The Ugly Christmas Sweater: How To Make Your Own Ugly Sweater!

My award-winning ugly sweater is a marvel of recycled & repurposed goodies with a little battery-operated bling. The whole thing cost less than $15 and was completed over three evenings.

The concept was to create the body of an elf riding a reindeer and holding a string of lights. The elf's "head" is actually the wearer's head (shown below as an animated image)!

This requires some sewing and design skills. I freehanded the pieces - there is no pattern. This tutorial is just an overview. You are only limited by your imagination!

Step 1 - Gather your supplies - Thrift stores are a great resource:

· Base Sweater (should be crew neck or turtle neck)

· Baby clothes for elf body

· Scrap fabric – old T-shirts, etc.

· Bag of fiberfill (or recycle the stuffing from an old pillow or stuffed animal)

· Stuffed animal for elf to "ride"

· Battery operated Christmas lights

· Scissors

· Needle

· Thread

· Sewing Machine (optional)

Step 2 - Create the elf body. I used a red corduroy baby jumper and cut off the legs to create a "skirt." I turned it backwards because I liked the look of the V-neck. I also used the shirt that came with the outfit. I used the cut-away fabric to create the elf shoes.

Step 3 - Create the elf legs and shoes. I used an old green & white striped tank top to create "tights." I made the shoes out of leftover scraps from the corduroy jumper.

· Sew two tubes from the “tights” fabric – leaving top and bottom open

· Sew shoes – leaving top open.

· With right sides together, sew the top of the shoes to the bottom of the legs.

· Turn the legs/shoes (use the eraser end of a pencil to help turn the shoe), then stuff with fiberfill.

Step 4 – Sew arms with mittens on the end. I used an old T-shirt. Turn and stuff.

Step 5 – “Dry fit” your pieces by arranging them on the base sweater without sewing them down. Once you like the arrangement, you can start assembling!

Step 6 – Hand sew your stuffed animal to the front of the base sweater. You might have to use some heavy thread to create a support so the weight of the toy doesn’t cause it to droop. You can hide the threads with your elf’s outfit.

Step 7 – Create your elf body:

· Stuff the “arms” into the sleeves.

· Stich the rest of the clothing to the base sweater.

· Stuff the shirt body (torso)

· Drape the “legs” over the reindeer and stitch into place. You can just stitch the top and let them hang loose over the reindeer’s back, or you can “pose” them.

Step 8 – Feed the the battery-operated lights up from the bottom of the shirt then arrange them between the elf “hands,” stitch into place then stitch the battery back under the elf’s outfit.