Monday, July 19, 2010

easy altered hoodie tutorial

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A while back as I was browsing through though my local Anthropologie store (key word browsing!) I came upon these sweaters (below) and I loved the concept- square blocks of fabric applique on the surface of a garment- but what I don't love is the price of $100.00 for a sweater. While I do like browsing Anthropologie, quite frankly I never actually shop there- their price points make me really mad- but thats another story! Anyway, I decided to put my own twist on the concept but use a blank hoodie sweatshirt- a staple piece of clothing in my neck of the woods :)

anthro

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I started with a white sweatshirt from Target for $16.00- that price is more like it!

Tip-When sewing and altering cotton (t-shirts and sweatshirts) I always purchase things 1-2 sizes larger (M or LG) than my true size (SM) to keep things fitting well once the the garment is altered with sewing or washed.

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I used pieces of recycled fabric- from my scrap pile and from old clothing that would have otherwise been donated. I decided on only using variations of blue.


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I arranged the pieces all over the surface of the sweatshirt and pinned them down.


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and sewed them all down- EASY!

fyi-I used a universal needle and my darning foot (only because I use this foot for everything).

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sweatshirt

58 comments:

MaryBeth said...

I do the same in Anthropologie-well when I am visiting back east and it is 5 minutes from both of my sisters homes.
Now, if I can just learn to sew!
Thank you for sharing this

~ Regan said...

That turned out SO good! I love how you recreate things like this-thanks so much for sharing!

Melissa M (Lagaz) said...

That is SO AWESOME!!!! I love it!!

Rebekah Leigh said...

That's the best thing ever!I have a feeling I say that a lot about your creations!! I so have to make friends with my sewing machine again :-/

Maike said...

that's something I would pay 100 dollars for, love it!
but not anymore off course now that I found you, I'm making things myself , thank you so much...

Nina said...

That looks great! I have a black hoodie I feel is so dull...I believ it will have a similar makeoverf. Thank you!!!!

Caralulù said...

Alisa sei FANTASTICA!!!!! Io ti adoro!!!Bravissima!! Kiss Kiss Lulù

whyducks said...

Oh that is so amazing I love it. Hope the colour doesn't run when you wash it though! It so is good, you are very talented.

lili.constanta said...

You are so pretty! :))

KJ@letsgoflyakite said...

That hoodie looks gorgeous on you!

Craftcherry said...

I love browsing in Anthropologie! Also love this idea...so much better than paying full (or even sale) price for a premade item. :o)

Nelda Ream said...

That's an amazing transformation. It's a wonderful interpretation of the Anthropologie ones. In fact, I like it better than theirs.

andrea creates said...

what a great idea!i love anthropologie-but usually have to shop from the sale rack ;)
i'll be trying this project out ,soon as i get the chance :)
thanks for sharing!

Rebecca Anthony said...

What a great idea!! Looks amazing!

candicem said...

I love the stitching ... the doubled/tripled up zigzags and the meandering patterns on top. I must try it!

CourtneyP said...

Love the idea. I too window shop at anthropologie.... it is crazy that they can charge so much.

Janet Ghio said...

Did you use a straight or zigzag stitch? and Did you need to do any special settings on your sewing machine, because of the sweatshirt fabric? Thanks! Great idea!!

Terri Kahrs said...

Ya know . . . I think I like YOURS better than the Anthropologie sweaters!!! Hugs, Terri

Nancy said...

Wonderful interpretation. Well done!

Unknown said...

Fab! I am really loving patchy/scrappy stuff these days. Wonderful work, lady. (Anthro's prices make me positively bananas. What a rip. Cute does not have to cost 100's of dollars!)

Anonymous said...

That would SO rock ArtFiberFest! Miss it and miss you.
You are a constant source of inspiration though, thanks for all you share and inspire!
Hugs,
Juanita

Kate Robertson said...

Oh I love this, it really looks awesome on you and is such a simple idea too!

Aja Reeser said...

Hi Alisa! I've been stalking your blog for a while now and thought it about time to leave a little love! Your posts never fail to inspire me! Thank you thank you!!

Question... I want to start sewing and was wondering if you have any machine recommendations. What kind of sewing machine do you use?

She Who Doodles said...

great idea. good use of fabric scraps to create something unique.

Unknown said...

