UPCYCLING MY WAY THRU 2025

I’ve had a bit of fun upcycling/recycling clothes this year.

Most from thrift shops but a few from my closet.

Like this recycled T-shirt and flannel from my closet.

This recycle has two thrifted items. 

A Shenanigans Coordinator sweatshirt

that was waaaay to small for  me, but I had to have it!

I am a Shenanigan's coordinator for many adventures 

The gray sweatshirt was revamped and I added

 Ghastlies travel fabrics for the win!

Another thrifted sweatshirt, cut off  bottom edge, sleeve and neck line ribbing 

and added a WONKY Churn Dash block I made to the front.

And added coordinating fabric cuffs

Whenever I find Denim Jackets in thrift shops, I snatch them up.

They might be too big but I take in the side seams to fit me.

Here I fused some fabric over a pocket.

And check this out. 

I thrifted a WICKED ‘Defying Gravity  T-shirt that was to small.

This was one those theatre merch tshirts! 

I usher in the theaters and KNOW how much these cost. 

So it may be my best thrift ever! 

I cut out and fused the tshirt message to the back, 

Pink Flowers for the pop of color. 

I had a FQ of some OOP Alexander Henry Halloween fabric. 

The front of this denim shirt had some denim roses, that I didn’t like.

I removed them and there were some tiny holes left behind.

So I fused some of those owls over them and it turned out great. 

THEN I fused some owls and pumpkins to the back 

of  a short sleeves denim shirt.

Alas Ghastlies are always whispering

‘Make something outta me’

A thrifted black sweatshirt revamped.

Revamped means I cut off the bottom ribbing, the neckline ribbing

And sometimes the sleeve ribbing.

Then Ghastlies were fused into a collage on the front and 

it’s such a fun recycle 

Another denim shirt.  Took the pocket off one side.

Covered with a rectangle and I cut this dragonfly and flower

Out of another shirt to appliqie it…somewhere and

It is perfect right here. 

Yet another denim jacket 

With a huge fabric flower fused to the  back. 

I’ve got more recycling planned in 2026!

Stay tuned. 

UPCYCLE DRAGONFLY SHIRT

I love creating upcycled clothes!

Like this fun denim shirt!

I had this denim shirt in my upcycle stash.

I always buy shirts and jackets too big and alter them to fit me 

This light blue cotton shirt with a thrifted shirt ..size 6X

Waaaaay too big for me.

I just wanted the dragonfly !

Sew I cut it off the shirt and put fusible on the back.

Then I cut out the dragonfly to see how

It would look on the shirt, where I took off a pocket.

Nope needs something else  

I cut a rectangle piece of fabric,

Fused it to the shirt, over the pocket area, 

And then sewed the dragonfly and flower pieces over that.

Of course I zig-zagged all the edges

Of all the pieces to the jacket. 

I love how it tuned out. 

The bottom edge of this shirt was already raveled. 

As you can see above,

I altered the sleeves to 3/4 length. 

Tack them down sew they won’t roll. 

I am finding more and more things to upcycle .

It’s better than them landing in a landfill.

I CAN MAKE THAT!

I've been messing around with some upcycled shirts.

Why? Because I saw them at a craft market selling for $45!

and yes, I can make that!

 I found a favorite Ohio State t-shirt that was a little snug.

Just cut the sleeves off the t-shirt 

an inch or two from the sleeve seam.

Easy Peasey

And you have this!

Leave the top of the shirt seams, just as they are.

Find a coordinating flannel shirt

and cut the sleeves off that about 3" from sleeve seams.

Sew the two together and voila!

This t-shirt has been worn to smithereens.

But I wasn't ready to let it go!

And the back of your recycled shirts will look like this!

What a fun upcycle and I plan to do a few more.

And this is how it looks in action.

TRASH OR TREASURE?

I can't stay out of thrift stores...

nor do I want too!

I love finding items to recycle...

you know make them into something different...

something that reflects my creative style.

Like this bottle...

I am not sure what it will be yet, but

when my holiday decorations come out...

I know I will find its new purpose. 

and this vintage candle ring will

be part of something bigger!

And here are other finds that will

serve purpose as is.

My sister lives in  housing with

many units.  She like to give

Christmas cards to each resident.

Dollar tree can't beat these $1 boxes of cards

And if I find beautiful gift bags...

into my cart they go!

These were 59 cents each

but the cashier insisted that was the price

for the entire bunch of bags!

I found this fun painted wine glass.

And it will be my new fun sipping glass.

And maybe, just maybe, I am a wine snob!

My best purchase at this particular store

was this $2.97 witch!

Isn't she just the cat's meow!

Well just writing this post makes me

want to hit the door running.

Many treasures await!