How to Upcycle Old Blankets into Trendy Outerwear

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From Cozy to Chic: A Definitive Guide to Upcycling Old Blankets into Trendy Outerwear

Forget fast fashion and embrace sustainable style. The next time you’re about to toss a worn-out wool blanket or a faded fleece throw, think again. That forgotten textile is a treasure trove of potential, waiting to be transformed into a unique, one-of-a-kind piece of outerwear. Upcycling old blankets isn’t just a craft project; it’s a statement. It’s about sustainability, creativity, and wearing a piece of history. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from selecting the perfect blanket to the final stitch, ensuring your creation is not just wearable, but genuinely trendy.

The Foundation: Choosing Your Blanket and Design

The success of your upcycled outerwear starts with the right materials and a clear vision. Not all blankets are created equal when it comes to sewing, and a solid plan will prevent frustration down the line.

1. Blanket Selection: Your Fabric Playground

Your blanket is your fabric. Its fiber content, weight, and condition will dictate what you can create.

  • Wool Blankets: The gold standard for outerwear. Wool is naturally warm, durable, and holds its shape beautifully. A classic wool blanket, especially one with a tight weave, is perfect for structured coats, jackets, and vests. Look for high-quality wool, such as Pendleton or Hudson’s Bay, in thrift stores or family attics. Check for moth holes or thinning spots, which can be mended but require extra care.

  • Fleece Throws: An excellent choice for beginners. Fleece is forgiving, doesn’t fray, and is easy to sew. It’s ideal for making cozy hoodies, bomber jackets, or casual vests. However, fleece can pill over time and isn’t as breathable as wool. Look for anti-pill fleece for a longer-lasting garment.

  • Quilts and Patchwork Blankets: The ultimate canvas for unique designs. Quilts offer pre-made patterns and textures, perfect for creating a truly unique jacket. The challenge here is the bulk. A very thick quilt can be difficult to sew, so look for lighter-weight versions. Plan your pattern placement carefully to showcase the quilt’s unique design.

  • Cotton or Linen Throws: Best for lighter outerwear like a spring jacket, a shirt-jacket, or a lightweight duster. These fabrics are breathable and comfortable but lack the warmth of wool or fleece. They often have a softer drape, making them suitable for more fluid, less structured designs.

Concrete Example: You find a vintage Hudson’s Bay wool blanket at a flea market. The iconic stripes are in great condition. This is the ideal material for a classic, oversized peacoat. The stripes can be strategically placed on the lapels and cuffs to create a striking design.

2. Design Ideation: From Blanket to Blueprint

Before you cut, you must design. This step is crucial for avoiding waste and ensuring a professional-looking finished product.

  • Start with Inspiration: Browse Pinterest, Instagram, and fashion blogs for examples of blanket coats and upcycled fashion. Look at silhouettes that appeal to you. Do you want a boxy jacket, a long duster, or a cropped bomber?

  • Measure and Map: Drape the blanket over your body or a dress form to see how it hangs. Use a ruler and a marker to map out where your pattern pieces will go. This is especially important for blankets with distinct patterns, like stripes or geometric designs. For a striped blanket, you might decide to cut the back panel so the stripes are vertical and the front panels so they are horizontal, creating a dynamic visual contrast.

  • The Power of Simplicity: As a beginner, opt for a simple silhouette. A boxy jacket, a loose-fitting vest, or a simple wrap coat are all excellent choices. These designs have fewer seams and are more forgiving. Avoid complex designs with curved seams, set-in sleeves, or intricate collars until you’ve gained more experience.

Concrete Example: You have a small, plaid wool blanket. It’s not large enough for a full-length coat. Instead, you decide to make a cropped bomber jacket. You’ll use the plaid pattern on the body and find a complementary solid-colored rib knit for the cuffs, collar, and hem to give it a classic bomber jacket feel.

The Toolkit: Essential Supplies for Your Upcycling Project

You don’t need a professional sewing studio, but a few key tools will make the process infinitely easier and more enjoyable.

  • A Sturdy Sewing Machine: A machine with a powerful motor is essential, especially if you’re working with heavy wool or thick quilts. Make sure your machine can handle multiple layers of fabric. Look for a machine that can perform a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch.

