Recycle Old Clothes
There are many creative ways to recycle old clothes using your sewing skills. In addition to saving you a significant amount of money, recycling used clothes allows you to customize and personalize your clothing to turn existing clothing into something that is uniquely you.
Altering Clothing
One of the best ways that you can use sewing skills to recycle old clothes is by altering clothing. Learning to alter clothes is easy and has the potential to save you a significant amount of money and maybe even bring in additional money if you are willing to alter other people’s clothing.
Altering for Fit
Altering the clothes you already have instead of buying new clothes is a great way to spice up your wardrobe. Even if you buy new clothes, they may not necessarily fit you well since they are made to average body specifications. Everyone’s body is different and clothing alterations are often necessary if you want the best fit for your clothes.
Up or Down
The most common form of alterations involves either raising or lowering the hemline, which works very well if your pants are too long or short or if do not like the length of your skirt. However, clothing alterations can also transform your clothes into completely different items of clothing.
Repurpose
For example, adding accessories like belts, scarves or brooches to your clothes is a great way to alter them. Changing the length or function of the clothes is also a great way to alter clothes. Good examples of this include turning pants into shorts or a dress into either a skirt or shirt.
DIY Fashion
DIY fashion, or do it yourself fashion, is very popular among those who enjoy sewing and fashion yet also try to be frugal. DIY is a wonderful way to improve your knowledge of sewing and exercise your creativity.
It is also a great way to combine your sewing skills and items that you already have in your home to create new and interesting yet fashionable items.
Using your sewing and crafting skills you can spruce up your existing clothing or turn it into something completely different.
Other Uses for Old Clothes
Many DIY aficionados transform their clothes into cloth jewelry, hair pieces, or other accessories.
Another idea when you recycle old clothes is to turn them into pillows or other non-wearable items.
Patch It
Adding embellishments to your current clothing is a great way to hide worn parts or flaws as well as make your clothing a little bit more interesting and stylish.
Adding decorative patches, and beading may help your clothes look a lot better with a minimal time and money investment.
Recycle Blue Jeans
If you wear blue jeans you have probably had them rip or just get too worn out to wear. Instead of throwing them away, you can recycle blue jeans. Blue jean material is strong, durable and looks great.
When you recycle old clothes, like your blue jeans, it helps the environment and gives you fun sewing projects by creating recycle crafts. Ideas for recycling jeans include making:
- Potholders
- patchwork quilts with different types of denim
- Book covers
- Bags for all occasions
- Cup cozies to keep your hands from getting too warm or cold
Other ideas for recycling jeans include cutting off the legs and turning them into jean shorts or skirts and adding embellishments to your existing jeans.
If you want to get really creative and have a little bit of time, you can even turn your old jeans into a totally different article of clothing like a jacket or vest.
When you recycle clothing, you contribute less to landfills, save yourself money and give yourself a fun project. There are several ways to use your sewing skills to recycle old clothes and turn them into something useful and stylish.
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