A Creative Twist on a Basic Hoodie
How I Transformed a Plain Sweatshirt into a Patchwork Pumpkin Hoodie Using the NEW NECCHI NE210 Sewing & Embroidery Machine
I’ve had this plain hoodie sitting in my closet since last fall, just waiting for a little spark of inspiration. When I brought home my brand new NECCHI NE210 Sewing and Embroidery Machine from this year’s 2025 International Quilt Festival, that spark finally hit!
With over 300 built-in decorative stitches and a color touch screen (with a built-in stylus, might I add), this machine practically begged me to try something creative. When I spotted an adorable mini charm pack, I instantly knew what my first project would be — a patchwork appliqué pumpkin sweatshirt!
Materials You’ll Need
- A plain sweatshirt or hoodie (thrifted or from your closet)
- Fabric scraps or a mini charm pack
- Temporary spray adhesive (optional)
- Pins
- Small scissors or appliqué snips
- Sewing machine – I used my NEW NECCHI NE210 Sewing & Embroidery Machine
Creating Your Patchwork Block
Using my mini charm pack, I selected 14 squares — including two darker ones for the pumpkin stem. I stitched them together on my NE210 using my ¼” foot for perfect seam allowance.
The NE210 made chain piecing so easy and precise, and before I knew it, I had a sweet 8” x 8.5” block ready to go.
(Tip: You can also use one solid piece of fabric instead of patchwork if you prefer a simpler look.)
Prepping the Sweatshirt
Turn your sweatshirt inside out and mark the center front. Measure about two inches down from the neckline to make sure your design doesn’t sit too close to the neckline.
Place your block right side down where you want the appliqué to go, then trace around it lightly.
I used the NECCHI Pumpkin Template for my shape, but you can also hand draw your own.
Secure your block using pins or temporary adhesive. I slid a ruler inside my sweatshirt to keep from pinning through both layers — a little trick that makes things easier!
Now it’s time to sew!
Stitching the Appliqué
The NE210’s removable storage compartment made it easy to use the free arm, so maneuvering my sweatshirt was a dream.
I started by basting my appliqué down. I suggest using a thread color close to your sweatshirt color if you plan to add decorative stitching. For a basting stitch on the NE210 I used the included stylus to adjust the stitch length on the color touch screen display.
Adding Decorative Stitching
I couldn’t resist experimenting with the 392 built-in stitches. I changed my thread color to a color that was going to pop on my sweatshirt. I first used a triple stitch around my pumpkin outline for bold definition.
I couldn’t stop there; I then added a cute star stitch that looked like little flowers. I was obsessed!
Trimming the Appliqué
Once the stitching was complete, I carefully trimmed around the inside of the pumpkin shape with small appliqué scissors — being careful not to cut through the patchwork!
This is the moment the magic happens — as I snipped away, the colorful patchwork peeked through and I literally gasped. It was so cute!
The Finished Look ✨
And just like that, I turned my plain hoodie into a festive, one-of-a-kind sweatshirt using a simple reverse appliqué technique!
The NECCHI NE210 Sewing and Embroidery Machine made every step enjoyable — from piecing my patchwork to experimenting with decorative stitches. I couldn’t stop there; I even made a jack-o-lantern sweatshirt for Halloween!
This project was quick, beginner-friendly, and so rewarding. If you’ve been looking for a fun fall project (or just want an excuse to try out all those NE210 stitches), this one’s for you.
Why I Love My NECCHI NE210
The NECCHI NE210 Combination Sewing and Embroidery Machine is packed with features that make creative projects simple and fun:
- 3.5” Full Color LCD Touch Screen – Easily navigate stitches and settings.
- Built-in Stylus – Select and adjust with precision.
- 392 Built-in Stitches – Including decorative, utility, and quilting stitches.
- 3 Built-in Alphabet and Number Fonts – Perfect for labeling or adding personalization.
- Exclusive Designs by Eleonora Galvagno (Sweet Bio Design) – Add that special touch to every project.
Whether you’re new to sewing or ready to explore embroidery, the NE210 makes it easy to bring your creative ideas to life.
