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One of my passions is making something new from something old. There is so much potential when you upcycle something unwanted into something loved. There are lots of upcycle projects and upcycle tutorials to help you get inspired! Don’t miss out on a bunch of refashion projects too!
I love to upcycle because it saves the environment. Instead of throwing an unwanted garment in the trash to an full landfill or donating it to an already overflowing thrift store, there are so many amazing things you can do with that garment. If you can’t make the garment into something new, you can always shred it and use it for stuffing!
I love to upcycle because it saves time. We are all short on time so saving a hem, a neckline, or a ruffle is a great way to save time! Upcycling can be slightly altering the garment, but it can also be using a pattern to cut out a new garment from the old garment. That’s how you save details from the original.
I love to upcycle because it saves money. Sewing can be an expensive hobby, and buying clothing for myself and my children can be expensive. Upcycling garments you already have or garments you find at the thrift store are great alternatives to buying fabric new by the yard.
I love to upcycle because it saves memories. When I recieve clothing from a family member that has passed on, there is so many memories and so much meaning in that fabric. It feels so special to make something new from it so that it can keep being loved.
Learn how to make a DIY sunglasses case by upcycling a sleeve or pair of leggings. Reuse the hem for fast sewing and a scrap of fleece for cushion. I’ve gotten to the point where basically if I’m outside, I’m wearing sunglasses. I love having a pair of cheap sunglasses in my car, in my…
Learn how to make a DIY water bottle holder by upcycling a pair of pants. Reuse the hem for quicker sewing for this easy, summer sewing project! We’ve been enjoying the outdoors a lot lately by hiking and exploring. As parents we’ve always carried our water for our kids, but sometimes it’s good for them…
Learn how to upcycle a swimming suit for kids. It’s a great way to save money and reuse adult swimming suits that aren’t being used. I often find nice men’s swim trunks and women’s swimming suits at the thrift store that don’t look like they’ve ever been worn. I’m usually the one swimming with the…
Learn how to make an upcycled jeans fabric basket using the hems cut off of jeans. These small diy fabric baskets are perfect for organizing drawers! My kids always create holes in the knees of their pants during the winter. At first I mend the knees in their jeans, but once it warms up enough…
Learn how to upcycle jeans into a tote bag. This beginner sewing project is a quick and easy bag to sew, and it already has pockets! I love making use out of something that doesn’t fit me anymore. I had these jeans that I’ve worn a lot over the last couple of years. I had…
Make a DIY Anna cloak that she wears as she travels into the Enchanted Forest. This is an upcycle so it’s easier and cheaper! When I saw Anna’s travel cloak in Disney’s Frozen 2, I just kept thinking how easy it would be to make from a skirt. It’s essentially a skirt in a bunch…
Make a DIY Anna Dress out of two men’s button up shirts and some trim. Sew and upcycle the dress that she wears to travel to the Enchanted forest. Since I made Elsa’s dress and jacket for my youngest daughter, I just had to make Anna’s dress and cloak for my other daughter. She patiently…
Use one of these sweatshirt pattern hacks and refashions to make something cozy and comfy for the cold weather. Stay warm and cute this winter! I get so cold in the wintertime that I have to wear layers and sweatshirts. As much as I would love to wear oversized sweatshirts and pajamas all day, sometimes…
With all the extra men’s button up shirts that can be found at thrift stores, sew them into something else with one of these men’s shirt refashion tutorials! I love refashioning men’s button up shirts. It’s definitely at the top of my list of favorite items to refashion. There’s plenty of fabric, and the woven fabric is…
Make a DIY Elsa Jacket that goes over her dress that she wears to travel to the Enchanted Forest. Upcycle a button up shirt to reuse some of the details. We saw Disney’s Frozen 2 movie when it first came out, and I was fascinated by the animation of the fabric. I’ve never seen animation…
Learn how to make a sweater into a beautiful Christmas stocking. Add trim for unique details on these DIY sweater stockings. I love seeing stockings hanging up to welcome the Christmas season. It’s an old tradition, and my family loves. I love the look of knitted stockings, but I can’t knit so upcycling sweaters is…
Learn how to make a skirt from a scarf. Use an infinity scarf, rectangle scarf, or a square scarf to make children’s skirts. I love upcyling to make something amazing like turning a skarf into a skirt. I reuse the hems of the scarves to make the sewing project even faster. I wanted to make…
Use one of these dress refashion tutorials to make a new dress from something old. Start with a dress or other clothing to make the sewing easier! Dress refashions can be hard because each dress you find is unique. You might not be able to find a tutorial that works with what you have. Luckily,…
Get inspired with all these pants upcycle and refashion tutorials! It’s a way to turn your pants into something great with these sewing projects! When I had the idea to put together a list of pants upcycle and refashion tutorials I was worried I wouldn’t find very many. I know I refashion pants all the…
Easily turn a wool sweater into a felted wool storage basket with this simple sewing tutorial. It’s a great way to use those extra sweaters! I have a thing with baskets and bins. It’s so fun to organize with cute organizing items. An easy way to to make your own storage basket is to felt…