How To Upcycle Clothing For Kids

heather handmade sewing

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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.

How To Upcycle Clothing For Kids

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.

upcycled baby shoe free sewing pattern

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. Learn how to use PDF sewing patterns.

Upcycled Shirt Cuff Pouch

Get one of the Upcycled Sewing Pattern Bundles!

The Upcycled Baby Sewing Pattern Bundle includes 6 easy illustrated instructions in printable sewing patterns. This is a great way to get enjoy sewing while making fun projects for your babies.

The Upcycled Kid Sewing Pattern Bundle includes 4 easy illustrated instructions in printable sewing patterns. This is a great way to get enjoy sewing while making fun projects for your kids.

upcycled sewing pattern bundle

Do you love to sew? Try one of these sewing projects:

How To Upcycle Clothing For Kids

How to Upcycle a T-Shirt Neckline

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!

How to Upcycle a T-shirt Neckline

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!

fold waist over and zigzag in place

How to Upcycle Basketball Shorts

Learn how to upcycle adult basketball shorts into basketball shorts for children. Use an upcycled shorts sewing pattern for a quick sew!

upcycle shorts for kids

How to Upcycle T-Shirt Hems

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!

diy lab coat kids

DIY Lab Coat for Kids from a Men’s Shirt

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

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

How to upcycle cargo pants for kids using adult cargo pants. Reusing the waist, front zipper, and all the pockets.

upcycle shorts for kids

How to Upcycle Denim Shorts

Learn how to upcycle denim shorts for kids using adult pants or shorts. It’s the best quick sewing project for kids’ clothes!

how to upcycle a swimsuit

How to Upcycle a Swimming Suit

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.

upcycled t-shirt backpack

DIY Upcycled T-Shirt Backpack

Learn how to upcycle a t-shirt into a backpack. This is a great beginner sewing project to make a simple backpack!

upcycled leggings sewing pattern

Upcycled T-Shirt Leggings and Shorts Pattern

Make an awesome pair of leggings or shorts by upcycling a t-shirt, dress, or skirt. This pattern has four views and eight sizes.

upcycled pants sewing pattern

Upcycled Shorts, Pants, and Bloomers Sewing Pattern

Learn how to upcycle adult clothing into shorts, pants, or bloomers for kids with the upcycled shorts, pants, and bloomers sewing pattern.

kids upcycled t-shirt romper sewing pattern

Kid Upcycled T-Shirt Romper and Dress Sewing Pattern

Upcycle an adult t-shirt into a romper, jumpsuit, or dress for kids with this PDF sewing pattern. Upcycling is fun with this beginner sewing project.

upcycle cardigan baby

How to Upcycle a Cardigan

Learn how to upcycle an adult cardigan into the perfect baby or toddler cardigan. Reuse the hem and buttons for a quick sewing project!

How to Upcycle a Shirt into a Dress

Learn how to upcycle a shirt into a dress that is perfect for little girls! Keep the button placket for the perfect summer dress!

diy upcycle dress skirt baby

How to Upcycle a Skirt into Toddler Dress

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!

Used Sock Refashion Tutorial // heatherhandmade.com

How to Upcycle Socks into Pockets

Learn how to upcycle socks into pockets on a cardigan. Turn those holey socks or lonely missing socks into easy to sew pockets!

refashion scarf skirt

How to Make a Skirt from a Scarf

Learn how to make a skirt from a scarf. Use an infinity scarf, rectangle scarf, or a square scarf to make children’s skirts.

diy elsa frozen 2 dress costume

DIY Elsa Frozen 2 Jacket Dress: Upcycled

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.

make men's shirt into baby romper

Turn a Men’s Shirt into a Baby Romper with a Free Sewing Pattern

Learn how to upcycle a men’s shirt into a baby romper with this free 6 mos sewing pattern. This intermediate sewing project is so cute for babies to wear!

upcycle shirt two pants

How to Upcycle One Shirt into Two Pants

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.

upcycled t-shirt leggings

How to Upcycle a T-Shirt into Leggings

Learn how to upcycle an adult t-shirt into baby and toddler leggings. This is a quick sewing project and the perfect baby gift!

free baby pattern

DIY T-Shirt Romper + FREE PATTERN

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!

upcycled baby shoe free sewing pattern

Upcycled Baby Shoes: FREE Sewing Pattern!

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!

baby shorts sewing pattern free

Free Baby Shorts Sewing Pattern + Bloomers

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!

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!

how to upcycle clothing for kids
heather sewing

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather

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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!