20 Upcycling Clothes Ideas

What you will need:

• Sewing machine
• Sewing pins
• Iron
• Scissors
• Fabric chalk
• A ruler
• Sewing elastic

This is one of the simplest clothes upcycling projects you can do.

1. Try your jeans on and decide where you want the shorts to end. We’re not hemming here so they will end exactly where you cut them. Mark it on one side with a pin or fabric chalk. Leave them a bit longer if you’re feeling unsure, you can always cut more fabric off.
2. Remove your jeans and lay them flat, using your ruler, mark a straight line with your fabric across both jeans.
3. Grab your scissors and begin cutting. Try to only cut one leg at a time for the straightest line. Leave edges frayed.

You've just made yourself a new pair of shorts!

Refresh your wardrobe by turning a basic tee into a fashionable crop top.

1. Try your old t-shirt on and measure where you want it to sit on your body whilst cropped–expect it to be about an inch longer with the hem. Mark it on both sides with a pin.
2. Remove the t-shirt and lay it flat, using a ruler to mark a straight cutting line with your chalk. Snip the edge of the t-shirt, and cut along this line. Try to cut the front and back fabric separately to avoid wonky lines. Turn your shirt inside out.
3. Create your hem by rolling the folding up the bottom of the fabric by 1cm, ironing it, and turning it up by 1cm again. If you have one, place your machine's sewing foot directly on the folded edge, and sew a straight line all the way around.

Your new crop top is now ready to wear.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to crack out the sewing machine, you can create a no sew crop top.

1. Try your t-shirt on and measure where you want it to sit. Mark this with a pin on both sides. Using a ruler, mark a straight line across the back of the t-shirt only. Cut the side seams and across the back of the t-shirt.
2. Flip the shirt over and, using your ruler, mark a straight line up the middle front of the t-shirt up to where you marked it. Cut this line.
3. Fold your t-shirt in half along the centrefold, and cut a curved shape from the bottom of your t-shirt to the cropped cut. Ensure both sides match for a symmetrical look. Using this front new curve shape, tie the front of your shirt together

Voila, a no-sew crop top.

Breathe new life into a long dress by converting it into a versatile skirt.

1. Try your maxi dress on and decide where you want the top of the skirt to sit on your body. Mark it on both sides with a pin. Lay your dress flat on the table and, using your ruler, mark a straight line about an inch and a half above your pin. Zig-zag sew around the edge of the fabric.
2. Fold the edge of your fabric by about an inch and a half and sew a straight line all the way around, leaving a 3 inch hole.  Stretch your elastic around your waist so it feels snug, and add a 2 inch seam allowance. Thread a safety pin on the edge of your fabric and feed it through. Pull it all the way through to the other end and safety pin the two ends of the fabric together.
3. Sew the elastic closed securely, and sew your 3 inch opening hole shut entirely.

Your new skirt is ready.

Transform an unwanted tee into a practical and eco-friendly shopping bag.

1. Turn your t-shirt inside out, and fold it in half centre-ways and cut the sleeves off. Unfold and cut the neckline off, too.
2. Decide how long you want your bag to be. Using your ruler, draw a line using chalk, but do not cut yet. Lay your t-shirt flat, and cut slits from the bottom of the hem up to where you drew your line, about 1 inch apart. Cut through both sides of the fabric at the same time.
3. Take a fringe from the front and back of the t-shirt into your hands and tie them together. Continue this all the way across your t-shirt until every flap of fabric has been tied together. Flip your t-shirt right-side out.

You now have a reusable, upcycled tote bag.

Fancy adding some new cushions to your sofa? Transform unwanted clothes into a cosy cushion.

1. Select an old shirt, sweater, or even a pair of trousers that you'd like to transform into a cushion. Lay the garment flat on a table. Using a ruler, decide the size you want your cushion to be and mark it on both sides of the fabric. Make sure to leave extra fabric around the edges for seams.
2. Cut along the marked lines, leaving about an inch of fabric all around the perimeter for the seam allowance. Next, fold the edges of the fabric inwards, creating a clean border, and sew a straight line all around. Leave a 4-inch hole on one side of the fabric to later add the filling.
3. Once the fabric is sewn, stuff your cushion with your preferred filling—whether it's cotton, polyester fiberfill, or scraps of old fabric. Pack it until it feels firm and comfortable. Finally, sew up the 10cm hole securely, and your new cushion is ready to add comfort and style to any room.

Your cushion is now ready to use, offering a creative way to repurpose old clothing!

Transform a Men’s Shirt into a Stylish Dress

Looking for a new dress without the price tag? Take a men’s shirt and turn it into a stylish, one-of-a-kind dress!

