Upcycling!

I have just recently discovered this blog artsyants.blogspot.com and was excited to learn that they are having an "Upcycling" week.

I really love the idea of repurposing and reusing and quite a lot of my kid's wardrobes are "upcycled" (normally from opshop finds!)  Because I am not particularly good at the finer points of sewing (zips, facings, plackets, etc) I find upcycling a great way of not having to deal with the fiddly bits.

Probably my 2 favourite ways to upcycle are:

1. My girls are both fans of cute strappy summer sundresses (the kind with the ribbon ties on the shoulders and maximum twirl factor skirts)  When they outgrow the top bit, or the dresses get a bit too short, I cut the top bit off, turn over a casing, thread through elastic, and, ta da, one maximum twirl factor skirt and one very happy little girl who gets a few more years out of her favourites!

2.  I look out for adult summer dresses or skirts that can just be taken in at the sides and the sleeves to become lovely dresses for my tall 7 year old. 

The best thing about upcycling is that when the kids rip it, or stain it, or outgrow it, I don't feel like it is the end of the world.  I also LOVE that it is that real something-from-nothing, make-do and mend feeling!

If you are looking for books with an upcycling message I can recommend Amanda Blake Soule's and also "Craft Challenge - Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase" - and I really should hunt down some more for inspiration too!

So go on, I dare you, have an upcycling week!

Keep smiling,

Nell

p.s you may have noticed that we are fans of the unironed, slightly wrinkled look LOL but I hope you didn't notice the crumbs on the floor next to the skirt LOL