Turn Your Old Clothes Into Something New
Rachel Bertsche
Every season, I make sure to do a closet cleanout -- out with the old and in with the new, as they say. But why not take the old and make it new again? It would save me money, plus it’d be a greener approach to my seasonal purge.
For guidance, I turned to Alexandra Sinderbrand, who blogs about “sustainable alternatives for modern materialists.”
“I’m really into sustainability now, but you don’t start to care until you find a way to work it into your life,” says Sinderbrand. “The benefit of DIY clothing isn’t just that it’s green, but it’s unique and creative and inexpensive.”
Sinderbrand suggests investing in a few inexpensive materials -- buttons, buckles, sequins and a glue gun -- to breathe new life into dying garments. Got a white work shirt that’s in great shape, minus a few sweat stains? Cut off the sleeves and cinch the back, and you’ve got flattering casual wear. Did the laundry machine rip holes in your daughter’s leggings? Cover the evidence with plain silver studs (a studding tool will run you about $8), and she’s ready to go.
If your upcycling projects leave you with lots of excess fabric, there are options for the scraps: “Some stores take fabric donations,” says Sinderbrand. “But I’m very fond of making pillowcases out of leftover fabric. I’ll cut up a pair of damaged tights and use the material to tie the corners of pillowcases.” Now even your bed can go from old to new!
Available at Amazon.com:
Cookoff: Recipe Fever in America
- How to Organize and Store Vital Family Documents
- Quick and Crafty Fall Outdoor Activities
- Turn Your Old Clothes Into Something New
- Conservation With Kids
- Go Green and Save Money
- Yoga for Families
- Trade Screen Time for Together Time
- Family Dinners Help Fight Obesity
- Autumn-only Activities for Fall Fun
- Parents Guide to Playing Pretend
- Planet-friendly Parties
- The Right Job at the Right Time
- Reeling in the Parents
- Take a Magical History Tour
- Go Camping and Bring the Kids
- On-the-road Rx: Family Vacation Safety Tips
- Why Take Responsibility When You Can Sue?
- Why Non-Parents Are Happier Than Parents
- Be a Green Teen
- Enjoy Breakfast as a Family
- Planning Family Summer Vacations on a Budget
- Sharing a Room With a Sibling
- Have a Safe Trip
- Summer Activities for Kids
- Have a Healthy Vacation
- 6 Ways to Keep Family From Derailing Your Career
- Dressing Your Children on a Budget
- Top 5 Ways to Never Waste Food Again
- Stretch Your Family Meals
- Get Your Kitchen Cleaner Quicker
- Taking the Kids to a Broadway Musical
- Sunscreen Facts You Need to Know
- Internet Safety Tips for Teens
- Hosting a Successful Yard Sale
- Family Sunday Supper or Any Other Time
- Small Changes to Get out of Debt and Save Money
- Marriage Hopes on a Tightrope
- To Market The Farmers Market
- Keep Your House Spring-clean
- Creative Ways to Combine Work & Family
- Giving Mom Best Mother's Day Present She's Ever Had
- Show Mom You Love Her!
- Water Explorers
- Make Cleaning Fun and Get the Kids to Help Too
- Home Cleanup Shortcuts
Copyright © 2012 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.