How to Reuse and Upcycle Your Old Clothing

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Repurpose old garments with these easy sewing DIYs
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Clothes are made of fabric, which has endless possible uses. If you’ve grown tired of some garments, have clothes that don't fit, or have holy or stained items on hand, you can repurpose them rather than throw them away. By turning clothes into different garments, making keepsakes with them, or using them to create home décor, you’ll never let good clothes go to waste again.

Things You Should Know

  • Give old clothing new life by removing excess fabric to create crop tops, shorts, or mini-dresses. Use excess fabric for headbands or scrunchies.
  • Repurpose old clothing to create tote bags, dog beds, pillowcases, or quilts.
  • Use leftover fabric scraps to make sentimental stuffed animals, a memory board, or patchwork curtains.
1

Crop tops

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    If a piece of clothing is no longer in, don’t be quick to say it’s out. A quick fix to any old, tired shirt is making a crop top. Put the shirt on, look in a mirror, and fold it where you want the crop to start. Mark the spot with safety pins. [1]
    • Then, lay the shirt on a flat surface. You may want to trace a line where you’ll cut with a fabric marker.
    • Use a pair of fabric scissors to cut the spot and viola! You’ve got a new crop top.
    • You can hem the edges for a clean look. Use a straight or running stitch with a sewing machine, or weave a needle and thread in and out of the fabric in a straight line.
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2

Denim shorts

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    Using the same technique as cropping a shirt, you can make cropped denim shorts. Try on an old pair of jeans and mark where you’d like to cut with a fabric marker. Lay the pants on a flat surface and cut where you’ve marked. [2]
    • If you fold the pants over, you can cut through both legs simultaneously for a symmetrical cut.
    • For a distressed look, leave the shorts unhemmed to fray naturally over time. You can also take a pair of seam rippers or sandpaper to distress the edges.
3

Embellishments

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    If you have charms or gemstones, you can use these to give old clothes a bedazzling! Hand-sew a charm in place or use fabric glue to stick gemstones onto the garment. Similarly, you can use a contrasting fabric as a pocket. Cut out a 4 in (10 cm) by 5 in (13 cm) pocket and sew it onto another shirt with a straight stitch.
    • You should lay out any embellishments first to figure out the placement before sewing or gluing them down.
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4

Dye

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    Add vibrancy to a faded garment or dye the fabric a totally different color. Grab your choice of fabric dye and mix 4 fluid ounces (120 mL) of dye with 3 gallons (11 L) of hot water per 1 pound (0.45 kg) of fabric. Allow it to soak for 10 to 30 minutes in a sink, bucket, or washing machine. [3]
    • It may help to first use a color remover so the new color can successfully stick.
5

Tube tops

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    It’s best to use garments with plenty of extra fabric when creating new clothes, like dresses or oversized T-shirts. Making tube tops is the simplest option since they require minimal sewing. Measure your bust to mark the amount of the fabric you need. Then, cut out the fabric and sew the sides to form a tube. [4]
    • Add elastic to the top and bottom of the garment for a form-fitting look.
    • Use a tube top you love and trace the pattern onto the garment for an easy hack.
    • You can hand-sew these projects, but it may take a little time compared to using a sewing machine.
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6

Scrunchies

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    For folks with long hair, there’s no such thing as having too many headbands or scrunchies. To make a scrunchie , cut a strip of fabric 20 in (51 cm) long and 4.5 in (11 cm) wide. Fold over the short edge of the fabric 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) and sew in place. [5]
    • Then, fold the fabric half lengthwise and sew with the right sides together. Turn the tube inside out and insert elastic through the tube.
    • Overlap the ends of the elastic and zigzag stitch it in place. Insert the unfinished end of the scrunch inside the finished edge and sew a straight stitch to finish off.
7

Headbands

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    For a headband, cut a strip of fabric 20 in (51 cm) long and 4.5 in (11 cm) wide. Fold your piece of fabric in half long side and sew the edges together, but leave a 1 inch (2.5 cm) gap to flip the fabric inside out. Then, sew the gap. [6]
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8

