Hello lovelies! It’s the perfect time to share how easy it is to make your own DIY sweater Pumpkins!
The thrift stores all have their sweaters out by now, and they should have a few candidates that are perfect for sweater pumpkins!
I found these four at my local thrift store:
These all made for super cute sweater pumpkins!
And if you only use sleeves of the sweaters, it makes this project totally NO SEW!
What was so great about the chunky ivory sweater was that it had two great patterns in the same sweater. You can see them both here…
It had a fabulous cable knit on the front and this ribbed look on the back that was perfect for a sweater pumpkin!
But my favorite had to be the amazing fuzzy aqua sweater I found:
About this time last year, I shared a video tutorial for how I make these sweater pumpkins from the sleeves of sweaters. You can get four pumpkins out of one sweater if you are only using the sleeves.
Those were last year’s pumpkins, and I’m resharing that video!
Here is how I make DIY Sweater Pumpkins using just the Sleeves:
If you have trouble viewing, find it on YouTube HERE.
Today, I’m resharing my video tutorial for this fun Fall project because it is super simple, and now is the perfect time to visit your local thrift store and start looking for sweaters!
And here is how I get even more out of the rest of the sweater!
I’ve been asked several times what I do with the rest of the sweater, so today, I’m showing you how can you can get even more pumpkins out of the rest of the sweater! It does require sewing a straight line, but you can do this either with a machine or by hand.
Here is what was left of a sparkly sweater that lost its sleeves to pumpkins last year:
At the time I didn’t feel like dragging out my machine, so I only used the sleeves and stashed away the rest.
- I cut straight across under the arms:
- Then with the lower piece, I cut the side seam off either side and tossed it.
- I then cut each remaining panel down the center, top to bottom. That left me with four panels.
- From there, I just folded each panel in half lengthwise with right sides of the fabric together:
- I used my machine to run a quick straight stitch on along the open edge to create a “sleeve”.
And I also did that for three more sweaters I had leftover from last year:
Now it looks like a bunch of sleeves, and you can follow the instructions in the video!
Pretty simple, right? It really is! A great weekend project!
You can even dig through your closet for sweaters you no longer love instead of going to the thrift store.
Here are all the pumpkins I was able to get out of that one chunky knit sweater by using almost the whole sweater:
I was able to get eight super cute pumpkins from one sweater! I’d say that was $5 well spent!
I make sweater pumpkins for my booth every year. I don’t do much seasonal business, but I always sell out of my sweater pumpkins!
And there’s Lyla….my little shadow, always lounging nearby…
I also picked up this cozy sweater last minute and made a few from it as well:
And here’s what’s left of that blue sweater:
Hmmm…I’m not sure there’s too much more I can do with it!
If you want to see more pumpkins, I shared how I used these fabrics to make pumpkins very similarly, only a bit larger:
You can see them HERE.
I’ll be back on Thursday sharing what I did with this sewing machine table:
See ya then!
UPDATE: See how this little table looks now HERE!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
I knew it, I was right!! I love how you showed what to do with the rest of the sweater, it is so easy and no waste!! I love the top of the left over sweater over the leopard print, I think yo may have started a fashion trend, LOL!! You are so cute, I love this tutorial, thanks for always sharing and always being such an inspiration to me and any one who reads you blog post!
Christy says
Ha ha yes! You know me well, Mary and thank you so much! I may need to trademark that look before anyone else steals my idea ha ha!! XOXO
Christina says
Oh Christy, so so cute! Love the unique textures and the aqua ones are darling! Thanks again for the tutorial. Loved watching that again.
Great to see Lyla is so cozy. 🙂
Be well and have fun!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! I’m glad you enjoyed it a second time. And my girl is the sweetest and never too far away! Stay well, my friend! XOXO
Rebecca - NC says
Adorable!! I used your technique last year to make a few and I still LOVE them!
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! And yay!! I love that!! XOXO
Rosie says
Enjoyed seeing the tutorial on the pumpkins. I do remember seeing it last year, for me it never gets old lol. You make it look so easy so I will attempt it ha ha. Looking forward to see the transformation of the sewing table. Have a great day!
