Upcycling, also known as “creative reuse”, is the process of repurposing a used item into something else. It can be done by dyeing, patching, embroidery, cutting, turning it into a quilt, tote, scrunchie, or even giving it to the dog. There are various ways to upcycle clothing, such as using old clothes for a patchwork bag, transforming old shirts into crop tops, transforming old scarves into kimonos, repurposing old ties into fashionable belts, and turning old blankets into winter ponchos.
Some fabrics and materials are easier to work with than others, so it’s essential to consider no-sew ways to upcycle clothes. Some examples include transforming old shirts into crop tops, transforming old scarves into kimonos, repurposing old ties into fashionable belts, and turning old blankets into winter ponchos.
To upgrade your wardrobe, you can find clothing suitable for upcycling, either in your closet or at a thrift shop. One-of-a-kind clothing that can only be made, not bought, sets you apart from others. There are many ways to upcycle clothing, including dyeing, patching, embroidery, cutting, turning it into a quilt, tote, scrunchie, and more.
Upcycling ideas can include fixing holes with fabric glue or adding fun embellishments like stud buttons or lace. Iron-on patches can also be used to create unique and sustainable fashion pieces. Discover our collection of vintage upcycled fashion, featuring one-of-a-kind items that have been carefully curated to provide a unique and sustainable look.
📹 10 things I wished I’d known before I began upcycling clothing!
Here are my top ten things that I wish I’d know before I began upcycling clothing. I want everyone to have the best chance at …
Can you make money upcycling clothes?
Since the start of 2020, the upcycling fashion industry has become increasingly lucrative, but it presents challenges in making enough money to make it worthwhile. As a creator and consumer of upcycled clothing, the author experienced a few months of selling clothes, making around $500. However, the demand for custom orders and changes to the clothes was overwhelming, causing the author to become obsessive about finishing orders quickly and just right.
Customer demands can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to clothing. Many women come to the author for custom orders or requests, which can be frustrating. The author’s perfectionist nature, which often leads to a tizzy, can be a challenge when dealing with customers who demand customized items. This can lead to a meltdown, as the author becomes obsessive about finishing orders quickly and just right, causing the business to suffer.
In conclusion, the upcycling fashion industry offers a lucrative and fulfilling way to supplement income, but it also presents challenges for those who enjoy multiple hustles or are looking for a part-time hobby.
How can old clothes be recycled?
Chemical recycling is a process that involves breaking down old clothes into smaller parts, cleaning and purifying them using filters and separators, and using chemical solvents to break down polymers, remove dyes, and dissolve additives. The broken fibers are spun into new yarn, which can be woven into fabric using industrial weaving machines. Mechanical recycling produces short fibers, resulting in poor quality yarn.
However, chemical recycling of polyesters, made from plastic, can create harmful microplastics in the air and waterways, causing health problems like damaged liver, kidneys, and central nervous system damage, as well as cancers. The process also emits greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.
Is selling upcycled clothing legal?
The First Sale Doctrine allows individuals to resell items they have purchased, but upcycling adds a twist. For example, transforming a jersey into a jacket can potentially infringe on the original brand’s intellectual property (IP) rights. This trend has transformed the fashion industry, blending creativity with sustainability. However, as upcycling becomes more popular, it also brings about complex IP challenges. In a recent video, Lucian C.
Chen, Head of Patent Litigation and Prosecution, and Karen Chen, Associate in the Intellectual Property and Brand Management Practice Group, delve into the legal intricacies of upcycling in fashion, offering valuable insights for designers and entrepreneurs.
The video opens with a nod to Taylor Swift, whose upcycled jacket, representing her boyfriend and NFL star Travis Kelsey, sparked a fashion frenzy. This transformation can lead to consumer confusion, as people might mistakenly believe the upcycled product is endorsed or produced by the original brand.
How can old clothes be upcycled?
Upcycling old clothes offers a versatile and sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe, express your personal style, and reduce waste. There are numerous ways to upcycle old clothes, such as turning a sweater into a cardigan, using jeans to make a denim skirt or bag, adding lace or crochet details to a plain t-shirt, or turning a men’s shirt into a dress by adding a belt. To succeed, it is essential to have the right tools and supplies, such as sewing equipment, fabric glue, and embellishments like buttons, beads, and patches.
Start with clothing items in good condition, without holes or stains, to create durable pieces. Experiment with different techniques and take your time to create unique and personalized pieces that no one else has. Upcycling allows you to be creative and have fun, embracing your unique style and ideas.
How to repurpose old clothing?
