My family has been putting a lot of energy into becoming a zero-waste home these days. It is a slow but steady project, but we are all invested.
Right now our goal is to recycle, reuse, repurpose all that we can. This is not an easy feat, even though it is so environmentally friendly and, well…simple.
What I have found simple and easy to do is upcycle old clothes. It seems we are always going through our closets to weed out the items we thrifted from fantastic thrift stores and are now ready to pass on.
I’m fanatical about thrifting, and we do end up with many items that may not last long, but they can be put to good use in some other way.
My favorite thing is to upcycle sweaters. Cozy, warm, textured sweaters can be made into so many new-to-me items.
This page is full of amazing things to make with upcycled clothes, especially upcycled sweaters.
One caveat here: To really have a zero-waste home, purchasing items from thrift stores to use as upcycled clothing doesn’t exactly count, in my opinion. But I will admit that I have found some great projects that I want to make but don’t have anything to use in my own closet.
Like I said, I love thrift stores. One person’s junk is another person’s treasure, as they say. So don’t be afraid to purchase clothing, including sweaters to upcycle for these wonderful projects. I have been known to do it!
The cost is minimal, and the projects are beautiful.
Take a look at some of the many wonderful projects on this page. You’ll be surprised at how many upcycled projects there are here.
- Clothing: Take old clothing to make new clothing! Upcycle sweaters and upcycle other clothing to make things such as infinity scarves, embellished sweaters, aprons, doll dresses and so much more.
- Accessories: Upcycle denim and sweaters to make messenger bags, purses, totes, headbands, cell phone and tablet cases…the list goes on.
- Home decor: Use lovely textures and upcycle sweaters, especially cabled ones, to make pillows, blankets, lampshade covers, reupholstered chairs, holiday decorations and more.
- Miscellaneous: Sweaters, denim, and cotton can all be used to make unique items like cute little sachets, hand warmers, cup cozies, and sweater flowers.
It will be difficult to look over the upcycled projects on this page and not find something that just has to be made! Keep an eye out for the perfect upcycled project for gift giving, too.
Looking for other upcycled clothing ideas? Check out our page full of projects for upcycled neckties!
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Upcyle old clothes into something useful, rag rugs.
My Poppet Makes
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Turned a men's dress shirt into an apron with this tutorial.
Gabriel's Good Tidings
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How to make a blanket out of sweaters! See how to turn a stack of old wool sweaters into a useful, patchwork blanket.
Swoodson Says
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A fashionable scarf tutorial repurposing an old sweater.
Larissa Another Day
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Do you want to one-of-a-kind cell phone case for your cell phone? Do you need a cell phone case to protect your phone?
Watch this tutorial to learn a quick, inexpensive and fun way to protect your phone from getting scratched by making a sock cell phone cozy.
This is a good beginner sewing project.
Needlepointers Staff
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Turn an ugly Christmas sweater into a fun holiday decorative pillow.
Heather Handmade
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Turn an old sweater into cozy leggings for a child.
Make It and Love It
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Protect hand from a hot beverage by upcycling a sweater into cup sleeve by reading this tutorial.
Organized 31
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Update your home with this gorgeous embroidered cushion cover using an old sweater and a little hand embroidery.
Vicky Myers Creations
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Here are do-it-yourself instructions to turn a bunch of unwanted jeans into a stunning and useful picnic blanket.
Sustain My Craft Habit
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Have you ever seen a sweater box in the stores, and wanted to get one? Try this tutorial.
Reuse Grow Enjoy
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Make this DIY sweater wreath from an old or a thrift store sweater, and a Dollar Tree Wreath.
Thrifted Nest
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This video shows and explains how to make an adorable holiday party dress for an 18" doll.
Needlepointers.com
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Make your own flannel handkerchiefs out of an old shirt. They are reusable (zero waste) and soft on the skin.
Beginner Sewing Projects
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Turn a men’s shirt into an attractive bag with this easy project.
Quilting Digest
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This felted tote is make by recycling an old sweater.
Betz White
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This instructable is a quick and easy way to make a headband from old belts.
By mksabrina at Instructables
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It is so easy to make homemade hand warmers by upcycling a wool sweater.
Swoodson Says
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Make cozy from old sweater.
Etsy New York Team
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Learn how to make an infinity sweater scarf by upcycling a sweater!
Heather Handmade
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Made yourself a laptop tote out of an old or thrift store sweater and belt.
It's Alway Autumn
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How to fix clothes that have been dyed in the wash by mistake … Dye them on purpose!
Did you ever take clothes out of the washer to find that it is color stained. Don't throw it away. Tie Dye it!
Learn how to fix it with this tutorial.
Needlepointers.com Staff
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Use an old sweater and a little embroidery to make pretty little lavender bags.
Sum of Their Stories
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Learn how to turn a pair of cargo pants into a messenger bag.
Craftaholics Anonymous
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Here is a great idea for using old sweaters and turning into useful home decor that adds warmth on those chilly evenings.
Fiber Luscious
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Upcycle your sweaters into fun patchwork pillows with these instructions.
Craft Foxes
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An article on a way to turn an old sweater into a pillow.
Sewing Green
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How to make a small, cute handbag using an old jeans or shorts pocket. This project only requires simple sewing skills so beginners and kids can sew this project.
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Reupholster a chair and give it a bright and fun new seat with denim jeans.
DIY Candy
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Turn an old, unwanted sweater into awesome DIY Sweater Slippers with this easy tutorial!
Busy Being Jennifer
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Upcycle that sweater by covering a box.
Organized 31
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Transform a plain lampshade into something special.
Beth Bryan Designs
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With this quick and easy tutorial, made a little pot cozy for indoor plants from an old sweater.
A Cultivated Nest
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Turn old or thrift store sweaters into flowers.
Whipper Berry
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With this easy sewing tutorial, turn a sweater into a handbag.
A Crafty Mix
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This lampshade makeover uses a sweater.
A Cultivated Nest
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Transform an old sweater into a cozy pair of sweater mittens.
Live About
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Upcycle an old sweater that you no longer wear or no longer fits? Here is a DIY Sweater pillow tutorial.
Reuse Grow Enjoy
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Learn how to upcycle old sweaters into Christmas stockings to adore the mantle.
The Homeless Finch
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Upcycle an unwanted sweater into a cozy new bench or stool!
Upcycle That
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You can turn just about any sweater into a Christmas stocking. Check out this tutorial to learn how.
Scratch and Stitch
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This wreath upcycles no longer used sweaters and doesn't require sewing, so it’s super easy craft for kids to help put together.
Dragonfly Fun
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Ideas on re-purposing old sweaters scraps into embellishments on t-shirts.
Make It & Love It
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Recycle old sweaters into cool wine bottle bags with these instructions.
The Homeless Finch
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