28 Crafts You Can Make With Old Clothes

Our secret method for saving money while crafting is using upcycled materials. More specifically? Upcycled clothes. From worn-in denim and flannel tops to cable-knit sweaters and wool socks, old clothes are fun and free materials to bring your creative projects to life. Read on to get the scoop on our top craft projects you can make using the clothes collecting dust in the back of your closet. First up? Our brilliant blue-jean wreath.

Scavenge your kids’ closets (or your own!) for old, outgrown blue jeans and craft our charming denim rosette door wreath. The familiar blue hue and classic denim fabric make this wreath an inviting focal point for your spring or summer front porch. Let your denim roses shine solo or finish off your wreath with a seasonal ribbon for a pop of contrast. Find our easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and materials list in the link below.

Treat your feline family member to an in-home retreat with this T-shirt tent project. You’ll need a plastic bin for the base, two bamboo hoops to create the tent structure and an extra-large T-shirt for the canopy. Find an extended materials and tool list — plus our step-by-step instructions — to make your cat tent in the link below.

Retire your well-worn blue jeans and add interest to your wall in one fell swoop with the help of our easy, eye-catching abstract art craft using some bleach, fabric scissors, double-sided tape and gallery frames. Click the link below to jot down the full materials list and watch a step-by-step tutorial from the Crafty Lumberjacks to transform your old jeans this weekend.

If your kids can’t get enough T-shirt projects, here’s another idea. Upcycle old tees into this modern bohemian hanging planter. Re-create this sleek design using three household items you already have on hand: a T-shirt shirt sleeve, a crochet potholder and a shampoo bottle. Follow the link below to watch our full video tutorial.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly gift for your favorite little family member — or searching for a spring craft to work on together — this no-sew sock bunny fits the bill. All you need to make this happy hopper at home is a tall (clean!) sock, a bag of rice, twine, ribbon, a fabric marker, scissors and your trusty hot glue gun. Hit the link below to find our in-depth guide and hop to crafting your sock bunny ASAP.

Don’t let your drawer of stained and tattered tees go to waste. Spend a few hours transforming your trusty tops into a T-shirt rug for your teen’s room, hall bath or back door. Gather six to eight colorful T-shirts, a flat doormat, scissors and your hot glue gun to get started, then hit the link below to follow our in-depth instructions.

Give stained, shrunken or pilled sweaters a new lease on life with our ultra-cozy sweater wreath project. All you need to re-create this snuggly accessory are old cable knits, scissors, a foam wreath form, U-pins, yarn and yarn pom-poms. Find our step-by-step guide to fashion your wintry wreath in the link below.

Revive your kids’ lackluster tops and transform tattered old tees into groovy, tie-dyed masterpieces with a little help from this family-friendly project. Follow the link below for our step-by-step dyeing guide, plus get the 411 on how to wash up like a pro with our go-to stain-removing process.

Few things bring pets more joy than the familiar scent of their owner. Create a soft, sweet and stylish landing spot for your fur babies by upcycling one of your signature sweaters. To make it, you’ll gather a long-sleeve sweater (bonus points if it matches your interior color palette!), pillow stuffing, foam, dressmaker pins, scissors, a sewing needle and thread. Follow the link below for our step-by-step instructions to get started.

Upgrade a white sweater for your upcoming holiday festivities with our simple, removable felt design. All you need to transform your top for Christmas fun is red and green felt, some fabric scissors and our step-by-step guide below.

If you don’t love the look of the tied T-shirt rug but do love the idea of adding some color underfoot, then you’re in luck, friend. Instead of tying T-shirt scraps, use our step-by-step fabric braiding tutorial to braid the cotton tees instead. It’s easier than it looks (we promise!) and adds a polished but playful touch to your kids’ bedroom, mudroom entrance or basement door.

Don’t let your well-worn leather belts collect dust in the back of your closet. Follow our lead and upcycle old leather belts or satchel straps with a piece of reclaimed wood to create a rustic floating wall shelf. Follow our video tutorial to re-create this space-saving storage in the link below.

