Regardless of the mountain of garments, I always replace my procuring cart as a result of I become bored with my wardrobe actually rapidly. Whereas retail remedy is an effective stress treatment for my soul, it isn’t nice for my pockets – or the environment for that matter.
In line with the Nationwide Surroundings Company (NEA), in 2020 alone, Singapore produced 137 tonnes of textile and leather-based waste, however solely six tonnes of this have been recycled — that’s a large quantity of waste for such a small nation.
Due to this fact, other than thrift procuring, I’ve been sussing out extra sustainable methods to satiate my need for brand new issues, and this contains upcycling my outdated garments.
Being a complete beginner at upcycling, I made a decision to seek the advice of my finest good friend — YouTube.
Hours later, armed with my newfound information, I tried to upcycle a number of items of outdated garments and put collectively a three-piece outfit consisting of a prime, jacket and skirt.
READ NEXT
I Tried Upcycling An Total Outfit Utilizing Outdated Garments
Cropping a fundamental prime
picture
I began my upcycling journey with a fundamental spaghetti prime with an embroidered flower on the entrance. Whereas I actually just like the look of the highest, I by no means discovered myself selecting it. The highest hits me proper at my stomach button, making it troublesome to tuck in but awkward to tuck out.
One resolution is to chop off the surplus cloth. Nonetheless, I didn’t like the thought of uncooked edges, nor was I expert sufficient to hem the bottom of a whole prime with a stitching machine or by hand.
Due to this fact, I made a decision to improvise by utilizing cloth glue.
Right here’s what you want:
- High
- Cloth glue
- Pins
- Heavy, flat object, like an encyclopedia
AsiaOne/ Melissa Teo
Directions:
picture
1. Put on the highest and alter it to your required size by folding within the backside edges and pinning it down.
2. Flip the shirt inside out and use cloth glue to rigorously glue down the surplus cloth one part at a time.
3. Take a thick e book or a heavy, flat object and apply strain to the newly-glued hem for an hour.
Total, I’d price this a seven out of 10. It was fairly straightforward to do, however it doesn’t look polished sufficient to me.
AsiaOne/ Melissa Teo
Sprucing up a thrifted jacket
picture
I thrifted this jacket a number of years again in Johor Bahru when the borders have been nonetheless open (cues wistful sigh) and I used to be drawn to its industrial look.
Whereas it had a very good but barely outsized match, I didn’t just like the random phrases that had been embroidered onto the breast of the jacket and one among its sleeves, thus remaining behind my closet till now.
To spruce issues up, I used some cute iron-on patches that I had discovered on-line.
Right here’s what you want:
- Jacket
- Iron-on patches
- A skinny fabric, or a handkerchief
- Iron and ironing board
AsiaOne/ Melissa Teo
Directions:
picture
1. Place the patch sticky-side down onto the jacket.
2. Cowl patch with a skinny fabric and iron over it.
3. To make sure that the patch is adhered on correctly, flip the jacket inside out and place the iron on the identical space for a number of seconds.
I price this DIY a ten/10. It was each straightforward and fast – I took lower than 10 minutes to stay on all my patches. It’s additionally a buildable undertaking and you may at all times add on extra patches sooner or later to additional customise your jacket.
AsiaOne/ Melissa Teo
Cinching in and including some aptitude to a skirt
picture
Out of all of the DIY tasks, I used to be extraordinarily happy with the result of the skirt. This undertaking does require a bit bit of stitching, however it isn’t too sophisticated. If a klutz like me can do it, so are you able to.
The skirt was of a pleasant, thick materials however sadly, the waistline was means too massive for me — I may match a whole arm into the gaping area.
Whereas some YouTube tutorials counsel chopping off the surplus cloth and re-stitching the remainder of the fabric, this methodology leaves loads of room for errors. I wasn’t up for such a large problem.
Fiddling round with the skirt for a very good half an hour later, I got here up with a technique of cinching within the waist with out having to chop it up – by repurposing and repositioning the clasps.
Listed below are what you want:
- Outsized skirt
- Needle
- Thread
- Scissors
- Snap buttons (provided that skirt doesn’t include it)
- Hook and bar closures (provided that skirt doesn’t include it)
- Masking tape, pins or chalk
AsiaOne/ Melissa Teo
Directions:
picture
1. Unzip the skirt and wrap the surplus fabric round your waist, overlapping the 2 ends, making a pleat.
2. When you’re proud of the match, mark out the respective areas with masking tape, pins or chalk.
3. Take away the unique clasps, organize them on the marked out areas and stitch them down. If you’re not sure on learn how to connect such clasps, you may take a look at how to take action right here and right here.
The outcome? A revamped skirt that sits completely on my waist.
Total, I’d price this DIY a 9 out of 10. A lot of the effort went into conceptualising the thought, however as soon as that was accomplished, placing all the things collectively was truly fairly straightforward. Minus the time used for brainstorming, I completed all the things in underneath quarter-hour.
Whereas I undoubtedly would advocate this DIY, I doubt that this methodology would work with all types of skirts. Due to this fact, do experiment a bit with the changes earlier than you begin snipping.
AsiaOne/ Melissa Teo
A rewarding and therapeutic expertise
picture
I’m not going to lie — I used to be initially fairly hesitant to aim any type of DIY on my garments due to my worry of stitching machines and unintentionally ruining respectable attire.
Nonetheless, as soon as I acquired over that hurdle, these tasks have been surprisingly relatively easy and enjoyable to hold out.
The very best half? I acquired myself a complete new and sustainable outfit with out having to empty my pockets.
Whereas upcycling garments is a bit more time consuming than including issues to a cart, it’s undoubtedly extra rewarding and therapeutic as in comparison with retail remedy.
Guess who gained’t be hitting the retailers anytime quickly? (Me, and hopefully you too.)
Learn Subsequent
Textual content By: Melissa Teo/AsiaOne
Envato
