Clothing Crafts: Make New Duds from Old Things

By Amanda Kingloff
July 14, 2015
6 creative ways to make your kids' clothes last one more season.
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Back to School: Save on School Clothes

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Old Clothes, New Fashions

Alexandra Grablewski

Hate having to toss out well loved and slightly worn clothes? Get instructions on how to make these cute outfits from old things here.

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Tank Top to Bag

Alexandra Grablewski

Transform an old tank top into a cute bucket bag.

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Tank Top to Bag

Alexandra Grablewski

Cut a slit in the hem of a tank top, thread a ribbon through, and cinch into a knot. Hide ribbon inside bag.

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Plain T to Graphic T

Alexandra Grablewski

Save a stained T-shirt with help from a bleach pen.

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Plain T to Graphic T

Alexandra Grablewski

Apply a generous amount of bleach to stain. Beware -- results are unpredictable, as bleach tends to bleed.

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Pants to Shorts

Alexandra Grablewski

Make fringed shorts out of floods.

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Pants to Shorts

Alexandra Grablewski

Mark cut-off point with chalk while child is wearing jeans. Sew on a trim with fringe to hide frayed edge.

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Sock to Wristband

Alexandra Grablewski

Cut the foot off a lone sock to make a cool wristband.

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Sock to Wristband

Alexandra Grablewski

Cut where ribbing begins. Push decorative brads through only the top layer of the sock and secure.

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Tights to Leggings

Alexandra Grablewski

Turn old tights into leggings with funky elastic trim.

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Tights to Leggings

Alexandra Grablewski

Cut cotton knit tights just above the ankle. Be sure to sew elastic trim on with elastic thread.

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Torn Jeans to Patched Jeans

Alexandra Grablewski

Rescue a pair of torn jeans with a simple homemade patch.

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Torn Jeans to Patched Jeans

Alexandra Grablewski

Bond iron-on adhesive to fun fabric and cut into a cute shape. Use a warm iron to attach to pants.

Originally published in the October 2008 issue of Parents magazine.

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