I have several old sweaters that my family and I love and would like to recycle or re-use. I want to put large squares from the sweaters together to make a king-sized quilt.
Can I stitch the blocks of sweaters before cutting them apart, to keep them from unraveling, then cut them out, and attach them to each other by stitching them along the prior stitch line?
I do not knit at all and have very little experience sewing. I only know how to make some hand stitches, and I don't have a sewing machine.
If my idea is ridiculous, please advise me how I can do the "quilt" or submit these sweaters to someone else to do it for me.
By 'Miss' Bonnie from Denver, CO region
Your idea isn't ridiculous in fact it sounds like a fun project. You are right in thinking of stitching your squares first, but not having a machine is going to be a problem unless you fuse the sweaters to a webbing first. Even then I think you are going to miss some of the threads, it would be almost impossible to catch them all by hand. Perhaps you could borrow a machine and make a Christmas stocking from the scraps for the owner for using it.
Are the sweaters all made of the same material? ie wool, cotton etc. If not, would not put them all together as they would wash differently and possible warp the blanket. Sort by what the sweater is made of and put same fabric together.
I did a google search and found quite a few instructions. I do agree with the rest that you will need a sewing machine even if you are a very accomplished hand stitcher. I will include some of the links I found & you can easily do the search with " making quilts from sweaters" , or other variations of your own query.
ahandmadelife.blogspot.com/
ths.gardenweb.com/
funessa.wordpress.com/
frugalliving.about.com/
Hope this helps get you started.
If you go to buy a used sewing machine please take a sewing person with you as you could end up with nothing and have spent your money. I rebuild old machines and can find a lot that have a little wrong with them for 20 dollars but you have to know how to use one to buy used.
Go to a Sewing place that fixes machines and 50.00 with a 30 day guarantee is a good price and you are covered and they will instruct you or you can order a book if one doesn't come with it by googling the name of the machine.
Your question gave me a brilliant picture of a "quilt" made from sweaters! OOOOOO! cozy!!
Try going to a quilt shop with your idea and find a class to join. It could be the start of a wonderful new hobby for you!
