The Best Ways to Turn Your Old Clothes Into Something New

Repurpose and upcycle your clothes to keep your wardrobe fresh

Wearing the same clothes every year can be boring and predictable, but buying new clothes all the time can get costly. So, why not try turning those clothes you’d otherwise throw away into something new and fashionable? There are many ways to repurpose old clothing so it looks brand new! If a shirt’s too small, we’ve got you covered. If your jeans are too short, we’ve got a hack for that too. Keep reading to learn how to upcycle clothing with these easy and cheap DIY projects.

Things You Should Know

  • Upcycle old t-shirts into something new by cutting a V, keyhole, or boat neckline out of the collar with fabric scissors.
  • Repurpose a pair of beloved jeans by cutting them with fabric scissors to make denim cut-off shorts.
  • Restyle a t-shirt by chopping 1 ⁄ 2  in (1.3 cm) thick strips into the hem to create a fringe fit for any bohemian.
1

Change the neckline of a shirt

  1. Cutting up an old t-shirt can bring it back to life. So, you’ve found a super cute shirt in the back of your closet. The color and print are perfect, but the cut is all wrong. Well, why not change it? These no-sew upcycling hacks are a great way to make old clothes like new—check them out:
    • Tank top: Cut a “V” shape into the front neckline that’s about 7 in (18 cm) away from the shoulder seam. Then, cut off the sleeves, starting at the armpit seam. [1]
    • Keyhole neckline: Lay your shirt on a flat surface inside out. Draw a triangle at the base of the original collar with the point facing down. Cut the triangle out of the fabric, leaving the collar intact, for a cut peekaboo effect. [2]
    • Boat neck: Fold your shirt in half on a flat surface and mark the center of the collar. Unfold the shirt and start cutting 4 fingers width away from the collar at a curve. Cut until you reach the middle mark. Repeat on the other side of the shirt. [3]
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2

Cut jeans into denim shorts

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    Have your favorite jeans gotten too short? If so, they may be the perfect candidate for DIY cut-off shorts. This is an excellent way to add to your summertime wardrobe and reuse clothing. All you have to do is follow these instructions: [4]
    • Turn your jeans inside out. Start at the waistband and measure down a pant leg with a tape measure. Make a mark where you’d like to cut the jeans. Do the same on the opposite leg, ensuring the marks are the same.
    • Use fabric scissors to cut the jeans where you made your marks. Starting at the side of one leg, cut straight across until you’ve cut off the bottom part of the leg.
    • Turn the now jean shorts right-side out. Keep the ends frayed for a punk rock look, or add a bit of no-fray fabric glue and hem the edges over.
    • Try embellishing your new cut-offs by adding jewels or buttons or use a bleach pen to draw shapes or lines on the fabric.
3

Add a fringe hem to a shirt

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    If you have an old t-shirt lying around, try spicing it up by adding fringe to the bottom of it. Not only is this look groovy, but it’s also a great way to get some more use out of a shirt you don’t like the style of anymore. All it takes are a few simple steps:
    • Lay the shirt out flat. Measure where you’d like the fringe to start and mark it with an erasable marker or pencil. Make an identical mark on the other side of the shirt and draw a horizontal line from one mark to the other.
    • Using the bottom hem of the shirt as a guide, make marks at the bottom of the shirt in 1 ⁄ 2  in (1.3 cm) intervals. Use a ruler to draw a straight line up the shirt from the bottom to the horizontal line you previously made.
    • Use fabric scissors to cut each vertical line you’ve drawn, stopping once you reach the top horizontal line. Stretch out each strand of fringe and rock your new boho top.
    • Try stringing beads on the fringe and secure them with a knot for a colorful look, or tie every other piece of fringe together to create a netted look.
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4

Dye jeans a new color

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    So, you love the fit of your jeans but hate the wash. Well, why not change the wash? A bottle of Rit Dye and some hot water can go a long way when it comes to revitalizing old clothing. Here’s how you can redye old jeans so they look brand new: [5]
    • Mix the dye with boiling water in a 5 US gal (19 l) bucket while wearing gloves. Follow the directions for the dye to find the ratio of water to dye powder.
    • Put the jeans into the dye and stir them with your gloved hands or a long utensil.
    • After 5 minutes of stirring, pull the jeans out and wring out the excess dye.
    • Rinse the jeans in a sink or bathtub until the water runs clear.
    • Lay the jeans out flat to dry or put them in a dryer.
5

