This week I repaired an old favorite sweater.
My work can be hard on my clothes, so I have a few designated “work sweaters.” This wool sweater, even though it’s ill fitting and really kind of frumpy, tends to be my favorite. It’s loose and warm and easy to toss off and on throughout the day.
Some time last year, one of the elbows developed a hole, which got so big I stopped wearing it, afraid I would ruin it forever… But I missed that old sweater…
Before patching, I sewed the hole up, loosely but securely, so it wouldn’t continue to unravel.
I almost could have called it done at this point, but that fix is not nearly as fun or lasting as patching.
I made a patch pattern to my desired shape and size, and then cut 2 patches from an old leather skirt. Then I marked out and punched my stitch holes.
The location of the hole was the perfect reference for where to place the patch. For the other sleeve, I matched it to the first by measuring, and then eyeballing it into position.
I think that now it’s better than new! I also like to think my sweater even looks a little less frumpy now.
Are you a fan of elbow patches? I love how this look has made a comeback in recent years.
More patches from the past – tweed on cashmere.
coco
nmm~ loving your elbow patch
rebecca
oh my goodness! What an awesome perfect-old sweater save.
Love this ‘doing it myself’ series!
abby
Thanks Rebecca, and so glad you are enjoying this. I am too 🙂
marri
Love it!
Right now I’m actually knitting a baby sweater with faux elbow patches. 😉
abby
Sweet! I bet you will have a lot of fun with knits for your baby.
Denisese
yes, I have a few elbow patch sweaters!
my son has even more. it looks great.
Liesl
I do love elbow patches!
And I love artfully mending and patching clothes but my luck always has the hole or stain or whatnot in the most awkward spots.
(Really liking this series of yours.)
Erin
Looks fab! I love my frumpy big cardigan best too.
ella
so awesome! i haven’t sewn with leather but some felted wool patches have fixed up a few sweaters around here.
Wendy
Funny, I like the way it looks in the first picture, with the stripped fabric showing through from behind the hole. But, then again, I’m a slob.
making my week | 2 – ShopInfusion
[…] the elbows were becoming threadbare (I am hard on elbows, apparently), there was a hole in one arm, and it still needs a thorough pill picking, but I love it more than […]