COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
How to Create an Upcycling Workflow for Unwanted Clothes
Every resale business, costume wardrobe and wardrobe clear-out produces items that will not sell or be worn as they are. Upcycling turns some of them into something new.
A workflow keeps upcycling focused, so time goes into pieces worth making.
THE WORKFLOW
Six stages.
Intake
Collect candidates from sorting: grade D items and good fabric in unpopular shapes.
Assess
Is the fabric sound, and is there enough of it for the planned piece?
Design
Choose from a small set of tested ideas: crop, patch, panel, dye or remake.
Make
Batch similar jobs, such as all cropping, to save set-up time.
Finish
Press, label and photograph the finished piece.
Record
Note time and materials to see whether each design is worth repeating.
IDEAS TO START WITH
Simple reworks.
Cropping and hemming
Shorten tops, trousers or dresses to update the shape.
Patching
Cover holes or add contrast with patches.
Panelling
Combine pieces from two garments into one.
Accessories
Turn offcuts into bags, scrunchies or headbands.
IS IT WORTH IT?
Decide per design.
Upcycling takes time, so treat each design as a small product.
- Compare the time and materials with what the piece could sell for.
- Repeat designs that work; drop those that do not.
- Use finished pieces in film costumes or styling content.
SAFETY AND CARE
Work safely.
- Use sharp tools carefully and follow instructions for dyes and adhesives.
- Clean pieces before reworking; see caring for second-hand clothes.
- Describe upcycled pieces honestly when you sell them.
NEXT STEP
Upcycling at scale?
Studios and resellers that rework clothing regularly sometimes source wholesale. Tell us what you need.
General guidance only. Follow the instructions and safety information for any tools, dyes or materials you use.