Thrift stores, yard sales, and even your own closets are filled with any number of fabric sources. From old clothes to table linens and everything in between, these secondhand materials are absolutely perfect for any number of easy sewing projects. Not only are they inexpensive fabrics, but if they’re blemished in some way, then they’re ripe for repurposing with a little bit of sewing magic. Here are some great sewing projects that are simple, approachable, and perfect for a beginner.Read more ›
Upcycle Ideas for Sewing Supplies
May 14, 2024 · By · 2 Comments
From buttons to spools and zippers to tables, old sewing supplies end up at thrift stores, yard sales, and antique shops all the time. Cookie tins of notions or jars filled with wooden spools are a common sight and ideal for any number of projects. But even if you aren’t a sewist, those sewing supplies are ripe for repurposing, as well- no stitching required. So, if you’re interested in a few upcycle ideas for notions and such, you’ve come to the right place.Read more ›
Quick and Easy Fabric Crafts with an Upcycled Twist
April 22, 2024 · By · Leave a Comment
Whether you sew or not, fabric crafts are a favorite creative pastime for many crafters. There are so many inexpensive sources of fabric, too- the remnants bin at a fabric shop, the linens rack at a thrift store, or even old clothing from your very own closet. So, if you’re looking for some new crafty inspiration, then this collection of upcycled fabric crafts will have you reimagining all your scraps and yardage into unique and clever projects.
Repurposing Ideas for Face Masks
April 22, 2021 · By · 19 Comments
While we’re not there yet, my hope is that in the near-ish future, we won’t need to wear face masks constantly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to wear them until we’re at comfortably safe place! But, if you’re anything like me, you’ll ultimately be left with a pile of masks and unsure what to do with them. So, I thought it might be fun to come up with a few repurposing ideas for a fabric face mask (which is the kind of I’ve been wearing for the past year).Read more ›
DIY Coin Purse from Crocheted Potholders
February 10, 2021 · By · 20 Comments
Several years ago, I upcycled a pair of crocheted potholders into a DIY coin purse. It was SO cute (the potholders were clock faces), but I can’t find it anywhere. So, I decided to make myself a new one and re-share it here on my blog.Read more ›
Ideas for Upcycling Clothes
August 5, 2020 · By · 6 Comments
One of the most common and well-stocked sections in thrift stores is the clothing department. As a society, we go through clothing at an untenable pace, mostly because it’s cheap and poorly made. And while we used to be able to dump it all at thrift stores, that convenience is rapidly changing due to current world events. With so many thrifts no longer accepting textile donations, I thought you might be looking for ideas for upcycling clothes.Read more ›
30+ Upcycling Projects for Vintage Linens
May 26, 2020 · By · 7 Comments
Vintage linens such as vintage tablecloths, sheets, and pillowcases are dangerously easy to collect and full of upcycling possibilities. While other vintage items have become more and more scarce at thrift stores, old linens can still be found fairly easily.Read more ›
Refashioning with Ribbon Belts
August 12, 2018 · By · 9 Comments
When I was a teenager, I had grand plans that involved collecting snippets of vintage jacquard ribbon (and non-vintage, if pretty enough) to decorate “all the things”, such as handbags, headbands, and t-shirts. But I quickly found out that the gorgeous ribbon I coveted so much was expensive…and my plans fizzled out. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I’m back at it with an alternative (and thrifty) plan: What if I used some ribbon belts from the thrift store to embellish different accessories?Read more ›
Recycled Tote Bag from a Framed Cross Stitch
February 1, 2018 · By · 45 Comments
Framed cross stitch pieces are something I see at thrift stores all the time. And while there are modern versions of cross stitch that have become very popular (with sassy sayings), the older ones seem to get tossed in the donation pile. When I found this 1980s-era country cross stitch, I immediately thought that it would look SO CUTE as a recycled tote bag for grocery (or farmer’s market) shopping.Read more ›
Faking the Look of Grain Sack Fabric for DIY Lavender Sachets
February 2, 2017 · By · 46 Comments
Grain sacks are a wonderful trend if you ask me. From their faded graphics to the texture of the fabric, I just can’t get enough of them. But cutting into grain sack fabric for upcycling crafts seems almost sacrilegious, doesn’t it? I wanted to create some DIY lavender sachets that looked like grain sack but not actually with grain sack fabric.Read more ›
