How to Thrift Fabrics To Upcycle Like Pro

What should I transform the purple blazer into? Let me know in a comment down below 👇🏻💜

Maybe too late for the purple blazer, but how about cropping it, then with the extra bottom fabric, cut out fringe pieces in various length. Then attach it to the bottom half of the blazer. OR you can do a half and half blazer: one side purple, the other side a fun color like lime green. I like the shoulder pad! I would keep those.

While I find upcycle videos interesting, watch and marvel and the creativity, I find enough clothing at thrift stores that fits my style and style. That to me is the best deal of all. Regarding converting a quilt to clothing. Heck, I quilt, and I would have no problem with someone converting a quilt to a wearable item. The entire point of thrifting/upcycling is to take something that is unwanted, unused and repurposing it for its intended use or some other.

Concerning cutting vintage quilts, there is historical value in quilts, I would not do it. I do think that repurposing vintage linens and things which have personal connections, or are damaged is a great idea. Having grandma’s tablecloth as curtains or throw pillows is nicer to me then stored away and never used. Concerning cutting up larger sized clothing: generally clothing is donated in bags and boxes, there’s several items from the same home, (we aren’t talking about one of a kind quilts.) If someone is having a hard time finding clothing of a given size or style, shop around. I frequent different shops for different items. Think about the neighborhood and if you get nice stuff at one shop, note that, if you never find decent mens clothes, note that. If you are wanting vintage clothes maybe check out a neighborhood with elderly, if you want trendy teen clothes, look to family neighborhoods.This has worked for me and my friends for years.😊

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I found this truly god awful neon pink cotton fabric with children and blue giraffes on it. The copyright is from 1971, and was only $2 for the whole thing. We're going to turn it into slings for ski patrol patients

My pov: It’s ok to upcycle old quilt.

I'm plus size, i have absolutely no problem with others buying plus sizes. Its not my business to tell others what to buy etc. After all its still upcycling. There are clever ways to make smaller clothes bigger, there needs to be videos on that😊

Yard for yard, the best prices on the highest quality fabrics are in thrift stores. No one should feel guilty about upcycling, repurposing, and parting out garments and other items when their next stop is the landfill.

If it's in a second hand shop it means it wasn't wanted or needed so if i like it I'm buying it. I'm not going to leave it on the off chance that someone else might. Regardless of what type of garment it is.

underrated video. this was such a good place to start for me after being inspired by instagram DIY statement pieces. i wanna start upcycling some time this year or next year.

I purchase garments for fabric not for size! Most Garments garments in thrift stores no longer have a size label. Take a tape measure and know your measurements.

I really like that you leave the best pieces for potential buyers❤

The bins are amazing

sleeveless dress with the paisley print or if not enough material then a sleeveless shirt (also attach white or blue material (fringe on bottom) to make a dress.

The problem is the outdated Americanism, calling everything a "Thrift Shop". Nowadays that promotes greed (e.g."Thrift Hauls" & "Oh, look at me! I'm so thrifty, I must buy more!" After WWII when the 1st "Combined Thrift Shops for Everyone" were opened in the UK, everyone was poor, broke & on rations, but there were still expected rules or standards of behaviour that many have long since forgotten. Don't buy more than you really need & NEVER EVER EVER buy anything to resell - NOT EVER. They're rarely called thrift stores throughout the UK, Australia & New Zealand anymore - A privately owned (for profit) one is just called a second-hand shop, but mostly they're 'Charity Shops' or 'Opportunity Shops' because they're all run by Not-for-Profits for charity fund-raising (& often in partnership with FoodBanks). They're called this to remind you that they are primarily there to help the poor access clothing & other necessities. The charity is always brand named clearly, so that you know who is being supported by the proceeds of sales (i.e. you're not just paying off Mr & Mrs Bloggs' new car) & you can be selective about who you support.

As a plus size, I do find it hard to find my size sometimes and have seen many times smaller women pick them up for upcycling or for downsizing, however, they found the item first and so they have the choice to buy or not buy it for whatever use they want. I have also purchased smaller items for upcycling into a larger project so I feel it works both ways. There are so many clothes out in the world so I think we should use them however we want to keep them out of the landfills. As for quilts while I love the idea of preserving them, it really is up to the buyer to decide what purpose they have in mind for it, if you donated it then it's no longer yours to have a say in what happens to it.

Where I live we have a shop that sells simple halter neck maxidresses made form upcycled silk sari. It’s a must for summer, so fresh!!

