Repurposing via a thrift store - Page 2

[sewchris2642]

Old wool sweaters and blankets into soakers. I buy clothes for their buttons and trims. Mix and match old clothes and use as fabric. Lace and linen tableclothes into blouses, skirts, bedlinens, curtains. Old flannel receiving blankets and towels as diapers. The possiblities are as endless as buying new at the fabric store. And don't forget dress up and Halloween costume ideas.

[Livviesmom0207]

Originally Posted by pear-shaped

The town I live in has a weekly market and there's a section with stalls selling used clothes and linens, sometimes for as little as 1 Euro a piece! There's such an incredible selection of colors, patterns and fabrics. I make clothes for my dd (mostly pants, shorts, and skirts) from what I buy, but this spring I made her a matching outfit from a pair of linen women's trousers (that cost 1 Euro.) I am so proud of it, it's the nicest thing I've ever made:

tank top and pants

That is gorgeous. Did you use a pattern??

[pear-shaped]

Thank you!

I didn't use a pattern. The pants are just simple elastic waist ones that I made a little shorter than full length.

The form of the tank top came to me as I was looking at the trousers. The central part of the tank and the straps were the pockets, which had been top-stiched on the exterior of the pants. I ripped up the seems and then overlapped the pockets. I then resewed the original stitching, but in a darker color. The waistband of the trousers was almost the same width as the top of the pockets, so I used it for the straps on the back (criss-cross.) The to create a transition between the two different strap widths, I covered the seam with a couple of the belt loops!

The sides and back are simple, just with some facing along the top edge. It closes with a side zip, the one from the pants. I used up almost everything- the only things left from the pants are the button, the zipper placket, and a couple of pieces from the seat, which I'm planning to use to make a matching kerchief.

I think I just got lucky with a garment that was perfect for re-purposing.

[sugarmoon]

Originally Posted by pear-shaped

I think I just got lucky with a garment that was perfect for re-purposing.

i love when that happens!

that outfit is adorable

recreating from thrift finds is my fave!

nak

[Surfacing]

: you ladies rock!

[Aeress]

I'm working on dresses for my girls out of pillowcases. I just picked up a pretty yellow set today.

[velcromom]

I just got back from a great little thrift store that was having a 4/$1.00 sale on t-shirts! I love making nice soft lightweight pants and shorts for dd out of them. I save the scraps for inside prefolds or doublers.

[ThirdEyeMom]

Originally Posted by Kodachrome

Great thread

Some fave upcycled/repurposed projects I've done:
* Sheets and/or curtains into a few rag rugs.

Can you tell me how you made your rag rugs? Are they crocheted or braided? Can you approximate how much fabric you'd need for a certain size. I love the red!

[BeagleMommy]

The simplest repurposing I do from the thrift shop is at the end of summer when my local shop puts the tank tops on sale for 25-29 cents each. I find nice looking ones and sew the bottom shut and have the most durable grocery bags ever!
I love repurposing, but I have a toddler demanding attention so this is all I have time to mention ATM.
Everything posted looks great!

[Dreamy]

:

Fabulous ideas!

[EmeraldStar8]

Originally Posted by AlwaysByMySide

I turn t-shirts into lounge pants for my kids pretty often. There's also a tutorial on the internet somewhere about turning a men's button-down shirt into a child's size dress. I'm in the middle of making a picnic blanket/quilt out of jeans that I got for $1 a pair at the thrift store, and I've got a flat sheet with a cute print on it that's going to become pj pants for me one of these days.

If I can ever make up with my snap press after our recent fight, I'm going to go back to turning t-shirts into onesies again.

Growing up, Mum made me a pair of winter pj's and a long sleved night gown out of old sheets, they were my absoulute favourite things!

I don't sew, but will be getting a machine soon and learing so eagerly jotting down ideas as they come up

[LauraLoo]

Really great ideas in here!

[Toolip]

Originally Posted by BeagleMommy

The simplest repurposing I do from the thrift shop is at the end of summer when my local shop puts the tank tops on sale for 25-29 cents each. I find nice looking ones and sew the bottom shut and have the most durable grocery bags ever!
I love repurposing, but I have a toddler demanding attention so this is all I have time to mention ATM.
Everything posted looks great!

That is such an awesome idea!

[MamaFern]

wow! so many beautiful hand-made re-purposed things. we call it trashformation in my house

im a knitter more than a sewer these days, but i have made some nice longies from sweaters in the past.. i have no good place to set up my sewing machine these days. im inspired thougH!!

i love the rag rugs too! i have found a good tutorial on them by googling the subject...i have been planning to make a few this winter.

[AlwaysByMySide]

Originally Posted by BeagleMommy

The simplest repurposing I do from the thrift shop is at the end of summer when my local shop puts the tank tops on sale for 25-29 cents each. I find nice looking ones and sew the bottom shut and have the most durable grocery bags ever!

SUCH a great idea! SO stealing this one!

[Kodachrome]

Originally Posted by ThirdEyeMom

Can you tell me how you made your rag rugs? Are they crocheted or braided? Can you approximate how much fabric you'd need for a certain size. I love the red!

Surely! (And so sorry about the big gap in time responding back to this...)

All of the rugs I make are crocheted!

Flat sheets and huge pillow cases are the best to use. With the flat sheets: I fold them in half lengthwise and then cut into 1/2 inch long strips. Knot the ends together, then roll into a ball to crochet. When I'm working with plain and patterned sheets, I generally knot-as-I-go to gauge where I end and begin my rounds with each. This rug I made is an example of what I'm explaining. Having not kept track of sheets vs. rug size - I'm going to guesstimate that it takes approximately 3-4 twin size flat sheets for a 4' diameter round rug. Don't quote me on that but I'm pretty sure that's been the norm. I also naturally crochet with a tight tension if that matters too.

Smaller projects are fun and easier to prepare for crocheting when using pillow cases. Lay flat and cut your strips side to side giving you "loops". Then you just hook them together - cutting out the whole process of having to tie knots. Keep in mind the fabric will be doubled now though... so you may want to narrow the strip down to smaller than 1/2" wide.

[Kodachrome]

Originally Posted by MamaFern

i love the rag rugs too! i have found a good tutorial on them by googling the subject...i have been planning to make a few this winter.

Yeah, there's a bunch of great info on the net. That's how I began my venture making rugs, and sort of tweaked it along the way to make it work better for me. They're a blast to make. I find I make them a lot come springtime when I can sit outside in the sun - it's a great portable project once all the fabric is cut into strips.

[Dreamy]

I LOVE this blog post from today about repurposing a sweater into a cozy pillow!

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/...-purposed.html

[St. Margaret]

Oooh this is all JUST what I've been daydreaming about... just waiting a bit for DD to outgrow her clothes (she has too many!). The next round, I'm determined to make a bunch of it all. And with her help!

[splath]

I just made a doll dress and a tablecloth & napkins set out of an old bed sheet I bought at a thrift store