In this practical clothes upcycling and sewing tutorial, I restyled a jumper I bought thrifting for $3.00. It was too big but I knew it would be an easy upcycling project. I loved the pink pearl detail and the light weight fabric would make it perfect for spring or autumn when it’s not too hot or too cold. It was on the “last chance” rack and was probably destined for land fill within a few days. I knew it would be an easy clothes upcycling project and, for little effort, I could transform it into a more contemporary, wearable piece giving it a second life in my wardrobe.
Sleeve sewing tutorial - • How to sew sleeves. Pr...
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To restyle it, all I had to do was reduce the length of the bottom hem and sleeves, adding elastic to them which gave it a more feminine silhouette that suited the colour and pearl detail.
The first step was to sew two rows of stitching at the bottom of each sleeve. It’s important that the gap between each seam is large enough to accommodate the width of the elastic. Remember to leave an opening so you can feed through the elastic which is sewn closed after feeding the elastic through.
For more sleeve upcycling inspiration, check out the sleeve tutorial video on my channel featuring puffy sleeves, bell sleeves and elastic sleeves. I’ll put a link in the comments.
Next, I do the same for the bottom hem. To make my job easier, I used the top of the ribbing as my new hem guide. It saved me so much time and ensured my hems were straight.
And here is the sleeve finished. This fabric was very easy to sew and work with.
And here it is finished. I’m so pleased with the transformation.
What a shame it would have been if this jumper had gone to landfill.
Have you done something similar? Let me know in the comments. I love getting inspiration from others on their upcycling journey.
Thanks for watching,
BEX.
On my channel you'll find video tutorials about:
* clothes upcycling ideas and projects
* easy sewing tutorials
* sewing projects for beginners
* clothes upcycling projects for beginners
* thrifting tips
* thrift hauls
* how to upcycle clothes ideas
* chartity shop upcycle
* op shop upcycle
About Second Life Upcycling
Second Life Upcycling is about altering and upcycling clothes to give them a second life, inspiring people to recycle, repurpose, refashion, reuse, and rethink. On this channel, you'll find easy, quick, and simple step-by-step clothes upcycling tips and easy sewing tutorials. I have been thrifting, second-hand shopping, and sewing for 30+ years. I started thrifting in the 1980s. My passion is following an ethical style when it comes to my clothing choices and living an environmentally friendly life. I rarely buy new clothes (or anything new for that matter), instead shopping second hand at shops, Goodwill, Vinnies, Salvos and flea markets.
Why clothes upcycling is important.
Clothes upcycling promotes a more sustainable, creative, and responsible approach to fashion, all of which contributes to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.
Environmental Impact
Clothes upcycling helps reduce waste by repurposing old or unwanted garments, often diverting them from landfill. With the fashion industry being one of the planets largest polluters, upcycling and repurposing clothing reduces the need for new materials and decreases carbon emissions associated with the product and disposal of clothing.
Conservation
Traditional clothing manufacturing consumes significant amounts of water, energy, and raw materials. Upcycling clothing not only extends the life of existing textiles, conserving these valuable resources, but promotes more sustainable consumption patterns.
Creative Expression
Upcycling clothes and other materials encourages creative freedom by transforming old clothes into unique, personalised garments. Upcycling and sewing fosters innovation and encourages people to experiment with designs, creating one-of-a-kind items that reflect personal style and creativity. Cost Effective Upcycling clothing can be very cost-effective by reducing money spent purchasing new clothes but can also assist charities when clothes are purchased second hand from charities.
Quality and Longevity
Repairing and mending clothing enhances the longevity of existing garments, giving them longevity in your wardrobe and limiting the need to purchase new clothes. This contrasts with fast fashion items, which are frequently designed for short-term use.