Produce bags

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    Turn your shirt inside out and sew a zigzag stitch across the bottom of the shirt opening. Then, cut off the sleeves and the neck area to create handles. Sew a zigzag stitch where the collar was to create the strap. Cut off the excess fabric and turn the bag right side out. [7]
9

Cloth patches

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    It can be hard to let go of a beloved childhood sweater. But instead of recycling or donating it, make a custom cloth patch. Cut out a shape, like a heart or a simple circle. You can dye the material or add embroidery stitches before sewing or gluing it onto another garment or backpack. [8]
    • If you have many smaller pieces, try making a full patchwork garment.
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10

Travel bags

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    [9] Cut the sleeves off your shirt with scissors so it looks like a tank top. Turn the shirt inside out and make 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) vertical cuts every 1 inch (2.5 cm) along the bottom of the shirt. Tie pairs of cut strips together to create the bottom of the bag. Turn the shirt right-side out again to finish your bag. [10]
11

Memory board

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    If you have a frame or a corkboard that could use a refresh, add a piece of fabric to cover the front and sides. Trace the board onto the garment and cut. Secure the fabric in place with fabric glue or pins. Now, you can display concert bracelets, ticket stubs, and photos against a nice backdrop of old clothes! [11]
    • You can add mementos and rearrange your board by attaching items with pushpins .
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12

Stuffed animals

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    Draw a stuffed animal template on a piece of cardboard, or use an online template for a polished look. Pin together scraps of beloved clothing to trace and cut the template. Give yourself 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) of extra fabric for the seams. [12]
    • Sew all of the edges but one closed and fill it with stuffing or used scraps of old clothes.
    • Use buttons from old garments to sew eyes and a nose onto your keepsake stuffed animal.
    • If this feels too ambitious, use old socks to make dresses for dolls. Cut off the tube portion of a sock. Then, thread a ribbon through each corner to create straps. [13]
13

Quilt

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    [14] Use an online pattern to turn your old duds into a quilt. Generally, you want to cut out 12 in (30 cm) blocks to create a quilt quickly. You can sew together 9 square blocks to make a baby quilt or 25 blocks to make an adult lap quilt. [15]
    • If you’re not particularly crafty but would still enjoy a quilt, many websites will create a patchwork quilt out of your old clothes for you, such as Project Repeat or retailers on Etsy. Just send your old clothes to them.
    • Try to use similar fabrics that can be machine-washed.
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14

Picture frame

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    If you’re tired of looking at the same old picture frame, refresh it quickly with old fabric! Remove the glass from the picture frame and glue the front, placing it on the fabric. Cut the fabric around the frame, leaving enough of a border for the fabric to wrap around the back of the frame. Glue the edges, pulling the fabric taut as you attach it. [16]
    • Cut off any excess fabric with scissors to close the frame properly.
    • You can also use a piece of cardboard to create your own custom frame. This works well for photos of an unusual size.
15

Gift wrap

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    After you’ve made your keepsake, your old clothes can do double duty by turning into gift wrap. Cut the fabric from a garment and place your gift in the middle. Wrap the fabric around your gift, gathering at the top. Secure your packaging with a contrasting colored ribbon. [17]
    • Pinking shears , which have patterns cast into the cutting blade, can create an attractive finish, so your edges don’t look frayed.
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16

Curtains

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    If you’re into the bohemian aesthetic, patchwork curtains could be a unique addition to your home. First, measure the dimensions of your existing curtains. Then, cut out plenty of squares or rectangles from your old clothes; the more variety of colors and patterns, the better. Stitch the squares together along their edges into one cohesive piece of fabric. [18]
    • If you don’t have enough scraps to create a whole curtain, sew a valence for the top of the window to add some rustic charm.
17

Pillowcases

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    Cut off the arms of a T-shirt and the ridge around the neck so you’re left with a rectangular or square shape. Sew the holes shut and turn the shirt inside so the seams are inside. Swap out your old pillowcases for upcycled ones! [19]
    • If you have a design on the T-shirt that you want to showcase, turn your shirt inside out before cutting.
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18

