23 DIY Sweater Upcycle and Refashion Ideas

Turn your sweater into something new with a DIY sweater upcycle and refashion! With sew and no-sew tutorials there is a refashion for all!

Its sweater weather, but what if your sweater has a hole or a stain? What if the sweater doesn’t fit or it shrunk? Use a sweater refashion (or two) to upcycle it into something new!

What is refashioning?

Refashioning is to fashion clothing again or differently. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing clothing to fit different or to look different, but the majority of the item stays the same.

What is upcycling?

Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.

Do you love to refashion? Check out these lists of refashion ideas! There’s something for everyone!

DIY Sweater Upcycle and Refashion Ideas

Easy DIY Bow Front Cardigan with Ribbon

Learn how to dress up a cardigan by replacing the buttons with ribbon. This easy DIY bow front cardigan is great for holiday parties.

DIY Upcycled Sweater Mug Cozy

Learn how to upcycle sweater sleeves into a sweater mug cozy. This beginner sewing project is great for keeping mugs warm, and makes a great handmade gift!

DIY Christmas Sweater Pillow

Turn an ugly Christmas sweater into a DIY Christmas sweater pillow for fun holiday decor! This upcycle is a great beginner sewing project!

How to Shorten Sweater Sleeves

Learn how to shorten sweater sleeves that are too with just a sewing machine. Make sleeves the right length and keep the nice ribbed cuff.

DIY Cute Ugly Christmas Sweater

Learn how to make a DIY cute ugly Christmas sweater with glitter iron-on vinyl and tulle pompom. This Cricut maker sewing project is quick and easy!

DIY Sweater Headband

Learn how to make a DIY sweater headband perfect for gifts and beginner sewing! Upcycle an unwanted sweater into a cute sweater headband!

How to Make a Sweater Pumpkin

Learn how to make a sweater pumpkin by upcycling sweater sleeves into pumpkins. This fall sewing project is cute and easy.

Sweater to Cardigan Refashion Tutorial: 3 Ways

Use one of these three ways to make a sweater to a cardigan refashion. Each tutorial works differently for different sweaters.

How to Make Sweater Mittens

Learn how to upcycle and make sweater mittens from an old sweater. This is a great way to refashion a sweater and make a warm, useful gift!

DIY Love Applique Tutorial

Make the perfect Valentine’s sweater with this DIY LOVE applique tutorial. Crochet yarn into a chain and then sew it onto the sweater.

How to Make an Infinity Sweater Scarf

Learn how to make an infinity sweater scarf by upcycling a sweater! Use a soft sweater to make it cozy for this beginner sewing project!

Shorten a Sweater from the Bottom with Hem Tape

Learn how to shorten a sweater from the bottom with hem tape. This sewing technique removes the ribbing, but it's an easy sewing alteration.

How to Lengthen Sleeves of a Jacket

Learn how to lengthen sleeves of a jacket using a sweater or socks. This is a great upcycle for gettings sleeves to be long enough!

How to Make a Hat out of a Sweater

Learn how to make a hat out of a sweater. This upcycling project is a great gift since it’s easy to sew and quick to make!

How to Add Lace to Sweater Sleeves

Learn how to make a DIY lace sweater! This refashion tutorial is great for sleeves that are too tight, sleeves that are too long, and sleeves that are too short.

Glitter Sweater Sleeve Refashion

If you have a sweater with sleeves that are too long, then this sweater sleeve refashion is for you. Add glitter elastic for a modern split sleeve look.

How to Shorten a Sweater

With this simple sewing tutorial you can make a sweater the right length! You can shorten the hem of a sweater, the hem of a cardigan, or you can shorten the sleeves of a sweater.