Ever found a perfect piece of clothing but it didn’t fit? Or wanted a specific clothing item but it either didn’t exist, or was too expensive? The solution to this is a lot simpler than you may think. Upcycling is a type of craft that utilizes altering/reusing clothing to make new pieces, or add onto already existing clothing. It’s a craft that is consistently used to repurpose clothing and make new things.
“Upcycling benefits us because it’s sustainable—it reduces waste and gives clothes a longer life. On a personal level, it also builds creativity and individuality. You end up with something unique that reflects your style, rather than just buying what everyone else has,” said Lyric Haworth (11).
Here are four examples from people in your community.
- She’s Got Your Couch Covered!
Bailey Hayes (10) said she made her neighbors couch cushion covers for their couch as a summer job. “Its been helpful for me to have a summer job without needing to go somewhere on a scheduled basis,” said Hayes. Not only can you upcycle clothing and reuse it for your personal stuff, you can also do it as a career to get paid, or simply to help others! The possibilities are endless.
- Denim Design To Die For
Ellie Warren-Johnson (9) reused thrift clothing to make something awesome she was proud of. “I made a pair of jeans into a skirt for a camp” she said, “I think it turned out really good.” It was her first time upcycling a piece of clothing and she definitely learned some things. She made the skirt for a camp, Slay the Runway, where they were encouraged to reuse old clothing and make something new.
- Cross Country T-eam Flag
Language arts teacher Kyle Martindale grew up in Oak Park CA, and he put his sewing skills to use in making a flag out of cross country t-shirts from the high school team. “We wanted to plant a flag at the highest peak in our hometown, made out of our cross country team’s t-shirts,” said Martindale. Despite having no prior experience in sewing he took to this task and ended up making something unique for his hometown
- Homecoming Dress to Impress
Homecoming is an important time of year; everyone buying new dresses or outfits to wear to the dance. But Bailey Hayes (10) made her own homecoming dress for the 2024 homecoming dance. “I was really proud of that, it was really pretty,” said Hayes. She made the dress out of blue satin, focusing on a less fitted cut, using 1970s dresses as inspiration.”I also wanted a simple yet unique dress that felt like me and that I would be comfortable wearing and dancing in all night,” said Hayes.
Overall, upcycling clothing is an amazing way to utilize materials and make something unique! You can make dresses, skirts, even couch cushions, or upgrade clothing you already have. It also creates a positive impact on the environment, using already existing clothing instead of buying new ones and feeding into fast fashion. Upcycling is a beneficial tool to learn and can be used for the rest of your life.
“To me, upcycling is about taking something ordinary—or even something people might overlook—and giving it a new life. It’s about creativity, resourcefulness, and making fashion more personal,” said Haworth.