The article offers seven creative ways to reuse old clothes, including cutting jeans into shorts and hair accessories, dyeing blouses, dresses, and skirts, ripping T-shirts into cleaning rags, transforming T-shirts into bags, making clothing into quilts or pillows, turning socks into heating pads, and converting sweaters into cozy scarves. Instead of throwing them in the trash, upcycling them is a cost-efficient way to give new life to old pieces and contribute to less textile waste.
The Environmental Protection Agency reported that over 18, 000, 000 pounds of clothes and shoes were discarded in landfills in 2018. The distressed look is popular right now, so there’s no need for perfection, as frayed, slightly jagged edges are acceptable.
Is it hard to upcycle clothes?
Seven upcyclers share their experiences of transforming unloved items into wearable pieces. One upcycler, who has been sewing outfits since childhood, started her own brand after studying fashion communications at university. Her pieces are made from recycled, secondhand denim. Another upcycler, who has been sewing outfits since childhood, created a set of jeans for Coachella. These jeans were originally part of her McDonald’s uniform, but were upcycled by slitting down the front and using an eyelet machine to create a corseting effect. The jeans have since been styled with various outfits and are considered a cool and perfect pair.
How to make old clothes look new and stylish?
The speaker eschews the practice of do-it-yourself (DIY) activities, citing their often tragic nature. The initial instance of DIY is self-evident and will be swiftly dismissed.
What are the disadvantages of upcycling clothes?
Upcycling is a creative process that involves transforming old items into new, high-quality products. However, it has some disadvantages, such as higher costs due to labor-intensive labor, limited scalability for large-scale production, and difficulty in sourcing materials. Common items for upcycling include clothing, pallets, furniture, glass jars, and tires. Upcycling can be more expensive than other methods due to the labor and creativity required, as well as the skilled craftsmanship and design involved. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully consider the cost and benefits of upcycling before committing to a project.
Is it legal to sell upcycled clothes?
The resurgence of secondary markets and the upcycling trend has created legal obligations for resellers of trademarked goods. Resellers must avoid selling products that suggest they are connected to the trademark owner, as this could lead to potential lawsuits. For example, selling old Louis Vuitton leather into keychains could confuse consumers about the origin of the product.
The case of Rolex Watch U. S. A., Inc. v. BeckerTime illustrates the intersection of secondary markets and trademark infringement in upcycled products. BeckerTime, a company that now only sells preowned watches, upcycled watches using Rolex and third-party parts and marketing them as “genuine Rolex” watches. However, Rolex had never certified or endorsed BeckerTime, making marketing the watches as “genuine Rolex’s” an infringement on Rolex’s intellectual property. In 2020, Rolex sued BeckerTime, alleging counterfeit and infringing use of Rolex’s trademark in connection with the advertising, promotion, service, and sale of unauthorized watches and watch parts.
📹 7 diy shirt upcycles *no sew* ☆*.⋆｡⋆
Hey♥ In this Video i will show you 7 shirt diys Socials: Instagram: @leyla.tavas Pinterest: @leylatavas1 Tiktok: @leyla.tavas Time …
Many clothes these days are made with cheap and poor quality fabrics, some with spandex or other elastics that bag out, develop holes or just wear out quickly. If you are going to put a lot of time into something, it’s better to choose fabrics and garments that are worth fixing. If not, expect to revisit that garment over and over to fix it repeatedly. Learned this the hard way.
You have opened a new door for me! I love making quilt tops but hate quilting (sandwiching 3 layers together) them. To send them to be quilted is so expensive. After perusal your articles it occurred to me I can make quilt tops, cut them up and make garments!!! Thank you so much for taking your time and sharing with us. 🇺🇸
Thank you for sharing this article. Coming from a household of all girls and whose parents were raised on the prairies during the Depression, my mother sewed most of our school clothing. And she repurposed clothing (like adult coats) to fit us. Back then fabrics were less expensive and a sewing machine was a fixture in every household. I smiled when you held up the razor – that is how my mother took seams apart. (and also used it to cut our hair). And as you might expect, I sew and try to recycle clothing for myself and appreciate your helpful tips – Much success with your ventures!
Tip #8 – This is also a great tip for beginning sewists (seamstresses, or whatever you call yourself). Let it be known, especially to older women, that you are beginning to sew and are looking for fabric. You will most likely get more than you can use! Older women who have stopped sewing love to give their stashes to younger women to use up. I was able to make Halloween and Nativity costumes for years with all that I was given, not to mention curtains, clothing and even quilts.
