How to upcycle?

"Here are some ways you can upcycle drab or damaged clothes into something you’ll want to wear again ☟

 

1. Sew and mend 🧵

Sew up holes before they get too big. Not only does this save you money, it lessens the amount of unsellable items from being dumped. Research invisible mending to conceal wear and tear; there are many stitches that you can learn that are useful to know, even if you don’t consider yourself to be a creative person. 

 

1. Embroider and decorate 🪡

If the damage is too big, you can try visible mending; creating a patch from a different fabric and sewing it on to cover the area and prolong the life of the garment. Another method of this is embroidery, where you can customise your clothes to reflect your unique tastes. 

 

1. Dye and paint 🎨

In the event that you have a stain, consider dying or painting over it. Accidents happen and especially when dealing with preloved clothes, you often come across clothes that are otherwise perfect apart from some discolouration. You could even come across something that is just faded and would simply benefit from a colour refresh. Fabric dye and fabric paint can be bought from a variety of different places, let yourself be creative! However, if the fabric cannot be dyed or painted, there are plenty of other ways to upcycle the garment.

 

1. Alter and adjust ✂️

Especially with discontinued and vintage pieces, it can sometimes seem impossible to find something in your exact size. Due to differences in sizing, whether internationally or across brands, even “standardised” can be pretty dissimilar. We’re lucky to have our own fitting rooms at Oxfam North Street but this isn’t always helpful if you’re ordering online. Sometimes it’s too much of a hassle to return, or maybe you’re determined to wear the garment. In that case, altering the item will likely be best for you. 

 

#RecycledClothing #SlowFashion #ReFashion #DIY"