Sew a large tee into a sleeveless dress

  1. With a bit of alterations, a baggy t-shirt can turn into an adorable dress. Looking for a cute way to repurpose an old, oversized t-shirt? If so, try turning it into a fun summertime dress! As long as the shirt comes down to your knees, it’s perfect for this DIY. Simply follow these instructions: [6]
    • Cut the sleeves off the shirt, then cut the seam of the sleeves to open them into a long piece of fabric.
    • Lay the sleeves flat on a table and cut 2 identical rectangles out of the sleeves, avoiding the hem.
    • Cut a straight line across the top of the shirt just under the neckline, and discard the cut piece.
    • Cut the remaining part of the shirt up the sides to create 2 identical large rectangles of fabric to be the body of the dress.
    • Use a sewing machine to sew the smaller rectangles of fabric to the top of the larger pieces of fabric.
    • Sew the front of the dress to the back of the dress by sewing the sides together. Then, sew elastic onto the dress where the top piece meets the body piece, stretching the elastic as you sew.
    • Cut any excess fabric away, then turn the dress right side out.
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6

Sew lace onto a shirt

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    Is your favorite shirt getting too short? If so, try giving it an extra cute makeover with some lace (or other fabric of your choosing). Lace gives shorter shirts a layered flare, and no one will be the wiser! Simple follow these steps to create your unique tee: [7]
    • Lay your shirt on a flat surface and cut off the hem. Start the project with the shirt inside out if you’d like the lace to be the inside layer, or start with it right-side up if you want the lace to be on the outside of the shirt.
    • Measure the circumference of the shirt’s hem (the length or radius of one side multiplied by 2).
    • Cut a piece of lace the size of the circumference, then sew the ends together to make a band.
    • Place the lace band over the hem of the shirt. Pin it in place, and use a sewing machine to stitch the edge of the fabric onto the shirt’s hem.
    • Trim off any excess shirt fabric, and put on your super cute layered shirt.
7

Turn t-shirts into a scarf

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    If you have a bunch of old shirts that don’t fit you anymore, this is the perfect upcycling project for you! Simply cut rectangles out of 8 to 10 shirts about 8 in × 10 in (20 cm × 25 cm) in size. Take 2 rectangles, pin their short ends, and sew them together. Add another rectangle to another short end, pin, and sew. Continue this pattern until all your rectangles are attached. [8]
    • Sew your scarf's top and bottom ends together to create an infinity scarf.
    • Try cutting out the pattern of graphic tees so their design shows on your scarf.
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8

Make a sweater smaller

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    The more you wear a sweater, the more likely it’ll stretch out over time. Thankfully, you can make your favorite sweater look and fit like new again with a little bit of handy work:
    • Put the sweater on inside out and pin it where you want to resize it, pinching and folding the fabric where necessary.
    • Carefully take the sweater off and lay it flat to ensure all the pins are straight.
    • Use a sewing machine or hand sew the sweater in a line where the pins are.
    • Cut the excess fabric after sewing it.
    • Turn the sweater right-side out and put it on.
9

Replace missing buttons

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    If you have a shirt, blouse, sweater, or pant that’s lost a button, there’s no need to discard it. Try your hand at sewing on a new button so the garment looks like new again. [9] Simply find a button similar to the ones already on the item (or one entirely different—the choice is yours) and follow these steps: [10]
    • Double thread a sewing needle and knot the end.
    • Bring the needle up through the wrong side of the fabric and into one hole of the button.
    • Bring the needle back down through an opposite hole. Repeat the process of going up through one hole and down through another hole 6 times with the same 2 holes.
    • Do the same thing with the other 2 non-threaded holes.
    • Tie a secure knot in the thread by passing the needle through the stitches on the wrong side of the fabric, stopping short to create a loop. Then, pass the needle through the loop and pull tightly. Repeat this twice to make a secure knot.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Where can I get RIT dye and how much does it cost?
    Community Answer
    You can buy RIT dye at Walmart, Target, various craft stores, and online. It shouldn't cost more than $2-$5, depending on where you buy it and what color you buy.
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  • Question
    How do I upcycle old sweatpants without turning them into shorts?
    Community Answer
    You can turn them into skinny joggers by doing some basic cutting and hemming. Check out YouTube or Pinterest for tutorials.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I have an old t-shirt that is much too small. It's pretty special, though, so I don't want to chuck it. I'm not girly, and I like to wear weird clothes. Any ideas?
    Community Answer
    You don't need to wear it; you can change it into a tote bag instead by cutting the sleeves to make a singlet and then sewing the bottom.
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      Tips

      • Always check your measurements twice before cutting to make sure your measurements are accurate.
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      • Don’t worry if you mess up! Remember, you’re using old clothes. Upcycling is a great way to practice your DIY and sewing techniques, as you can toss anything that doesn’t go as planned.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/YVJlC4NMr0U?t=238
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/D6fFLGW-0HE?t=30
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/6i4I8Puc2Y4?t=35
      4. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-make-cut-off-shorts
      5. ↑ http://centsationalgirl.com/2011/04/a-cheap-dye-job/
      6. ↑ http://allforfashiondesign.com/how-to-make-a-beautiful-dress-from-simple-blouse/
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/tAkXOEsqL6Q?t=3
      8. ↑ https://sometimes-homemade.com/upcycled-t-shirt-scarf/
      9. ↑ Natalie Kay Smith. Sustainable Fashion Writer. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.
      1. ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing-care/sew-button

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