My father kept factor sewing machines working in factories. There were many sewing machines sitting around the house (and out in his work shop). My sister and I were learning to sew on sewing machines at home, when we were still in Elementary School. We started out making our own doll clothes. Our fabric came from the rag bag; and, our thread and pins came from the floor of the factory. We helped Daddy at the factory on Saturday mornings. Mom didn’t want to give us her good scraps (she used them in making her quilts). So, you could say that I have been upcycling almost all my life. However, what you are doing is new to me.
I have a tip about colour matching. If you have an item of clothing, say olive trousers, and you need a top to go with it, we all know that you can’t remember colours exactly so any time you’re at a DIY store take a whole bunch of those little shade cards they use for mixing paint colours for you. When you go out with something specific in mind just match the garment to one of the shade cards and carry that around. Nobody wants to haul a pair of trousers everywhere they go and chances are the one time you think you’ve found a good match or contrast will be when you don’t have them with you. You can slip the shade card into a wallet or purse (handbag in the UK) and it won’t take up any room at all, in fact you can have several.
So many good pointers here, thank you!! I upcycled a pair of striped curtains into a pair of “Elephant leg hip hugger” pants (anyone remember those?) 50+ years ago. Because we didn’t have the $$ for my teen fashion cravings and I could create better than my mom, lol! It’s my favorite way to sew still, as patterns and yardage seem almost boring in its way. Having sewn tailored coats, napped fabrics, mediaeval and wedding gowns, I still enjoy upcycling pieces more! 😃
For anyone struggling with matching colours, the long solution is to learn some colour theory. The short solution is taking me at my word that everything within a colour season will match each other. I printed out medium autumn colour swatches on photo card at a print shop. I carry it with me and hold it up to fabrics. If the fabric blends in with card, then I know it will match the colours. If the fabric stands out as different (e.g. duller colour, more vibrant colour, more cool toned, more warm toned), then I know the fabric won’t match my colour scheme. This is also useful for those of us who want a very streamlined wardrobe to cut down the headache of putting together outfits for the day. I want to be able to pull out any random top and bottom during the dark winter mornings and know they will match.
As far as carrying swatches, I purchased a small notebook with plastic sleeves for photos at one point. Each pocket held a swatch of fabric and how much yardage I had. Regarding hint #4 and sewing over thicker denim hems – I cut OFF the hem, attach seam binding and then sew the seam binding down. Instead of folding that heavy fabric, the thin seam binding which gives a smoother, more professional finish – and it makes no difference what color the binding is. I buy bags of ass’t bindings at the thrift stores – often 20+ packs for $5 or less. Or I make my own from leftover fabrics – and it doesn’t have to bias, but can be cut on the straight grain, the edges turned in and ironed flat. Easy-peasy.
A lot of times fabric will have the colors separated on the selvage as color spots. That helps in color matching. These are all great tips for people, not everyone knows this stuff. My mom was great at putting together outfits and I learned from her without realizing it. I will never forget when I was working in a store as a teen and a grown woman asked me if a pair of pants matched a top. They didn’t even come close. You could see a lightbulb moment when I explained that usually you chose a color in the print and matched that. We picked a color and found pants for her. It was a learning experience for me too because I always assumed if I knew it, everyone knew it.
A lot of great tips! I actually don’t up cycle clothing, but make clothing out of Thrifted fabrics, including blankets and quilts and curtains. Each one of my items is one of a kind so I make sure that they’re very special. I have found that people will pay more for a one-of-a-kind garment that has finished seams such as French or Japanese instead of serged. In fact, I’m pretty sure my grandmother would aunt bee from the grave yes, I didn’t finish seems the old-fashioned way.
I think you’re giving good advice. Having good tools is essential! For upcycling, clothing it’s a good idea to let your own fashion likes influence the way you choose to re-create a garment. Of course, it won’t appeal to everyone! But there are many people that like the same things you do! Stay in your lane! Don’t try to create styles that you just don’t relate to and genuinely wouldn’t buy off the rack. You will struggle and likely, not have a lot of success if you try to ‘interpret’ what’s ‘in fashion’ when it’s not your style. Make what you like!
This is GREAT especially the presser foot tip! What an eye opener! I use a sewing form but what I love is my fashion mannequin. It was free from a friend. She has arms, Legs, a head, a wig… now I can take terrific pics of what I make to post on Insta! I had to give away a serger, it was too hard to learn. YES to the thread snips and razor blade. I have the word out about my upcycling hobby and often find a bag of clothing on my front porch. Get the word out! My label is Lavoie Boho. Im in NC USA. Happy sewing!
