Quilt Block Sweatshirt Upcycle

Quilt Block Sweatshirt Upcycle

Looking to upcycle an old sweatshirt? I have the perfect beginner-friendly project for you!

You'll need:

  1. An old sweatshirt
  2. 3 different cotton fabrics - I recommend using fabric scraps from a project, an old pillowcase, or even your dog's old Camp Hound bandanas that they've outgrown. If you're buying new, I recommend getting 1/8 yd of each fabric.
  3. Standard sewing supplies - a machine, thread, pins, an iron - the works
  4. Optional: Heat & Bond Lite. I personally didn't use this, but it can be handy when attaching the quilt block to your sweatshirt.

I was scrolling on pinterest this past weekend when I came across this sweatshirt:

Of course, just my luck, there was no link, no instructions, nothing. Just the picture. So I decided to give it a try anyway. It came out pretty good so here's the tutorial:

Fabric A: Red, Fabric B: Cream, Fabric C: Black

  1. Cut 4 2.5x2.5 inch squares from Fabric A.
  2. Cut 4 3x3 inch squares from Fabrics A, B, and C. Then cut along the diagonal to form 8 right triangles of each fabric.
  3. Make 4 of each of the following pairs of triangles: 4 A+B, 4 A+C, 4 B+C. Sewn each of your pairs right sides together along the diagonal with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You should end up with 12 total squares (16 if you count the 4 solid squares we cut in step 1). Press open the seams.
  4. Lay out your pieces in to match this pattern:
  5. Attach the squares from each row to each other by placing right sides together and sewing with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You should something 4 strips of 4 squares. Press your seams.
  6. Attach each of the rows to each other with 1/4 inch seam allowance to form the square. Press your seams.
  7. Optional: fold and press the edges of the quilt block 1/4 inch for a more finished look. I chose to leave the edges raw so they create a fringe edge.
  8. Time to attach it to your sweatshirt. If you are using Heat & Bond, follow the ironing instructions to attach it to your quilt block and then to your sweatshirt. If not, pin your quilt block to your sweatshirt.
  9. Sew all along the vertical and horizontal seams to quilt the block to your sweatshirt. Finish it off my sewing a square along the edge.

There you have it! An upcycled quilt block sweatshirt!

FAQ:

  • Do I need to iron/press my seams? Yes, it makes a huge difference and keeps everything nice and neat.
  • I sewed something wrong, how do I fix it? Seam rip & try again! Sewing is a constant learning process and seam ripping is a part of that.
  • Why are you recommending Heat & Bond if you didn't use it? I didn't have any & I didn't want to go to the store so I winged it. Definitely use it if you have it, it makes things so much easier.
  • Will you sell these? Nope <3

xo,

Shelby

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