undoing old clothes = make new clothes

Does anyone do this? I mean, going through your closet or someone else's or to the thrift store or whatnot, collecting a stash of clothes that are either too small/no longer trendy/whatever, taking them apart and restitching them into new outfits?

The reason why I ask is that I'm in the midst of recycling a sweater into some new projects, which I'll soon post pictures of. I just thought it'd be interesting to have a thread or two devoted to 'recycled clothes'.

If this is your case, post a thread with your pics and your instructions (if you want!) and your inspiration - and, if you wish, what it used to be before it became what it is!

 

it's a really great idea i'd love to see what you and others come up with. i have a lot of old clothes and will be having some free time so i might try to do something like this ... although i have very little sewing experience so i probably wont post anything.. lol

 

two of my projects currently are recycling. 1 is a bismati rics bag sling & the other is a patchwork poncho out of any clothes that dont even have the rights to be seen in good will b/c of how grunged out ive made them. i cant wait til their complete ill try to post pics

 

i use the sleeves off of old knitted jumpers to make hats with
very satisfying to be able to create new knitwear without the ability to knit more than one row before messing up!
piccies;

made from 2 sleeves unpicked at the seams and stitched back together, and a couple of buttons and ta daaah!!!!


again 2 sleeves sewn together, some fluffy blue wool details = fab pink hood!

better detail

 

yes i love doing that!! allows me to excersise my creativity

i have pillows i made from old oversized band tshirts that i just couldnt part with, and ive made purses and headbands from old clothes and pajama pants and stuff

i love seeing what other people come up with!

 

My next project, when I get a working sewing machine, will be my dinner dance dress. I have a massively big gypsy skirt I got from a jumble sale and I'm going to add triangular panels of either velvety material or sari material, make a twisted sash out of either material and a neckline which is like a circle of material sewn onto either side of the dress at opposite ends, so it's like a halter neck, needed because i resemble a dissasembled ironing board!

 

I always recycle my clothing... plus it's alot more money friendly to make new clothes out of your beaten up ones. I still haven't figured out patchwork quite yet though to my dismay.

 

Those head things are great

I love taking clothes people give me and cutting them into pieces for patchy skirts and bags.

Free just rocks and you feel so proud of yourself...

 

I do that! I wish I had more pics of stuff, but I made this "dreadsock" like thing out of a too small sweater,

and I've made those triangular bell bottom panels for my jeans out of a knitted scarf (ultra-hip!) and I'm making a cute apron-top out of..... AN APRON! Haha.... but yeah.... I need to take pics of it all! hehe (^_^)

 

I use a lot of recycled fabrics in my journals. I'll paste it to the back of a page, then glue cute stationary over it.

I love recycling fabrics. Some are so unique and beautiful!

 

I am getting a sewing machine in a few weeks, and ive been always changing my old clothes by hand, im really excited to be able to make some new stuff alot faster, i made a really cool hippy diaper bag out of an oversized tiedyed shirt and some cord pants. turned out really great.

 

I had an old pair of jean shorts that who knows where they came from but they were super comfortable so when they got thread bare, I took them apart and used them to make a pattern for new shorts (and I never wear pants...too restricting). Ever since, I have used the same pattern for all my shorts.

For making new pairs, I go to the thrift stores and buy old corduroy pants in various colors and welts (always go on Tuesdays when they have buy 1 at reg price and 4 more for $1 more). Then I cut the legs straight up to make even strips of 'new' fabric. Sew those together to form 1 piece of fabric and cut out the pattern and sew it up. I also reuse zippers, pockets, belt loops, waistbands (if they are in my size) and buttons. Still trying to figure out what to do with all the other small scraps I have left over but I think they would look good as a patchwork quilt someday.

 

if you really wanna pee yourself (and that was the clean version), you gotta check out this girl. she is queen. seriously. one of the most amazing people i've read about!
talk about recycled creations...and traveling...and art...geez, you wonder how this broad does it.

http://www.katwise.com

 

I likes to do that to old corduroy pants, small ones put in patchy side panels, add some extra pockets.

 

I have just been to her website. I think she's fab!! And I envy all the travelling she's done. And the bus is so cool! She surely is amazing.

 

I love recycling. I will often just cut everything into patchwork squares though, nothing too interesting.
altohugh I have started making boys trousers from mens t shirts, its so easy and really quick to do

 

This is something i have been dreading! i am having trouble tackling a big from "scratch" patchwork piece of clothing .. im just to scared! idky so if anyone as a simple pattern for a scardy cat.... let me know i was thinking something like shorts w/ a draw string...

 

Have you been to www.craftster.org?

 

No i haven’t seen the site before... i have been sewing as long as i can remember but i have never used a patter... but when i worked in a quilt shop!! Thanks for the lead!! i hope to be using patters soon!

Very sweet mamabear!!! Thank you much

 

Wow!!!! Thanks q-tip for posting the link to katwise!! How inspiring and creative!! What a beautiful free spirit.