[koofie]

Ok, I've got some nice wool sweaters to cut up - WHAT NOW?

I don't have a machine to sew, so I'm going to hand sew the first, but I do have a machine I can use if I decide to so more. What kind of thread do I use? Is there a good pattern or do I make up one?

What is the best way to hold it up. Elastic? Draw-string?

Please help me!!!

TIA

 

[MelMel]

I made one pair for veronica, and I am going to make more. I TOTALLY didnt know how when I made these, but they turned out nice. I still dont know how to make them 'for real' and I dont know what thread to use, maybe poly because cotton may wick??? but I used cotton, and I am gunna lanolize them so it maybe doesnt matter???
there is a photo of the ones i made in here under 'dipes'

http://photos.yahoo.com/steelmantible

all I did was cut off both the arms, and used those as legs..then I cut off a long waist/butt sized chunk of the bottom of the sweater (so its waist is 'finished') and sewed that to the legs and wrapped it around to make the whole top of the pants. I didnt put elastic or buttons...I dont know how, but maybe I will try it, because they are baggy, and now i just fold it down. even unlanolized they are great pants! and cheap, only a dollar or so for the sweater! and it only took less than a half hour.

i have like 3 more sweaters to try next. she is gunna have such cute pants for winter, and great covers if i choose to lanolize them.

edited to add: I just made another pair!!! she is gunna be so warm and cute this winter!

 

[mamamoo]

For the wool pants I did I just cut off the arms, cut the body of the sweater at the seam, so it was open/flat. Then I took a pull on soaker that fits Sam right now and cut the sweater the same size as the body of the soaker. I made a mistake at first, so I have 2 seams on the back of them. then once the body was all sewn together, I laid it on top of the premade soaker, and cut out the half circles (from the body of the recycled sweater)using the premade soaker as a guide. Then I trimmed some of the sleeves(at the top) at a diagonal, to match the body leg holes. and sewed them on by hand. I sewed them twice so hopefully the stitching will hold up. The soaker is a tad big(I have to roll up the legs twice), but that's okay, they'll probably fit next year too. LOLI'm thinking of cutting small holes for a drawstring, but when I used it last night they stayed on pretty well, so we'll see.
I just used some old thread my mom had, I think it's poly. but I don't think it matters too much what kind you use...

Hope that this doesn't just toally confuse you...I am definately not a seamstress, I can't even tell you what stitchesI used. LOL
Good luck!!

 

[koofie]

Thanks!
MelMel, those pics were soooo cute and I love that closet!!

I think I'll try to make one soon. I just have to find some thread...and a needle.

Any one have directions for a soaker w/o legs? I think I want to try both!

Kelsi

edited to add:

also, do the pants have to be tight? I have one sweater thats arms are really wide, and I was not sure if I should go ahead and use that one.

TIA (again)

 

[mamamoo]

For a soaker without legs you would use just the cuff of the sleeves, you know, the part by the wrists.

Not sure about the legs needing to be tight. I think if you are using a fitted it wouldn't matter too much.