  • Heavy-Duty Needles: Standard needles will break on thick fabric. Invest in denim or leather needles (size 16 or 18) for your machine. These are stronger and sharper, allowing them to penetrate thick textiles without bending or snapping.

  • Sharp Shears: Fabric shears are not the same as household scissors. They are designed for clean, precise cuts. A good pair of shears will make cutting through thick blankets much easier. Keep them sharp and use them only for fabric.

  • Rotary Cutter and Mat: For large, straight cuts, a rotary cutter is a game-changer. It’s faster and more accurate than scissors. A self-healing cutting mat is also essential to protect your work surface.

  • Strong Thread: Use a high-quality polyester thread. It’s stronger and more durable than cotton, and it won’t break under the stress of a heavy garment.

  • Pins or Clips: Pins are great for holding layers together, but for very thick fabrics, sewing clips are often a better choice. They hold multiple layers without distorting the fabric.

  • Seam Ripper: Every sewist makes mistakes. A good seam ripper is your best friend for correcting them.

Concrete Example: You’re sewing a thick quilt into a jacket. Your standard sewing machine needle keeps breaking. You switch to a size 18 denim needle, and the machine glides through the fabric with ease. You also use sewing clips instead of pins to hold the bulky seams together, preventing any shifting while you sew.

The Process: Step-by-Step Construction

This is where your vision comes to life. We’ll break down the construction into manageable, actionable steps.

1. Pre-Processing: The First Cuts and Preparation

  • Wash and Inspect: Before you do anything, wash the blanket. This removes any dirt, smells, or potential allergens. It also pre-shrinks the fabric, so your finished garment won’t shrink later. Use a gentle cycle and air-dry wool blankets to prevent felting.

  • Disassemble (If Necessary): If you’re using a quilt, you may want to carefully deconstruct it. You can keep the layers intact and sew them as one, or you can separate the top layer from the batting and backing. Separating them allows you to use the batting or a new lining for added warmth without the bulk.

  • Create Your Pattern: You have a few options here:

    • Use a Pre-Made Pattern: This is the easiest and most reliable method. Find a sewing pattern for a jacket or coat with a similar silhouette to your design.

    • Trace an Existing Garment: Find a jacket you love that fits well. Carefully turn it inside out, lay it flat, and trace the pattern pieces onto pattern paper. Add seam allowances (usually 5/8 inch or 1.5 cm) around all edges.

    • Draft Your Own: For experienced sewists, drafting a simple pattern from scratch is an option. This gives you the most creative control but requires a solid understanding of garment construction.

Concrete Example: You have a large fleece blanket. You wash it on a gentle cycle and let it air dry. You then take a well-fitting hooded sweatshirt from your closet and use it as a template, tracing the front, back, sleeve, and hood pieces onto butcher paper. You’re careful to add a 1/2-inch seam allowance to each piece.

2. Cutting and Interfacing

  • Lay and Pin: Lay your blanket flat and smooth it out. Pin your paper pattern pieces to the blanket, ensuring the grainline of the pattern aligns with the straightest edge of the blanket. If the blanket has a pattern, like stripes or plaid, take extra time to ensure they line up on your pattern pieces for a professional look.

  • Cut with Precision: Using your sharp shears or rotary cutter, carefully cut out all your pattern pieces. Be methodical and don’t rush.

  • Add Interfacing (Optional but Recommended): For structured garments like coats and jackets, interfacing is key. It provides stability and prevents stretching. Iron-on interfacing should be applied to areas that need extra structure, such as the collar, lapels, cuffs, and front facings. This gives your garment a professional finish and helps it hold its shape.

Concrete Example: You’ve decided to make a structured coat from a wool blanket. After cutting the front, back, and sleeve pieces, you cut out the collar and lapel pieces. You then cut pieces of medium-weight fusible interfacing in the exact same shape as the collar and lapels and iron them to the back of the fabric. This will ensure the collar stands up and the lapels have a crisp fold.

3. Sewing the Garment: From Pieces to Product

  • Seam Allowance is King: Use a consistent seam allowance throughout the project. Most patterns call for a 5/8-inch allowance. Using the guide on your sewing machine plate will help you maintain this.

