Exciting DIY projects to try with old clothes

by Judy Szablak 11/26/2023

Person measuring cloth

Do you have old clothes and fabrics taking up space at home? When donation isn’t an option, DIY projects with old clothes are a great way to bring new life to these materials. From home decor to dog toys, there are countless options for repurposing your old clothes.

Accent wall with fabric picture frame centerpiece

Really make your accent wall stand out with a beautiful fabric picture frame. Consider using old shirts with fun patterns on your frame to contrast the wall. For example, you could use a bright floral print t-shirt to bring some color and energy to a dark wall. 

Throw pillows from an old tote bag

Before you head to the store for new throw pillows, consider making your own from old tote bags. Many tote bags are made from canvas material, which is sturdy and stylish. Other materials like cotton, linen or denim also make excellent pillowcases.  

DIY dog corner complete with dog toys

Denim is a fantastic material for crafting DIY dog toys. Denim is durable, so it makes for a good chew toy. Create a fun bone shaped toy by outlining the shape onto two pieces of denim and cutting out the pattern to sew together. Remember to supervise your pet when giving them a new toy.

Fabric scraps for paint job cleanups

If you intend to paint your interior walls or working on an art project, fabric scraps can be helpful. Fabric scraps can soak up extra paint quickly and help in the cleanup process. Rather than buy shop rags or waste paper towels, put your old clothes to use in your other home improvement tasks.

Other home decor ideas using a sewing machine

If you have a sewing machine, you can combine old fabrics into a blanket. Blankets make for wonderful gifts as they can be put to use daily or used for decor. 

If you have a bunch of old clothes and fabrics, donating them can help others get much needed resources and helps to ensure the items are put to good use. Any leftover fabrics can be used around the home for your next DIY projects. Using old clothes and fabrics saves money and helps you to live a more sustainable life. 

About the Author
Author

Judy Szablak

With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.

She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.

 Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”

 Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com