Do you have a wardrobe full of clothes you no longer wear, or fabric scraps that feel too good to throw away? Upcycling is one of the best ways to transform old garments and unused textiles into something brand new, while also helping the planet. Whether you’re a dressmaker, quilter, or home furnisher, the upcycling movement is packed with creativity, resourcefulness, and eco-friendly sewing ideas.
In this blog, we’ll explore 9 inspiring blogs and websites packed with tutorials, tips and projects to inspire your next make.
Why Upcycling Matters for Sewists
Before diving into these blogs, let’s remind ourselves why upcycling is so important. Upcycling reduces waste, saves precious natural resources, lowers pollution and energy use by finding new creative uses for old items. Upcycling helps to expand the life cycle of existing items keeping them out of landfill.
Here are two organisations dedicated to reducing, re-using and recycling:
- 🌍 Environmental impact – According to Textile Exchange, most fashion and textile materials come from land, forests or fossil fuels. The organisation is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fibre and raw material production by 45% by 2030.
- 🔄 Circular economy – The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes a world where waste is eliminated and materials are continually reused. One exciting innovation? Resortecs, a company that has developed dissolvable threads, making garment recycling much easier, also offers textile waste management services for the fashion industry.
For sewists, every time you give an old fabric new life, you’re contributing to a more sustainable future.
1. Vicky Myers Creations – Denim Dreams
Vicky Myers is a passionate upcycler with tutorials ranging from patchwork to repurposed fashion. Her scrap denim quilt project is a stunning way to reuse old jeans, contrasted beautifully with vibrant orange linen. She also shares a guide to making denim tote bags – perfect for beginners.
👉 Explore Vicky’s projects: Scrap Denim Quilt Tutorial
2. Sewrendipity – Refashioning with Style
Alex of Sewrendipity is based in London and advocates for “refashioning” as a stylish, sustainable way to sew. Her blog is full of ideas on how to turn unloved clothing into fashionable, wearable pieces while reducing textile waste. She even "refashioned" a wedding dress found on eBay and turned it into a beautiful new dress for her own wedding.
3. Greyfriars and Grace – Shirts with a Second Life
Greyfriars and Grace Shirt to Stockbridge Top pattern
Fiona Alexander of Greyfriars and Grace has mastered the art of turning old cotton shirts into chic blouses and tops. Her tutorials cleverly use existing buttonholes, collars, and cuffs — eliminating tricky sewing steps! Fiona also shares transformations such as shirts to child’s trousers and jeans to dresses.
👉 Try her shirt upcycling tutorial: Work Shirt to Blouse
For similar projects, explore our cotton fabrics, perfect for everyday upcycling.
4. Sew It With Love – From 70s to Vintage Glam
Based in London, Sew It With Love offers garment upcycling classes and creative tutorials. One standout project is transforming a 70s-style dress into a 1940s-inspired tea dress — perfect if you love vintage fashion with a modern twist.
👉 Inspiration here: 70s Dress to 40s Tea Dress
Recreate your own look with our dressmaking fabrics and printed cottons.
5. Oxfam – 20 Upcycling Ideas for Old Clothes
Not just a charity shop, Oxfam also provides brilliant DIY upcycling guides. From refashioning dresses and jeans to turning t-shirts into tote bags, their ideas are simple, fun, and perfect for sewists at any skill level.
6. Pillar Box Blue – Denim Innovations
If you’ve got old jeans piling up, Pillar Box Blue is your go-to. With tutorials like 16 ways to make a denim rug, this blog is a treasure trove for quilters and home furnishers looking to recycle sturdy fabrics.
7. Upcycle My Stuff – Scrap Fabric Heaven
Dedicated entirely to upcycling, this blog is full of clever ideas for using every last scrap of fabric. Great for quilters who want to turn leftover pieces into colourful, practical creations.
👉 Don’t forget to check our fabric remnants for bargains to mix into your scrap projects.
8. Cucicucicoo – The Refashioning Specialist
Cucicucicoo has an entire section on “refashioning.” One favourite tutorial transforms an unloved pair of shorts into a stylish skirt — proof that with a little creativity, no fabric is wasted.
👉 Shop dressmaking fabrics to combine with your refashioned pieces.
9. The Sewing Directory – 10 Ways to Upcycle Clothes
Barley Massey’s guide on The Sewing Directory is packed with practical tips, from upcycling old shirts to reinventing home textiles. A must-read for sewists who want a quick burst of inspiration.
Pair with our cotton shirting fabrics for your own shirt transformations.
Where to Find Fabrics for Upcycling Projects
Don’t forget — upcycling doesn’t just mean reusing clothes. You can mix old textiles with new fabrics to create something truly unique. At Fabrics Galore, our fabric remnants are perfect for pairing with your upcycling projects.
Looking for a UK fabric shop? We deliver sustainable, high-quality fabrics across the country — from London to Leeds, Manchester to Bristol.
Share Your Makes with Us!
We love seeing what our creative sewing community is making. If you’ve transformed old textiles into something fabulous, share your upcycling projects with us at Fabrics Galore — your ideas could inspire fellow dressmakers, quilters, and home furnishers.
Final Stitch
Upcycling isn’t just about saving money or reducing waste — it’s about creativity, storytelling, and giving fabric a second life. With these 9 inspiring blogs, you’ll never run out of ideas for turning scraps, remnants, and forgotten garments into something you’ll love.
Feature Image Credit: Oxfam's Second Hand September Campaign
Authored by: Annabelle Rigg, Online and Store Manager at Fabrics Galore London
Reviewed by: Paul Johnston, Owner and Founder of Fabrics Galore London since 1992
