Welcome to another addition of Frugal Gift Friday! There are only a few weeks left before Christmas, but this easy project will help you knock another gift off your shopping list. Let me show you how to make an easy felted wool sweater handbag today.
I love using items I already have on hand to make projects, but unfortunately I didn’t have any wool turtleneck sweaters. A quick trip to the local Goodwill solved my dilemma, so this project’s cost weighed in at around $4. Not bad, huh? Just be sure your sweater is at least 80% wool and is not washable wool, or it will not felt properly. I learned the hard way with one of my sweaters! Felting the sweater allows you to cut the fabric without any fraying and you don’t have to hem the edges. It just makes this project so easy!
If you have never felted wool before, don’t worry because it’s very simple. Turn your sweater inside out and run it through the wash using hot water and high heat settings. You know the sweater is felted when you no longer see the stitches. Keep an eye on it once it’s in the dryer, because it will shrink significantly. Keep this in mind when picking out your sweater!
Keep the sweater turned inside out for the start of the project. I started out by cutting off the sleeves, following the seams. I cut all the way up the sides of the sweater neckline as well. If your sweater doesn’t have a turtleneck, you can use the same process I used for my T-shirt bag here. The bag will look very similar to this one; only the handles will be more open. I used a turtleneck sweater so my bag will have a hobo bag style.
Fold the sweater evenly so the sides of the sweater are now lined up in the center and pin the bottom together. To form the handles, bring the two top sides together and join with a straight stitch across.
Now sew across the bottom edge to form the bottom of the bag. Turn the sweater inside out and you’re done. Well, maybe not yet. One more step!
If you’re like me, you hate to throw away scraps. I had some scraps leftover from trimming the sleeves off of the sweater. What about some awesome felted flowers? Great idea!
I rolled the scraps to form flowers and attached them to the bag. It adds just a touch of femininity to this dark colored bag.
You can hand-stitch them or hot glue them onto the bag. Doesn’t the added detail look great?
I am so happy with the completed handbag. It’s just too cute! I have my eye out for a pink wool sweater so I can make one for myself!
When you tell the recipient that you made this cute felted wool sweater handbag all on your own, they will be so impressed. I promise we won’t tell them how easy it was to make, OK?
Mission accomplished. Now it’s your turn. I promise you the hardest part will be finding a wool sweater to use! Good luck making one for a special person on your gift list this year. Remember if you decide to make one for me my favorite color is pink! 🙂
I almost forgot! Don’t throw away the sweater sleeves! Use them to make last week’s Frugal Gift Friday Leg Warmers!
Shared with: Craft Frenzy Friday, What To Do Weekends, Pin Me Linky Party, Bloggers Brags, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop, Make It Monday, Merry Monday, Off the Hook Monday Link Party, Made by You Monday, Treasure Box Tuesday, Twirl & Take a Bow, Do Tell Tuesday, Two Uses Tuesday, Totally Terrific Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, The Makers
What an awesome idea! Love the little roses, so make the bag! I am thinking this might be a fun project for an ugly Christmas sweater – you could spread the joy year round that way lol!
Great idea about the ugly Christmas sweater…I will keep that in mind for next year! 🙂
I want those leg warmers 🙂
I’m glad you like them! It’s going to be cold here tomorrow, so I might be wearing them!
I’ve always wanted to do a recycled sweater craft. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Hope you can come on over and share on the Merry Monday Link Party.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m glad you liked this sweater project, it was fun to make! See you at the Merry Monday Link Party!
That bag is just gorgeous and it wouldn’t be the same without those lovely flowers. It’s rare to find wool clothing here in Western Australia but I’ll be keeping my eye out for sure.
Sounds great…I’m glad you like it! It’s been cold here today and I’ve regretted cutting up that wool sweater…LOL!
Oh dear, does that mean another tutorial on how to convert your handbag into a scarf? 🙂
Sounds like a winner! LOL
Wow! So easy! I am definitely doing this with some old sweaters I have! Thanks for a great idea!
I’m so glad you like this bag. It is a great project for old sweaters. Thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations! This post is going to be featured over at Diana Rambles tomorrow and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest, Tweeted, and Recommended on G+. Please grab a featured button off my sidebar or via the link under the features. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
This is awesome news! Thanks so much for the feature, and I can’t wait to check in and see it tomorrow!
I would like to find this gift under the tree. Thank you for sharing it at Make It Monday.
Thanks, Donna. It’s great partying with you!
This looks so nice! I’ll have to try it with the girls. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party! I’ve pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
Thanks, Tammy!
So wonderful! This would make the perfect gift…give them a sweater bag with the leg warmers inside! PERFECT!! The whole time I was reading this post, I was thinking “I hope she saved those sleeves” lol…and you did..yay! Thanks for linking up at Totally Terrific Tuesday! Cant wait until you host with me!
Jess