Christy says
I’m glad you enjoyed it a second time, Rosie! Yes…they are not too difficult at all..I hope you do make some! Enjoy your day too! XOXO
Carolyn Price says
So great!!! Just what I needed to see. I need to do this w/ some old sweaters I own.
Thanks, Christy!! XO
Christy says
Oh yay!! Even better if you don’t even need to leave the house to find them ha ha! Have a great day! XOXO
sharon austin says
Those are so cute, as always!! And that left over sweater pic is hilarious!
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! And ha ha… I may be starting a new fall trend lol!! XOXO
Sue H Mellette says
Thanks for sharing your video again. I, too, like many others have stated, your inspiration is amazing and the bonus sweater paired with leopard is darling! I think you did indeed get all out of each sweater! Lyla reminds me of my daughter’s kitty – Bitsi – she (Bitsi) passed away two years ago at the age of 20! Can’t wait to see the sewing machine makeover!
Christy says
You’re welcome, Sue! Ha ha…I think I may be starting a new trend! I love the name Bitsi…she had a long life! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Doris Vautier says
They are very cute made with velvet too.The acrylic velvet has a nice shine to it.
Christy says
Oh I bet! XOXO
Michelle says
Christy, Loved this when I saw it last year! So, I went to Goodwill, bought 7 or 8 sweaters($21), made all the arm sweater pumpkins(assembly line style), gave them to family and to my friends passed them out to my friends as little gifts at a girls get away last year! ❤️❤️❤️
Didn’t know what to do with the torso sweater fabric so in a tote it went…can’t waste anything! Lol. And WahLa! This is a timely post because it’s still way too hot for outside activity, time to dig out the tote and make more pumpkins!
Don’t throw away the shoulders…I’m sure you’ll come up with something next year! TY
Christy says
Oh I love that!! Yes, you can make a bunch more now lol! And I was actually tempted to keep that sweater scrap just in case, but alas, in the trash it went ha ha! Happy pumpkin making! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I remember your pumpkins from last year. I also remember trying to find some sweaters that would look good and didnt. It there is no sewing required, I have to try this. I will let you know how they turned out. Thank you for the tutorial.
Christy says
Oh no…I hope you have more luck this year, or check out your own closet. Maybe there’s a sweater or two in there that you don’t love anymore? I hope you get the chance to make some! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
You always make the sweetest sweater pumpkins!!❤️
Christy says
Aww thank you! It was fun to put the paintbrush down for a change! XOXO
Mary Loveland says
The pumpkins are gorgeous, job well done! Didn’t you make some little mittens one time? That would be a good use for leftovers!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I sure did…hey I could do that with the leftovers…now why didn’t I think of that? Thank you! XOXO
Dianne says
Those pumpkins are great. One of these days I’m going to try to make some. 😁As always I live seeing Ms Lyla. She’s so pretty.
Christy says
Thanks, Dianne! They are fun to make! And Miss Lyla sends thank you ha ha…she is a sweet girl! XOXO
Addie says
I think you should start a new trend…..by wearing the left over sweater top!!! You could layer it in the winter for extra warmth and wear it braless along the beach in summer!!! “Hoochie-mama” look!!!!
Those pumpkins are VERY cute….and yes!!!…I guessed what you were going to do with those sweaters. Keep up the good work.
Christy says
Girl, I’m doing it!! Ha ha! My girls would fall well below that line in the summer lol…NOT pretty!! Always enjoy the laugh…thank you, Addie! XOXO
Addie says
My girls would fall so low……I could swing them up and over make a neck warmer out of them!!!! Double D’s and all that breast feeding!!!! ……..ad/xxoo
Christy says
😂😂😂
Gail says
Thank you!
Christy says
My pleasure! XOXO
Donna says
Love the pumpkins and the new sweater. Lyla is so pretty and she has grown so much.
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Donna! She really has…she’s a big girl! XOXO
Lynda Schneider says
OMG! These turned out so cute! You are so creative. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lynda! XOXO
Lynn says
How much do you sell the pumpkins for?
Christy says
Hi Lynn! I sell them for $6.99-$8.99 depending on the size. 🙂
Lynn says
Also, what is the actual standard size in inches of a sweater piece before you sew it into a pumpkin?
