7 Ways to DIY a Fleece Sweatshirt Into a Brand-New Basic

Fall’s pumpkin spice, multi-colored leaves and fleece! It’s also our favorite time of the year to curl up and get cozy in our favorite sweatshirts and sweatpants. It’s even more fun to make over your well-loved fleece sweatshirts and pants into upcycled cut-and-sew basics. Engage your creative side with seven DIY ideas sure to add spice to your wardrobe with new fleece pieces.

Here are five ways to make over that well-loved fleece sweatshirt you’ve worn for a few seasons and want to change up. Check out more detailed video tutorials on YouTube to learn more techniques to turn out these specific projects.

Let’s start with something simple! Cover an existing pocket on your sweatshirt with a sew-on fabric or a heat-applied patch you like. Alternatively, remove the pocket and use it as a pattern to create a new pocket in a patterned or contrasting color fabric. You can also get creative with pocket shapes to give your fleece top a whole new look.

Don’t discount your elbows! Yes, you can also add freshness and interest to your favorite fleece sweatshirt by choosing a fun fabric pattern and creating an elbow patch, or two. These patches will immediately change the look of your sweatshirt, and save the elbows from any wear and tear! 

We’re pretty sure you’ll get compliments on custom pockets and elbow patches on your favorite fleece top! 

Cropped sweatshirts are flattering and a great way to enjoy the cool breezes of fall before the cold weather hits. When winter arrives and the temperatures drop, layer your new crop fleece over a long-sleeve t-shirt for extra style and warmth! The good news is that crop lengths vary, so you don’t need to cut a belly-baring hemline to be on trend. You can cut a waist-length crop to achieve the fashion-forward boxy silhouette.

Here are three ways you can alter your sweatshirt to an on-trend crop length right at home:

• Cut the bottom of your sweatshirt straight across and leave it as is – no sewing or gluing required!
• Fold the fabric back where you cut the new hem for a clean edge, and then sew your new crop-length bottom.
• Pro tip: Iron the fold, and you’ll see how it makes a big difference in how the fleece fabric lays.
• Sew the elastic ribbon back at the new bottom length for a more polished look.

Embroidering your hoodie or sweatshirt with a design, text or a patch is a simple way to give character and personality to your garment. Stitching words, animals, patterns and more on a fleece sweatshirt is a great way to customize gifts or items for sale.

Use your creativity to design the size, shape, message or aesthetic of the embroidery. You can also sew on a purchased embroidered patch you really like, along with the stitched designs. When you add decoration in multiple spots, you’ll create a retail-ready or streetwear look.

When you add decoration in multiple spots, you’ll create a retail-ready or streetwear look.

With the help of iron-on patches and other embellishments, you can truly customize your fleece. Use letters or other fun designs to create a high-fashion sweatshirt in minutes. You can also sew on stones or lace to add a very distinct look to your sweatshirt as well, at the neckline, cuffs or bottom hem. 

If you want to make your sweatshirt into a cardigan-style fleece, cutting the front down the middle will be your first step—at least for most sweatshirt styles. Next, decide what fabric you’d like to use to sew over the cut areas of the fleece. This will give more character and panache to your new fleece cardigan. Embellishing with lace, embroidery or iron-ons are great options to consider as well. 

This works best for sweatpants that have small ankle cuff hems, which allow for a “tunnel” around the bottom of each leg. Taking your scissors, cut a very small hole on the outside of the pants on the hem line. 

Visit your favorite fabric shop or DIY hobby store to pick up an elastic cord that matches the color of your sweatpants. Usually, the shop will leave a little fray at the end after cutting it to your specifications. You can fix that by using a lighter to quickly “fire up” the fray area and then blow the flame out. This will stop the fraying and make it easier to insert the cord into the tiny hole you’ve created in the pants’ hemline.  

Next, feed the cord all the way through the “tunnel” in the hem. Use your scissors again to create another tiny hole in the hem like you did originally on the side of the seam, but nearer the first cut. 

The easiest way to cap the cords and use them to tighten around your ankles is to use cord locks. You can find these in your local fabric or hobby shop. Next, feed both sides of the cord into the cord lock. Now, you can tighten your favorite pants to make them look like on-trend joggers with tapered legs!

Another great DIY project is to create a fun and functional warm fleece infinity scarf. You’ll need about 2 yards of fleece for this project, as well as scissors and sewing materials. 

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Fold your fleece over to cut two 12”x 60” pieces of fabric.  

2. Lay each piece on top of each other and sew down both long sides. Be sure to leave about 3 inches on each end open. Turn your scarf right-side out. At this point, you should have one very long tube of fabric with four sections on the ends left open, at each of the corners.

3. Next, sew the short ends together. Sew the right sides together and do the same with the other side. This will give you two openings on both long sides, once your short sides are sewn closed.

4. Hand-sew the two small openings closed. Now you’re ready to press your infinity scarf! You can wear it looped or long for a great accessory to your best outfit.

For years, we’ve loved the versatility of fleece. It’s comfortable, but durable; it’s warm and cozy, but you can also wear it as a layer in warmer weather. From sweaters and sweatshirts to scarves, fleece is a versatile material for clothing and accessories. And when you embellish or customize it, you make it your own by showing off your style and flair!

When you’re shopping for high-quality fleece tops and fleece pants for men, women and children to wear or sell, look no further than the amazing selection on Threadsy. If you’ve been shopping for blank fleece hoodies or pullovers from a big box retailer, it’s time to stop. Threadsy offers generous discounts for customers who purchase fleece styles in larger quantities. Our bulk discount program starts at $110, and the savings up to 15% automatically appear in your cart when you bundle your items. You’ll also enjoy free shipping on orders $50 or higher, with always-fast delivery. Don’t delay! Find your perfect fleece style today.