Repurposed Sweater Sleeve Gift Bags

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2 red gift bags made from a sweater with ribbon tied on them with title text reading Repurposed Sweater Gift Bags
 
 Do you remember the Sweater Pillows {here} I made as Valentine’s gifts
a pink pillow and a red pillow with the letter C on it, both made from sweaters
I used the body of the sweaters to make the pillows but still had the tops and sleeves left over.  I really liked the color and textures of both sweaters, so I wanted to find repurposed project for both the pink sleeves and the red sleeves.  The pink sleeves were repurposed into mittens. {here}
half of a red sweater
But I’d been looking at the red sleeves for a couple of weeks trying to divine their new purpose.
 
Then it hit me.  The sleeves would make cute gift bags for Valentine’s gifts I planned to give.
half a red sweater with the sleeves cut off
So, I cut the sleeves off. And actually threw away the rest of the sweater. I think three repurposed projects from one sweater is pretty good.
The finished cuff edge of the sleeve will become the top of my gift bag.  I just run a quick straight stitch on the unfinished edge of the sleeve.  No fancy sewing here.  After all, it’s just a gift bag, not a prom dress.
 
using a sewing machine to stitch a red sweater
 
I cut a rectangular piece of cardboard to make a base for the bottom of the bag so that it will stand up on its own. I just used a piece of cardboard that was on it’s way to the recycling bin. I rounded the corners so that they didn’t poke holes in the sweater material.
 
a piece of cardboard
 
I added pretty ribbon to each sleeve turned gift bag.  Voila.
 
2 red gift bags made from a sweater with ribbon tied on them
 
 From sweater sleeves to cute gift bags.  Repurposed and quick!  Oh, yeah, and cute.
 

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32 Comments

  1. What a great idea! You are so creative. I really enjoy your posts, and I would love it if you could share this at my link party tomorrow. Hope you can make it!-Angie

  2. What an awesome upcycling project…or should I say projects since you utilized the entire sweater in two project! 😉 I’m so glad you shared this at Loving Valentines Day!

    TGIF!
    Marilyn

  3. Hi, Susan – wow, those are so cool! I am a beginner at sewing and love this simple project – thanks for the great idea!

  4. Cute idea. I have been repurposing sweater for a long time now, and this is a new idea to me. Thanks for sharing. I’m visiting via Super Handmade Sunday.

  5. Hopping over from The Clever Chicks party. This is a great idea! Thank you! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

  6. So super cute and even great for Christmas! I’d love for you to come link this up at my Tuesday Time Out! Melanie Reasons To Skip The Housework

  7. Such a nice idea……Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again! Cheers,Kathy Shea MorminoThe Chicken Chick

  8. This is a really great idea. I really like the cardboard in the bottom idea! I am glad you shared this! I am off to pin it, so I can remember to try this!

    I found your site from the Talking about Thursday blog hop. I am now following most of your social medias!

    Look forward to seeing what you create next!

    Cynthia

  9. Very, very clever idea!!! So easy to make and they look great!!! I’d love you to share this at our Ongoing Link Party that’s just for Gift Wrapping

  10. These are so brilliant!

    I would love for you to link up at the Mommy Archive – we’re focusing on all sorts of hand made bags this week, Alice x

  11. Such a good idea. Now I’m wondering why I’ve thrown out some old sweaters. I especiallly like the sleeve bags. Thanks for the inspiration.

  12. These are super cute. I really enjoy projects that are made of repurposed items. Its such a win win. Thank you for the inspiration.

    1. Thank you, Leanna. I love repurposing items, too. I like the challenge as much as I do saving them from the landfill. Have fun repourposing.

  13. That’s a really great idea! I love upcycling sweaters and reusable gift bags, so this is perfect! 🙂 Lisa

  14. Susan, I’m just dropping by from the “Wrapping up the Holidays” link party to let you know that you are one of my features. Congratulations and Happy Holidays!

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