  • Assemble the Body: Begin by sewing the front and back panels together at the shoulder seams. Then, sew the side seams. Use a strong straight stitch.

  • Attaching Sleeves: Sleeves can be tricky. Align the shoulder seam of the sleeve with the shoulder seam of the body. Pin the sleeve in place, working from the top down. Sew the sleeve into the armhole.

  • Creating the Collar and Cuffs:

    • Collar: Sew the collar pieces together, right sides facing, leaving an opening to turn it right side out. Trim the seams, turn, and press. Baste the collar to the neckline of the jacket.

    • Cuffs: For a simple cuff, fold the fabric up and hem it. For a more tailored look, create a cuff facing, sew it to the sleeve, and turn it inside.

  • Finishing Touches:

    • Hemming: Hem the bottom of the jacket and the sleeves. For thick fabric, a simple folded hem is best.

    • Buttons and Buttonholes: Mark the placement of your buttons and create buttonholes. If your fabric is very thick, you may need to use a buttonhole foot designed for heavy fabrics.

    • Lining (For Advanced Projects): For a truly professional finish and added warmth, add a lining. Cut the lining fabric using the same pattern pieces as your jacket (minus the facings and collar). Sew the lining together, then attach it to the jacket at the front facings, hem, and sleeve openings.

Concrete Example: You are assembling a boxy jacket from a patchwork quilt. You sew the shoulder seams and then the side seams, pressing each seam open as you go. When you get to the sleeves, you find they are a little too long. Instead of hemming them, you decide to make a clean, wide cuff by folding the fabric back and securing it with a few stitches, allowing the quilted pattern to show on the inside of the cuff as well.

The Finale: Styling and Care

Your upcycled blanket outerwear is a work of art. Now, how do you style it, and how do you take care of it?

1. Styling Your Statement Piece

  • The Hero Piece: Let your blanket outerwear be the star of the show. Pair it with simple, neutral basics. For a long, patterned coat, wear it over a black turtleneck, dark jeans, and boots.

  • Embrace Textures: Mix and match textures. A chunky wool blanket coat looks fantastic with a silk slip dress and leather boots. A fleece bomber jacket pairs well with a structured cotton pant and a crisp white t-shirt.

  • Accessorize Thoughtfully: Don’t let your accessories compete with the coat. A simple leather belt can cinch a waist and add definition. A beanie or a minimalist scarf can complement the look without overwhelming it.

Concrete Example: You’ve created a vibrant, striped blanket coat. You decide to wear it over a simple, charcoal gray jumpsuit. To complete the look, you add a pair of black ankle boots and a thin, brown leather belt to define your waist, creating a balanced and polished outfit that highlights the coat’s unique pattern.

2. Care and Longevity

  • Spot Clean First: For minor spills, spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid rubbing vigorously, especially on wool, as this can cause felting.

  • Dry Cleaning for Wool: For a full cleaning of a wool blanket coat, professional dry cleaning is the safest option. The chemicals used in dry cleaning are gentle on wool fibers and will not cause shrinkage or damage.

  • Machine Washing for Synthetics: Fleece and other synthetic blankets can often be machine-washed on a gentle cycle with cold water. Avoid high heat in the dryer, as it can melt or damage synthetic fibers. Hang to dry whenever possible.

  • Storage is Key: Store your upcycled outerwear on a wide hanger to prevent stretching or sagging. Avoid cramming it into a tight closet. For long-term storage, use a breathable garment bag to protect it from dust and moths.

Concrete Example: Your fleece bomber jacket gets a stain on the sleeve. You spot clean it with a little bit of laundry detergent and a cloth. A month later, the whole jacket needs a wash. You put it in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle, and then hang it on a rack to air dry, ensuring the fleece stays soft and vibrant.

A Final Word on Sustainable Style

Upcycling old blankets is more than just a sewing project. It’s an act of rebellion against a throwaway culture. It’s a way to create something beautiful, practical, and deeply personal. Each stitch connects you to a story—the history of the blanket, the memories it holds, and the new life you’ve given it. This guide provides the blueprint, but your creativity is the true engine. So, go forth and transform that forgotten textile into a piece of wearable art that you’ll cherish for years to come.