Create Craft
Would you like to breathe new life into your wardrobe without having to buy new clothes? With these upcycling ideas, you can give your old clothes a new look while also benefiting the environment.
Everyone is aware of the negative effects fast fashion—constantly purchasing new, inexpensive clothing—has on society and the environment. For example, one t-shirt and pair of jeans require 20,000 litres of water to produce. And every year, 80 billion articles of apparel are consumed worldwide.
Selling your clothing is a terrific way to make some money and maintain a current wardrobe. However, upcycling is the way to go if you have certain items that you are attached to or if your garments are too old to donate.
There are a tonne of inventive ways to recycle your used clothing. If you do it correctly, you may transform your wardrobe into items you love even more than you did before. For inspiration, check out these of our best upcycling ideas.
- Make your own glitter trainers
Love Maegan has the answer if you’ve got a beat-up pair of Converse that you just can’t seem to part with. Cover them with glitter to give them a glow-up.
All you need is a bit of fabric adhesive and a tonne of eco-friendly glitter. To hold everything in place, your best choice is to combine the glitter and glue before applying it, then top it off with an additional layer of adhesive. Leaving a glittery trail behind you is the last thing you want to do.
Your laces can also be dyed to match, or you can use glittery ribbon in their place. You’re set for a night out with your new trainers!
2. Turn your favourite t-shirts into a duvet cover
It’s unfortunate when, after years of attending your favourite concerts or festivals, you gather tour t-shirts only to have them converted to pyjamas. Alternatively, perhaps you are clinging to some extremely worn-out t-shirts and jumpers that are really nostalgic but that you seldom ever wear.
In any case, creating an amazing duvet cover out of them—a brilliant idea from Stars for Streetlights—is a terrific way to keep these from being thrown out and to put them in the spotlight instead.
‘Lightweight fusible iron-on interfacing fabric’ is what you’ll need for this more involved project in order to prevent the t-shirts from stretching. But don’t worry, the cost of purchase is low.
It may take some time to finish the sewing if you don’t have access to a sewing machine, but the extra work is well worth it.
3. Cut a t-shirt into a halter neck top
Since almost anything can be made into a cushion cover, old t-shirts and sweaters can be used just as well. Vintage, fluffy jumpers are ideal for crafting cushion coverings that will add a cosy touch to your space.
Some of that fusible interfacing we discussed earlier will be necessary. This will guarantee that the material of the jumper doesn’t stretch and keeps its shape.
Making the covers with this method only takes a few minutes. Hallmark Channel has an easy-to-follow protocol.
Additionally, cushion covers are among the best items to manufacture and sell if you’re trying to make a little additional cash.
Bonus tip: You’ll have a lovely memento for after graduation if you try this with any university sweatshirts you own.
5. Put your favourite t-shirts in a frame
You could create artwork out of nostalgic sweatshirts, football stripes, and old band t-shirts.
This may be completed in a matter of seconds if you combine the Barkers’ approach with At Home. Just get a stylish new frame and use it to draw a corresponding square on the t-shirt.
Once the square is cut out and taped to the inside of the frame to maintain its straightness, you’re done.
6. Make your own chokers
Chokers are returning in a big way. However, you don’t have to pay a lot of money to purchase them on the main street.
It’s very simple to make them yourself; sewing is not necessary, but you will need to buy certain supplies first.
Locate a fabric store in your neighbourhood and select your preferred lace and ribbons. Although it’s simple to work with and a timeless classic, you can utilise almost anything with velvet.
If you wish to add even more adornment to the choker, you can purchase charms to place on the front.
After measuring and cutting your ribbon, grab several press buttons and adhere them to both sides using adhesive. You will be able to clasp the necklace at the rear thanks to this.
7. Cut jeans into shorts
Uncertain about what to deal with your worn-out jeans? Just cut them into shorts with a pair of scissors.
To ensure that the length is appropriate, try them on first. After that, you can choose to fray the edges or fold them up.
Grab some leftover patterned fabric and use it to make (or cover) the pockets to further personalise them.
8. Use material scraps to make hand warmers
If you have any undesired clothing that is composed of sturdy material and lacks much stretch, this is a fantastic solution for it. Jumpers and t-shirts aren’t appropriate for this, however shirts and some skirts and dresses will. They also make wonderful Christmas and birthday gifts.
Cut the material into approximately 5″ x 5″ squares. To double up and strengthen the packs even more, cut some additional squares of the same size out of plain flannel.
Once you’ve sewn the squares together and filled them with uncooked rice. Blast them in the microwave for 30 seconds and you’ve got a great little hand warmer for those cold mornings.
You can also create longer packs out of trouser legs. These can be placed along the bottom of your bed to keep your feet warm during winter. Check out Bee in my Bonnet’s full tutorial for details on how to get started.
9. Turn a baggy t-shirt into a dress
Try experimenting with upcycling t-shirts that you have that are too big for you or that a family member is attempting to get rid of. There are a tonne of alternatives to experiment with with all the extra material.
There are a multitude of tutorials available online, so look through YouTube and Pinterest for some amazing how-tos and images. For example, if they’re extremely large shirts, they can be worn as jersey dresses.