I bought a kenmore sewing machine in 1979. I used it and used it, then tried to make it go faster, and dented the plate, which snagged everything. Bought several used ones, which I hated. Finally, finally, after years of trying to find a replacement plate, I found a whole new machine, the exact same model. I’m getting it delivered on Monday. I’m so, so excited!! I can’t believe my good luck in finding it on ebay!! I’m going to be back in business with my sewing!!!!❤
I have had my Gingher scissors since the early 1970s. My children were threatened with dire consequences (no desserts for a month) if they touched my Ginghers! I also made sure there were regular scissors in every room, so they didn’t have to go into my sewing boxes! The scissors have been sharpened only twice, simply because I never cut anything but tissue paper (patterns) and fabric with them. Love my Ginghers!
And here I was thinking it would be cool to use the ‘below the knees’ part of jeans-turned-shorts and make a shopping bag. My mom used to love these fabric bags that so perfectly fit six cartons of milk (and were slightly deeper). The bag had an intentional, box-like shape and bottom and good handles. And so they fit just as if they were in a fabrix box 😊 She said it was the perfect sise and weight to carry. ❤
I stumbled upon your website and just loved it. You are interesting to listen to with good content. I am looking forward to more of your articles. I have been collecting flannels and would like to make them longer, more like a jacket. The tip you gave on triangles, I think, will really help. Thank you.
Your colour hint tip is superb. I usually clip the Colour Legend/Story from the selvage when buying coordinating fabrics for a quilt. When I want to buy colours for anything i go to my embroidery cottons. I roll a small tube of card, wrap/wind a short length of the required colour onto the tube. This can be popped into your pocket or purse as a reference. I also take photos on my phone, but often the colours are not so true. Dress forms are great. I made one out of chicken wire and a big roll of batting. Did me for years until I found one online. She was squishy, but fairly accurate. I covered her in stretchy muslin. Having a sewing friend to help make one is great. I also bought an antique one and added batting all over & pinned it on to my measurements. Worked SO well! I learned to sew on my Granny’s treadle Standard sewing machine. I LOVED that machine. A workout and creating all at once. My mother gave it away when I was at Uni, 45yrs later I still miss it. Your tips are fantastic, I’ve subscribed!
I’m so glad i couldn’t sleep — YT brought your article to my attention and it was so much fun to watch. I don’t sew much any more but have the usual background of sewing doll clothes and little quilts as a child, then sewing lots of my children’s clothes when they were young. Remember the days when you could get good-sized remnants for like 49 cents? 😊 Anyway, your tips and your creativity are inspiring. I have subscribed and am looking forward to seeing more of your stuff. Thanks for sharing your hard work. I know it’s not easy to put yourself out in the public eye. Your voice is very friendly and easy to listen to. ❤
Hi Sherry, I’ve just found you and really wish you were my neighbour 😂 We think so alike when it comes to recycling! I have avoided buying a mannequin for years because like many others my weight changes so often and they can be so expensive! Knowing how you use yours makes sense, I’m now on the look out for one 🙂 I didn’t realise that is why my needles break!😳 I wish I’d seen your article before I bought a contraption to solve the problem ( not that it was expensive) Recycling is so exciting and sooo rewarding, I’m addicted! I hate buying new now. I get a bonprix catalogue come through regularly and although I rarely buy anything I keep them for ideas, once you get started you can’t help but get look at clothes and think ‘I can make that myself’! Thanks again, I must catch up on your other articles. 😊
I took my first sewing class when I was in 6th grade. I continued all through high school. Then my mother thought it be a good idea to help my sister in law in her gown and wedding gown shop. There I learn even more. My sister in law had gone to school for fashion design etc. She was a pro at sewing and design. Only sewing and design was not what I wanted to do for a living. But I got very good at making men suits, gowns, dresses etc.
What a great idea of a website to encourage sewers to upcycle. Just a couple of thoughts. When choosing second hand garments my interest wouldn’t be in the colour or pattern necessarily but definitely in the quality of the fabric usually a natural fabric. Also, your number 9 I think where your preference in finishes is that more is more. Mine is definitely less is more as I often feel that a garment that I generally love is spoiled by too much tizz,
Hi Sherry, I enjoyed perusal your article. However, I do not understand why the top you are wearing pulls up so much in the front. That cut line seems somewhat unflattering. To correct it at this point you need to shorten (raise the cut line) on the back & measure the hemline up from the floor using your dress form. You can use it also to establish your original cut line, also measured from the floor up.
