I’ve been watching Facebook reels and YouTube videos of upcyclers who are buying clothes or quilts from resale shops and estate sales to remake. I love watching these videos but all of the presenters are young people, more than half my age and my size. I want to see someone old like me, remaking clothes I would actually wear in public.

I was inspired to start upcycling my closet. Picking through the clothes that I don’t wear for one reason or another and trying to fix them so I’ll want to wear them.

I started with some material my daughter-in-law gave me. I added pockets and elastic for a quick, summer-weight skirt. Next, I cut the hem off a skirt that is too long without heels which I no longer wear, and used the material to add pockets. I had to rip out the side seams to sew in the pockets.

My next project, a new bodice for a dress plus adding pockets. I used a sleeveless top I like to make a pattern sketching it out on old newspaper. I used the pattern for the new bodice and I also cut out a summer tunic.

Adding pockets and making things fit me better, even changing the style is an important part of reusing what I already have.

In this last skirt I will share today, I cut off the hem because it was too long without heels and I am at the age of let’s be comfortable not ain’t I pretty. I used the hem to make pockets and voila, I breathed new life into outfits I had stopped wearing.

If you’re interested, I will share how I created patterns from old clothes! And maybe a few tricks I learned working at the sewing room.

In today’s economy, it’s great to find a new use for old things whether it’s clothes or furniture or some other great finds. It’s also good for the planet, reusing products means we’re putting less in landfills!