Comments on: Make It: Repurposing Clothes

By: Helen Weaver

Helen Weaver — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:12:03 +0000

There are some great designers repurposing and even using vintage fabric. The eco movement is hitting big in fashion.

By: crafty ma ma

crafty ma ma — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:38:42 +0000

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.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:15:40 +0000

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.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 28 May 2010 10:09:55 +0000

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!

By: DN

DN — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:24:55 +0000

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.

By: Gabby

Gabby — Thu, 13 May 2010 10:23:39 +0000

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!

By: Ness

Ness — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:02:14 +0000

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.

By: Cecil

Cecil — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:38:21 +0000

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!

By: dee dee

dee dee — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:50:49 +0000

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.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:17:40 +0000

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.