5 DIY Projects Worth Cleaning Your Closet Out For

1. Designer-Style Scarf. Take a cue from the queen of upcycled fashion, Julia Grieve of Preloved and turn those old sweaters into an envy-inducing scarf. It’s as simple as gathering a few sweaters, cutting a few rectangles and running them through the sewing machine. Don’t believe us? Julia is happy to show us how it’s done. Start now and you’ll have Christmas presents for all your friends!

2. Waxed Cotton Wraps. Here’s a project perfect for that practically new, crisp cotton blouse that’s got an ink or curry stain (you know the one). Cut out a square or rectangular piece of the shirt (avoiding the stain) using pinking shears. Place it on a covered ironing board (an old towel works well), sprinkle some shredded food-grade, natural beeswax all over, place parchment paper overtop and iron until the wax is melted and fully absorbed. Now that ruined blouse is a great way to wrap sandwiches!

3. Lavender Eye Patch. You deserve a nice way to relax, don’t you? Great. Grab an old cotton blouse or bamboo t-shirt from the closet. Cut two equal rectangles about 7″x3″, stitch them together leaving a 1″ opening. Turn it inside out (using the opening) and fill the mini-pouch with dried lavender blooms (don’t over fill) and hand stitch the opening closed. Lay back, place the pillow over your eyes and breathe deep. So easy, you can make one for everyone in your yoga class – savasana will never be the same.

4. Hot Water Bottle Sleeve. This is one for those old sweaters that you love and just can’t bear to let go of (even if you shrank it to doll size). Place your hot water bottle on top of your sweater with the neck of bottle on the neckline of the sweater. This will save you from having to hem the top opening of your finished project – if the neckline doesn’t work, flip it up so the bottle neck is at the finished bottom of the sweater. Cut out a rectangle about an inch bigger than the water bottle. Stitch the three sides leaving the neck open (you can turn the corners a little on the top for a snugger fit), flip inside out and you’re done. With this snuggly new addition, you’ll be begging for winter to arrive.

5. Knitting Project. What better way to resurrect that old sweater (you know, the one you’re holding just in case you get invited to an ugly sweater party) than to pull it apart. Snip the stitch holding the two sides of your sweater together and pull out the stitch. Now find where the knit was tied off and snip that. This is the fun part, start unraveling your sweater! Wind as you go and before you know it you’ll have a ball of yarn ready for your next knitting project. If the sweater is wool, you can also make chemical-free, felted dryer balls with it (assuming it wasn’t already shrunk).

With so many great ways to upcycle those old clothes, why let them take up space in your closet? Start clearing the clutter and get crafty. We’d love to see your creations! Be sure to share them.