In honor of National Sewing Month’s Reuse, Remake, Restyle Contest, Havel’s Sewing would like to highlight a few resources for ideas and inspiration. Each book offers an entire publication full of promising repurposing projects for various skill levels. For even more ideas, peruse the Flickr Group Pools to see what other sewing enthusiasts have been up to!
Get to the library to grab a copy of Generation T!
Dig through your drawers to find all your favorite old t-shirts that seem a little too outdated for everyday wear. You’ll find new uses for those vintage concert t-shirts. Packed with several projects to dress up or “upstyle” your cotton tees, Megan Nicolay even offers the humdinger of all DIY projects: a t-shirt wedding gown!
Check out t-shirt tranformations at the Generation T Flickr pool.
Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase
Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott offers many ways to repurpose pillowcases into items for your wardrobe, loved ones and home. From helpful handbags to heroes’ capes, this book will have you searching through your old linens. Most of the pillowcases featured here are pretty, but don’t rule out what you can do with those fun and funky designs that no longer have a place in your bedroom. Or, make a special trip to thrift store to find fine, lone pillowcases just asking for a makeover.
See what others have made with leftover linens at the Vintage Bed Sheet & Pillowcase Flickr pool.
Try this team's "Subversive Seamster: Transform Thrift Store Threads into Street Couture" too!
The owners of the now defunct Stitch Lounge offer several fantastic ideas on how to transform your usual wardrobe and give new lives to old clothes. Havel’s Sewing’s personal favorite is the winter hat made from an old sweater. Got an old fave that you accidentally shrunk or seems a little to young these days? Make it a happening hat!
Check out what else you can do with old sweaters at the Made from Recycled Sweaters Flickr pool.
