How To Upcycle Dress Shirts Into Quality Fabric | Thrifting Tips and Tricks

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  • Опубліковано 29 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 106

  • @dellasimmelink6644
    @dellasimmelink6644 2 місяці тому +19

    Yard sales are a great place to get them for cheap. Don't worry about those who think that you are wasting anything. They can take what like from the video and leave what they don't. These are suggestions. I enjoy all your videos. Always have. Keep up the great work you do ❤

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks. You are so kind!

  • @sewkindandkrafty
    @sewkindandkrafty Місяць тому

    I am a beginner and I love your videos! You are such a great teacher! I have a button jar that was my mothers from the 70's. I have added to it over the years and it is a treasure I will display in my sewing room once completed. Thank you so much!

  • @Sue-ec6un
    @Sue-ec6un 2 місяці тому +11

    Curtain tiebacks...so many curtain tiebacks..I just love making them and using them. And that strip with the button holes...is perfect! Adjustable curtain tiebacks...lol I'll finish watching now... :)

  • @pamelaspooner7183
    @pamelaspooner7183 2 місяці тому +10

    If you are a gardener, those strips of the seams are great for tying up plants to supports, trellises, etc.

    • @mlind1131
      @mlind1131 2 місяці тому +3

      Yes! I do this with all my scraps, ripped pillowcases, old stinky t-shirts…

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @annablock8037
    @annablock8037 2 місяці тому +13

    I keep the button on my shirt cuffs and use the cuff to wrap fabric after I roll it.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @heatherannekennedy9368
    @heatherannekennedy9368 2 місяці тому +7

    I love this - such a great idea! Fabric is so expensive these days - and thrifting is more expensive than it was, but still reasonable!

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому +1

      Yes, you have to find the good deals. Some places can be quite pricey, even for second-hand

  • @rebaschweitzer8847
    @rebaschweitzer8847 2 місяці тому +7

    I like to look at the uniform tops for fun fabrics as well as huge men's shirts. Also, I am not a quilter. So finding good quality blends appeal to me for projects where those types of fabrics might be more useful than 100% cotton. Saving the label with fiber content with the fabric is very helpful especially on the bigger pieces of fabric.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

  • @emtharlan7201
    @emtharlan7201 2 місяці тому +5

    Great advice! And don't forget to check your favorite retailer's clearance sales. I wear a misses size 8 but always check the women's clearance rack. I have found some amazing fabric by buying womens' sizes.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Me too! Clearance racks are the best!

  • @patriciadavidson3328
    @patriciadavidson3328 2 місяці тому +4

    Use shirts all the time… just made a plaid quilt with blues & yellow ❤️

  • @sylviarimbergas7496
    @sylviarimbergas7496 2 місяці тому +3

    I did this with an army uniform (my relative retired) and made it into a beautiful purse and wallet.

  • @missperfect8424
    @missperfect8424 2 місяці тому +4

    I too love fabric. Hopefully when I retire I can make items to sell to supplement my income 🤞

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому +1

      great idea, I hope you can too!

  • @tammy1190
    @tammy1190 2 місяці тому +4

    Thanks for the many great ideas Jan. Love this and your storage card idea too!
    I recycle stretch shirts or bathing suits for crutch underarm covers.
    I have offended more than one person by cutting these items up. Those who don't sew just can't wrap their head around frugal recycling.

  • @donnaschindlbeck7457
    @donnaschindlbeck7457 Місяць тому

    I Love recycling shirts. I often reuse the buttons from designer shirts and make bias tape for other projects. Sometimes I can even get a complete short sleeve or sleeveless top out of one if I salvage the button placket.

  • @suefitzpatrick6803
    @suefitzpatrick6803 2 місяці тому +2

    Great idea! Thanks for the inspiration.

  • @debbiehall4155
    @debbiehall4155 2 місяці тому

    I’ve done this, it’s a great way to get good fabric for not much money. It’s a real bonus if the buttons are cute. Great tutorial.

