35+ Refashioning Projects for Refashionistas

Need a new use for an old plaid shirt? This simple summery dress is perfect for you! No need to leave the house or head to the mall—all you need to learn how to sew a dress is your sewing machine and a shirt you can steal from your man.

Styled after the classic skirt shapes of the 1940s, this vintage-inspired project is the perfect excuse to hit your local thrift store. You can complete this flirty look with a secretary blouse, or bring your skirt into the 21st century with a slim-fitting top.


 

With high rise jeans and skirts back in fashion, you'll want to try out this refashioning sewing tutorial. Wear your new DIY top with a high-waisted skirt, jeans, or shorts for a super chic DIY fashion statement.

Step back in time with this totally trendy top! This tutorial does more than add to your wardrobe; it inspires you to refashion retro items into brand-new pieces.

Use this tutorial to upcycle and repurpose old, baggy sweatpants into something you can work (or work out) with! With this free sewing pattern, you won't have to dash out the door to an expensive athletics store next time you want to add a workout staple to your wardrobe.

This is undoubtedly a project you'll want to try. For those who want evergreen fashion without the cost, this beautiful bottom is just what you're after.

Don't throw out old jeans with tears and holes. Instead, recycle them into something utterly fabulous with this tutorial. Simply choose your favorite pair of old jeans and add a touch of pretty lace with this fun recycled fabric idea.

Found a super-cute shirt at the thrift store that's just way too big for you? Buy it anyway and refashion it into a top that fits! Start this project with any buttoned sleeveless shirt that's at least two sizes too big.

When you next prepare for an evening out, you'll be glad you took the time to sew together this LBD. Featuring a dark underlay covered with elegant black lace, this DIY dress will play a vital part in your social outings going forward.

Jazz up your plain blazer in a few easy steps. It's the perfect way to update your wardrobe without spending a lot of money. You'll love showing off this stylish blazer in casual and formal environments.

What could be easier than this? Learn how to make your own clothes by upcycling an old item into a new, fashionable article of clothing. All you need to make one of these free dress patterns is an old, too-big skirt and a few hours.

If you’ve gone through your wardrobe recently and noticed many of your skirts are no longer in fashion, perhaps you should use one to make this. This skirt’s waistline is simply adorable, so you might want to consider tucking your shirt in so you can show it off.

Revive the thrifty practice of transforming everyday household items into clothing. This is a great way to clean out the clutter in your closet and put your old pillowcases to good use. You will not believe how easy and cheap it is to create this adorable little dress.

This tutorial will teach you how to turn a sweater into a cardigan, so you can have as many cardigans as you want without breaking the bank. Your unworn or thrift shop sweaters will magically become lightweight, stylish cardigans in just a few simple steps.

This free shirt sewing pattern includes instructions on how to sew a gathered cowl onto a V-neck. Even if you don't have a V-neck shirt readily available, you can still easily learn how to alter a shirt with this tutorial.

This is going to become one of your favorite winter staples! As warm and comfy as your best-loved sweater, this skirt fits like a glove and feels like a hug, perfect for those winter workdays when all you want to do is stay wrapped in blankets at home.

It's easy to give an old hoodie a brand new look. Check out this tutorial to learn how! Because you'll reuse clothes when you make this hoodie, the project is friendly for the environment.

The designer of this project calls it the "easiest skirt to make in the entire world." We like the sound of that! In just 20 minutes you can transform an over-sized shirt into a wearable skirt.

If you have a vintage sweater, you can create this stylish skirt. It's a rather hipster look you can recreate yourself by following the simple instructions. This free skirt pattern will show you exactly how to make a skirt that looks straight from the racks of the hottest local, high-end boutique.

If you want the warm snuggly-ness of a big sweatshirt but the style of a fitted sweater, this tutorial is for you! This refashioning tutorial will teach you how to make a too-big sweatshirt fit just right—and look amazing.

It's amazing what you can do with a large cotton shirt! This gorgeous dress tutorial is the perfect free sewing pattern to take on your next warm and tropical vacation. It looks great all on its own, but if you are in serious need of a DIY bathing suit cover-up, this idea is the perfect solution.

These instructions on how to make a shoulder bag out of a thrifted t-shirt will lead to zero wasted space on paper and plastic bags all over your home. Getting eco-friendlier in less than an hour will save you a ton of room.

Now your old pieces can undergo a Cinderella-style makeover to become one of the most fashionable articles in your closet. Take off the knit band at the neck and replace it with attention-grabbing lace for a chic, mature, and customized look.

Take a few old t-shirts and turn them into a stylish ruffled tee using this sewing tutorial, which also features free sewing craft patterns to make fabric flowers to embellish your t-shirt!

Everyone has an excess of old T-shirts hanging around. Here's a good beginner sewing project that refashions your old rags into easy t-shirt aprons.

This simple shirt pattern is a quick fix for any seamstress. You'll be surprised that you can whip up this wardrobe staple in less than an hour. Refashion a shirt that makes you feel and look great without taking tons of time to do it.

This incredibly fun and budget-friendly refashioning project teaches you how to create a stylish clutch from a thrift store table runner. This envelope clutch is large enough to hold everything you need while still being lightweight and easy to carry.

Learn how to make a fabric basket which you can use to organize almost anything! It's a great upcycling project that's incredibly useful. Keep this tutorial on hand for when you next need to create a quick DIY organizer for your room.

This tutorial teaches you how to sew bags for the market out of old bed sheets. These DIY bags are reusable, meaning that you won't have to compromise with excessive paper or plastic bags in your home after your trip to the store.

If you've never thought to make a baby bib from denim, explore this idea! This bib is made from old jeans, so you probably already have everything you need to make this cute and simple sewing project.

This DIY project will show you how to take your old cozy sweater and transform it into a unique pillowcase. Decorate your living space with these super-comfy pillows and make any place you lay your head a relaxing one.

Transform an old men's dress shirt into a collared apron with this apron sewing tutorial. This is one wardrobe refashioning project that will look good on men or women!

If you're looking for a great homemade gift idea, this homemade slipper pattern will do the trick. Easily created from an old pair of jeans, this upcycled sewing idea is as easy to make as it is clever.

Don't use up your fabric on a project like this when your hubby probably has outdated neckties in his closet that are ready to be used. Sever ties with those ties and sew a spot for your scissors!

Keep your legs happy with these adorable leg warmers! This free sewing pattern is fun and functional. Give them as a gift or keep them for yourself!

Tired of dragging your bulky ironing board into your sewing room just to press a few seams? Say hello to this mini DIY ironing board that is made from upcycled furniture. Instead of selling an old, unused table at a garage sale, you can staple fabric to it and be ready to iron in a matter of minutes.

Take a sweater you no longer wear and turn it into your new favorite accessory. Learn how to make an infinity scarf that looks just as cozy and cool as the scarves you buy in the store.