Check Out My Upcycled Line of Swoveralls

4 Materials
$5
30 Minutes
Easy

Could there be a more glorious combination than overalls and sweatpants? Perhaps only if the pieces were made using sustainable resources and ethical manufacturing processes which is exactly how swoveralls are made. I was given an amazing opportunity to take some damaged pairs of swoveralls and upcycle them in order to save them from the landfill. I am so excited to share this little project with you!

Tools and materials:

  • Seam ripper
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Swoveralls
Cut the top

Remove the problem area 

One of the problems I saw with the damaged swoveralls was that some of the top buttons were broken. To repair this part of the swoverall, I cut off the damaged area. 

Fold the fabric inward

Sew a new neckline 

Next, I had to make sure the neckline would still look neat and clean so I folded the corners inwards and folded along the new neckline as I went.

Sew the neckline


I went over to my sewing machine to sew the new neckline which, once I was finished with it, looked just like it had before. 

Sew buttonhole

Sew buttonholes 

For the refashioned top bit of this swoverall, I sewed a buttonhole on either side of the new neckline where the buttons had originally been.

Custom overalls

Remove clasps 

To create the style I wanted for the top of this swoverall I had to remove the clasps from the arm straps. Using my seam ripper, I got to work on opening up each strap and taking off the clasps, 

Resew the straps


Next, I laced the straps through the buttonholes to create a sort of tied strap look and then sewed the strap adjuster back in place. 

Sew around the snap

Enclose the sides 

To repair the sides of the swoverall I decided on an easy fix! I simply sewed around the snaps to permanently enclose the sides. This is just one really simple and easy way to upcycle a damaged pair of swoveralls.

Cut out lemons

Add your own design 

I was lucky enough to have a couple more pairs to repair and refashion and I thought I’d share some of my work. I had a gorgeous baby blue pair to work with and I decided to add a little design element by sewing on lemons and leaves. I started by cutting out lemons from this amazing, bright yellow fabric. 

Cut out leaves


I then moved on to cutting out the deep green leaves. 

Embellished overalls


I worked on placement for a while to make sure I was happy with the lemon swoveralls. 

Sew on the lemons


I moved over to my sewing machine to sew the gorgeous lemons and leaves onto the pair of swoveralls. 

Seam rip the straps

Create your own style 

I was also given a really gorgeous pink colored swoverall to work on. I wanted to create a really cute, feminine look for this pair. I repeated the steps I had done on the black swoveralls to create tie straps. First, I seam ripped the strap adjuster open to remove the clasps. Once I had removed the clasps, I resewed the straps. 

Cut the buttonholes


I then cut off the top part of the swoverall, removing the buttons in the process. I resewed the neckline just as I had done before making sure it looked professional. 

Tie the straps

I then pulled the strap through my newly sewed buttonholes and tied them to create the gorgeous tie strap effect I wanted. 

Add flowers


To take this pair to the next level, I decided to sew some white flowers around the pockets on the swoverall. 

Add a tie-dye swerve

Be creative with your upcycles 

I had been repairing and upcycling quite a few pairs and I wanted to show you the different styles and ideas I have been working on. For this pair, I went for a striped tie-dye style which I just love! 

Make a half and half pair


I also created a half and half pair of swoveralls. This look is bold and understated at the same time! 

Add hanging straps


For a little bit more of an edgy, modern look I added these hanging straps to the pair and also sewed inverted zips on the bottom of each leg. 

Embroidered overalls

Here is the floral, feminine pair I had been working on. The flowers are such a small detail but they add so much to this pair, 

Overalls with appliques


Lastly, I wanted to show you this print pair that I refashioned. This pair is really just a whole lot of fun! I would love for you to share some more swoverall upcycle ideas with me in the comments! 

Suggested materials:
  • Seam ripper
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
See all materials

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Comments
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  • Autumn Titensor Goodwin Autumn Titensor Goodwin on Jun 16, 2021

    I had never even heard of swoveralls before this! I love the idea! I would love a tutorial on making swoveralls from a sweat suit! Maybe I need to do a google search!🙂

  • Janice Janice on Aug 09, 2023

    WOW! Where have I been? I, like Autumn, had never heard of swoveralls! Love them! Yours are SO cute! Thanx for sharing!

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