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
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.
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| Bag and Elephant from Shorts and Shirt |
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| Messenger Bag from Cargo Shorts |
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| Denim Teddy Bear from Jeans skirt and shorts |
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| Funky Pencil Cases from Jeans |
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| Lined Tote Upcycled from Trousers |
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| Elephant Keychains from Jeans and Scraps |
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| More Sock Monkeys |
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| What can I make from one pair of jeans? |
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| Upcycled Jeans Bags |
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| Jeans Pocket Turtle |
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| Inspirational Notebook Folders |
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| Snoopy Bag from Shirt and Pants |
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| Shorts and Skirt to pencil case and pouch |
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| Flying Squirrels from Trackpants |
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| Turtle Tote from Jeans |
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| Turtle Softie from Jeans and Skirt |
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| Flip Flop Bag from Jeans |
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| Perching Owls |
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| Boxy Denim Pencil Cases |
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| Upcycled Denim iPad Sleeve |
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| Mini Denim Christmas Stockings |
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| One pair of shorts upcycled |
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| Water Bottle Carrier with adjustable strap |
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| Scotty Dog Bag |
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| Witchy Bag Upcycled from Shorts |
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You can read my report about how the school carnival stall went and what I learnt from it here.
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!
ReplyDeleteHelen
Thanks Helen! Funny you should mention the jean bears...wait and see my post for next week! :)
DeleteLove them all! I will be watching with interest for some more great ideas! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jayne. I'm already having lots of fun with this challenge and finding that the more I make, the more ideas I'm having!
DeleteThanks so much Linda!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete~Bonnie
Thanks Bonnie. I'll come and check out your link party.
DeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Teresa!
DeleteJust 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! Best of luck with your sewing for the craft fair! Hope you sell lots!
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