Before you throw your unwanted clothes in the charity bins, STOP!!! Read these 4 ways on how you can revamp some key clothing pieces to make them wearable, on-trend again and be sustainable!
You may have seen these DIY Fashion trends on Instagram or Tik Tok and need some help creating your own. Below are the Top 4 on-trend ways to upcycle your clothing with basic skills and some quick tutorials on how you can make your own.
1| PAINT YOUR DENIM JEANS
Handpainted art Denim Jeans
You do not have to be a talented painter or artist to paint your old denim fashion pieces. Simple patterns, objects or pictures can be the most effective design in the end.
HOW TO PAINT YOUR DENIM JEANS INSTRUCTIONS
SUPPLIES- Denim Fashion Pieces (Jeans, Shorts, Jackets, Crops Bags etc)
- Acrylic Paint, Fabric Paint or Fabric Markers
- Fabric medium if you are using acrylic paint
- Paintbrush & clean water cup
- Pencil
- Sticky Tape
- Imagination
TUTORIAL
1| To paint only on selected areas, use sticky tape to mask around the denim area so you stay inside the selected painted section and create a clean edge. So if it is a pocket, stick tape around the pocket edge. If this is not needed then skip this step.
2| Place a plastic bag or thick cardboard on the inside of the jeans behind the selected painted area. This is so no paint soaks through to the other side of the denim.
3| Decide on a look or a pattern you would like to paint.
3| Decide on a look or a pattern you would like to paint.
For inspiration, you can look here
4| Draw your design onto the denim with a lead pencil.
5| Paint the design on the denim in white first. This will create a base colour so your paint stays vibrate and true to form.
4| Draw your design onto the denim with a lead pencil.
5| Paint the design on the denim in white first. This will create a base colour so your paint stays vibrate and true to form.
6| You can now start painting your colours. The paint will absorb into the jean fabric so you may need to do a few layers of paint depending on what colours & paint brand you use. Let each colour dry before starting on another colour.
TIP Always start with the lightest colour paint first and clean the brush fully before moving on to the next colour.
7| Let the design dry in the sun.
I recommend handwashing handpainted denim clothing on a delicate wash and do not put it into the clothes dryer, the heat can make the paint crack if you have painted a thick layer.
7| Let the design dry in the sun.
I recommend handwashing handpainted denim clothing on a delicate wash and do not put it into the clothes dryer, the heat can make the paint crack if you have painted a thick layer.
ARTISTS TO BUY FROM, FOLLOW AND INSPIRE YOU
Handpainted Daisy Flower Denim Jeans
90's Star and Moon Handpainted Vintage Denim Jeans
RELATED: HOW TO DRAW ON DENIM THE EASY WAY
RELATED: HOW TO STENCIL ON CLOTHING
2| CUSTOM BLEACH YOUR JEANS
Swirl Bleach custom flared jeans
Bleaching old jeans at the moment is huge! You can create lots of different designs or patterns which makes experimenting with bleach & jeans very rewarding and extra cool.
HOW TO BLEACH YOUR JEANS INSTRUCTIONS
SUPPLIES
- Old Denim fashion pieces
- Bleach or Bleach Pen
- Gloves
- Ventilated space
- Tape/plastic
- Spray bottle or Paint Brush
1| Find a design you would like to try. Once you have the style, mark off any sections you do not want the bleach to go with tape, or large sections use plastic garbage bags taped down.
An example how to tape is HERE
2| Paint or spray the bleach directly onto the jeans, and leave for as long as you like. Different denim will end in different results so keep a watch on the denim and the shade you want.
2| Paint or spray the bleach directly onto the jeans, and leave for as long as you like. Different denim will end in different results so keep a watch on the denim and the shade you want.
For example, Wet Bleach for 1 hour will make a slightly lighter shade.
1 day may pull most of the jean colour out making it nearly white in the sprayed areas.
3| Rince & wash your jeans and let them try before wearing
3| Rince & wash your jeans and let them try before wearing
Bleach can be a dangerous chemical, so work in a well-ventilated space while protecting your skin and eyes. Always wear gloves and mark any containers or bottles you use with a marker "BLEACH" so no one will ever use the bottle for non-bleach use.
