There will be a sweatshirt or two stuffed in the corner of a closet that you don’t wear very much anymore but can’t bear to toss in the garbage. It may be because it has some sentimental value to you, or it just happens to be one of those garments that brought you a lot of pleasure and still make you smile when you see it.
You don’t have to get rid of them if you don’t want to. Instead, why not upcycle those old sweatshirts into something new for your wardrobe? It isn’t difficult, and this article will suggest transforming that worn-out, favorite sweatshirt into a brand-new favorite garment.
What Is Upcycling?
Before we get into this, let’s take a quick look at what upcycling is all about. Upcycling is not recycling but rather a type of recycling. For example, with recycling, you are taking waste products and converting them into new materials. Melting down plastic bottles and making new mats or rugs is one way used products get recycled. Upcycling is when you take something that would typically go in the trash, like an old, worn-out sweatshirt, and create a new use for it. Therefore, keeping the item out of the recycling depot gives it new life similar to its original purpose.
Upcycling Sweatshirt Ideas
Here are a few of the most exciting ways to upcycle sweatshirts into something new:
Create Peter Pan Collars
Use the old sweatshirt like a scrap of fabric for clothing patterns to create an accessory on other clothing items. One such idea is the Peter Pan Collar. All you need is some material snipped out of the old sweatshirt and sewing it to the shirt you intend to convert with the collar. Patterns are available online, and the result is rather cute, turning an otherwise normal-looking shirt into a different piece of your wardrobe with the new collar attached. The Peter Pan Collar works best with heavier material, so an old sweatshirt is perfect for this quick and easy DIY project.
Convert To A Zipper Blouse
For lightweight sweatshirts, this is a great idea. That is, provided the sweatshirt isn’t too worn. Then, all you have to do is remove the sleeves and hood if the sweatshirt isn’t already sleeveless or is a hoodie. Next, cut straight up the middle of the front and insert a zipper. Finally, enhance the look by adding ruffles, appliques, or lace to make it look more feminine. You can find lightweight sweatshirts to add to your wardrobe at Bella + Canvas.
A Ruffle Skirt
If you have enough scrap fabric, salvage from more than one old sweatshirt, this is an excellent way to upcycle them into a brand new garment. Not only will a ruffle skirt come in handy for all kinds of uses, but it keeps those old sweatshirts in your wardrobe and out of the landfill, although they have taken on a whole new look. Imagine dancing with the gang at the local club wearing your new ruffle skirt made from an old sweatshirt. If you have a sweatshirt with a slogan or graphics, try to incorporate that in your skirt design so you can make a statement with your one-of-a-kind creation. You can find patterns online that will inspire you.
A New Pair Of Shorts
If the ruffle skirt idea does not appeal to you, how about using those scraps of sweatshirt material to make a pair of shorts? Just imagine how comfortable they will be if the sweatshirts consist of brushed cotton. The best thing about this project is that you can make the shorts any length you like depending on how much scrap material you have available. Plus, if the sweatshirts you are upcycling have pockets, you can reuse those in your new shorts. The possibilities are endless.
Use A Basket Weave
Let’s say that all you need to make one of your old, worn sweatshirts wearable again is to replace holes or wear spots in the back of the garment. An easy fix is to use strips of fabric cut from other worn-out sweatshirts and use them to create a basket weave pattern to cover the trouble spots. If you are unsure how to weave the strips into this pattern, you can find directions online. The basket weave filler will give that old sweatshirt a fresh new look. If you do not have enough scrap material from old sweatshirts, try old t-shirts instead.
A Pair Of Leg Warmers
This clothing option is upcycling at the most extreme! Leg warmers were a fashion trend some years ago and continue to surface. Nowadays, they are more practical for warmth instead of creating a look. If you have a sweatshirt that is just worn out but still has great-looking sleeves on it, why not cut them off and convert them to leg warmers? You can add ruffles to the cuff or where the sleeve joins the shoulder of the sweatshirt to give them a fresh new look. Plus, if the sweatshirt you use consists of brushed cotton, the latest leg warmers will be soft, comfortable, and, most importantly, warm.
Final Thoughts
Upcycling is a form of recycling. But instead of giving your old sweatshirts away to be used as something else, you can convert them into new clothing items with creativity and some basic skills. Why throw something out of your closet if you can put it back on a hangar in a different format? It isn’t hard to do, and since you already own the sweatshirts, your upcycling efforts become a cost-effective way to extend the life of some clothing by creating new pieces for your wardrobe. You may find inspiration to turn this into a side hustle. Imagine making money just by upcycling old clothes. Again, it isn’t hard to do if you have the imagination.
