Have you got a tonne of old clothing laying around that you have no idea what to do with? Sure, donating them is always an option, but op shops can’t take every single item that’s donated, so a lot of donated items actually end up in landfill. A foolproof way to extend the life of an item of clothing you don’t want to throw away is to upcycle it! Upcycling is a way of taking old pieces of clothing and turning them into something new. Not only does it ensure that your clothes won’t end up in landfill, it’s also a fun way to keep your creative skills sharp! Here are 5 easy ways to upcycle old clothes. 

Face wipes

If you’ve got any old t-shirts you were thinking about getting rid of, turn them into face wipes instead! Simply wash the t-shirt then cut it into equal-sized shapes. Sew two pieces together around the edges. Since they’re machine washable, you can use them again and again.

Reusable food wrap

Replace your plastic food wrap with beeswax wrap instead! Simply cut up an old garment into squares and coat it in beeswax, jojoba oil, and pine resin, then hang up the wraps to dry. You can find detailed instructions here. These food wraps are cute, great for the environment, and can be easily cleaned with cold water and dish soap.

Frayed hem jeans

Give new life to your old jeans by fraying the hem. This one is a little more labour intensive, but here’s an easy-to-follow tutorial. You’ll need fabric scissors, chalk, tweezers, and a pair of jeans that need a spruce. You can also use sandpaper or a pumice stone to give them the extra rugged look!

Cute bralettes

This trend is taking over Tiktok at the moment and we’re here for it! If you wear bras, chances are you have a heap of old bras in the back of your wardrobe that you never wear but for some reason can’t bring yourself to throw away. If that’s the case for you, try turning them into bralettes! All you need is a pair of scissors to cut out the padding, and voila—you have yourself a bralette at no extra cost! Watch the tutorial here.

Stool cover

Put your old sweaters to good use by sprucing up some furniture with them! To reupholster a stool using an old sweater, all you’ll need is a stapler or a staple gun, a flathead screwdriver and pliers, scissors, a stool, and your favourite old sweater. This is a simple way to ensure your sweaters aren’t going to waste while also giving your furniture a cute, personal touch. 

Do you have any upcycling hacks or repurposed clothes you love? We’d love to see them! Tag us on Instagram at @themasters.institute and use #MastersTribe to share them with us. Or if you want to learn more about garment construction, sewing, and more, apply today for one of our Fashion Design courses!