Festive Winter Embroidery Hoop Sweater Wreath

Don't you love it when you go to the thrift store to browse and slowly a project starts to unfold with every serendipitous find? That's what happened with this festive DIY winter embroidery hoop sweater wreath. I had a definitive plan for today's DIY wreath post but that quickly changed when I found the large 18-inch embroidery hoop for $2, followed by the pretty festive red sweater, and then the wooden sleigh.

DIY Winter Embroidery Hoop Sweater Wreath

Welcome to the 5th annual 12 Days of Holiday Ideas event, hosted by Shirley of Intelligent Domestications and Erlene of My Pinterventures. Between Nov. 11th and December 6th there will be hundreds of new ideas shared by over 55 Co-host bloggers!

Go here to see our kick-off collection of Holiday ideas as well as all of this year's talented participating DIY and Foodie Blogs.


Winter Embroidery Hoop Sweater Wreath

Red is my favorite color so I was drawn to that cozy warm sweater, too small for me to wear but just the right size for the large embroidery hoop. Wanting to put a unique spin on my winter wreath, I reversed the direction of the inner hoop to accommodate that cute little wood sleigh.

DIY Winter Sweater Wreath

The tiny cable knit mittens were the only splurge, an ornament found at Canadian Tire. I couldn't find baby mittens in white at Goodwill.

I already had the perfect wired snowflake sweater print ribbon in my stash from a few years back. Glad to finally put it to good use.

Upcycled Sweater Embroidery Hoop Wreath

For more embroidery hoop holiday inspiration, last year during the 12 Days Christmas Tour I made these embroidery hoop sweater ornaments.

These are the supplies I used to make the large holiday sweater wreath.

DIY Winter Embroidery Hoop Supplies

What you'll need to make it

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

18-inch Embroidery Hoop
Red Sweater
Small White Winter Baby Mittens
Wooden Sleigh
Sweater Print Wired Ribbon
Small Wooden Snowflakes
Small Christmas Stencil
Small Stencil Brush
Painter's Tape
White Chalk Finish Paint (or acrylic craft paint)
Red Chalk Finish paint (or acrylic craft paint)
Sharp Fabric Scissors
150-Grit Sandpaper
Hot Glue Gun
Quick Bond Glue
Small Bar Clamp


Here's how I made it

Upcycled Embroidery Hoop Sweater Wreath Steps

Step 1 - Painting the embroidery hoop

Wash the inner ring of the embroidery hoop, the wood housing for the screw on the top of the outer ring, and the wooden horse with a warm white chalk-style paint or acrylic craft paint. To do this I diluted Dixie Belle Mineral Chalk Paint in the color Drop Cloth to a milk-like consistency and brushed just one light coat so the natural wood still showed underneath. I also painted three small wooden snowflakes (not pictured) that I found at the dollar store to embellish the wreath.

Step 2 - Sizing the sweater

Turn the sweater inside out and slip the inner embroidery hoop ring inside to size where the sweater needs cut to fit the hoop. Thankfully I could cut along the side seams of the sweater with a little stretching to make it fit. No worries about it fraying when cutting then. The front and sleeves of the sweater were saved for a future project, perhaps next Christmas.

Step 3 - Stretching the sweater over the hoop

Lay the inner ring down your on a work surface and with the sweater still inside out and facing towards you, stretch the outer ring of the embroidery hoop over the inner ring. Make sure you have enough extra sweater material to go over the side of the outer hoop (more about that later). Tighten the screw to hold the sweater in place.

Step 4 - Flip the wreath over

Flip the embroidery hoop over so the right side of the sweater is facing toward you and you'll see that the painted inner ring is exposed.

Step 5 - Covering the unpainted outer ring

Stretch the extra fabric over the sides of the unpainted outer ring and secure with a hot glue gun. Trim the excess sweater fabric with sharp scissors.

Step 6 - Attaching the wooden sleigh

The painted sleigh is attached with quick bond glue and held in place with a small bar clamp until it cures.

Step 7 - Stenciling the wooden sleigh

This step could be done before gluing the sleigh onto the wreath but it was an afterthought. With part of a small Christmas stencil (link in the supply list) and painter's tape to hold it in place, it was stenciled with Red Barchetta FAT Paint (red acrylic paint is fine too) and a small stencil brush. I used whatever paint I had on hand for this project.

Step 8 - Adding a big loopy bow

With wired snowflake sweater print ribbon, make a big loopy bow for the top of the wreath. I can't make a bow for nothing so I cheat and use a handy bow maker tool. I've had it for years and it makes a perfect bow every single time.

Step 9 - Finishing the wreath with small details

Wire the white mittens and the bow onto the screw of the embroidery hoop and with sharp scissors make a V-cut on the ends of the ribbon tails. Hot glue the three painted wooden snowflakes onto the sweater and we're done!

Festive Embroidery Hoop Sweater Wreath

If you have any questions about this festive embroidery hoop wreath, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

12 Days Holiday Ideas Blog Hop

Day 1 - Gift Guides
Day 2 - Survival Guides
Day 3 - Holiday Kid Activities
Day 4 - Party Games
Day 5 - Holiday Advent Calendar
Day 6 - DIY Wreath (you are here)
Day 7 - DIY Ornament
Day 8 - Holiday Printables
Day 9 - Christmas Potluck Recipes
Day 10 - Holiday Desserts & Treats
Day 11 - Christmas Breakfast Recipes
Day 12 - Christmas Tree Tour

For more DIY holiday wreath inspiration, here are several more wreath ideas from our talented co-hosts on this leg of the 12 Days Of Holiday Ideas Tour. 




