How To Upcycle Clothing For Kids
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Learn how to upcycle clothing for kids using adult clothing found thrifting. There are upcycling tutorials for boys, girls, and babies.
It is wonderful to share upcycling tips and tutorials with you! I love sharing my passion of sewing and upcycling. It’s such an amazing feeling to turn something unwanted into something useful.
I love upcycling because it saves time, it saves money, it helps save the environment, and it saves memories.
WHAT IS UPCYCLING?
Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.
I love upcycling because it saves time, money, memories, and the environment. It saves times since you can reuse details. It saves money since you are using what you already have. It saves memories because you can do something with a loved ones clothing. It saves the environment by keeping fabric out of landfills.
What is a PDF sewing pattern?
A PDF pattern is a sewing pattern designed on the computer and organized so that it can be printed on several letter or A4 size pieces of paper.
I love using PDF sewing patterns because if the pattern gets ruined or if my children or I changed sizes, I can always print it again. It’ll never be destroyed since I have a digital version!
how do you use a PDF sewing pattern?
Open the PDF on a computer and click print. When printing make sure that the scaling is set to 100% or no scaling so that the pattern prints at the correct size.
Once the pattern is printed it can be taped together to get the full size. Then the pattern can be cut for each pattern piece size or individual sizes can be traced so that the pattern can be used again and again.
Do you love to sew? Try one of these sewing projects:
How to Upcycle for Kids
I love upcycling because it saves time, it saves money, it helps save the environment, and it saves memories. Learn how to upcycle for kids clothing and accessories!
Upcycle Tutorials for Boys
Learn how to upcycle a t-shirt neckline so that you can turn an adult t-shirt into a child sized t-shirt using a free tee sewing pattern!
Learn how to upcycle adult basketball shorts into basketball shorts for children. Use an upcycled shorts sewing pattern for a quick sew!
Learn how to upcycle t-shirt hems to turn an adult t-shirt into a child sized t-shirt using a free sewing pattern. I love skipping hems!
Learn how to make a DIY lab coat for kids from a men’s shirt. This is a great upcycle project to make a simple Halloween costume!
How to upcycle a vest for a boy using a men’s adult vest. It’s a great way to make a vest without sewing the whole thing!
How to upcycle cargo pants for kids using adult cargo pants. Reusing the waist, front zipper, and all the pockets.
Learn how to upcycle denim shorts for kids using adult pants or shorts. It’s the best quick sewing project for kids’ clothes!
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.
Learn how to upcycle a t-shirt into a backpack. This is a great beginner sewing project to make a simple backpack!
Learn simple ways to upcycle t-shirts for boys. I love that these simple sewing tutorials add the perfect touch to a plain boys t-shirt.
Upcycle Tutorials for Girls
Make an awesome pair of leggings or shorts by upcycling a t-shirt, dress, or skirt. This pattern has four views and eight sizes.
Learn how to upcycle an adult item of clothing into shorts, pants, or bloomers for kids with the upcycled shorts, pants, and bloomers sewing pattern.
Learn how to upcycle a t-shirt neckline so that you can turn an adult t-shirt into a child sized t-shirt using a free tee sewing pattern!
Learn how to upcycle an adult cardigan into the perfect baby or toddler cardigan. Reuse the hem and buttons for a quick sewing project!
Learn how to upcycle a shirt into a dress that is perfect for little girls! Keep the button placket for the perfect summer dress!
Learn how to upcycle a tunic for a toddler using a free peasant dress pattern. An adult shirt makes a great toddler tunic!
Learn how to upcycle an adult women’s skirt into a toddler dress using a free sewing pattern. It’s such a fun sewing project!
Learn how to upcycle socks into pockets on a cardigan. Turn those holey socks or lonely missing socks into easy to sew pockets!
Turn a gorgeous scarf into an easy refashioned skirt. Use three different kinds of scarves to make three different kids of skirts.
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.
Upcycle Tutorials for Babies
I have really, really loved making boy clothing. I was inspired to make an easy button front shirt romper with a free 6 mos sewing pattern!
Learn how to upcycle one button up shirt into two pairs of kid pants. One pair of pants is from the sleeves and one is from the body.
Learn how to upcycle an adult t-shirt into baby and toddler leggings. This is a quick sewing project and the perfect baby gift!
Upcycle an adult t-shirt into a baby DIY t-shirt romper with this free sewing pattern in size 6 mos. It’s a great way to save money and save time!
Learn how to make upcycled baby shoes with a free sewing pattern. It’s a great way to reuse and recycle denim for durable fabric shoes!
Use the free baby shorts pattern and free baby bloomers pattern to make upcycled shorts! Reuse the hem of any shirt or patterns for a fast sewing project!
Free Sewing Patterns List
Thanks to all the free pattern designers for letting us use and share their patterns!
Disclosure: Most of these are not my patterns, and I don’t claim any rights to them. They are kindly offered for free by the different pattern designers. The pattern and tutorial must be obtained on the pattern designers’ site.
- Peasant Dress Pattern and Tunic by Once Upon a Sewing Machine
- Classic Leggings Pattern by Nap-Time Creations
- Caroline Dress Pattern by Shwin and Shwin
- Day Camp Set by Peekaboo Patterns
- Cap Sleeve Tee Pattern by Shwin and Shwin
- Harem Pants Pattern by Suburbia Soup
- Raglan Shirt by Nap Time Creations
- Baggies Shorts by Designs by Sessa
- Turban Headband by Shrimp Salad Circus
- Baby Shoes by Heather Handmade
- Baby Bloomers and Shorts by Heather Handmade
If you upcycle clothing using one of these tutorials, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
Thanks for all these. With a very active toddler (almost 2 but growing like a weed, my little growing bean hehe) I can barely keep her in clothes half the time. This will keep me busy for a while.
You two did a great job!!
Great series Heather!