I've been upcycling clothes and thrift shopping for 30+ years. In this series, I’ll share thrift shopping tips I’ve learned along the way that I hope will make your thrifting and upcycling journey more profitable and successful.
Buying fabric new is expensive and not very environmentally friendly. Many sewers overlook the amazing fabric that can be found at their local thrift store. It’s just in the form of clothing.
In this video, I’ve featured three pieces, all of which feature sparkles or some kind of embellishment, and explain why I bought them.
Piece Number 1 - The sparkly dress.
I was so excited when I saw this black and silver beaded dress for only $5.00. I was away in the country at the time where the thrift shops charge a fraction of city prices. Had this been in a Sydney op shop, it would have been well in excess of $30.
I’m not sure what I’ll do with it but, in my experience, fabric like this is expensive to buy and it always gets snatched up quickly in thrift stores. If I see it cheap, I always grab it.
Piece Number 2 - The butterfly top.
I love the embellished butterfly detail on this top. It’s a real one of a kind.
In my decades of thrifting, it’s always the dramatic, one off fabric pieces that people ask me about and I predict this is going to be one of those.
I found it on my country thrifting expedition and it was $1.00. Best bargain ever.
I have an idea of what I am going to do with this one so check back shortly for the big unveil… I hope I do it justice.
 
Piece Number 3 - The peacock dress.
I've saved the best until last. Isn’t this magnificent. I bought this months ago. I can’t even remember exactly what I paid for it but I am pretty sure I went over my $5.00 limit per garment when I bought this.
I’ve been obsessed with cheongsams for decades and have owned several of them over the years. Never have I found one this beautiful.
I have no idea what I’m going to do with this… It’s so unique and magnificent I don’t want to ruin it.
I’d appreciate ideas so please let me know in the comments below…
If you’d like to see more thrifting tips like this one, please throw me a thumbs up, it really helps.
I upload thrifting tips and upcycling tutorials weekly so, for more tips and tricks, make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss an update.
Thanks for watching and see you next time.
BEX
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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.