Just thought I'd see if someone out there has any ideas. My husband's grandfather died about 10 years ago. They were very close because my husband was raised only by his mom and his grandfather was a very big part of his life. He has kept his sweater all these years, but would never wear it himself. We really don't have a lot of room in our apartment, and this sweater is always coming up every few months. My husband actually was going to get rid of it a few months ago because he said it was silly to keep. I hid it again because I know he really doesn't want to get rid of it. SO, the question...does anyone have any ideas of what we can maybe do with the sweater to keep it as a momentum? I don't know how to quilt and really don't have time, but is there anything else that might be a nice idea?? Thanks.
How about a big shadow box that you can artistically fold/hang the sweater then hang it on the wall. I did this with an old teddy bear of mine and always get comments on it. Good luck!
Have you thought about putting it in a shadowbox picture frame? You could possibly add a picture of your husband and his grandfather on top of it. That way you could hang it on the wall and it would be "out of the way" so to speak but still be enjoyed by your husband. Hope this helps.
Maybe you could mount it, like boxed frame or something. I work for many families and I saw this idea in someones home. They framed a very old pair of trousers that belonged to the wifes father when he was little. If the sweater matches with some decorations I suggest maybe you make it part of the room. Im pretty sure it would stay in good condition too if it was put in a boxed frame.
All great ideas! I also think that if you have the shadow box done, you may want to add some photos of your hubby and his Grandpa. Perhaps your MIL has some she would share. If you aren't very crafty, go to Michaels or AJ Moore - they have framing departments who may be able to help you. I don't know what the cost would be, but think of it as saving a memory instead of spending $$. I would rather have something meaningful displayed and enjoyed then stored away.
I also think it's great that you knew how much it meant to your hubby that you hid it so it wouldn't get tossed.
Happy Holidays!
how about making a pillow out of it?
hmmmm - you mention that its a sweater? how about going to a craft store and picking up a pillow form. Then cut and simply stitch it up and make a pillow.
L.,
Hi, my name is H. and I know all too well what it's like to live in an apartment. Imagine a house full of it and moving into a two bedroom. The sacrifices I made to get things to fit were almost heartbreaking. However, your husband just made need this sweater once in a while to feel comfortable about knowing he's still around. It's like that blanket, warm PJs or a hot cup of tea that time of the month thats necessary for comfort. I can imagine how annoying it must be to want to get rid of it but don't want to hurt his feelings, but I think you should keep it around, keep thinking and taking ideas of what to do with it until you feel like you've come up with the perfect thing. You mentioned that you can't knit or crouchet but you can have a seamstress do it for you. The pillow idea was great and you can put it on your bed. You could wrap a picture frame in it and put grandpa's picture in the frame. Well good luck and ask your husband what he wants to do with it.
My friend's mom just passed away and while they were cleaning out her stuff she kept some of her clothes so that she can have pillows and stuff made out of it for her sisters and brothers for x-mas. I think it's an awesome idea!!
Hi L.!
When my grandmother died, she left a lot of old yarn behind. My sister ended up using it to make teddy bears. But my idea would be to shrink the sweater and put it on a stuffed animal such as a teddy bear. That's what I do everytime I accidentally shrink something in the wash LOL
Good luck and Happy Holidays!
Have you thouhgt about putting it into a picture frame with maybe a collage of family photos starring the grandfather and your husband?
L.,
If your husband wants to be able to see it every day, why not just drape it over a chair and leave it there. Maybe on a chair in a bedroom?
I love the pillow idea and was going to suggest that as well.
Keeping a small item like a sweater hanging in your closet won't take up much room at all either. so you could just hang it on a cedar hanger and put it in your closet so your dh can see it every day when he is getting dressed.
I like the idea of framing it, and putting special pictures of his grandpa around it. If your hubby has a room of his own (den, playroom, whatever, lol), he could mount it in there. Or, depending upon how you feel, you could put it in your room, or your living room... And then it's not taking up much space :D
L.,
What about making it into a pillow? You could put it on your bed or on the couch, etc. I made my dad a pillow out of his old ties for Christmas last year. He thought it was the greatest gift he'd ever gotten, in fact, it made him cry!! He is so proud of it. He leaves on the chair in his living room for all to see.....
I know that they have "cases" available for things like football jerseys and the likes so maybe they have something like that would work for the sweater.
What about a scrapbook cover? Buy a scrapbook make it of pic of his granfather and him or any pictures of his grandfather and use the sweater to cover the book. I did the same thing with my fathers sweaters. Just cut to form and use a hot glue gun. Good luck
