You’re Totally Going to “Heart” This DIY Sweater- No Sew Tutoria

Holly Grace
by Holly Grace
7 Materials
$15
1 Hour
Easy


Have an old sweater lying around? Dress it up and give it some life by adding a fun twist to the front. I decided to add a heart shape from an old sweater. The process is super easy, and I will show you how to achieve this look in just under an hour. I bought both my sweaters from the thrift store, making a great upcycle for this DIY sweater. Let's get started so you can see how easy it is to make a DIY sweater- and you're going to totally "heart" the result!

Tools and materials:

  • 2 old sweaters
  • Fabric glue
  • Scissors
  • Paper
  • Measuring tape
  • Pen
  • Lace ribbon
Make a DIY sweater

Measure your sweater

You will need two sweaters for this—one to cut out the heart and one that you will actually wear. Measure the sweater you will stick the heart on to and make sure you get the center measurements, giving you a guide on where to place it.

How to make a DIY sweater

Make the heart pattern

Taking a plain piece of paper, draw half a heart. This will ensure that the heart is symmetrical. Using a pair of scissors, cut the shape and check the shape of the heart, making sure it's not too big or small.

Easy DIY sweater

Cut the pattern

Next, fold it in half directly down the middle. If you have a sweater like mine, make sure the cable knit design ( or any other design) is in the middle, too. Then, take your pattern and lay it on the sweater, close to the fold. Then, cut the pattern, making sure you cut through both layers.

Basic DIY sweater

Place the heart on the main sweater

Place your heart on top of the sweater, making sure it is positioned in the center. Before you start gluing, place a paper between the main sweater so that none of the glue will seep to the bottom layer.

DIY heart sweater

Glue the sweater

For this step, I am going to use Speed-sew, a super adhesive fabric glue. You are welcome to use any other fabric glue; just make sure it does the job! Squeeze some glue into a container and brush it on using an old paintbrush.

Heart sweater DIY

Start by adding some fabric glue to one side of the heart and sticking it into place. Allow it to dry for a few minutes before proceeding to the rest of the heart.

Glue the rest of the heart

Then, flip the heart over and add more fabric glue to the rest of your heart. Do it in bits at the beginning so that the heart is not soaked by the glue and stays straight. Next, press your heart onto the sweater so that it's nice and firm. Also, straighten it out.


TIP-

If you don't have glue, you can sew this on with a needle and thread.

Use ribbon for the border

Add the ribbon

I am now going to place some lovely lace ribbon around the heart. I picked this one up at the dollar store, so it really was inexpensive. Now, make a border around the heart using the same gluing method.

Stick one end

Take a little bit, dab it on the end and place it down at the bottom tip of your heart, as close to the heart's border as possible.

Stitch around the border

Next, dab some glue with your brush or foam brush onto the main sweater's fabric. Press the ribbon down as you go along. This ribbon is great as it will help secure the heart's actual borders so that it doesn't fray.

Cut at tip of heart

Continue working around the heart and stop at the crease of the heart. Here, cut the ribbon and repeat the process on the rest of the heart, changing the direction of the process.

Change direction of the ribbon

With the new ribbon piece, layer it under the last piece, glue it all in place and continue around the heart.

Leave to dry

Let it dry

Once everything is attached, let it dry for a good 6 hours. I know you may be dying to wear it, but it's a good idea to make sure the glue is completely dry.

Cute DIY sweater

6 hours later… you've got yourself a lovely heart sweater. How easy and fun was this process? I love the colors and the shape. I think it's cute and funky. I hope you enjoyed this DIY sweater tutorial and that you use this as inspiration for your next thrift flip project.


Suggested materials:
  • 2 sweaters
  • Fabric glue
  • Scissors
See all materials

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