Fundraising through Clothes Upcycling

Clothes upcycling is not only eco- and budget friendly, but stretches your imagination and creativity.
I have started to find ways to use clothes upcycling in my everyday life, and one of the ways in which I am doing this is as a fundraiser for my kids various sporting clubs and their school.

2014
Last year I upcycled some old swimming uniforms from our club and we sold the resulting bags to raise funds for the club.


2015
In 2015  I had a new clothes upcycling challenge.  
I had a large pile of clothes that I acquired at the end of my girls school carnival last year.

Every year, we as parents are asked to buy and donate items for the carnival. I wanted to try and show how we can 'use what we've got' to create things to sell at the following year's carnival to raise funds for the school. Creating a more budget and environment friendly approach to raising funds.

Since I sew and love upcycling, this seemed to be the perfect way for me to help!

Here's the pile of clothes I got:

Lots of jeans, shorts, and other clothes items from interesting and pretty fabrics. This was just a small portion of the clothes that were left over from the clothes stall at last year's carnival.

The first thing I wanted to try out making was a sock monkey:


My girls love him and tell me they think these would sell well at the carnival!  So buoyed by my success, I tried a sock lion!
Which was also given the thumbs up by my girls.

So - I had from February until October to work my way through the pile of clothes and make things to sell.  

Each upcycle is recorded below. Click on the picture to go to the post for more details.

Bag and Elephant from shorts and shirt
Bag and Elephant from Shorts and Shirt

Messenger Bag from Cargo Shorts
Messenger Bag from Cargo Shorts

Denim Teddy Bear from Jeans skirt and shorts
Denim Teddy Bear from Jeans skirt and shorts

Funky Pencil Cases from Jeans
Funky Pencil Cases from Jeans

Lined Tote upcycled from Trousers
Lined Tote Upcycled from Trousers

Elephant Keychains from Jeans and scraps
Elephant Keychains from Jeans and Scraps

More Sock Monkeys
More Sock Monkeys

What can I make from one pair of jeans?
What can I make from one pair of jeans?

Upcycled Jeans Bags
Upcycled Jeans Bags

Jeans Pocket Turtle
Jeans Pocket Turtle

Inspirational Notebook Folders
Inspirational Notebook Folders

Snoopy Bag from shirt and pants
Snoopy Bag from Shirt and Pants

Shorts and Skirt to pencil case and pouch
Shorts and Skirt to pencil case and pouch

Flying Squirrels from Trackpants
Flying Squirrels from Trackpants

Turtle Tote from Jeans
Turtle Tote from Jeans

Turtle Softie from Jeans and Skirt
Turtle Softie from Jeans and Skirt

Flip Flop Bag from Jeans
Flip Flop Bag from Jeans

Perching Owls
Perching Owls

Boxy Denim Pencil Cases
Boxy Denim Pencil Cases

Upcycled Denim iPad Sleeve
Upcycled Denim iPad Sleeve

Mini Denim Christmas Stockings
Mini Denim Christmas Stockings

One pair of shorts upcycled
One pair of shorts upcycled

Water Bottle Carrier with adjustable strap
Water Bottle Carrier with adjustable strap


Scotty Dog Bag
Scotty Dog Bag

Witchy Bag Upcycled from Shorts
Witchy Bag Upcycled from Shorts






You can read my report about how the school carnival stall went and what I learnt from it here.



12 comments:

  1. what a great cause to make somthing from nothing! there's so much you can do with your pile of things, all the jeans make me think of a link I seen on pinterst for little jean bears , wishing you lots of happy creating!

    Helen

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    1. Thanks Helen! Funny you should mention the jean bears...wait and see my post for next week! :)

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  2. Love them all! I will be watching with interest for some more great ideas! Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Jayne. I'm already having lots of fun with this challenge and finding that the more I make, the more ideas I'm having!

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  3. I think your doing a great job I love the Jean bear... I have all your tutorials marked for inspiration thanks for sharing !!!!! Linda Lee

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  4. I can't wait to see all the great things you create from those old clothes. I would love for you to link up at the Stitch It, Blog It, Share It Link Party going on now at behindtheseamssewing.com.
    ~Bonnie

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    1. Thanks Bonnie. I'll come and check out your link party.

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  5. I'm always looking for more ways to re use things I already have and give them new life and like you I love to sew. Always love to see what you're up to. ;-). I especially love the "sock Lion", and the way you've even re-purposed the swim uniforms. Also gotta say I Love the cuff bracelets in the post lead me to this post. Keep up the great work.

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  6. Just saw this and love it! We had a craft fair too, and I made tons of hand warmers from scraps. I have also made head bands and bottle holders. Next year I'm going to try some of your ideas. Great article.

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    1. Thanks Karen! Best of luck with your sewing for the craft fair! Hope you sell lots!

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