Here’s an addendum to #2 where you were talking about colour in fabric. If you look at your selvage edge, there will be little dots of colour, or maybe some other motif. Those are the colours in that particular run of that print. A clue from the manufacturer and because they aren’t next to each other, you can isolate the exact shade of orange or blue. Great article. Will watch for your next one.
Oh my goodness! Thank you for the tips! Especially the one about the sewing through thicknesses without breaking the needle! I don’t break needles, but now I can sew denim! The very last tip is great too, it will help me slow down and make interesting pieces instead of trying to mass produce things. Great article, thanks again!
Also, if u like the perfectly aged and faded hem on an older pair of jeans and don’t want to lose that in a new hem, you can sew just ABOVE the bottom and hem on the inside…that new seam fits into crease right at the top of the (storebought ) hem and isn’t noticeable if u do it right next to the thick part. Put the riser trick Sherrie shows on the back right of the foot, the thick hem under the left of the foot, fold the amount u want to shorten (inside out, w jeans to the left-hem fold on right) and sew “in the ditch” on the right of thick hem from the inside, right next to it….the foot is half on the thick hem and 1/2 on the folded (inside) fabric. When u turn it back to right side out u can tack down the extra folded fabric towards the bottom to keep it flat and press, and that way you can’t tell the jeans have been hemmed.
It’s amazing how so many sewists DON’T know about “shimming” your foot when sewing something thick. I hear so many stories of them taking a running start at it, thinking that that is the solution. Then they wonder why they break needles and wonder why their machine needs servicing frequently. You don’t necessarily need an industrial machine to sew denim. You just need to know some of these tricks.
I find good second hand clothing/napkins/tablecloths/curtains, with prints and colours which are not in ‘style’ now, but they are my taste! Even my young son, he wanted a blue checkered hoodie. I couldn’t find the fabric new, but i found a mens blouse in the perfect colours and fabric, to upcycle into his size.
First of all thank you for putting this article together, I really enjoyed listening to your tips. Also I always get skeptical of buying things from places like Teemu, but those look like a nice pair of scissors ✂️. Is that a place to get deals or did you just get lucky on getting a good product? This is the first time I listened to one of your articles. I’m excited about perusal the rest. ❤
Just found you and now I need to binge watch your articles. I love that your called your machine your buddy. I named my machines after Terry Pratchett Wyrd Sisters and always say “Hello ladies” when I walk in my sewing room. I have my fussy Quantum Stylist ‘Greebo’ because I swear that machine is evil, my serger is Gytha, my ancient workhorse Singer is Esme, and my newest Bernina is Magrat. They each have a purpose and their names are cross stitched on their dust covers. How does your runner work under your sergers? I have a rubber mat under mine but it still jumps around sometimes if I’m overzealous. It’s very nice to meet you and you have such lovely subscribers. God bless you and yours.
That thing about letting people know. Once this town of 2,000 found out I sewed…there are some quilters but thats all they do..I got tons given to me. I had to stop them except for some specifics like jeans, vintage sheets, tableclothes etc. I was getting bags of shoes and dirty baby clothes. I dont want to take the time to resort either. I volunteered at our local thrift to get to know the town when first here. They have a college fund for local high school and the trash people donated was crazy! We threw a lot away because of being filthy! But other things you have to think about what you donate. Shoes without laces? If the shoes are $2 at thrift no one is going to spend $4 for laces. We put those in a free pile at back. But even at that some of our free items didnt get taken so I suggest go buy the laces if you really want to help the thrift stores out.
I’m not a master seamstress by any means. Lol. I’ve always regretted not paying attention in home economics. I’ve always wanted to learn how to sew. When Covid hit, my daughter and I got out our machines and watched YouTube. We made a ton of masks, which I don’t believe worked, but was wonderful mom/daughter time,plus I learned how to use my machine. I made both kids tee shirt quilts out of their old hs shirts of all of the activities they were in. They have mistakes but not noticeable ones unless you’re looking for them. They turned out beautifully & they loved them. Since then I’ve done easy projects. When my daughter worked at Walmart she got me clearance Pioneer Woman dishes and matching table cloths. I’ve used the extra table cloths to make curtains and chair cushions. I love the fact that they all match! I still can’t use patterns but have learned some great tips from you. Thank you!
Thanks for your good list of things to know before getting into upcycling. I would add to your list to have an idea where you will sell or give the new item and take photos for yourself to help remember how you made it. Also i wash all the clothing and fabrics i bring home from thrift stores right away. FYI serger thread is not the same weight or strength as the spools of garment thread and you risk having important seams rip apart when you sew with the serger thread. ( I know that from experience) To help myself price things i put safety pins on the original label to indicate what i paid for the base garments and add one pin for washing and one more for drying. ( small pin $1 large pin $5. Washing costs $1) And lastly i got labels made which i can sew next to the original label. That helped make it clear that my dyed silk blouses had been turned into artwear and were not just something i found at a thrift store and resold.
