Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Win a copy of Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things from Old Sweaters

by

You get to benefit from a tiny bit of self promotion! Yup, this is my book. And my publisher, the wonderful Quayside Publishing Group has offered a copy to you my loving Recycled Crafts at Craft Gossip readers. All you need to do is leave a comment in today’s post by Midnight Wed 26th, 2010 and you are entered to win. Here is a bit about it and want to see more projects made with recycled sweaters pop on over to these posts at Craftside and these posts at Sweater Surgery.

Sweater Surgery:
How to Make New Things from Old Sweaters

By yours truly,

Stefanie Girard

“Contemporary crafters are thriving on personalizing, modifying, and altering fashion as not only hobbies but as a lifestyle.

Why repurpose your sweaters? Because you can’t buy sweater fabric by the yard. Sweaters get damaged or go out of style but we still love the prints, colors, and textures. You don’t have time to knit it from scratch. It’s ecologically correct. And most of all–it’s fun!

Sweater Surgery shows you how to upcycle all your slightly worn, slightly damaged, or plain old out-of-style sweaters into fabulous new items for your wardrobe and your home. Readers learn how to choose, cut, restitch, felt, and embellish old sweater fabric, transforming it into beautiful handbags, mittens, scarves, hats, hoodies, skirts, jewelry, soft toys, pillows, and more!

Complete instructions for 27 projects, plus a huge gallery of exciting ideas for further inspiration.”

[tags] Sweater Surgery by Stefanie Girard[/tags]

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Comments

  1. I have seen this book on a few blogs and want it bad!
    Please pick me!!!
    I would love to play like you.

  4. my mother was a “home taylor”, I cut paper with scissors and take care of stray cats and dogs, and my daughter just discovered creativity with grandmother’s sewing machine… the world is hopefully full of women busy with life…?

  5. Set my intention on finding perfection today and look where it landed me! Thanks for the opportunity and good luck with your book. Amy

  7. What a great idea for a book. I have done some felting from old wool sweaters and would love more ideas.

  8. I have loads of sweaters and fabric and need more inspiration to create functional pieces from them. I love the idea of re-using garments and adding pieces to make them fabulous. I’d love to have this book as inspiration! Nancy

  9. I’ve recently returned to sewing from a long hiatus and am extremely interested in recycling/upcycling/repurposing/reinventing old clothing for my family. I could sooooooo use this book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  10. I move a lot and am constantly cleaning out my closets and drawers, giving clothes and other things away. I would love to recycle my sweaters and other unused items into new handmade gifts.

  11. Ooooooh! My husband ruins so many clothes, including sweaters, that I hate to discard. Looks like some very cute creations!!

  14. What a fabulous book! It’s so good that — if I don’t win it — I’ll have to go out and buy it. So many creative ideas…glad I saw Stefanie at Maker Faire!!!

  17. Being the pack rat that I am, I’ve been holding on to a couple (okay, well, an entire box) of sweaters. It would be fabulous to re-purpose them for a fun and/or functional use!

  20. I love to make purse with wool sweaters. I would love to win a copy of your book.

Have you read?

I Found a Table Made from Mannequin Legs—and I’m Still Not Over It

 

manequin table recycled

Okay, I have to tell you about one of the most bizarre-yet-brilliant DIYs I’ve come across in a while. While scrolling through google (as one does when deep into a late-night upcycling rabbit hole), I stumbled on a video tutorial for a table made out of mannequin legs. And honestly? I couldn’t look away.

This project is peak creative chaos—in the best way. The concept is exactly what it sounds like: four mannequin legs, flipped and fixed in place, supporting a standard tabletop. It’s got this quirky, surreal vibe that makes it feel part high fashion, part modern art installation. Think: Tim Burton meets IKEA.

What I loved most about this video is how surprisingly accessible it is. The creator breaks the process down clearly—so even though the end result looks totally wild, the steps are manageable. You’ll need a few tools and a decent amount of glue or screws (depending on how permanent you want this table to be), but nothing too technical.

Design-wise, this piece is an absolute conversation starter. It would look amazing in a creative studio, a funky coffee shop, or even as a statement piece in a minimalist home—anywhere you want to break the “normal furniture” mold. The contrast between the realistic mannequin legs and a basic tabletop is just the right kind of weird.

If you’re into recycled home decor, eco-conscious DIY projects, or just love adding some unexpected personality to your space, this one’s worth bookmarking. Whether or not you ever make it yourself, it’s guaranteed to make you see mannequins—and furniture—in a whole new way.

Catch the full tutorial and see the visual magic for yourself on Recyclart. Just be prepared to say, “Wait, is that a leg?” every time someone visits your house.