Rag rug

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    A rag rug is a durable, circular rug incorporating many fabrics and colors for a homespun look. They can be as small or large as you like, which makes them extremely versatile. Cut your clothes into long strips, approximately the size of the crochet hook you want to use. Sew the strips end to end and roll it into a ball, like yarn. [20]
    • To corchet a rag rug , start with a magic ring. Chain 6 (single stitches) and slip-stitch them together in a loop. Then, work two double crochets into every stitch in the second round. Increase each round until you get your desired size.
    • If you’ve been looking for a unifying décor piece for your home, select strips for your rag rug that incorporate the colors in your room. Your rug will highlight each of them and pull the room together.
19

Dog bed

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    You can use the pillowcase method to create a simple dog bed. For large dogs, make two pillowcases, stitching them almost all the way together. Leave a small hole to fit scraps of old clothes to stuff the bed. Once stuffed, stitch the small opening shut. [21]
    • If you have a smaller dog, make one pillowcase-size bed.
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20

Cleaning rags

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    Opt for soft shirts less likely to leave scratches on your cleaning surfaces, like cotton or velvet. Cut square pieces that are 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) on each side. For a professional look, you can hem the edges. Or, leave them as is. Now, you have perfect rags to dust or wipe up messes with! [22]

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    Can jeans be turned into a denim shirt?
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    Denim you wear on the bottom half of your body is different than chambray, which is a denim-like material most "jean" shirts are made of. The denim of your jeans is likely too stiff to be worn as a shirt, and there would likely not be enough fabric for the body of the shirt. You could sew a pocket made from the denim of your jeans on a shirt though.
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    How do I resell my old clothes?
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    Have a garage sale. If your clothes are in good shape, some second-hand stores may buy them from you.
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    I have a cotton top that I love. Can I take it apart and make a pattern from it?
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    Yes, of course.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/how-to-diy-a-crop-top-7505787
      2. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/fashion/clothing/how-to-cut-jeans-shorts-diy
      3. ↑ https://www.ritdye.com/dye-your-clothes/
      4. ↑ https://blog.treasurie.com/how-to-make-a-tube-top/
      5. ↑ https://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2020/02/how-to-make-scrunchie-out-of-shirt.html
      6. ↑ https://www.thewonderforest.com/easy-sew-diy-t-shirt-headband-tutorial/
      7. ↑ https://www.papernstitchblog.com/upcycled-grocery-totes-with-old-t-shirts/
      8. ↑ https://artistcellar.com/blogs/news/making-fabric-patches
      9. ↑ Natalie Kay Smith. Sustainable Fashion Writer. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/zgpaM3u2zng?t=28
      2. ↑ https://www.debbie-debbiedoos.com/diy-memory-board-with-drop-clothes-and-stencils/
      3. ↑ https://makingthingsisawesome.com/simple-stuffed-animal-cute-bunnies/
      4. ↑ https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2065/5767/files/Doll_Clothes_PATTERN.pdf?v=1609977153
      5. ↑ Natalie Kay Smith. Sustainable Fashion Writer. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.
      6. ↑ https://weallsew.com/making-a-memory-quilt-preparing-the-materials/
      7. ↑ https://remake.world/stories/style/6-ways-to-upcycle-old-clothes-into-home-decor/
      8. ↑ http://www.today.com/series/holidays-made-easy/4-gift-wrap-ideas-using-old-clothes-your-closet-t63796
      9. ↑ https://www.sewjahit.com/post/patchwork-curtains
      10. ↑ https://thehowtohome.com/5-minute-t-shirt-pillowcase/
      11. ↑ https://www.1dogwoof.com/crochet-rug-from-t-shirts/
      12. ↑ https://cyberseams.com/sewing/home-decor/sew-simple-pillow-dog-bed-using-recycled-clothing/
      13. ↑ Natalie Kay Smith. Sustainable Fashion Writer. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      There are plenty of ways to reuse old clothes so they don’t go to waste. Making new clothes and accessories is a fun and easy way to repurpose your old clothes. For example, you could try restyling the garments to make them more fashionable by adding zippers, studs, or glitter. You can also use the fabric from your old clothes to make accessories like a headband or tote bag. Another way to reuse old clothes is to make keepsakes. For example, you could use the fabric to cover a memory board or to make a teddy bear. For more tips from our Fashion co-author, like how to make a pillowcase from your old clothes, read on!

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