FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

Upcycling idea from Tea Rose Home

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I’m moving into my first apartment soon and I’ve come across a huge problem.  I have too many clothes! I have t-shirts upon t-shirts that I just don’t wear anymore, but I still love them (isn’t that always the case?). It’s been almost painful to part with some articles that I used to wear all the time, but just don’t fit right anymore. I have been donating by the bagful just hoping that my favorite summer dress will find a good home. And then I started blog hopping.

Sachiko from Tea Rose Home just saved my life. I found this awesome idea for a refashioned sweater on her page. I can’t believe I never thought to do something like this myself.

Upcycled Sweater

At first glance I thought the picture was something out of a magazine. It’s hard to believe cutting up an old sweater can look so professional. The tutorial is so well explained that the project seems fairly simple and do-able in an evening. She even has a link that explains how to make ruffles if that’s something you’ve always wanted to try but never got around to. She also adds instructions on how to add details like buttons and fake pockets, if you so choose.

Even though I don’t necessarily have that many sweaters I can cut-up and turn into cardigans, I know I have a ton of old t-shirts, blouses, and even skirts that I can re-vamp.

I hope her blog post inspired you like it did me.

What do you have that can be upcycled?


Check out these other awesome ideas for upcycling clothes:
Easy T-Shirt Aprons
Favorite T-Shirt Pillow
How to Make Slippers from Jeans
Nothing to Wear T-Shirt Refashion

Guest Post: Exclusive Tips from the Author of Altered Shoes

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Some exclusive tips from the author of Altered Shoes, Marty Stevens-Heebner. Read a review of Altered Shoes here.

Doesn’t it just break your heart when your most beloved and broken-in shoes get scuffed, torn or otherwise maimed?  They’ve been such good friends to you, so don’t cast them aside – transform them instead!  It’s a great way to recycle and become your own shoe designer in the process.  Here are just a few tips to ignite your crafting imagination:

  • Start with your junk drawer and your broken jewelry collection.  If you’ve got a scuff or two to cover, hot-gluing beads from a broken necklace over the scrape is great camouflage.
  • Personalize your sneakers by decoupaging a photo of your pet on the top (like the “Rocket Lily Sneakers”) or photos from a favorite trip all the way ‘round, just like my “Safari Sneakers.”
  • Have a lot of ribbon lying around?  Get out your hot glue gun because you’ve got a great way to add color and contrast to your shoes.  Just glue it around the seam where the sole meets the upper, or where your foot slides in the shoe (as I did with the “Viva Las Vegas Stilletos”).  You can also combine several colors and kinds of ribbon and completely transform your pumps the same way I did with my “Ribbon Stripe Pumps.”

Altering and recycling your shoes provides a great opportunity to show off your individual style and put your stamp on everything you wear. If you already loved those shoes, and also loved those leftover jewelry baubles and ribbon, why not put them all together to create a thoroughly unique pair of shoes that express who you are?

So tap into your creativity – you know you have scads of it! – and give your forgotten footwear a vibrant second life.

Shoe Craft Projects at FaveCrafts:

Bohemian Flower Pumps

Beaded Dress Shoes

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

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