27 January 2011

DIY: elephant sweater



d i f f i c u l t ][ 2-5 hours
cost: around $15
shop at: a fabric store & a craft store
(look for sales on solid sweatshirts at craft stores)
read: the instructions once though before you get started

I've never made one but it's totally possible to make funky sweatshirts.
My mom used to make stuff like this, I totally rocked them in elementary.
This is a bit of a tricky project, I'm not holding your hand as much for this one. Best of luck!

SUPPLIES

1 red sweatshirt in your (or who your making it for's) size
1 gray sweatshirt in your (or who your making it for's) size
1/4 yard black fleece
thread
sewing machine/need & thread
scissors
pins
big paper + pencil for tracing and planning
decent sewing skills, some past experience

1. cut off the right sleeve of the gray sweater, leaving a little extra fabric where it connects

2. cut off the right sleeve of the red sweater, leaving a little bit of the sleeve there


3. cut out elephant shape out of the top layer of extra gray sweater


4. cut pieces of black fleece for eye, edge of ear, and the tail


5. sew the black pieces onto the right spot on the gray elephant piece


6. lay the completed elephant shape on the remainder of the red sweater, making sure the elephant runs over the edge near the sleeve. pin down elephant.


7. without sewing through both sides of the sweatshirt, stitch down the elephant piece.

8. sew gray sleeve on red sweater. (this is the "trunk!") here's a tutorial with photos on how to sew sleeves on without cutting up the other part of the sweater.
http://www.whatthecraft.com/tuts/sleevepic.htm

TIP: Yours isn't going to look *exactly* like the photo, and that's ok! The idea is always there & it's a very unique clothing item, that's what counts. Other people that see you or your friend in the sweater aren't going to say "oh it doesn't look like the one online! ugh!" they're going to say "OH MY GOSH I LOVE YOUR TOP, THE SLEEVE IS THE TRUNK OMG COOL MAKE ME ONE PLEASE!!!!" :D

ALTERNATIVE IDEAS: Use any color combination you like! It's your sweater. I bet you could figure out a bunch of animals to make. No limits!

BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Sweatshirts With Style by Mary Mulari (1980s/1990s)
The one my mom has. ♥ If you get it…she made me the ice skating one, fyi. x)

SEND ME A PHOTO OF YOUR WORK IF YOU MAKE ONE.
I'd be so excited!

be sure to check out my other projects!

big thanks to whatthecraft.com, I've loved that site's tutorials for ages ♥

DIY #5
♥ I worked really hard on this tutoriral. It took a long time to prepare.
The photo of the elephant sweater is not mine.
I wrote out & drew these instructions and took the instruction photos.
So if you see this anywhere else, it's not the original.
original post date: 7/18/10

12 comments:

  1. where do you suggest going to, to get sweatshirts that are pretty cheap?

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  2. Target or Walmart. Sometimes craft stores (like Michael's) have sales!

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  3. Anonymous13 June, 2011

    were can i get an outline for the elephant?

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  4. You make it yourself. It's totally doable, people have shown me their sweaters, made from this tutorial. Best of luck! :)

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  5. If anybody needs help finding some good sweatshirts, the Hanes webstite has great ones!

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  6. there are also sweatshirts like this at AC Moore

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  7. i made it :) super cute!!! http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff516/magggxxx/111213-142221.jpg

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  8. I tried it! Mine is a large headed guy but all the same still fun to make!

    You can see it here:
    http://sarahbethlifeaftergrad.blogspot.com/2012/02/elephant-sweatshirt.html
    Follow!

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  9. you can get cheap,blank sweaters at jiffyshirts.com shipping is really fast too, they are quite reliable.

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  10. Hi, this is adorable!
    But I only have pink or blue sweater and gray sweatshirt. Do you think a pink or blue elephant is doable?

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, def! Any color looks great. It might be tricky sewing a sweater to a sweatshirt, though, as sweaters unravel.

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  11. In the l980's there was a way to use 2 sweatshirts and combine them to make a dress. Do you remember how to do this?

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Thanks for your comment!