Back-to-school season has a funny way of convincing us we need an entirely new wardrobe. New hoodies. New shoes. New bags. New everything.
But what if you didn’t?
Instead of heading straight to the shops, why not take a fresh look at what you already have? A few simple changes can completely transform the clothes and accessories sitting in your wardrobe, saving you money while creating something that’s uniquely yours.
This week, my favourite teacher, Frau Ingeboerg, is taking over the channel while I’m busy working on an exciting new community project (don’t worry, I’ll tell you more about that very soon!).
Together, we’ve put together 11 easy back-to-school upcycling tutorials to help you get ready for the new school year without spending a fortune.
In this video you’ll learn how to:
✂️ Resize an oversized hoodie for a better fit
✂️ Turn a denim skirt into a practical messenger bag
✂️ Make three unique mini bags from placemats, shoulder pads and a sweater sleeve
✂️ Mend worn-out sneakers with an iron-on patch
✂️ Give tired boots a brand-new look with fun embellishments
✂️ Sew comfy lounge pants you’ll actually want to wear
✂️ Add pockets to a cardigan (because everything should have pockets!)
✂️ Crop and customize a sweatshirt with an easy appliqué
✂️ Use the leftover sweatshirt fabric to upsize a tiny T-shirt so nothing goes to waste
Why buy new?
Life is expensive enough without replacing perfectly usable clothes.
Every project in this compilation follows the same philosophy:
Use what you have to make what you want.
Sometimes all it takes is a patch, a pair of scissors, a sewing machine, or simply looking at an old item with fresh eyes.
Exciting news!
Frau Inge wasn’t joking! I’ve been busy working on Again Mall, a brand-new community project dedicated to swapping, repairing, creating and rethinking the way we consume. I can’t wait to share more as the project grows!
Which tutorial was your favourite?
I’d love to know! Leave a comment below and tell me which of the 11 projects you’ll be trying first.