As for courtains, please think that they are made to be furniture. It is better to upcycle them into something that doesn’t contact with your skin (like a jacket, or a skirt with lining)! And well… don’t forget that some courtains are very synthetic and so very flammable! Nowadays shops have (I hope) some restrictions about flammable furniture, but vintage ones…

I’m also a size 2 and in Southern California. My local thrift shops have tons of L, XL, XXL sizes, so I have no concerns about buying large for upcycling. So many of the mature womenswear’s shops use vanity sizing where a 0 is more like a sz 6. It’s more challenging to find small sizes. Hey, it’s been donated. Big, small, modern, vintage. We are giving new wear to items that were relinquished. This attitude of “if you have it, you’re keeping me from having it (clothing, money etc)“ is foolish, self-limiting and is guaranteed to give you MORE lack in your life.

Unfortunately there is always a lot for people to be upset about.

If it’s in a thrift store, the quilt or clothing is not wanted by someone who sent it to the store. In other words the objects in the stores were thrown out. That includes old books, which I like to buy. I have absolutely no problem buying items that are discarded by someone else. I also have no problems cutting or ripping it up either.

I definitely recommend going to the bin stores; usually, bin stores are the items' last chance before getting shipped to a different country, and the prices are dirt cheap. Just set aside a lot of time, wear comfortable clothes, and bring some gloves if you're scared of germs!

I think that giant piece of fabric you found could be for an Indian Saree, which is usually about 5.5 meters or 6 yards long. I cant see the length of your piece of fabric, but it does have the appearance of a saree.

Watched the Fons video...please don't cut up vintage, antique or any handmade quilts. PLEASE!

Buying second hand clothes has become a major trend in Copenhagen. If you go to the charity shops it's mostly fast fashion polyester tops or leftovers from an 80 year old smoker's wardrobe. All the vintage shops get to the good stuff before the normal people have a chance of getting a hold of it

Great video, thank you for the tips! I'm glad I found your channel, new subbie here. I also thrift and post videos. If you can please show some love back and lmk what you think. I'll appreciate the feedback!

Once a long time ago I found 2 vintage quilts in a thrift store. I bought the 1 that was in the worse shape. There were 2 resins for that, 1. I liked the color of it, and 2. I could afford it. The 1 that was in better shape was almost a hundred dollars, the other 1 was $25.00. I bought the cheaper 1 and I spent several months repairing it. I'm very proud of the work I did on it and I like to think the lady who made it is happy too.

How do you get rid of that smell that lingers after washing clothes from some low end secondhand stores (even with vinegar rinse)? It’s probably from something they spray them with, I’m guessing. I’ve had to throw out items because I can’t get rid of it.

Really looking forward to that jacket dress. I have an 80s jacket, that still fits me that would be great as a dress.

It's an avalanche of used clothes of all sizes. Literally uncontained. There is no shortage. All clothing can be made bigger. It's tricky, but not at all impossible to learn to truly tailor your own clothes. As far as the quilted jacket thing, knowing the difference between a cheap Chinese knockoff, which have been around for 4 decades is a really good skill. Some quilt tops or quilts that are handmade are seriously damaged. Knowing the difference between upcycling and down cycling is important. I wouldn't destroy a true vintage quilt to make a jacket. But if damage or stains exist, I would ..

I’m currently in a dilemma about cutting up vintage tea towels and a tablecloth 🤷🏻‍♀️it is a tricky one

As a "plus size" person I do find it hard to find my size. I have personally see two girls buy items that were way too large for them.

I volunteer at a thrift store and, at least in Israel, the plus size debate is unfounded. our chain of shops overflow with plus size women's garments (from people dying or losing weight) and yet I very rarely see any truly plus size shoppers picking them up. after a year or so, any garments not purchased get shipped to Africa the majority of which, from my understanding, end up in landfills there.

I also did pick up a quality vintage (commercial) quilt that passed through our shop and, while I love it and am using it as is, I'll admit that it came to me quite worn in the corners and an upcycle into a jacket next winter might be a great way to extend its life on this earth.

overall, these keyboard warriors policing the upcycle movement would help the world more by building something themselves rather than tearing others down.

Too long and slow. Obvious things put out as new information. Don't buy something with a bleach stain? Thanks. I never thought of that.

1. I find most women's garments are made from fabrics I don't like or wear. When I do find something in a fabric I like (and will wear) I buy it (if it is in good shape and in my size or larger).

2. I sent four old quilts to someone in Tennessee to up-cycle into fashion pins (to be sold to tourist). However, I will not make garments out of good, still usable quilts; or, quilts that should be saved to study and for History. I think it is wonderful to make quilted patchwork jackets out of new fabrics (because they will last longer and look better). I do buy 100% cotton garments to take apart and make new quilts out of. I will buy any size if I like and want the fabric.

3. I find the better fabrics to up-cycle is men's shirts; and, I have no problem in buying over sized men's shirts in pinks, lavenders, yellows, flowered prints, and other prints or colors that are usually used for women's and girls garments. Most of these shirts are usually still new; because, most men will not wear them.