1. Select a men’s shirt, ideally one that’s slightly oversized for a relaxed fit. Lay it flat on a table and decide where you want the dress to sit on your body. Mark this spot with pins on both sides of the shirt.
2. Cut off the sleeves or roll them up if you want a more casual look. If the shirt has a collar, you can either leave it or remove it for a cleaner neckline. Next, take in the sides if you want a more fitted look by pinching the fabric and sewing along the marked lines to shape the dress.
3. For extra shape, you can add a belt or elastic waist to cinch it in.
4. Finally, fold and sew the hem of the shirt to the desired length of your dress. You can make it as long or as short as you like.

Your new dress is ready! A simple, chic transformation that gives a fresh life to an old shirt.

Got an old dress you are getting bored of? Why not turn it into a comfy jumpsuit.

1. Choose a loose dress and lay it flat. Mark where you want the waistline to sit and cut the dress at this point, separating the top (bodice) from the bottom (skirt).
2. Take the bottom part of the dress and cut it to your desired trouser length. Sew the sides and inseams to create the legs of the jumpsuit.
3. With right sides facing, align the bottom edge of the bodice to the top edge of the trousers. Pin and sew them together at the waistline.
4. Add an elastic waistband or sew a fabric belt to the waistline to shape the jumpsuit and give it structure.
5. Hem the pant legs and any raw edges of the bodice for a polished look. Add any final touches, like buttons or a zipper if desired.

This is a quick, creative way to transform a dress into something completely fresh.

Want to refresh an old top? Alter the neckline or hem for a whole new look.

1. Choose whether you want to raise or lower the neckline, or shorten or lengthen the hem. Mark the new shape with pins or chalk.
2. Carefully cut along your marked lines. If altering the neckline, you can create a rounded, V-neck, or scoop shape. For the hem, trim to the desired length.
3. Fold the cut edges in about ½ inch and sew a straight line to prevent fraying. If altering the neckline, you can add a simple binding or hem it to finish it off.

Your top is now ready to wear, with a refreshed neckline or hem that makes it feel brand new.

Want to add a unique accessory to your wardrobe? Turn an old shirt into a stylish scarf.

1. Select a shirt you no longer wear. Decide if you want to make a long scarf, a short one, or a bandana-style scarf. Mark where you want to cut.
2. Cut the shirt into strips or one large rectangle, depending on your design. If you want a more distressed look, you can leave the edges raw for a frayed effect or finish the edges for a cleaner finish.
3. Fold the edges in about 1cm and sew a straight line to prevent fraying, or leave them raw. You can also add a decorative touch, like fabric paint or embellishments.

Your scarf is now ready to wear, adding a unique accessory to your outfit!

Want even more ideas on how you can upcycle your old clothes? Check out these creative transformations:

1. Turning Old T-shirts into Tank Tops
   Cut and refashion an old t-shirt into a sleeveless tank top, perfect for warmer weather.
2. Making a Denim Apron
   Repurpose old jeans or denim jackets into a durable and stylish apron for cooking or crafting.
3. Turning Old Shirts into Fabric Necklaces
   Cut strips from old shirts, braid or knot them, and create a one-of-a-kind fabric necklace.
4. Turning a Scarf into a Headband
   Take an old scarf and fold it into a cute, trendy headband.
5. Making a Quilted Blanket from Old Clothes
   Cut pieces from various old clothes to create a patchwork quilt or throw blanket.
6. Repurposing an Old Coat into a Waistcoat
   Cut the sleeves off an old coat to create a stylish vest.
7. Creating a Keychain from Old Buttons
   Use large, colorful buttons to create unique keychains or bag charms.
8. Transforming Old Sweaters into Gloves
   Repurpose old sweaters into cosy gloves by cutting and sewing the fabric into glove shapes.
9. Making a Phone Case from Old Denim
   Cut and sew an old piece of denim into a cute and sturdy phone case.
10. Turning a Sweater into a Pillow Cover
    Cut an old sweater to size and sew it into a cozy, personalized pillow cover for your home.

Read our Guide to Visible Mending Ideas & Techniques to learn creative ways to patch and mend your clothing.

Ready to start upcycling? Visit Oxfam's online shop to find unique, pre-loved clothes perfect for your next upcycling project. By shopping with Oxfam, you’re investing in the vital work our incredible partners and their local communities are doing around the world - from campaigning for climate justice to exploring how to farm in a changing climate.

*WRAP's 2017 report Valuing our clothes: The cost of UK fashion - extending the lifespan of clothes by just 9 months could cut waste by 22% and save 33% of water consumption.