Christy says
Because I used the sleeves and then just folded the rest of the sweater into strips to create what looked like sleeves, I never measured, but this post may help with actual sizes: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/simple-fabric-pumpkins/ XO
Lynn Libby says
Thank you, Christy. Finally, how long do you cut the string you make the indentations with?
Christy says
I would guess about three feet or so? It’s okay if it’s not long enough. You can always start again with a new piece of string. 🙂
Margie says
I love muted color pumpkins,going to shop my closet. Have an old aqua sweater I just couldn’t part with but only,wore at home cause got a little to shabby chic . I can still enjoy in another form. Thanks
Christy says
Oh that will be perfect!! XOXO
Cherie Smith says
I LOVE making pumpkins from sweaters! I HATE wearing sweaters soooo but I love the look of them so pumpkins are a great choice. Maybe you could attach a cute fabric bottom to the sweater top and make a whole new style top.
Christy says
Oh that could be really fun lol, and I hear ya on wearing sweaters…it has to be really cold for me to go there! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
Have never seen this done. They are so cute! I love the different textures and of course the coastal colors. So pretty.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Debra! Sweaters really so have so many fantastic textures! XOXO
Vanessa says
I love these and have made them in the past but yours came out way cuter than mine did! I’ll try again this year and hope for the best! Maybe you could use the scraps as filler for the pumpkins.
Christy says
Thank you, Vanessa! Yes, give them another go this year, and using the leftovers as fillers is a great idea! XOXO
Joanne Watts says
I love this project and had fun making them.Would love to show you them.Thank you for a fun and busy craft. Joanne
Christy says
Thank you, Joanne! I’d love to see yours! You can email me photos at christykjames@cox.net if you like! XOXO
Karen A Cronk says
Great video and great project! There is a bag sale at my local thrift store this week…..I’m on my way for sweaters! You end up with 4 pumpkins AND a fashionable shrug! Cute picture!
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! I wish you lots of luck scoring big on sweaters…and yes, new wardrobe too ha ha! XOXO
Sandi Allen says
Love your pumpkins! Thank you for the tutorial! I’m gonna go look in my closet for a sweater.
p.s love your nails. That color is beautiful
Christy says
Thank you, Sandi! You are so welcome! And thanks!! They need done again in a big way lol! XOXO
Becky says
I love your sweater pumpkins! I make a batch… or 2… or 3 every year. This year, seeing your non-traditional sweater choices gave me courage to go for blush, gold, and champagne (plus chunky white, etc.). Hopefully my shoppers like them as much as I (and my kids 😁) do! I use the body of the sweater too, right up to the neckband (my craft room can’t handle more “leftovers”!), and get about 18-20 pumpkins per sweater. Mine must be smaller than yours?! They come out similar to the “Jack-Be-Little” real pumpkins size-wise, or slightly bigger. Thanks for the annual pumpkin boost! 😁
Christy says
Oh I love that! It is really fun to step outside the box sometimes. I’m sure you will sell out! I just dropped mine off today. I think my sweaters were on the smaller side, but I am super impressed that you got that many out of yours! Have a fantastic weekend, my friend! XOXO
Tissy Ramsey says
Really lovin’ the peach ones Kristy!!
Christy says
Thank you, Tissy! XOXO
Kerryanne says
These are adorable Christy…. love ’em ♥
Thank you for sharing your DIY sweater pumpkins at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring them at the party tonight and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend!! XOXO
Elizabeth Watson says
Brilliant upcycle and the aqua is fabulous!! I’d love for you to share over at our weekly Wednesday Creative Crafts Linky Party
https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party-9-join-in-the-fun/
Have a great week!
Creatively, Beth
Christy says
Thank you, Beth! XOXO
Christina says
I have to go to Goodwill and find some sweaters. I meant to do this the first time you posted this wonderful tutorial! I think these would make wonderful Autumn gifts…. especially the colors you chose. Very coastal!
See you tomorrow!! Give Lyla some chin rubs for me!
Christy says
Oh Yes! these would make the cutest gifts! Good luck in your search, I’m snuggling Lyla for you right now, and I’ll see ya tomorrow, my friend! XOXO