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Comments

  1. You constantly amaze me with your creativity. I love everything about this wreath! It's beautiful!

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  2. I'm completely in love with the red and white colours and all the lovely, little details on this wreath!

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  3. So crafty and thrifty! Love your smart and pretty wreath!

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    1. Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it and appreciate the visit!

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  4. I just love this cozy feeling wreath! What a great idea to use an old thrift store sweater. Pinned.

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    1. Thank you! Here in the Canadian prairies are winters can be brutal so I plan on keeping this cozy wreath up all winter.

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  5. What an awesome way to repurpose items into this lovely wreath! Love your creativity!

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    1. Thank you very much, Gail! I like that it can stay up throughout the winter months. Here in the Canadian prairies that means until April! LOL

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  6. I love your wreath Marie! How clever!!

    Tania

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    1. Thank you so much, Tania! I love how it just came together in my cart at Goodwill.

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  7. I always look forward to your clever holiday ideas. How adorable!

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  8. Oh my sweetness! Your wreath is adorable, Marie. You know I love upcycles. All the wreaths linked are funtastic too. And the giveaway...wow!!

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    1. Thank you, I'm glad you like the wreath. I hope you entered the giveaway and you can enter every day until December 6th. Good Luck!

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  9. This wreath is so cute! Those mittens were worth the splurge!

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    1. I think so too, Roseann! I'm thinking of going back to get a few more to hang on my Christmas tree.

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  10. Your wreath is so warm and cozy and I love the sweater background. The ornaments are perfect.

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  11. This wreath is so fun! I love when you can magically find everything in one place!

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    1. Thank you Jessa! I seriously had an entire different plan for my DIY wreath and already had the supplies to make it but this idea won. LOL Glad you like it 😊

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  12. I LOVE this wreath! The sleigh and the mittens are too cute and go with your red sweater perfectly :)

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    1. Thank you so much Wanda! I love that I can keep the wreath up all winter long.

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  13. Your sweater wreath is beautiful and so appropriate for December and January.

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    1. Thank you very much, Carol! Here in the great white north, this wreath will still be hanging in April. LOL

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  14. Seems like this was a wreath destined to be made. Everything fits perfectly together, especially the sled on the bottom. Pinned.

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    1. I know, right! For weeks I planned on making a burlap rag wreath and had the supplies gathered and ready to make it until that trip to Goodwill where the whole plan changed. LOL

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  15. This is so pretty! I love a good upcycle project and this is certainly it.

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  16. This is so sweet Marie. I especially love the little mini gloves, they can be used in so many ways. I may go try a spin on your idea, I love it.

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    1. Spin away my friend, nice to see you here! xo Yes, those little mittens would work for so many holiday or winter crafts. I'm picking up a few more before they are sold out to hang on our tree.

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  17. I am LOVING this wreath! The red sweater is the perfect backdrop to the other embellishments.

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    1. Thank you very much, Rachel! It was fun to see this wreath unfold and steer far away from my original plan. It'll be hanging throughout the winter.

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  18. I really like that you added the snowflakes to the scene. Any can I add how perfect that sleigh fits the hoop? Like it was made for it.

    Alexandra
    EyeLoveKnots.com

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    1. I know, right! When I held the sleigh up to the embroidery hoop in the my shopping cart I almost did a happy dance jig right in the middle of the aisle. LOL

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  19. Now how sweet is that wreath! I love it. And that little painted sleigh is adorable.

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    1. Thank you very much, Susan, it was such fun watching this one come together!

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  20. Super adorable idea for a Christmas door hanger.
    Have a great week,
    Kippi

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    1. Thanks Kippi, means a lot coming from you because you always make such beautiful wreaths!

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  21. Love this so much Marie! You always come up with the best ideas! Thank you!

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  22. My goodness, my finger got tired from having to scroll down passed ALL OF THE COMMENTS! ;) That's awesome. Love this and am planning to raid the hubbies closet for a sweater. I still wear mine. Even if they are out of style and a little holey. :)

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    1. Love it, Cindy, you sound like a girl after my own heart. I'll wear those dang comfy but dated, holey, stretched sweaters around the house for decades. LOL Have fun making your sweater wreath!

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  23. Such a lovely creation! I love the bow and the mittens! Pinning to my Cheerful Christmas board!!!

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    1. Thanks T'onna, I'm glad you like it! It's going to be hung on the door this Sunday, November 1st and will stay there until March.

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  24. Wow ! The wreath looks stunning. Everything sits perfectly and the sledge looks so cute with the little stencil on it. Marie, you come up with such fantastic creations.
    Thank you so much for joining us at Meraki Link Party.
    Much love
    Naush

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    1. Thank you so much, Naush! The winter wreath is going up tomorrow and will stay until March.

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  25. How did I miss this one! OMGOSH I love this idea so much!! I'm all over anything to do with embroidery hoops. I miss my cross stitch and embroidery days.😉

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    1. Thank you very much, I'm glad you like this idea for making a wreath. It's become my favorite wreath to display during the holidays.

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