Sleeves too short? Hem too long? Before you throw away that stained t-shirt, why not having some fun?

New clothes are amazing, don’t get me wrong, but when our comfiest sweater comes out of the dryer with a gaping hole center front, we have a decision to make… Do we buy another sweater and replace it, or can we add eight more holes and sandpaper the shoulders to continue the destruction with purpose?

Whether it’s a rip, stain or snag, I say go with it, because in the end nothing lasts forever, especially the clothes we live in. So why not have some fun and see what happens? Instead of buying into the new trends, reuse and repurpose your old clothes.  Not only is it a sustainable practice, but it also makes for a refreshing exercise that takes something of old and brings it back to life while adding a little fun and embellishment. Please keep in mind that this is a loose guideline for upcycling your wardrobe; the truth is that there are no rules, I simply advise you to listen to your inner artist and let the creativity flow.

First, you’ll need some supplies…

Clothing: new, old, cotton, synthetic, too long, too short, too stained; anything goes.

Tools: scissors, sandpaper, tweezers, spray bottle, paintbrush, toothbrush, sponge, sharpie, water-soluble fabric marker

Liquids: bleach, paint, dyes (coffee grounds, flower petals, berries…)

Misc: iron-on emblems, letters, flags, numbers, and safety pins

Sewing skills: not required (although, even simple hand sewing skills will open countless more possibilities for what can be created).

Embellishing

This is the fun part and since there are no rules, I enjoy mixing techniques. Check out http://www.psimadethis.com/category/diy/fashion for inspiration on clean embellishments and more. I have included a photo of an old sweater I distressed with scissors and bleach below.

I washed this sweater I found in a thrift store, only to find a large hole that was irreparable yet I was immediately attracted to the idea of tearing it up more and even cutting the hem off to shorten the silhouette and it has now become one of my favourite sweaters to wear and I am constantly asked which designer label I purchased it from.

Now it’s your turn.

There is a unique, intangible reward that comes from breathing new life into an old garment that was once destined for the donation bin.  Not only will you feel more in touch with your inner artist, you’ll also save your money in the process. Explore your closet for potential vintage looks or un-wearables to revive and take a break from trying to stay afloat in the endless stream of trends. Above all else, remember to have fun and stay open.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
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The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

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You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.