How to Use Used Clothes in a Variety of Ways

How to Use Used Clothes in a Variety of Ways

Fabric is a great resource! Be sure to save your old clothes. You never know when you'll be struck with a good idea. Here are some great ways to reuse your fabric:

Make new clothes. Make something that doesn't require a lot of fabric, such as a tube top or halter top. Combine fabrics for a patchwork garment
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Make fabric accessories. Make headbands, hair ties, bracelets, necklaces or belts. Stitch a long strip of fabric together and turn it inside out. Braid strips of fabric.

Make winter accessories. Make a hat, scarf and mittens from an old sweater.

Make a miniskirt. Cut off the top of a long t-shirt. Cut horizontally just below the sleeves. Turn the raw edge over twice to form a waistband. Insert elastic or use a ribbon as a drawstring.

Make patches. Add colorful patches to your blue jeans or jean miniskirt. Add an extra pocket to the inside of your coat.
Make toys. Make a set of doll clothes or stuffed animals. Make bean bag chairs for the kids.

Cover a special book. If fabric has sentimental value, use it to cover a scrap book, journal or photo album.

Make a picture frame. Layer cardboard into the shape of a frame. Cover each piece with fabric as it's being glued and assembled.

Cover a lampshade. Pleat and glue fabric onto a lampshade. Glue a row of decorative ribbon to the top and bottom of the shade to cover the raw edges of the fabric. Add a row of dangling, sparkling beads to the lower edge of the shade.
Cover a corkboard. Use a large piece of fabric to cover the front and sides of a corkboard. Secure the fabric in place with glue at the back of the board. Add notes and messages to the board with a stick pin or common pin.
Make a quilt for your bed. Add a pretty eyelet bedskirt and matching shams.

Make new curtains. Make a simple valance for the top of a window. Add a small drawn curtain, to the lower part of the window, made with a different fabric.

Wrap small presents. Cut fabric into a circle or square with pinking shears to create a cute zig zag edge. Gather all sides of the fabric around your gift and secure it with a ribbon. This creates a beautiful package for soaps, sachet and other small items.
Create a rectangular gift bag. Cut fabric into a long, wide strip. Fold the strip in half. Stitch the side seams. Use pinking shears to trim the top of the bag. Secure the top of the bag with a ribbon. This creates a beautiful package for a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers.

Make a big cushion for your dog. Use fabric from flannel shirts and stuff the cushion with scrap fabric.
Use fabric for cleaning. Make plenty of dust cloths. The edges of the fabric do not need to be finished. Cut frayed edges as needed.

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