In spite of my compulsive Goodwill donations, I keep a box of old clothes to cut up for projects. For some things, it's just wonderful to sew with fabric that is already perfectly broken in. And sometimes an item is stained or un-donatable in some way, but a good source for scraps.
I loved this gray hoodie; I've probably had it for 10 years. Haven't worn it in a long time, though; it just seems too short now. (weight gain? low rise jeans? who knows.) It needed a new life.
The beauty of refashioning zippered clothes is not having to sew in a zipper! Wanna try it? This is an easy project and won't take you long.
1. With the zipper closed, cut the front out of the sweatshirt. I only cut as far as the kangaroo pocket, but that's just me. You can cut this to whatever size you like, as long as both sides are the same. Using a pair of very small, sharp scissors, carefully cut between the teeth of the zipper.
2. Use a safety pin at the bottom of the zipper to guard against accidentally opening it all the way. You can hot glue the end of the zipper to make a new stop, or sew it shut. I opted for glue.
3. Cut two pieces of fusible fleece and two pieces of lining fabric the same size as your outer panels. Fuse the fleece to the wrong sides of the outer panels.
4. On your lining panel pieces, fold over the edge you will be attaching to the zipper and press. I used a 3/8" seam allowance.
5. Put the zipper foot on your machine. Making sure your outer panels are out of the way, sew the folded edge of the lining panel to the underside of the zipper tape only. Do this for both sides.
6. Open the zipper 3/4 of the way (very important!) With outer panels right sides together, sew around the edges. Get as close as you can to the zipper without actually sewing over it. Do the same with the lining panels, only use a 1/8" greater seam allowance, and leave several inches open on one side for turning.
7. Remove the safety pin. Clip corners 45 degrees and trim seam allowances; turn right side out and press. Stitch opening closed.
8. Ta-da! Your basic zip pouch. Only...it's kinda boring.
9. Aaahhh, that's better! I added a fabric flower with button embellishment, and used a piece of the hoodie tie as a zipper pull.
Now I can enjoy my comfy old hoodie in its new life as a makeup bag!
Materials list:
old zip hoodie
fusible fleece
cotton lining fabric
zipper foot
fabric scraps for flower
button
cording from hoodie tie
also linked up at: DIY Home Sweet Home Project