Honest first impression: WHAT ten things could I possibly have needed to know before upcycling?? (Said to self in a slightly sarcastic voice) Answer: Doesn’t matter. YOU’RE cute as hell, and so comical without even trying. I feel like I am perusal someone who is making a article for the absolute and sole purpose of fulfilling the title….. NOT someone who’s just trying to pump articles out for views, likes and ultimately, cha-ching $$. What a breath of fresh air you are compared to the many others making this type of content. I subscribed. I dont subscribe to just anyone, and I especially do not subscribe to most because it’s ALWAYS the second thing they tell you to do right after the intro to their article!! When they say that, I instantly know I am not subscribing unless they are really extraordinary. (Very rare). I think you’re pretty great, and clearly I’m not alone. No one knows 30k people, in real life. So I don’t think I’m alone in my adoration of you, your style and your content. Yes, somewhere between tom boy and cowgirl IS a style, and I dig it!
Just found your wonderful website so informative so user-friendly I absolutely love it. I started Upcycling about a year ago and I learned 10 new things today so thank you thank you keep it coming. I would also love to hear and see how, when you get a piece of clothing you store it or prepare it I wash mine, and then mostly put them in a color coded bin. They tend to get lost that way. Also, if any of your viewers, have any suggestions, I would be interested in that. Thank you.!
Thank you so much. As a complete beginner just about to begin my 1st denim upcycler. Your tips are absolutely brilliant. Especially the colour mix swatches (im useless at knowing what colours go with what and shades) and the sewing through denim layers jump idea is faboulous as have literally just broken 3 NEEDLES because of the thicknesses of fabric ❤
Thank you for the tips! I had a neighbor give me a bunch of clothes and insisted they were my size and would fit me. I graciously excepted. Well low and behold none fit me. I had to get clever, I took the Capri pants, cut all the legs off, with the different colors, they actually complimented each other, I took the legs removed all seams then sewed the the leg panels together with alternating colors and created a skirt. Waaa la!
your article randomly popped up on my recommended and my tv started to auto play the first few seconds and immediately i knew i had to watch the whole article and also subscribe !! i could feel how genuine and peaceful your energy is right away and that’s not something i notice very often, it’s definitely not something you see very much on youtube or anywhere else on the internet anymore. also haha i dont even upcycle but i will be supporting your website anyways! we need more people like you posting articles and making money from it!!! i do try to do a little sewing here and there usually to alter things that don’t fit but i’m really hoping to get better so i can make my own clothes without worrying about them falling apart haha, so i’m hoping to still learn from your website and who knows maybe i will get into upcycling now!! anyways, just wanted to let you know that an overwhelming amount of positivity radiated through my extremely old tv from your article and it was refreshing to say the least 🙂 have a great rest of your day!!
I watched your article on sharpening scissors but do not feel confident on being sure I am sharpening correct side of the blade. Would you please do another article and show up close which side of each blade, finger hole blade and the thumb hole blade, and how you know side to sharpen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Your voice volume is just right, and your speech very easy to understand even without closed caption being ueed.
As for needles you also have to pick the right needle for the fabric as well you’re talking about denim there’s a certain needles that you use for thicker fabrics so the tip should also include the different style needles because every needle has a purpose the white presser foot that helps with slippery fabric and then you have the denim and you need a thicker needle for that one so needles all have numbers and that goes for a presser feet to every presser foot has a reason for every fabric
I love the idea of the top you are wearing in this article…is the bottom a rayon fabric? I have one in my mind that is a green tee shirt I love with a bleach mark on the front…I also have a beautiful brown and green skirt I never wear …watching you has helped me have the confidence to put it together…thank you…peace
Just stumbled upon you. Became a new subscriber. I haven’t sewn much in quite a number of years…life. But retired now and want to start again. Love the idea of up cycling. I think it will help give me the freedom to make mistakes by using my own give aways to work on my skills. Thanks for the inspiration. You are so likeable!