  • @Sandrab769
    @Sandrab769 2 місяці тому +3

    I saw a hack to use the cuff to wrap cords for storage. I did that once.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @bw5762
    @bw5762 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for the tips

  • @lynnries7729
    @lynnries7729 2 місяці тому +2

    Garage sales and estate sales too! You can dye those white buttons with ink for fun art projects. I love 100% cotton and linen or a mix of both. Good tips!

    • @IndigoSew
      @IndigoSew 2 місяці тому

      Oooh! What kind of ink? I’d love to have a go at dyeing buttons.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @san5987
    @san5987 Місяць тому

    Thanks for the video. Now I know what to do with shirts that I no longer want.

  • @patbuegeler7770
    @patbuegeler7770 2 місяці тому

    ❤❤Quilters would love those small pieces.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      I'm sure they would. I don't have room to save everything. I give them away most of the time.

  • @faithwellman6272
    @faithwellman6272 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks so much - enjoyed and learned ❤

  • @Gabi-lt4mx
    @Gabi-lt4mx 2 місяці тому

    Thank you. I asked friends and family for old shirts. Always got beautiful cotton.

  • @janehargreaves3867
    @janehargreaves3867 2 місяці тому +1

    Great tips thankyou🎉

  • @cherylwright9563
    @cherylwright9563 2 місяці тому

    I never really thought about this......Hmmmmm, great idea and yes, the landfill is where many things end up. Not for me now. Thanks

  • @maryannadkins8307
    @maryannadkins8307 2 місяці тому

    I enjoyed your video!

  • @PBeeee1
    @PBeeee1 2 місяці тому +2

    A little off subject but I also browse for 'performance' items, think gore tex or rip stop nylon, that I cut up to have both material on hand for patching our own gear and to make ditty bags for hiking and camping. I don't take the best items, it seems a shame to cut them up but anything slightly worn usually has plenty of material for small items. I often gift ditty bags to fellow hikers.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      I do the same thing! :)

  • @veenapurohit9809
    @veenapurohit9809 2 місяці тому

    Wow. Ma'm you are soooooo sooo smart. I LOVE TO WATCH ALL YOUR INTERESTING,INFORMATIVE & PE....RFACT MOTIVATED BEAUTIFUL VEDIO. I WAS CONFUSED TO MAKE THE PATCH WORK ON A PAPER BUT WATCHING YOU A FEW TIMES I MADE .YOUR ARTFUL PERFACTION MAKES US BEGINNERS MOTIVATED WHO LOVE SEWING. YOU ARE ONE OF THE BESTEST BEST.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @alystodola
    @alystodola 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for this video! I had scored some linen 3xl men’s shirts at the thrift and needed help knowing how to break them down!

  • @DonnaBush-ul3gg
    @DonnaBush-ul3gg 2 місяці тому

    I recently made a memory quilt for a friend, out of his grandpa’s shirts. The only parts I didn’t use, were the collar, button placket, and cuffs! I didn’t have enough left to use for any other projects, but I will definitely start looking for more shirts to store

  • @lkhorvath4
    @lkhorvath4 2 місяці тому +3

    Jan! Love this idea. I use cuffs to give to elementary schools after I sew up the edges. A little pocket for lost teeth

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      What a fun idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @robbinthomas9
    @robbinthomas9 2 місяці тому

    I love this, so helpful! I will be using this when I make some memory quilts for my kids. Thank you for sharing your talents!

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому +1

      Thanks. You are so kind! What a fun idea.

  • @rhondabland2301
    @rhondabland2301 2 місяці тому

    You can make really cute bracelets out of the cuffs.i like your segments

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @santagreen7360
    @santagreen7360 2 місяці тому

    Thanks loved this clip

  • @dturk1385
    @dturk1385 2 місяці тому

    Great video! Thank you!❤😊

  • @rohinibhat4955
    @rohinibhat4955 2 місяці тому

    Good ideas always. Thank you!

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks. You are so kind!

  • @theresacooke1606
    @theresacooke1606 2 місяці тому

    Always love your videos!!

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks. You are so kind!

  • @gloriawoods9848
    @gloriawoods9848 2 місяці тому +3

    I put my buttons on a safety pin or in a small plastic bag to keep them together.

