
What endless possibilities!
[Editor's note: I did this a few years back with new sweat shirt for my sister. It took me over an hour to get up the courage to cut the shirt! ~rob]
Judy, You did a wonderful job. Good imagination.
The colors don’t matter. The Christmas spirit is what counts. The set looks adorable. Don’t stop making these lovely outfits.
Comment by Luanne — September 4, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
How Beautiful! I love to wear sweatsuits and I can’t wait to try this and make me a little outfit for the Christmas Season…thanks for the GReat Idea! Gina
Comment by Gina — September 4, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Such a cute idea! I’ve got lots of sweats I could do this to…..Thanks for the nudge!
Comment by Debbie J. — September 4, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
How cute! you did a excellant job. What a fun outfit.I love how you used what you had and made it new! Good job!You may like to try cutting off the bands at the bottom and sleeves for a more jacket look. Then using embroidery thread to add a blanket stich.Or add blinding tape around the jacket for a quilted look. I am having fun thinking of the creative possiblity so I will have make one too!
Comment by sandra — September 4, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
Judy!
I love your outfit!
Quick, Easy and Comfortable!
Great Work
Comment by Denise Gartner — September 4, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
I love it. I too sat here thinking pink and blue??? This shows what anything with a bit of imagination can be done with embroidery. I love the jacket idea with the ribbon, I too love wearing a jacket open in the front.
Comment by Jeannette Pirkle — September 4, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Very sweet. Did you have to let the hem down and also open the leg?
Comment by Nancy — September 4, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Very cute - My name is Judy also & I’m wondering where you got that J & snowflakes?? =)
Comment by Judy — September 4, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
Really cute outfit,great idea for kids too,Paula.
Comment by Paula — September 5, 2009 @ 5:16 am
I really love this idea. This doesn’t have to be Christmas only. This is good for all winter. It also gives me some ideas for Christmas gifts for those difficult to shop for. Thanks for the idea.
Comment by Lee — September 5, 2009 @ 10:24 am
Hi,
thankyou everyone for the comments, I appreciate it.. I really had fun doing this project and got me in the mood to do some Halloween and Christmas stuff..
Nancy, No you dont have to undo the hem..on sweat suit pants[Or rather mine, not sure about all of them?] the hem was done first and then it was surged down the leg seam, so all I had to do was open the leg seam..simple [yea!!!]
Judy, nice name [lol], I had this font for a long time ,not sure where I got it.. as for the snow flakes ,it was on a Christmas design I had bought from Designs by Sick, and I just pasted it to my name..
I love the idea of removing the band on the jacket..Maybe even adding a coordinating fabric border?? lots of great ideas. God bless.Judy
Comment by Judy — September 5, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
You know that it does not only snow at
Christmas. You can wear snowmen anytime. I love the outfit. I have been thinking today after watching Sewing with Nancy, how I could decorate a new sweatshirt I got the end of last winter. I was thinking maybe fall leaves. You did a wonderful job. Let us know about the next outfit you make.
Comment by Willie — September 5, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
What a great idea, i have a drawer full of sweats that I wear every year. Dull and boring. They will not be so this year. Think I will watch for a sale on sweats and start with new ones also. I wear them a lot in the cool weather here in NC. I love the idea of the open top as a jacket. Some times you just dont need the shirt on all day.
A huge THANKS
Comment by Diane Auriemma — September 6, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Judy what a great set. I remember the first time I cut into a sweat shirt. I was so nervous at ruining it. I have gotten better with practice. I just love your color thyme. And my favorite colors. I guess I’ll have to get the sweatshirt box out. Thank you for the inspiration..Frances
Comment by Frances — September 7, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
I have turned many sweatshirts into jackets. My first recommendation is to stich on both sides of your front marking. Then cut down the center. This will help to stabilize the “stretchy” sweatshirt fabric. If you are cutting off the ribbing on sleeves, pants and bottom of the sweatshirt, put that row of stabilizing stitches there too because they can really “grow” if you are not careful. I LOVE my sweatshirt jackets — and yes, they have embroidery!
Comment by Designs Jeannie — September 9, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
I love this and LOVE blue for snow It really is a winter outfit, NOT just for Christmas. GREAT JOB Judy
Comment by Donna DuMont Fisher — September 12, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
Now that’s what I call a great idea! Love it. I have to go get some sweats.Good job. Mary
Comment by Mary Irish — September 23, 2009 @ 8:02 am