Congratulations on your 100k! I just happened to see this article and wanted to say that as a retired fashion designer, it’s wonderful to see clothing upcycled, and your etsy store has spectacular pieces; great work and delightful! No wonder you’re a success. 😊 SO much clothing goes into landfills, etc. Vintage sewing books before 1950 show different types of clothing upcyled ideas, but it wasn’t for retail but for homemakers to extend clothing during war-time. Maybe that information could help some people get creative. God bless you too!❤🙏🎉
Dear Sherry, Thank you for this. I also think you might like to check out Diane Ericson and her teaching. She is a legacy; her Mom was Lois Ericson, one of America’s first wearable art fashion designers, so she grew up in it and has been designing and upcycling and teaching since the 1960’s or 70’s. The Tilton sisters Marcy and Katherine are also very good. Tif Fussell aka Dottie Angel is another one. She calls her embroidery wooly tattoos. Kind of fun. I think if you have a friend who’s plus size who sews you might offer to do a duct tape double to build her a custom manikin and one for you at the same time. Just a thought. Best wishes and happy sewing. Mrs. K.
I could have made this article. You said all I would say! I also have and do what you do except a mannequin and a serger. I just want a cheap one too. Just to be able to think upright now looking at things flat or trying on a million times. I debate on the serger but getting closer to getting one as I am not making “material”. Id rather be able to do that nice serged edge to have inside or out. As I said Ive been sewing since young but I was kind of upcycling all along. My mother was always buying us clothing reduced to $1. at sidewalk sales saying “it will do a turn”. Pretty much I was thinking zero turns! So I remodeled them! Mostly shortening sleeves, making them sleeveless. Taking off collars and leaving collarband as Neru tops in style then. Taking off all extras that drove me nuts, belt tabs, heavy cuffs or collars. I still do that. I was never a fan of typical polo shirt so I cut necklines into a U shape. Use the collar to make self binding. When we retired to high desert with temps to 110 in summer I didnt have much cotton items or sun dresses. I took all my little worn skirts and attached them to tshirt tops. I do mostly at empire line, just under bust as I had 10 pound babies and a bit plus size in the large to 1x size range. Ive attached 2 mens shirts to a tshirt too. You can take a maxi dress a bit to small and attach at wider point and have a tunic top or dress or attach two together. I also do V inserts at sides of top and again only cut up to under bust mark. or do one large one at back or 4, 2 in front and 2 in back at what woud be the princess line mark.
I”m only one paragraph in and Love this article! Ive sewn since age 10 for real. Family poor so I had to use thrift clothing to sew. This was arond 1965. But thrift stores had 40s and 50s dresses. Loved those materials. Not around now! And by the yard got too expensive. In my old age I now sell my jean bags and totes at small farmers market because the small town we retired to everyone kept asking where i got my purses and some of my clothing! I don’t quilt so yep that color coordinating and mix and matching fabrics I had to ask locals what they thought! Im not girly either and all m pants are black or jeans. Not cowbogy. I call myself now and old nerd hippie because I was a young nerd hippie. Ok perusal rest of article!!!
Im so glad I have the color thing down since I dabbled in oil paintings for a bit! Took basic sewing lessons and I feel its like riding a bike. I think the hardest thing is planning the first piece. So many choices! Also,In the hardware section of Dollar Tree they sell little mini 2″ straight blade scrapers with a full size blade just like you showed us. The nice thing is you get 4-6 in a pack for $1.25 and each blade has its with its own holder which can easily pop the snap secured blade off or can be turned around so the blade is facing the inside of the individual unit’s plastic holder (a 2″ handle) for safety while not in use. Its also easy to work with.
I would love to see more up cycled clothing where the finished product is more of an Empire waist. Something that comes right below the chest. That style is more flattering for my figure. I have a decent sized chest and when clothing hits above or right at the chest and flows down, it is not very flattering on me. Just discovered your website, and I am loving it! 😊
Just found your website!!!!!!! (I’m not really a “sewer”, more a crafter of things, -not so much clothes…says she who last year completely re constructed my 1980’s wedding dress to fit my plus-size daughter 🫣) Adding to tip #8…. Avoid being taken “advantage of”, if/when you are doing alterations/repairs for friends…….. I fell into this trap (((totally my own fault!!!))) 🤦♀️ (but doing things for others is the type of person I am, sadly, it was abused!) Adding to tip #10…. We had a lot of clothes that had our business logo on the front. These (jackets/vests) were still perfectly wearable after we retired, so I took colourful pockets off other thrifted garments (making sure to include the BACK of the pocket as well)…. This then completely covered up the logo!
