If there’s one thing that’s better than recycling, it’s upcycling. Because what’s more fun than turning outgrown favourites into new eye-catchers? DIY-ing with clothes is a perfect crafting activity, and a great way to teach the next generation about sustainability and recycling.
Afraid you don’t have the skills to breathe new life into old garments? Not to worry! We’ve assembled 5 very doable DIYs that don’t require a great amount of expertise. All you need is a sewing machine and the will to try!
1. From t-shirt to skirt
This crafty mum calls it ‘The 10-Minute Skirt’, and if that doesn’t sound promising, we don’t know what does. Find an old t-shirt with a nice print (either yours or your daughter’s, depending on how wide you want the skirt to be), grab some scissors, elastic and thread, and you’re good to go. In a few simple steps, you can make a handful of skirts! See the full step-by-step process, including photos, on Make It & Love It.
2. From old dress to new dress
Every girl has one: that favourite dress that she wants to wear forever and ever… Until she can’t anymore. With this simple yet effective DIY, you can turn that much-loved dress that’s become too small into a new one. Simply combine the skirt part of the dress with a new top. A fresh look, just a few sizes bigger. Sound good? Check out the full how-to on Camp Clem.
3. From baby onesie to shirt
This might just be the absolute easiest DIY for baby clothes (and boy do you end up with many of those…). If your tiny one is growing up and outgrowing his/her onesies, just transform them into (t-)shirts! There are literally only two or three steps to it, and this way you can preserve those cute prints and designs. Check out these simples videos that explain the process in a few minutes: tutorial 1 & tutorial 2.
4. From men’s shirt to dress
You might have to plunder your husband’s closet for this one, but it’s oh so worth it. Create a super cute girl’s dress from an old men’s shirt. It might require a little more skill than the other ones, but the result is amazing. A great way to create matching outfits, too! There are lots of different tutorials on how to this online, such as this video. Explore and experiment!
5. From t-shirt to tote bag
Old kids’ t-shirts lend themselves for lots of DIY projects, but this is one of our favourites: create your own personal tote bag! Turning a t-shirt into a bag can be done in a jiffy, and that way your kids can still use their favourite prints on a daily basis. Use the tote for PE class, lunch boxes or shopping, for example! An easy how-to can be found on Instructables.
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DIY-ing doesn’t only save money, but valuable resources, too, and therefore the environment. Doing it with kids is a great way to make them aware of the value of products, and show them alternatives to simply throwing things out.
Have you got a favourite kids’ DIY? Share it in the comments!
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