How to decorate an old sweatshirt yourself

This method is perfect for those who are confident in sewing straight lines on a machine. This kind of upcycling looks very unique, and you definitely won't find another one like it.

You can turn a plain, boring sweatshirt into a very stylish piece. It is best if the fabric is thick, like fleece-back jersey. This makes the pattern look voluminous and prevents the fabric from puckering. The idea is to stitch the front of the sweatshirt, creating an intricate pattern with the lines. First, come up with a design and see how it will fit on the piece. It is important not to get too carried away—it is easy to draw, but you will have to execute it with stitches later! Have an idea? Here are some examples:

Next, take a large sheet of tracing paper the size of the sweatshirt front. Transfer your finalized, full-scale design onto it.

Yes, if your sweatshirt is made of thin material, you can reinforce it by placing an extra layer underneath (e.g., thin jersey). This will result in a more voluminous design. Now, assemble your "sandwich." Place the extra fabric (if you decide to use it) under the front piece of the sweatshirt, and the tracing paper with the marked design on top. Pin everything together.

I highly recommend doing a fitting, especially if you are not planning to stitch the entire front panel! You might find that the decorative section would look better shifted up or down. Next is the most critical stage: carefully stitch along all the lines of the design. Do not rush. For beginners, I recommend trying this on a scrap of similar fabric first. Finally, all that remains is to remove the tracing paper.

Be careful not to damage the stitches while doing so!