    • @pamboomer2387
      @pamboomer2387 2 місяці тому

      😊 I use pill containers to store my buttons too

    • @margitwes6495
      @margitwes6495 2 місяці тому

      @gloriawoods9848 Love the idea of buttons on safety pins. I have a ton of buttons(my own collection and my mother's) I need to sort to sell or give away because my kids don't sew.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      What an awesome way to keep the "same" buttons together. Love it and Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @SallySmith-r5k
    @SallySmith-r5k 2 місяці тому +1

    I usexa seam ripper to unpick the stitching on the yoke label rather than cutting it off. That way you get 2 larger yoke pieces

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @jenihansen7201
    @jenihansen7201 2 місяці тому

    THANK YOU

  • @Orolomian
    @Orolomian 2 місяці тому

    Jan, I love all your great ideas. I wanted to ask you about cutting surfaces when using a rotary cutter. Do you have a preference? And does one surface or another make a difference in the life of the blade?

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      I've done some research and here is a post and video tutorial where I talk about that. After watching this, if you still have questions, reach out to me. fibersandtwigs@gmail.com
      youmakeitsimple.com/2022/01/08/a-beginners-guide-to-rotary-cutting-helpful-tips-and-tricks/

  • @lalagamma4452
    @lalagamma4452 2 місяці тому +2

    Great idea Jan. Quote: “The world is a canvas; let your kindness paint it with love.” I bought a wedding gown for $1.50, because they had it for a while and nobody was buying it. If it didn't get purchased at that price it was going to go to the landfill. Question, how do you disassemble something like that. I want to make sure I get the most out of it. I'd love to see you disassemble a skirt too. Huge hugs. Namaste 🐞🐞🐞 Video shared.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому +1

      That a deal! If the fabric is the type that frays easily. I wouldn't disassemble it until you are going to use it on something. Then I may use a serger or zigzag stitch so it doesn't fray.

    • @lalagamma4452
      @lalagamma4452 Місяць тому

      @@JanHowell TY for responding. ☯️🐞🕉️

  • @lauriepayseur5897
    @lauriepayseur5897 2 місяці тому

    Jan I could hear the gasping in the back… ignore those and do what makes you happy. So much goes to landfills from unsold items at thrift stores every week. You do good work…

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks. You are so kind!

  • @bw5762
    @bw5762 Місяць тому

    Can you use bed sheets that is 💯 percent cotton to cut up to use to make clothes?

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Absolutely. Sheets are great

  • @rohinibhat4955
    @rohinibhat4955 2 місяці тому

    I would like to make things for babies out of the men's shirts. I worry about "no iron" treatment on them. Any thoughts?

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      I would avoid those type of shirts if using for babies.

  • @icare4bunnies
    @icare4bunnies 2 місяці тому +5

    OMG you could sell bags of cuffs, collars, trimmings! So sad watching them get tossed!! I use them all the time!

    • @RoxanneR8375
      @RoxanneR8375 2 місяці тому

      How do you use them?

    • @icare4bunnies
      @icare4bunnies 2 місяці тому +1

      @@RoxanneR8375 patchwork, designs, artwork... There are many folks who do boho, grunge, or folksy upcycles and use even the seams they have trimmed and random zippers as decoration for their creations. I love it when the trimmings are used! It's not a look everyone embraces but so much fun.

    • @RoxanneR8375
      @RoxanneR8375 2 місяці тому +1

      @@icare4bunnies It does sound like fun! Thanks for answering!

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому +1

      You have some fun ideas going! Thanks so much for sharing.

  • @nixhixx
    @nixhixx 2 місяці тому +12

    Lots of waste... and $5 is tooooooo much, I get my shirts for 99c! when you cut your buttons off (a seam ripper is a really fast way to get them off) sew them together for projects that need more than one of a kind.

    • @emtharlan7201
      @emtharlan7201 2 місяці тому +4

      I like to use buttons to store earrings. One button can hold a pair.

    • @harperreads
      @harperreads 2 місяці тому +9

      It totally depends on where you live. I was thinking $5 was a pretty good price.

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      great idea

    • @JanHowell
      @JanHowell  Місяць тому

      Thanks for sharing

  • @lindaskinner5887
    @lindaskinner5887 2 місяці тому

    Thank you for sharing a great idea. ❤