Great idea and just in time for coolio Christmas gifts! Heading to Target this weekend! Did you pre-wash your hoodie? I would recommend always. Twyla Marti

Barbara L. said...

Love, love, love this. And how useful for covering that paint on your favorite shirt! Thanks so much for the tutorial!

gretchen said...

I like your version much better!
and just who does buy (not-on-sale)clothes at Anthropologie?

Have you seen their love letter sheets? I have a photo of them on my blog...now i just need to get a white sheet to tea dye, a brown sharpie and practice up on my vintage writing skills...

Traci Bunkers said...

Great idea! Did you have any problems with the hoodie no longer being stretchy where you sewed on the fabric?

iammommahearmeroar said...

That is absolutely fabulous! Great work, Alisa. I LOVE IT!

Mommy of Two 24/7 said...

Lovely! I am going to do this for my daughter's sweatshirts. :)

daleparkerstudio.blogspot.com said...

You are SO creative. I love following your blog as each post is a wonderful surprise. I agree with you about Anthropologie. I once saw a faux pearl necklace there with flowers attached. Very expensive. I just went home and made my own.

Saraccino said...

It`s just cool!

Tanya Bermudez said...

I love this!! Thank you. I will definitely be doing this to some of my old hoodies before Fall comes :)

Kas said...

what a fantastic idea! i've been searching for something to make for my two girlfriends birthday's this year and thanks to you I've found it! thanks so much for sharing and your hoodie is really amazing:)

De Leon Signs said...

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your idea. I can't wait I'm going to try one out! Your sweater looks pretty!

Aslı said...

I like your performance ,you are very creative and I am inspired by you

Tina Leigh said...

Can I just say that you come up with the coolest and most realistic things on this blog. LOVE what you do and thanks for the constant inspirations.

Jill said...

This could be great fun--once again, thank-you.

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

That's so pretty Alisa, I love this! Thanks so much, I'll be linking.

Caleen said...

I love what you did to change it up and it turned out awesome! You are amazing. Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I will have to try that! I am still trying to locate a darning attachment for my sewing machine.. I guess it is soo old! Love it!

Unknown said...

Sa-weet! I'm digging through my piles first thing after my cutie pie is in bed! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Oh, how I love this! Great job

Amanda said...

What a great tutorial! Love it! I too browse in Anthropologie and have never purchased an item...

feathermar said...

This is amazing! I love love love it!
Your sweatshirt looks super fancy!

PersimonDreams said...

I love this! I've been doing this with fabric patches and I've gotten so many compliments. It's either that they really like it or they're wondering what I'm wearing so they feel the need to say something!

Sunshine Girl said...

Thank you for this tutorial! I am going to stop by Target today to get a sweatshirt and try this!!

Lynda said...

This is such a great idea! I used to take hoodies and embelish them with quilt blocks but I don't like wearing sweatshirts anymore. But hoodies - that's another thing. Thanks for the post. Another thing to put on my list to do!

Anonymous said...

i love it. i "sew" want me one.

Silvia said...

adorable. love it.

Anonymous said...

oh, how we love anthropologie! even better, an affordable, easy, just as lovely spin off - i loved the project and featured it in my weekly roundup of inspiring projects, blogged here:

http://www.camilledawn.com/2010/07/tuesday-tumblr-7.html

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love it!!!

Endy said...

Sei molto creativa! Bellissimo il tuo blog!

aa said...

Wow it is so nice !
I have almost the same at home, I have to do the same with it !!

natalie said...

I just found your blog yesterday and I love it. Your creativity is inspiring and I have already made my version of your sweatshirt!! I am excited about it..it is my new favorite clothing item and I have not even worn it yet!

Please tell me --how do you do such amazing circles on your sewing machine? When you use your darning foot, do the feed dogs stay down? That is the only thing I can figure. When I tried circles on mine, it was awkward and I came out with a really pointy circle!
Thanks for the help!
Natalie

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?

[url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Abercrombie-Jackets/132361870158377]abercrombie jackets[/url]

Tiffany said...

Hey Alisa-any tips/advice on doing this project by hand sewing (I don't have a machine or access to one).

Happy new year by the way!

xo.

Unknown said...

That looks great! I have a black hoodie I feel is so dull...I believ it will have a similar makeoverf.

Awesome Tees

Maureen Cracknell Handmade said...

Love this! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

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