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pandamac Oct 3, 2008

cardigan sweaters! Has anyone done this? I have all of Dad's clothing and my daughter wants a memory bear made from one of his Golf Sweaters.....I would line it, of course, but will the sewing keep the sweater from unraveling? A couple of the sweaters were hand-knit by Mom, the others are store-bought. I want it to come out good and not unravel and fall apart.......anyone have a suggestions? Would using something like Fray-Block help?

I have made lots of Memory Bears from many different materials, but not from a sweater. My sister & I are getting a bear from the bathrobe, brother a bear from a golf shirt...............just don't know about the sweater bear. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks,
pandamac

Daphne Oct 3, 2008

I did a memory bear once out of a child's blanket that was knit.

I used a piece of color-coordinated cotton flannel as the lining.... traced the pattern pieces onto the flannel, laid that over the blanket, pinned or basted them together then stitched along the pattern lines, stitching the two together THEN I cut out all the pieces. Because they'd been stitched before cutting, the blanket didn't unravel.

You could do something similar with a sweater, simply cutting it open along the side seams and arm seams so it'll lay flat then doing as above.

I'm sure there are other ways but this worked for me.

MerBear Oct 3, 2008

good idea Daphne. I think there is some glue-type spray that quilters use - I wonder if spraying the flannel with that before you put the knit on top would help as well.

Marion

Donna Oct 3, 2008

Years ago I did a project with sweaters.  It was just as Daphne described.  The only difference was that it was recommended that you wash the sweaters first if they were wool and shrink them down before starting the project.  The shrinking made a world of difference in the outcome.  Of course if they are not wool they may not shrink. 
Good Luck,
Donna