ARTISTS TO BUY FROM, FOLLOW AND INSPIRE YOU
Alphabet Soup Bleach custom jeans
Swirl Bleach custom jeans
RELATED: HOW TO 2 TONE BLEACH YOUR JEANS
RELATED: HOW TO STENCIL ON DENIM JEANS
RELATED: HOW TO BLEACH A PATTERN ON DENIM
Remember when bleaching black fabrics, the end result will go a rust-orange colour, not white. Standard Blue jeans will go to white.
For inspiration, you can look here
3| PAINT YOUR OLD BOOTS
Retro Bolt Handpainted Boots
Art on Boots has been seen on Designer Fashion Runways to some of the coolest Music Festivals on earth and there is no reason why you can not create your own pair. With a little flair and creativity, you will be strutting in them before you know it.
HOW TO PAINT YOUR WINTER BOOTS INSTRUCTIONS
SUPPLIES- Boots (leather, Vinyl or canvas)
- Acrylic Paint or Leather Paint for long-lasting regular wear
- Paintbrush & clean water cup
- Pencil
- Imagination
1| Firstly decide on a look or pattern you would like to paint on.
For inspiration, you can look here
2| Clean your boots from any dirt, oil or grease. If you can not remove all the oil/grease, you can lightly sand the area you will be painting on. Do not sand the whole boot as it will look scuffed.
3| Sketch your design on a piece of paper and carefully redraw in lead or white pencil onto the boot. This will create a guide for you to paint on the boot.
4| Paint directly onto the shoe in thin layers, letting each layer dry fully before doing the next layer. It will depend on the quality of your paint on how many layers you will need to do.
2| Clean your boots from any dirt, oil or grease. If you can not remove all the oil/grease, you can lightly sand the area you will be painting on. Do not sand the whole boot as it will look scuffed.
3| Sketch your design on a piece of paper and carefully redraw in lead or white pencil onto the boot. This will create a guide for you to paint on the boot.
4| Paint directly onto the shoe in thin layers, letting each layer dry fully before doing the next layer. It will depend on the quality of your paint on how many layers you will need to do.
ARTISTS TO BUY FROM, FOLLOW AND INSPIRE YOU
Solid Block Colour Handpainted Boots
Cloud Face Handpainted Boots
4| TIE-DYE YOUR OLD CLOTHING
Pastel tie-dyed sweatshirt, shorts & socks
Lots of major brands are using traditional tie-dying techniques in their latest collections this season, so why not create your own versions with an old t-shirt, sweat tops or any wardrobe piece you think might look great having a hippy vibe feel. This works with your summer and winter fashion pieces.
You may have seen influencers wearing a modern tie-dye style on Instagram and Tik Tok and wanted to make your own, learn how-to below.
HOW TO TIE-DYE YOUR OLD CLOTHING INSTRUCTIONS
SUPPLIES
- Piece of Clothing, cotton is best (t-shirt, track top, shirt, jogging pants, hoodie etc)
- Elastic bands
- Gloves & Mask
- Fabric Dye or Bleach
- Spray bottle or squeeze bottle
TUTORIAL
1| With your elastic rubber bands, you can create different patterns and designs. This technique is a great one to try on all clothing and has amazing fashionable results. Gather your clothing piece together and tie your rubber bands around. Full Guide HERE
2| Next either drip or spray fabric dye from a bottle onto the fabric over an old plastic tub/bowl. Follow the fabric dye brand's own instructions on how to mix the dye.
To bleach tie dye, place the bleach into a little spray bottle and spray randomly outside in the fresh air on some plastic or a surface that can be damaged by bleach.
3| Let the clothing sit for 10 mins, an hour to a day, and then take all the rubber bands off, rinse, then wash and wear! Keep an eye on your clothing to see when you need to wash out, all fabrics take dye and bleach differently.
ARTISTS TO BUY FROM, FOLLOW AND INSPIRE YOU
Adorable Purple Sweats by @Colourfulrebel on Instagram
Oversize Star Sun Tie-Dyed T-Shirt
by @bebeh.lK on Instagram
TIP: Always wear gloves when working with bleach and dye, Write on the bottle with a marker "BLEACH" so no one will ever use the bottle for non-bleach use.
Remember when bleaching black fabrics, the end result will go a rust-orange colour, not white.
For inspiration, you can look here
So what are you waiting for? Grab the clothes shoved in the corner of your wardrobe you never wear and start creating your new on-trend fashion pieces at a fraction of the cost of new pieces.
What fabric piece of clothing do you want to revamp and wear again?
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