Today we’re talking all about DIY Sweater trees! There’s a lot of action around these cute sweater trees. We just made them for our class at the Pinners Confernece, which was a blast! We had piles of sweaters for everyone to dive into and choose their favorites for their tree trio. We loved seeing all the variations of trees and every single one turned out so cute! (Check out THIS post on Instagram. We posted more about Pinners on our Instagram feeds HERE and HERE.)
The other news—our original sweater trees are featured right now in Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts magazine! Yahoo!! I made the original set a few years ago and we were so excited to be contacted by Better Homes and Gardens to feature them! Such an honor! Here’s the magazine, it’s available anywhere you can buy magazines-go grab a copy and check it out!
We’re right in the center covering a whole page and a half! Don’t they look so good in a magazine?!
Here is the original photo in my kitchen. Click HERE to see the original post too, they are made a just little differently than the sweater trees with stand we put together for the Pinners conference.
Okay, so we’re basically famous…no big deal. 😉 Ha ha.
Whether you came to our class, purchased a sweater tree kit afterwards, or want to make your own set from scratch, this tutorial covers it all.
Here’s what you need:
- Old sweaters from your closet or thrift store
- Canvas, fabric or burlap for the backs (optional)
- Small amount of burlap (for the trunks)
- Foam board
- Pencil and Ruler
- Box cutter
- Elmer’s glue
- Hot glue
- Wood base (we used a 1 x 6, cut to 10 inches long, and stained)
Start by cutting out your trees using foam board. Make the largest one 12 inches, the medium one 11 inches, and the smallest one 9 inches tall.
Next trace the trees onto some canvas, fabric, or burlap. This will be what covers the back of the trees for a nice finished look.
Cut out and set aside.
Now cut a small piece of burlap to cover the trunks of the trees and glue in place with Elmer’s glue or hot glue.
Now for the sweaters! Cut a piece of a sweater to cover each of the trees. Paint glue onto the front of the tree.
Place the sweater piece on the tree.
Then flip it over and trim the sides leaving about 1/2 inch to 1 inch around the edges.
Put glue along the edges and glue down the overhanging sweater.
Trim the tip by cutting the excess at an angle making a point.
Set aside and do the same with the remaining trees.
For the backs, paint glue on the whole surface
then place the previously cut canvas.
Now the backs look pretty and finished!
To attach the trees to the stand put hot glue along the bottom of the trunk,
and hold on the block. Hot glue works surprisingly well holding the trees in place!
All done! We could just go crazy making cute combinations of colors and textures-so many possibilities. Now go rummage through your closet, your kids closet, your moms closet to find some sweaters that are ready for a new calling! Or hit up your local thrift store! Have fun!
Oh and don’t forget to grab yourself a copy of Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts magazine. 🙂 Happy Holidays everyone!
