How to Make a Sweatshirt Dressy

When using new materials make sure that you start by washing all of them before using them, including the sweatshirt. Make the sweatshirt have a completely different look.

You can make the new or old sweatshirt to look like a sweater or a cardigan by cutting down the front center. Turn both sides of the cut inward with the insides together measuring about a half of inch, than another 8th of an inch to pin and iron down, after ironing sew both sides. Then place buttons down each side. Any shape buttons are alright but I would use no larger than an inch in size. You may choose to sew some lace, either see through or the colored cotton lace around the neck, sleeves and at the bottom. If you choose to use lace, you will need to sew it on last.

Also you may add buttons to one side with loops on the other side that will loop over the buttons. You can do this by adding another material. You will need to measure and cut two pieces 1and a1/2 inches wide to add on both sides of the sweatshirt, pinning good sides together. Then cut your new material in strips the length of the shirt including the band. If you choose to cut the band off, than cut 3/4 inch, enough to have ½ inch hem and to turn under ¼ inch raw edge. This will need to be ironed down before sewing. Do the left side first by pinning the material with good side down on shirt an 8th inch form edge of shirt, now sew. Then turn the material to the back turning the raw edge 8th inch from edge, pin and sew. Now iron the material down you should have an inch of the new cloth over the edge of the sweatshirt. Now place the buttons on, spacing evenly apart on front. Now you will need to cut loops ½ inch wide, 2-21/2 inches long, this will depend on how large the buttons are. You will need about 7 to 8 strips depending on how many buttons you will use. Now go to the right side. Have the loops sewn by placing the good side of the cloth together and sewing about an 8th of an inch, leaving both ends open, then turning them so the good side is out. Now lay them down to be ironed with the seam in the middle of the loop. Cross the loop to fit the size of the button, sew on the cross. On the right side pin the material and loops 8th inch from edge of shirt with the loop seam up and the materials good sides together. Make sure the loops are across from the buttons, now sew together.

Turn the added material back toward the left side leaving an 8th inch to sew down on the inside from edge. Be sure to remove the pins from the loops and iron back side and pin down to sew.

There are other things that you can do, like placing a pocket or two on the front. You also can add cross-stitch to the front of the pockets, cut down the front at neck about 3 inches, and then add lace there, on the sleeves and the bottom. Also cut the sides and hem back at the bottom. There are so many things that you can do to make the new shirt fancy and the old one different. Remove the bands from the sleeves and the bottom then place a ½ inch hem.