This month, our blogging group is participating in an Upcycle Challenge. The challenge was to upcycle clothing material using old shirts, pants, sweaters, socks, or anything else made from material. We were encouraged to get creative. We’re sharing our version of a Fall Sweater Wreath with flowers.
Felt Flowers on Fall Sweater Wreath
A couple of weeks ago, I was sorting through my fall clothes closet in hopes that soon it might actually feel like sweater weather in Charleston. I had a pile that will go to Goodwill and a few pieces that just need to be discarded. This old, green sweater has definitely seen better days. It’s too worn out to donate, so it went into the discard bag. A day or so later, I was thinking about this months upcycle challenge and I was glad that I had not yet thrown out the bag of old clothes. I pulled the sweater out to use for my upcycle project.
If you follow me, you know that wreaths are my go-to projects when I need to do something specific! I already had the straw wreath on hand, so that saved on extra cost for the project. I cut the sweater into strips to use for the wreath.
I wrapped each strip of the sweater around the wreath form, overlapping the material. I used ball head straight pins to secure the material. The pins are all in back.
To dress up the wreath, I made a number of rolled felt flowers. To make these, the felt is cut into a circle and then cut to a spiral in a wavy pattern, leaving a small piece at the end uncut.
Begin wrapping the felt into a tight roll. Continue to roll until you reach the small circle at the end. Fold the circle onto the back of the flower and secure with a dot of hot glue. Add a pearl head or ball head pin to the center of the flower.
I looked through my craft stash and found a few burlap flowers that I’ve made. I added these, the felt flowers, and a few dollar store blooms to the side of the wreath. These are all pinned to the wreath.
I used this wooden pumpkin on a wreath I made a couple of years ago. It was hot glued to that wreath, so I just pried it off to reuse here. Before gluing it to the wreath, I added three strips of burlap ribbon to go underneath the pumpkin.
The final touch for the wreath was to add a fall leaf pick to the other side of it. It’s pinned in place.
Considering I spent zero new dollars for this wreath, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. I won’t use it on the front door because I’m not sure how well it would hold up to rain. I’ll use it for part of my indoor fall decor.
Be sure to check out how the others met this month’s challenge by clicking the links above!
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Fall Sweater Wreath with Felt Flowers
Beverly shares easy, inexpensive craft tutorials, diy projects for the home, coastal decor projects, & thrift store find makeover projects all designed to help you create a beautiful home on a budget.
Gail @Purple Hues and Me says
This upcycle wreath is adorable and so colorful, Beverly! One would never guess it’s made from a discarded sweater! Looks like it’s knitted by hand instead of wrapped! It really is amazing what you can make from old clothing! Beautifully done!
Beverly says
Thank you, Gail! I wish I could knit! 🙂 It was really simple to make using the old sweater. Making the flowers was the only time consuming part of it.
Laurie says
Beverly, This wreath is so beautiful! What a great use of an old sweater! The added flowers that you made really set it off to perfection! You always make such gorgeous wreaths, but I have to say, this is one of my favorites! Pinned and shared!
Beverly says
Thank you, Laurie! It was a fun wreath to put together. I know you’ve seen all of my wreaths, (thank you) so I’m delighted that this is one of your favorites! Thanks for sharing!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
What a pretty wreath! Love all the different fall colors, and the different flowers. I’ve never tried to repurpose a sweater when it had to be cut because I always thought that it would come all unraveled. Looks like the strips are holding together real well. Love it! Pinning!
Beverly says
Thank you, Linda. I was a little worried about fraying, too. Fortunately, it didn’t fray much and for the few spots that did, it was easily tucked underneath another strip of the sweater. Thanks for pinning!
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Very pretty, beverly! i’m always a fan of felt flowers on anything.
Beverly says
Thanks, Victoria. I love felt flowers, too.
Twochicksandamom/Donna says
Such a beautiful wreath–great job, beverly! pinned to my fall decor board.
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Donna! I appreciate the pin!
Michele Michael says
Great idea. Ive posted for my followers on FB. I know they will love it as much as I do.
Beverly says
Thank you, Michele. I appreciate the share!
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says
I love that Beverly! The pretty flowers against the dark Green of the sweater (dark green is what it looks like on my monitor).
Beverly says
Thank you, Florence! It is dark green, so your monitor is accurate. 🙂 I liked the combination of colors, too.
Sew Crafty Crochet says
Such a great upcycle project! I love the felt and burlap flowers.
Beverly says
Thanks! I love using felt and burlap for flowers.
Julie says
I love this pretty wreath that you made. Thanks for sharing at C&C with J&J.
Beverly says
Thank you, Julie. Thanks for the party, too!
Jess says
OH gosh…what a cute idea! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Beverly says
Thank you, Jess!
Sandra L Garth says
This is one gorgeous wreath! You are so talented and I’m so happy that you share with us at celebrate your story each week. i’ll never look at an old sweater the same way again!
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Sandra! How sweet of you! I love linking up at Celebrate Your Story. I appreciate the party.
Jenna Meon says
So clever and sooooo Cute!!!
Beverly says
Thank you, Jenna! The sweater wreath was an easy upcycle!
Shirley Wood says
This is my favorite wreath I’ve seen this season! I have mad love for those flowers and the sweater makes it so cozy!
Beverly says
Thank you, Shirley! It was a fun wreath to put together. I was glad to have found a use for the old sweater.
Clearissa Coward says
This is just the cutest. I was wondering what to do for my door after the holidays and now I know. I can get started on that project soon and it will be all ready for winter. Thank you for sharing with the Blogging Grandmothers. I have shared on social medial #BloggingGrandmothersLink Party.
Beverly says
Thank you, Clearissa! It was a great way to use the old sweater. A winter one sounds like a great idea. A white one would be fun to use. Thanks for the party and for sharing.
Sherry says
Can you tell me how to make those flowers that are beautiful I would love to try to make it
Beverly says
Thank you, Sherry. This link has detailed instructions for making them. https://acrosstheblvd.com/2014/08/felt-rosettes-on-yarn-wreath/
Grammy Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Congrats Beverly! Your post is Featured at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty that goes live later on tonight. See here: https://grammysgrid.com/blogging-grandmothers-link-party-22/
Beverly says
Wow!Thanks so much, Dee! I’m delighted! I’ll be sure to pop by the new party tomorrow.
Cindy S. says
I love this. I see some other fabric flowers you made. They look like the fabric was twisted. Instructions please. Overall, very sweet. As a crafter, I myself, recycle from old craft projects.