Just seeing this now and I got to wondering about those barges of clothes that I recall seeing being shipped to Africa. I don’t even know what countries were getting inundated. Is there a non-profit that could use this information to build a clothing upcycling industry there? I imagine small groups of people getting together to make product that could actually be sold globally. Kindof like that group that turns saris into skirts. It would help the local people and deal with a resource that they may or may not have an interest in right now. thanks for putting your website together and I really enjoyed seeing your enthusiasm and process for your work. I’m one of those who has clothes I donate but I always think why not do something with this? I have a sewing machine but I don’t really know how to use it when it gets into trouble. So I just keep it. Right now I have a dress than needs to be down sized and I wonder when that happen if I can’t find someone to help me with it. It is just too large and the neckline is wrong for me so major overhaul. The good thing for the dress project is I have another very similar dress that I want it to approximate so I have an idea of what my end result ought to look like! Thanks again for your instruction!
One other idea that came to mnd, is all the polyester clothing that is sold so cheaply. I have a stack of that and it snags very easily so I’m less likely to wear it. How to repurpose that stuff since in the next 5-10 years those are going to be the garments in the thrift stores. They can’t all wind up as curtains and scarves…
I just found your website. I am an upcycler and blogger of many years, but the community engagement died out, and I have missed it. YouTube seems to be the place now. Maybe I should do it too. I don’t make for sale, or care about being “big”. I would just like to find the community again. (Since you have been upcycling for several years too, maybe you know me, Saga In Colours). I did watch your intro article. But I would like to ask what it took for you to get started? Do you edit your articles? How do you plan articles? Any tips?
Wonderful article! I hope more people will do what you are doing, or at least buy less, better quality clothing, as I see plastic bags of clothing outside charity dumpsters in store parking lots all the time, often getting rained on, and I know most of it will wind up in a landfill as much of it just isn’t worth even trying to upcycle. With a mom who struggled during the Depression, many hot summer days of my own childhood were spent with a seam ripper taking zippers, buttons, seam binding and trim off clothing when it just couldn’t be worn anymore, my entry into learning to sew as then I could make doll clothes, pincushions, potholders, etc., from the fabric that remained and it was a lot of fun, I learned how to use the sewing machine and hand sew and how to get creative.
Hi Sherry! Let me first say I think you are adorable and have a great personality. I love your website. I have been sewing for the better part of 50 years, I’m 71. I too am a lover of the older machines and I have several. I was wondering what model of Bernina you have and the year it was made if you have this information. I might be on the look out for one in the near future. Thanks for the info and keep making those great articles my friend. God bless!
I just found your website and it is a blessing because I have been wanting to learn how to do the Upcycling especially with sweaters flannel shirts things like that for winter. And I found you quite interesting and helpful new subscriber here. But I do have a question, the little white plastic thing that you showed how to sew over the denim hem. I have had one for years and I don’t remember at all what it’s supposed to do if you do could do a tutorial on it and let us all know what that little white piece thing is. Enjoyed your article very much.
To anyone reading you are so beautiful, don’t compare yourself, you truly make the world way better. Always choose to help the environment and those who have it worse rather than luxury, take care of your psychical and mental health, connect to your inner child, what you dreamed about and chase those dreams💞💞
I tried the 4th one and it looked amazing!! The “shirt” itself was actually a dress already, a MATERNITY knee length dress 😭 it was plain white, and my mom wore it all the time when she was pregnant with me, she gave it to me because it can’t fit her anymore and i loved it very much but wanted to make it a bit more girly and cute, i’m so thankful for this article ❤
This young person is really really something … very, VERY … “Special” … And although using the word ‘beautiful’ to describe a beautiful human, albeit … … in the land of the free (America) … to the point of its use becoming somewhat, Taboo — i will respectfully ”say it” … “This girl is truly, truly … BEAUTIFUL” … #TRUTH
Damn. You’re a GENIUS!!! I’ve got two concerns though: 1) Doesn’t the fabric fray? I’m a complete beginner at sewing, the first thing I’ve graved in my mind is I have to hem and finish everything so the clothes don’t fray. 2) You have to keep the safety pins on the clothes? Aren’t they a bit uncomfortable, especially since those designs are tight? Aside from that, this is brillant, really.
быстро, красиво, но крайне не практично. края не закреплены и ткань начнет сыпаться если не на тебе же, то уже после первой стирки. есть ли смысл тратиться на футболку и так ее калечить ради одного раза, кадра? нет. стоит или купить готовое изделие, или переделать по-нормальному, с соблюдением припусков и обработкой краёв.
❤For bigger chested women❤ For the baby doll top, if you want to try a bra, less use shirt string or a single crochet scarf for around you’re underboob and through the lace up bit as well as the ribbon. And maybe lacing it backwars so it wraps so the tie starts at the top of the lace-up bit and then wraps around your underboob to help with just a little more support