Are you tired of always wearing the same old things and dressing like everyone else? You don't have to spend big bucks or shop for hours to make your wardrobe. Instead of buying new clothes or getting rid of old ones, use these tips to recycle them.
Steps
Step 1. Set aside any clothes that need to be mended
Look in your closet and / or drawers and take out anything you're tired of, hate, or don't put on anymore because it's too ruined. Put these clothes aside.
Step 2. Take a look at the vetites you have set aside
Go through them one at a time, trying to find something you like in each one. Maybe one is made of a beautiful fabric, another has a fantastic print, and another has a particular style. Maybe your favorite shirt is perfect apart from a ripped sleeve, or maybe you have a skirt of a very rare color but that fits you two sizes bigger. Don't leave something out just because it's simple and boring; it could be a good starting point for your project. And if you really can't find anything recoverable on an item of clothing, put it aside at the moment and move on to something else.
Step 3. Don't automatically throw away clothes that fit you small
Jeans that fit you short can be cut to make shorts for the summer. If a top fits you short and shows a little belly, cut it to make a t-shirt.
Step 4. Start with a boss that you care about
Decide if you want to make it more beautiful with tweaks or if you want to tear it apart to turn it into something else. Compare it with other clothes in your wardrobe to see if you can make interesting combinations.
Step 5. Do research in magazines and online
At the bottom of the page you will find some very interesting links, but don't forget to research for yourself - there are tons of ideas to get inspired by!
Step 6. Think of solutions that don't necessarily require sewing
For example, consider using dyes for fabrics or beads and sequins, or cut the garment for a "see-see" effect, shorten it, change its color, cut the sleeves, add a patch or sticker or for a punk look, add fabric scraps with safety pins.
Step 7. Sew for more ambitious projects
If you are able to sew, or if you have a friend or relative who can do it, think about remaking or combining different garments from your wardrobe. For example you could: swap the sleeves of two colored shirts to create a two-tone effect, cut the collar of a shirt and sew it to a shirt to create a nice layered effect, cut and sew a shirt with a tear on the armpit to create a undershirt, cut a long strip of a fabric you like to make a belt or scarf, etc.
Step 8. Give or sell clothes that don't tell you anything
Donate them to a charity or second-hand clothing store. Usually these stores give you the option to receive cash or discount coupons for your sold clothes. You'll likely receive more money in coupons than cash, giving you the option to come back to the store after a month or two and buy clothes you like. If you bring some clothes every time you go to the store, you will probably have some discount coupons for the next visit and by doing so you could do your wardrobe once a month or every two months without spending any money.
Advice
- If you're not sure you'll like the result, practice something else to avoid regret.
- If you don't like what you've done, make sure you're not too critical of yourself and try to figure out what you could have done differently to improve it. If you really don't like it, maybe you can fix it or recycle it.
- Don't overdo the changes. Even if you think you are improving the garment, usually the less you do, the better and shortening too much or making too many holes can seem tasteless.
- Start with simple projects and move on to more complicated things when you feel ready.
- Focusing on one item at a time will help you finish what you started and not burden the work.
- Take your measurements before you start recycling your clothes. There are more chances that you wear what fits you.
- Are you lacking ideas? Organize a clothes swap with your friends! Swapping clothes with your friends will make you duplicate your wardrobe.
- Before you begin, sketch out what you want to do on paper. Then search through the leftovers you have for something you might need. Go to a haberdashery to buy accessories or decorations if needed. You can also find scraps and scraps of fabrics among the offers in several shops, or use clothes that you have found in second hand shops or at flea markets and fairs.
- Buy or borrow DIY books. They can give you a lot of ideas!
Warnings
- If you use machinery or tools, follow the instructions for your health and safety.
- All of this can be addictive (but it's fun and cheap), so always be on the lookout for new clothes to recycle!
- Watch out for your friends, because 9 times out of 10 they will go crazy for your creations and want some for them! Better to show them how to do it (give them the link to this article) than spend whole days sewing their clothes when you could sew your own!
