Freshen your wardrobe with an upcycling overhaul
The trend of upcycling old clothes into other pieces is nothing new – as a nation of avid and savvy sewers the idea of 'make do and mend' has been around for generations.
With the growing urge to be greener and more eco-conscious, lots more people are looking to opt out of 'fast fashion' and re-use and upcycle the clothes they already have.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is when you take something old and give it a new look or purpose so that you can use it again rather than throw it away. Upcycling old furniture is a really popular trend, and it's a great way to furnish your home on a budget while also creating items that really match your vibe and home decor look.
If you're a fan of all things sewing, then upcycling your old clothes (or even items you buy from a charity shop) is a great new hobby to get stuck into. Not only can you create a whole new wardrobe for next to no money, but you also get to flex your creative design skills and show off your stitching talents.
What do you need to upcycle your clothes?
Seam ripper – This is used for pulling apart seam stitching quickly and accurately, a seam ripper is much easier to use than a pair of scissors and an invaluable bit of kit.
Measuring tape – We've all heard the saying measure twice and cut once! A good-length flexible measuring tape is a staple bit of kit for any upcycler.
Fabric scissors – A pair of sharp fabric scissors will make short work of any cutting you have to do, plus a cleaner cut helps to prevent any fraying.
Tailors chalk – Tailors chalk is ideal for drawing lines on fabric as it doesn't stain and is easy to rub off.
Dressmaking pins – Pinning fabric before cutting and sewing it will give you the most accurate lines to work to. Try to get dressmaking pins with a colour or shaped head, that way if you drop them they are much easier to find again!
Hemming tape – Hemming tape is a sewing secret weapon. If you don't want the fuss of having to fun your hems through the sewing machine, use this quick and clever tape to get it done in just a few minutes.
Iron – Ironing isn't always the most fun task, but it's important to make sure that any clothes you are upcycling are free from wrinkles and creases so that you can get the most accurate measurements and cuts.
Sewing machine º It's always handy to have access to a sewing machine when upcycling clothes as some of the material can be hard to work with if trying to hand stitch. If you don't have a full-sized sewing machine to work with a handheld sewing machine will do the job on some smaller cloth upcycling projects. If you're really looking to create a professional-looking finish then you might want to try out an overlocker.
Brilliant ideas to upcycle your clothes
Are you excited to get upcycling but unsure where to start? Here's some quick ideas to help you stitch up a new sustainable wardrobe.
Jeans to fitted denim skirt
Turning an old pair of jeans into a skirt is a really easy upcycle project that anyone can attempt.
The first thing you'll need to do is unpick both of the inside leg seams and open them up fully until the front reaches the bottom of the zipper. Now that the fabric is open you can start pinning together the open seams to create the right fit for your skirt.
Once you are happy with the fit, flip the skirt inside out and sew along your new seam lines. Check the fit and make any alterations you might need to before flipping the skirt the right way out again and adding a top stitch along the front seams to keep everything secure.
TOP TIP: Sew before you cut. This seems a bit counter-intuitive but it can be especially handy when you are working with stretch fabrics. If you sew your seams and try on your project inside out before cutting away the excess fabric you can easily see and mark where adjustments might need to be made. There's nothing worse than getting a bit too scissor-happy and finding you have no fabric left to let out a seam, so make sure to sew before you cut.
Baggy t-shirt to flattering fitted tee
Do you have a favourite T-shirt that has lost its shape or gone baggy in all the wrong places, but you can't bear to throw it out? We've got you covered with this clever upcycle hack!
Find a t-shirt in your wardrobe that has the sort of fit that you want, you'll be using this as a template. Turn the baggy t-shirt inside out, lay it flat on the floor and place the template t-shirt on top of it so that the necklines are lined up.
Take some tailors chalk and trace the outline of the template t-shirt onto the baggy shirt, then pin along just outside of that outline and carefully try on the t-shirt. Adjust any of the pinning if some areas look too tight or loose and then stitch along your lines using a sewing machine.
Do another quick try-on of the t-shirt while it's inside out and before you've trimmed away any excess fabric. It won't look very pretty, but it will give you a chance to make any final adjustments before you snip away excess fabric that you might need. When you've got the fit perfected, run it through the machine again to reinforce any stitching that may need it and cut away the excess fabric.
Trousers to shorts
Want to get your summer wardrobe sorted without breaking the bank? Why not turn a pair of old trousers into shorts!
This super quick upcycle DIY is perfect for updating your wardrobe ready for the warmer weather but it's also a handy hack for any crafty parents. Kids outgrow their clothes so quickly and one of the most common issues is trousers becoming too short as children get taller. Turning kids trousers into shorts is a great way to get some extra wear out of them.
Start by laying your trousers out flat on the floor and use tailors chalk to mark out the length you want (use an existing pair of shorts to give you a template if it's easier) then add a second line 2cm below that to give a seam allowance. Cut along that lowest line and turn the trousers inside out. Fold up 2cm of the bottom to give you your hem and run over it quickly with the iron so that the fold stays in place.
TOP TIP: Don't fancy running a hem through the sewing machine? Try using iron on hemming tape instead. Cut a length of hemming tape to fit around the length of the hem and then sit it inside the hem fold you've created. Iron over the hem with a medium heat (no steam) and allow to cool before trying on.
Maxi skirt to floaty dress
If you're looking to give a new lease of life to an old maxi skirt, there is a super quick upcycling project you can do to turn it into a floaty dress!
Start by cutting off the elastic waistband at the top of the skirt. Measure and cut a length of wide ribbon long enough to go along the top of the skirt where you have just removed the waistband, and stitch it in place.
Using thinner ribbon in the same or a complementary colour, cut four long strands and stitch two onto the front of the dress and two to the back (making sure they line up) to create straps. Slide the dress over your head and tie the ribbon straps into bows to adjust the length.
Do you love crafting? Share your creations with us by tagging @primamag in your pictures on Instagram!
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