We have a green idea today in our 31 days of activities from A Rose Tinted World: Upcycling clothes with children.
I love activities that utilise the materials that we already have plenty of in the house. And I also hate throwing away items that I know can be reused instead of them going to landfill. So here are some great activities for upcycling clothes with children that produce a useful or decorative end product whilst using old clothing that you may have been about to throw away and that your kids adore.
These activities result in unique creations that bring joy and pride, encouraging creativity and a sense of accomplishment.
Introduction to upcycling
Upcycling is a creative and environmentally friendly way to give old clothes a new life. It involves transforming old or discarded items into unique and useful products, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Upcycling clothes is a fantastic way to breathe new life into old favorites, and it’s a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little imagination and some basic crafting skills, you can turn old clothes into new and exciting items, such as bags, accessories, or home decor. This not only helps in reducing waste but also teaches children the importance of recycling and creativity.
Why upcycling clothes with children
As a mum, I seem to be forever sorting out old, worn and grown out of clothes. Some of these can be As a mum, I seem to be forever sorting out old, worn and grown out of clothes. Some of these can be donated. Some may even be good enough to be resold. But a lot are either too stained or too worn to consider giving away. Instead of discarding clothes that don’t fit anymore, consider recycling or repurposing them into new, usable crafts.
I absolutely loathe throwing away old cloth. Did you know that on average we each buy 27kg of new clothes every year? And that 235 million items of clothing get sent to landfill each year too? Well, I would rather prevent as much of that as possible. The more that we can reuse; the better it is for the planet. Repurposing old garments into practical and creative items is an eco-friendly way to give new life to outdated clothing. I intend to teach my little girl to do the same, and reuse as much of her old cloth and clothing as possible. So here are three easy activities we can do together.
Getting started with upcycling
To get started with upcycling, you’ll need to gather some basic materials, such as fabric scraps, threads, needles, and scissors. You can find these materials at craft stores or online. It’s also a good idea to have a sewing machine and some basic sewing skills, but you can also upcycle clothes by hand. Start by collecting old clothes that you no longer wear or that are no longer fit for their original purpose. Look for items with interesting fabrics, colors, or textures that can be repurposed into something new and creative. You can also use old jeans, t-shirts, and other items to create unique and functional products. The key is to see the potential in every piece of fabric and let your creativity guide you.
Making a rag rug
This is a great project for school aged children up to teens. All that you need is a large piece of hessian cloth (or an old burlap coffee sack) and a large pile of old clothes. Jersey (knit) fabrics are the best for this, as they don’t fray, but you can use any fabric really. You also need one of those old long wooden pegs (or a custom prodder – which you can buy from Amazon) and some scissors.
Cut the fabric into long thin strips around 12cm long by 3cm wide. You are going to need a whole load of these!
It is probably best to hem the sides of the hessian piece. You can leave it with a raw edge, but it does also tend to fray. If you like, you can draw a design on your hessian or just go random.
Take the peg or prodder, and push a hole into the hessian. Take one of your pieces of cut strips and push it through to the underneath of the hessian. Then push a second hole in the hessian a few strands away from the first. Use the prodder to push the strip back up and through the top of the material. And repeat close to the first one – lots and lots of times! Soon you will start to see the rug building up, and before you know it you have a lovely decorative rug – made from clothes you were going to throw away!
Making a rag wreath
The second activity is making a rag wreath. This is a slightly easier activity than making the rug, as all you need to do is to be able to knot fabric.
You will need a wire wreath base, or an old wire coat hanger bent out into a circle, and some old clothes or cloth. For this activity, cotton or other woven fabric is fine; as if it frays it can actually add to the shabby chic finish.
Cut strips of cloth about 12cm by 3 cm, and start knotting them around the wire of the wreath base. Keep on knotting and pushing the knots together until the base is full. And when the base is full you have a pretty decorative wreath to hang on a door or wall. Incorporating ribbons can enhance personalization and add flair to the finished wreath.
I like to coordinate my colours, but you can just make one in random colours. Or why not make them with specific themes for Christmas or Halloween?
Making a collage
The final activity in upcycling clothes with children is making a collage using small fabric scraps and other small items. This is probably the easiest activity to do at home, as all it involves is taking some small fabric scraps and sticking them onto paper for very young children. However older children may like to use the textures and colours to create more realistic images. And if your child is really creative, they could even hand or machine sew the small pieces of fabric onto a backing fabric to create pictures.
All of these activities are a great way to introduce children to the idea of saving and reusing fabric rather than just throwing so much of it away. Happy creating!
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My blog covers a host of sewing and sustainability subjects, with a smattering of parenting and lifestyle thrown in. We even have some awesome ideas for crafts with bottle caps! There are a lot of ideas of how to save money and reuse cloth and other items from around your home.
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Working with fabric scraps
Fabric scraps are a great resource for upcycling clothes. You can use them to create patches, appliques, or other decorative elements for your upcycled items. To work with fabric scraps, start by sorting them by color, texture, and size. Then, use a sewing machine or needle and thread to sew the scraps together into a new fabric. You can also use fabric scraps to create quilts, bags, or other home decor items. Remember to always wash and dry your fabric scraps before using them to ensure that they are clean and free of wrinkles. This not only makes the fabric easier to work with but also ensures that your final product looks neat and professional.
Tips and tricks for upcycling
Here are some tips and tricks for upcycling clothes: always start with a clear idea of what you want to create, and make sure you have all the necessary materials before you begin. Use high-quality fabrics and materials to ensure that your upcycled items are durable and long-lasting. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things – upcycling is all about creativity and imagination. You can also use online tutorials and videos to learn new skills and get inspiration for your upcycling projects. Finally, remember to have fun and enjoy the process of creating something new and unique from old clothes. The joy of upcycling lies in the transformation and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful and functional from items that might otherwise be discarded.
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when upcycling clothes: using low-quality fabrics or materials that may not be durable or long-lasting. Not washing and drying your fabric scraps before using them, which can cause them to shrink or lose their shape. Not having a clear idea of what you want to create before you begin, which can lead to confusion and frustration. Not using the right tools and equipment, such as sewing machines or scissors, which can make the upcycling process more difficult and time-consuming. Finally, not being patient and taking your time, which can lead to mistakes and errors that can be difficult to fix. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create beautiful and functional upcycled items that you’ll love and enjoy for years to come.
There are also more activities on the internet, so why not try out these other activities, and check out our kindness related activities with your kids too?
Upcycling activities to do with children from around the web
Looking for even more upcycling activities to do with your kids, check these out!
STEM Goes Green – 16 Upcycled and Earth Friendly Projects for Kids
This fantastic collection of 16 upcycled and earth friendly projects for kids.
25 Upcycled Projects for Kids
There are 25 more activites with upcycling to do with your kids.
Heat Wave Science Magic for Kids: Make Crayons
Try out upcycling your crayons with this great activity!
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Jo Boyne
Jo's blog covers a host of sewing and sustainability subjects, with a smattering of parenting and lifestyle thrown in. There are a lot of ideas of how to save money and reuse cloth and other items from around your home.
Why not visit her over on her social channels too?