When in winter, we pull out the sweaters. That’s also a time to sort out what we want and what we no longer need. That’s when I can find the best potential for upcycling them into felted goodness. While not just any sweater will do for most felted wool projects, this time around we have wiggle room. It’s Reduce, Reuse, REFASHION Tuesday and I’m here to share a self-care gift for you or those you love. This fun sweater will become a DIY hot water bottle cover. Stress relief, anyone?

Isn’t that sweater above totally cute? I have no idea what the “F.” is for, but it caught my eye. In addition, I’ve already felted this 100% wool sweater so it’s ready to go. Likewise, when I find a moth-eaten sweater, like my pink cashmere sweater turned sloth, I bring them home. Then, when I accumulate a few, I felt them all at the same time. You can see how I made dryer balls from a damaged wool sweater or see how I felt and upholster with sweaters HERE or in the video demo below.

REFASHION TIME

However, if you want to give this DIY a try, here’s a list of tools and supplies you’ll need to get started:

Tools & Supplies

• 70% (or more) wool sweater felted OR any natural fabric sweater.
• sewing scissors
• hot water bottle
• pencil
• scrap paper
• sewing machine or needle and thread
• sewing pins or clips

Let’s get started with this refashion! First, let’s take a look at these hot water bottles.

Not only are they pretty basic, but that also means they’re easy to work with.

STEP 1

Next, trace the bottle onto a piece of scrap paper allowing about a half inch or so for seam allowance. If you’re hand-sewing, you don’t need as much leeway.

After that, cut out the pattern and get your sweater ready for the next step.

STEP 2

Now that we have our pattern, we’re going to cut three pieces out of our sweater. However, before we continue, I want to point out that you do not have to use a wool sweater that’s felted. You can use any natural fabric sweater (cotton, cashmere, etc.) and cut it as-is. The idea is to make this a comfy self-care gift.

Keep in mind that you want the largest portion of the sweater to be the front of your DIY hot water bottle cover. For my sweater, I’m saving the “F.” section for my needs. Then, that leaves me with the back side of the sweater. Don’t be afraid to make use of sides where there are seams too. Just make note of placement of the pattern. I open up the sweater by cutting up one side seam.

With that in mind, let’s cut the top back of the cover. First, lightly fold the pattern in the middle so you can use that for reference. Then, place the pattern at the sweater bottom cuff as shown.

STEP 3

Next, flip your pattern upside down and place the center line about 1-2″ higher. This so that when we make our bottle cover, the back edges overlap to make a pillowcase-style cover.

STEP 4

Finally, it’s time to assemble. Here are the three pieces we are putting together…

Grab the top and bottom back pieces and place them right sides facing the “F.” (or front panel). Pin making sure your overlaps are sandwiched together properly.

Last, stitch around the entire perimeter leaving a quarter inch seam allowance. You can either sew with a sewing machine as I’ve done, or you could place the pieces wrong side together and use a blanket stitch to assemble. Not only would that create a decorative element, but also leave out the sewing machine if those make you nervous. {{wink, wink}}

A WARM HUG

Here is my complete DIY hot water bottle cover handmade with love. I don’t know about you, but I have fond memories of hot water bottles. I think puppies, I think warm hug for newborns, and even the comfort care we all appreciate when being taken care of.

Okay…let’s have some fun…what does the “F.” stand for? I’m thinking maybe “Finished” or “Freezing” or maybe “Friend”? Even better is that I whipped up two of these in less than an hour for a few special people.

 

SHARE

As with all my creative adventures, I aim to inspire YOU. Just think how lovely it would be to get a DIY hot water bottle cover made from a loved one’s sweater. It not only makes a great gift but serves as comfort as well. Let’s inspire others to create! Pin and share to spread the inspiration.

Also, take a minute to sign up for my FREE newsletter so you can see what becomes of this vintage washboard-ish art. hmmm…any ideas?

Until next time!

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Likewise, here’s more refashion fun like my DIY hot water bottle cover: