The Basics of Learning to Upcycle Your Clothing
I am an advocate for upcycling clothing and even before I started Spice It Up With Dori, I was seeking out old items of clothing and experimenting with giving them new life. Drawing inspiration from my favourite outfits and designs, as well as art and nature, I would find relatively boring items, those that didn’t bring me joy and find a way to instil them with vitality. There are a number of reasons for my passion and why I also think it is a valuable pursuit for others to consider too.
SPICE UP YOUR SUMMER SLIDERS
Firstly, it is great for the planet. Unfortunately, our current high street clothing situation, that of fast fashion, is immensely problematic for the environment and it continues to create huge amounts of landfill waste each year. By retaining our old clothing, those that we no longer like or perhaps those that are damaged, we are able to find ways to give them new and sustained life, turning them into something new.
TURN YOUR DRESS INTO A SHOWSTOPPER PIECE
Secondly, it allows you to truly express yourself. Often I find popular clothing, those available across the high street, to be a little uninspired. There’s so much possibility for our outfits, with colour, flair, and embellishments, much of which is absent from commonly found items. By learning to upcycle old clothing, we turn every garment into a blank canvas for our own expression.
RE-FASHION
Thirdly, DIY clothing is a financial game-changer! One of the first experiences that prompted me to begin upcycling was when I found an expensive (albeit) beautiful pair of designer shoes. I can make those I thought, and I did. I not only created a gorgeous pair of shoes but I also saved myself a significant cost!
Finally, it feels great. There are fewer moments as satisfying as when a friend compliments your clothing and you know that you created it yourself. Learning this skill and being able to share it with others is, genuinely, one of the most fulfilling and exciting experiences.
So, where do you begin?
Starting small, begin by collecting items that will help you to get started. Measuring tape, needles, threads, brushes, pens, seam unpicker, an ironing board. These are just a few of a number of small items that, when starting out, you’ll likely find yourself looking for, so be sure to pick up each one when you find them!
As with your tools, you’ll also need your fabrics. Let no item of clothing go to waste! An old sock or a torn shirt can be just the item you need to practice your sewing technique before applying it to your preferred garment. There will also be times when you need a small piece of material or perhaps even inspiration, and by having an abundance of fabric on hand, you’ll be ready for any project.
Research, learn, practice. It’s the same with any hobby. Books and blogs are great, with a huge variety now being available, each full of great tips and inspiration. Additionally, YouTube is an amazing source of guidance, with a number of tutorials hosted by helpful experts already online and with more being added each day.
Then, the rest is on you! Begin taking apart old items and putting them back together in new ways, or rescue something damaged and repair it. Don’t worry if your design isn’t right at first as it takes time. But with each stitch and each patch, you’ll find yourself one step closer to making your own outfit. Then, not long after, an entire wardrobe!
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Hello! I’m Dori,
Spice it up with Dori is a blog about bright DIY fashion, crafts & lots of creative endeavours.
Quarantine led me to start a website, where I can share my creations, ideas, inspirational digital content on transforming dull into cheerful, fun, refreshing and full of colours.
My aim is to create an upbeat positive vibe so you can as well cultivate your inner-creativity and establish an innovative DIY way of lifestyle and spice things up with your personal touch. Find out more about me.