Upcycling 101: Getting Started with Environmental Mindfulness and Creative Reuse of Old/Unwanted Items
- uthriftcontact
- Feb 6, 2024
- 3 min read
by: Lily Ezersky and Mahima Thevar
Have you been interested in making an old clothing item feel new again? Maybe you’ve heard of upcycling, but you’re not sure where to start. We’re here to help you begin a long journey of sustainable practices and getting the most wear out of your pieces as possible!
Well, first - what is upcycling? We like to think of it as a way to revive any article of clothing, whether it be through embroidering over a small hole, or cutting up the piece entirely and reusing the fabric in other projects. Reusing materials is important for creating an environmentally considerate, sustainable lifestyle!
Why should I learn how to sew?
Upcycling!
Fixing up your thrifted pieces or that top at the back of your closet that you can’t get yourself to give away. Adding a button, embroidering something onto a plain top, or simply needing to fix a hole while you’re on vacation.
Creative Expression
I’m sure most of us are looking for a fun, new hobby to fulfill our New Year’s resolutions. Learning how to sew opens a whole new world of creativity. Beyond learning how to patch up a pair of pants, you can become your very own designer. But if you know that’s not your calling, you can pick up embroidery, beadwork, or crochet!
Saves you Money
Instead of going to a tailor or giving away clothes that have minor issues, you can now fix them right at home. And brag about it.
Mental Health & Fine Motor Skills
Beyond the surface level benefits of clothing and those financial divestments. Sewing has proven to improve your mental health and create more dopamine, from the prolonged gratification of finishing a project or learning a new skill, to picking out fabrics. It also improves hand-eye coordination especially in precise movements, manipulation of fabric, and controlled actions.
Easy Projects to Get Started
Learn the basic stitches:
From YouTube videos, to basic images, or asking someone who knows, learn the basic stitches on a piece of thick fabric (or layers).
This includes a running stitch, full backstitch (a stronger, commonly used stitch), half backstitch, and whipstitch.
Sewing buttons, holes, and/or fabric together
Learn the basic and most useful motions.
Pincushions
Patterns are available online or in craft stores, get some small fabric packs that don’t run too expensive, and use your basic stitches and stuffing for a useful cushion for your pins and needles.
Basic Embroidery
Find a basic embroidery kit or just sew shapes and images on tee shirts, or fabric letters for college game days!
Plain Tote Bag
Just a small tote bag with handles for throwing your essentials in when going for a coffee run!
Upcycle your Thrift Finds!
Go on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and look up easy upcycling projects. Plenty of creative individuals post their endeavors and tutorials. Find one that’s feasible for you and practice, there's no harm in messing up an item you may not like to begin with.
When YOU feel you’ve mastered hand sewing, and feel the investment in a sewing machine will yield those corporate-like gains (in the sewing world), think about trying your hand at designing your own clothes - just know that the basics are essential, even with the machine.
Resources:
For machine sewing: https://crazylittleprojects.com/sewing-for-beginners-learn-to-sew/
More on upcycling: https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-upcycling-5116081
Any questions? Let us know at uthrift.contact@gmail.com!
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