How to alter old clothes with minimal sewing skills

Recycling and the fight for the environment is an important and useful trend in recent years. Why throw away things that have become unusable if they can be reused? For example, turn torn clothes into a cat bed or a soft toy. Today I will tell you 4 simple ways to use old damaged things.

Decorative pillow

This is one of the simplest items that you can easily make with your own hands from any fabric. And from dresses, T-shirts and sweaters, it’s even easier! You can even stuff it with the same parts of unnecessary clothes. The “cooking recipe” is incredibly simple: cut off the sleeves and collar, and then sew up the slits by hand or using a machine. First, of course, by filling the improvised pillow. If there were holes in the clothes, they should be covered with bright patches. This will only add style to the product.

For greater convenience, you can sew a zipper to one of the slits. Just like regular factory pillows. Through it you can fill the insides with filler without any problems. In addition, old clothes make wonderful covers and pillowcases. The algorithm of actions is essentially the same.

Pet bed

Each household member should have their own separate sleeping place. However, you don’t have to buy a bed for your beloved Barsik, because you can make it yourself. Soft, warm clothes are best suited for these purposes. Sweaters, for example.

The easiest way is to cut the item into squares of different sizes and make neat pads out of them. Next, sew them together with edges in the shape of a square, circle or rectangle.

Or you can return to the “pillow path.” That is, just cut off the neckline and sleeves, sew the slits and stuff the bed. However, in this case it will be necessary to separate the sides with a large amount of filler and stitch around the perimeter. You can simply sew up the neckline and fasten the sleeves, and then insert a pillow into the sweater.

Braided or knitted rug

And this method of using old clothes was known back in Soviet times. To do this, you first need to cut the unnecessary item into strips about 1 centimeter wide. Then there are three options for further action.

First, you can braid fabric into braids and sew them together at the ends.

Secondly, you just need to buy an anti-slip mesh backing and braid it with fabric. Or the same braids. This is the simplest option, which does not even require sewing skills if you tie the fabric to the edges rather than stitching.

Well, thirdly, you can use the crochet technique, replacing the latter with your own fingers. But to do this, the clothes need to be cut into one long strip.

Stuffed Toys

Children grow out of their things very quickly. Most often, unnecessary textiles are given away or thrown away. However, if this does not work out, you can sew a cute elephant or teddy bear from bright colored fabrics. And you don’t even have to bother with patterns for this!

The idea is the same as for pillows. However, this time you need to cut out an animal figurine from the fabric. It is important to understand that part of the edges will be used to sew the toy together, so you need to mark the place with a margin.And before stuffing, you should decorate the product with simple embroidery: use contrasting threads to outline the features of the animal’s face. Or, if volume allows, use buttons for the same purpose. And you can remove them from unnecessary things.

Overalls can be remade even easier. You just need to stuff them and then sew up all the slits.

These are simple ways to extend the life of old clothes and fabrics. By giving them a second chance, there is an opportunity not only to save the environment, but also to please yourself and your loved ones.