Metal Works

Add a little shine and pizazz to any old sweater with sparkly elbow pads!

I had this great cashmere sweater in my closet.  It's lovely just the way it is, it's just a little boring that's all. So, let's get to work!

Here's what you need:

Materials:

-Sweater

-standard sewing kit

-stretchy metallic fabric (I used spandex)

-1 piece of paper, ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat

Steps:

1) Make a pattern for your elbow pads.  That way they'll be exactly the same.  Cut a piece of paper to 4.5" X 6.5".

2) Round the corners.

3) Use your pattern to cut out two pieces from your fabric.

4) Sew 1/4" all the way around your pieces and then clip the corners.

5) Use your stitching line as a guide for turning.  Turn your edges along the sewing line and lightly press.  Sew close the edge securing your edges.

6) Find the elbow placement for each pad and pin.

This sweater is only 3/4 length sleeves
so that's why it's so close to the cuff.

7) Hand stitch each pad onto your sweater using your stitching line from step 5 as your guide.

There you go!  Your sweater is extra special now!

When I first envisioned this project I was going to use sequins but I found this sparkly spandex at my local fabric store for about a tenth of the price and decided to change my plan, plus spandex is so easy to work with, I thought it was the better choice in the long run.  You could try a printed cotton but be careful of bunching.  You may have trouble bending the elbows. 

Experiment though, if they don't look quite right they're easy enough to remove and try again.

I've got so many projects planned for this weekend!  I can't wait to show you them all next week.  What are you working on?!?!

Have a crafty week~