I’m no seamstress (to put it mildly) but even I get excited by the idea of taking something out-dated, old-fashioned, and unappealing and transforming it into a great new item for my closet.
The September 2008 issue of Green Living Idea’s newsletter has two helpful articles about repurposing clothes:
Capture Eco-Savvy Style With Recycled Clothing is just a good overview of the whole idea of repurposed clothing, and 5 Tricks from an Eco-Fashionista’s Handbag gives you a good idea of where to start looking for second-hand and vintage clothing instead of going back to the same mega-stores for more mass-produced wearables.
If you already have a closet bursting with possibility, then shopping for more isn’t what you need. What you need is a primer on clothing transformation. This article from Suite101 is a good place to start. If that isn’t enough, then go to this Fact Sheet from Ohio State University’s Extension Service. It goes into more detail to help you get started.
There are two “professional” lines of repurposed clothing coming out (or maybe out already?) You can read about them here, at this Whole Living article.
It’s time for me to break out ye old sewing machine and relearn how to thread it and sew a straight line. I’ve got a box full of old clothes waiting for a new life. And with winter coming and me moving to my semi-hibernating state, I think I might be able to take on some of those projects that have been floating around in my head. I’m not much of a clothes collector, but I’ve been blessed with some friends and family with great fashion sense and a generous hand-me-down policy. With my standby clothes and their old-but-new-to-me passed on goodies, I think I can come up with a lovely winter wardrobe. And I get such a kick out of wearing something that I know nobody else is going to have. No showing up at the party dressed like that other girl for me, no sir.
Have you done any clothes repurposing? What are your projects?
Image Credit: thisvintagechica, shirt is made out of a sheet. Cute, huh?
That gave me something to think about. I really need to have a sort out, but I will pass on anything that could be reused to a charity shop. I really don’t need to have so many clothes.
Responses to justontime
One fun thing to do with old adult T-shirts is to turn them into art smocks for kids. All you do is cut a straight line up the center back of the shirt then attach squares of velcro at the neck line. Kids can put the shirt on with the opening in the back and fasten the velcro themselves behind their neck. No need to make the shirt close all the way down the back, one set of velcro will do it. Choose a shirt large enough to fit over your child’s clothing but not so big that the sleeves hang past mid forearm. So easy!
I take old clothes and cut them up into squares to make quilts. I have done this for each of my sons using their baby clothes.
I love making patchwork quilts, as tater does. Each square can be a story. When the warm weather comes again, I will take my scissors and make shorts then and there with old jeans. Keep the unused legs for patching ripped jeans that you don’t want to cut off. Summer tanks can be worn under winter shirts for more warmth.
I make patch work out old clothes I have a quilt I made out old denim and a poncho.
I did it! Many many years ago, and really did it not thinking of ”recycling” but because I loved that pair of jeans. The pants were so old and they wouldn’t fit me anymore (gained some weight) but I cut them and with the legs I made a bottom and a strap, and on the waist I put a zipper… it became the perfect bag!!!
I love the idea or revamping your clothes…and I do keep doing it…I even make infant clothes for my baby with my old tops….
I have occasionally turned some fall clothes into spring clothes. It started with a damaged sleeve, which I couldn’t fix, so I just lopped part of both sleeves off to mid-length. I did the same with a longish skirt that was looking a bit too Victorian.
I like some of these ideas. My favorite thing to do is cutting quilt blocks out of old clothing and I’ve made a few of those in the past.
I’ll be buying a sewing machine in the spring and the ideas of things to do are endless!
The links in your article well… weren’t links. I would have liked to read the articles you were talking about. I saw an article once that turned an old t-shirt into a halter top. I also have a crazy old skirt that will make a fantastic tube top one of these days
You can use cute socks and make slinky Barbie clothes from them, and shoulder pads make great Barbie futons. Make a long tube from pretty fabric, and stuff it with old nylons or other soft material. Sew up on each side and you have something to put in front of your door to catch drafts.
It troubles me that shop bought clothes from certain outlets are so cheap that it doesn’t encourage people to re use or pass on clothes.
Responses to kernow
This is something that bothers me too, it doesn’t even encourage them to look after them in the first place and often they are not fit for reuse as they become nothing more than rags within a few weeks! however, repurposing is so much more fun – hopefully we can start a revolution of creativity! Thanks for article and links, was just the inspiration I was looking for!
just found this sight today, I’ve been doing patchwork for a number of years I like the idea of using up old clothes and putting a design together beats throwing stuff out. At least you no you got a original and it hasn’t cost you anything to make.
There is an online children’s clothing swap club and the owner repurposes stained or damaged items into new apparel and quilts. The stuff she makes is really cute.
Responses to Diane
Thank you Diane. My kids boutique (bricks-and-mortar and online) is looking for quilt makers. I have the fabric but do not have the time to quilt now that I am running a boutique 6 days a week. If any of you quilters is interested in making some money for your creativity please email me at gumdropswap(at)gmail.com. Thanks!
just found your blog – very well done. I have been repurposing hand-me-down and resale shop cashmere sweaters into really great scarves and neck warmers. Am looking to do a lot more with felted wools but am still on the learning curve.
I have just turned 2 old coats that my father wore as part of his work uniform into a farm coat for my son (search for ”swandry” and you’ll understand. They changed the colour slightly and so were obsolete (what a waste!)Not the coolest colour, but my son is not too fussed, it works out well. Also I have turned old adult tops into childrens tops. I would like to turn jeans into a skirt as I saw that recently and it looked great.
I have been thinking about doing this for a while now. I can sew a straight line, do a hem, place an elastic waistband, and do a simple dart-thanks to 8th grade home ec class. I am looking at vintage and consignment stores for clothing that is too big for me that I can size down to fit me, like skirts and dresses. Jackets would probably require a seamstress, but when you find a pricy suit or jacket for pennies on the dollar, it’s worth the investment.
If you love the idea of repurposed clothing but don’t have the skills, creativity or time to pull it off, you should check out etsy.com – it’s an online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods and there are a lot of crafters/artists/vendors on there who sell all kinds of vintage and upcycled/repurposed items including clothing, accessories and home goods. The customer service is excellent, and the prices are usually very reasonable (even cheap!) for quality, handmade goods. Love it!
I love the challenge of repurposing. I have made shopping bags out of jeans. I took a pair of size 2 jeans and made a great halter styled vest. I made a messenger bag as a gift for a fellow thrifter out of an old, long button down the front skirt and some left over upholstery fabric. I used the button front to create an special flap pocket. I just recently made two tops for my 20 something daughter out of 2 skirts purchased at a thrift store for less than $10 combined.
I turned one of my husband’s old button front work shirts into a darling dress for my daughter and used the remaining material to make her a skirt and a dress for her barbie. The shirt was bright and the color had warn away where it rubs the collar an pits but was otherwise beautiful material.