Upcycle those Uniforms

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Over the past couple of weeks I've been upcycling my daughters' old school sports shirts into teddy bears. The shirts are old styles and so aren't worn anymore, but there was nothing physically wrong with them, so I didn't want to throw them out - and I thought since they were their school uniforms, maybe little keepsake memory bears might be a good idea!

The two white bears were to be given away - one as a trophy for a school recycling contest my daughter set up, and the other as a gift for a friend who works at the school. 

The two green teddies were for each of my daughters to keep. Those were their old house coloured shirts, so maybe they will go to future interhouse competitions as mascots? (the light in different photos makes them look different colours, but they are both green!)

The bigger teddy was made from the old style of uniform shirt for our swim club. Again, there was nothing wrong with the shirt itself, but no longer worn as the style has been updated to a new one.

I think this teddy will enjoy coming to all the swim carnivals as our new mascot!

A couple of years ago, I upcycled a lot of these old swim club uniforms into bags to sell and raise money for the club.

I also upcycled my girls old school dresses - which was their uniform in the early years of junior school - into teddy dresses, notebook covers and fabric baskets.

AND, a few years earlier, I'd upcycled their first old dresses into hair accessories!

Oh my goodness - looking at all of that, it makes me see just how many uniforms my girls have gone through!  We've always tried to buy second hand uniforms, and then pass them on to others afterwards, but sometimes they are too old and worn to do so and into the upcycle pile they go.  Kids go through so many clothes as they grow don't they!  But it's nice to be able to either pass them on to someone else who can wear them, or make them into something new they can continue to use!


So that is all my uniform upcycles so far, but there are so many more out there, like this one from the 600+ clothes upcycling linky,


An upcycled military uniform iPad case from Hong Kong Chic.

And there are heaps more to be found - as you can see from my Upcycling Uniforms Pinterest Board, 

where I'm adding more all the time as I find them.

Have you ever upcycled an old uniform - school, sports, military or other?  I'd love to hear more ideas and see pictures. They can be a great memory keepsake to make!