Turn long sleeves from old sweaters and shirts into decorative boot socks. Simply cut off the sleeves, and embellish the ends (top of the socks) with some ribbon or fancy trim. Stitch them on using a machine, hand-sew, or take the easy way out and use fabric glue.

Add summery blue hues underfoot with our easy upcycled blue-jean floor mat. The bohemian texture and dimensional color lend the rug a playful, lived-in look ideal for teen bathrooms, utility spaces or dorm rooms. Find our tutorial and materials list to get started in the link below.

Add an extra-festive touch to your holiday party hostess gifts with our wintry wine sleeve craft. To make, start by felting an old cable-knit sweater sleeve and then sew the bottom to create a bag. Slide in a bottle of your go-to red into the sleeve (a classic Chianti or Barolo will never steer you astray) and tie off with a festive velvet ribbon for a pop of color and contrast.

Wrap your beloved indoor plants in an everlasting hug with cute and crafty cable-knit sweater sleeves. Pull retire-worthy sweaters in complementary tones from your drawers and use fabric scissors to cut the sleeves to length for each planter. Slide onto your vessel, leaving the raw edge flush to the table, and sew the bottom together for a full pouch.

Trim your tabletop with a forest of festive trees dressed in your happiest holiday garb. Our upcycled-sweater trees are easy to make in an afternoon and customizable using old sweaters from your closet, allowing you to choose colors and patterns that pair seamlessly with your existing holiday decor. Gather your trusty tops from Christmases of yore and find the step-by-step guide and materials list to make your trees in the link below.

Leave your mark on any wall in your house (or cubicle!) with this chic upcycled-sweater wall letter art. Re-create the oversized initial using a cardboard box then adorn your letter with yarn, sweater remnants and leftover craft supplies you have on hand.

Is your bed dressed to impress? If not, add this dashing pillow project to your to-do list, stat! All you need to whip up these crisp-and-cozy pillow covers are a few old knit sweaters, tailored button-down shirts, needle, thread and square pillow inserts. Click the link below to learn how to make these preppy pillow covers in a flash while binging HGTV this weekend.

Show your family cat how much you adore them with a decked-out DIY cat condo complete with a cozy T-shirt perch. Learn how to re-create this purr-fect, purr-worthy play center for your little tiger in the link below.

Up the ante with your autumn tablescape or bookcase decor with this cozy upcycled-sweater pumpkin craft that looks expensive but costs next to nothing to make. All you need to recreate this gorgeous gourd is a free afternoon, a tasty fall beverage, a fresh or faux pumpkin, an old sweater, fabric scissors, yarn or twine, and a marker. Hit the link below for step-by-step instructions and pro tips to make this beauty.

Cut down on plastic waste by bringing your own T-shirt (or baby onesie!) tote bags on your next grocery run. Sewing not your forte? Try our two no-sew produce bag crafts, linked below, or sharpen your needle, pull out your thread and try our sewn option instead.

Your home-cooked meals taste better when you look cute making them, right? Right. Heat up your cooking game and look good doing it donning our DIY upcycled apron. To make it, you’ll need two men’s shirts in contrasting colors, hem tape, needle and thread, scissors and an iron. And, a word to the wise? Craft a second apron for your resident sous chef while you’re at it. Click the link below to follow our in-depth instructions to craft your apron from start to finish.

Dress your cutting board for the chilly temps with this repurposed sweater sleeve. To re-create, wash your sweater in hot water and throw it into the dryer to felt the fabric. From there, use fabric scissors to cut a rectangular sleeve roomy enough to cover the board, then sew the sides and bottom to create a pocket. Add felt embellishments for the season with your hot glue gun.

Who needs a love connection when you craft your own permanent cuddle partner — who will never steal your covers! You'll need a few pieces of men’s clothing, a queen-size pillow and some basic sewing gear. Follow the link below to get the 411 for making your snuggly “Slumberjack” with an upcycled flannel to keep you cozy and warm all winter.

Earn praise for placing the prettiest presents under the tree this year with this clever upcycled-flannel gift wrap. Follow our how-to guide below to transform a dry-good container into a standout package using a festive flannel top, scissors, a glue stick, a craft knife, velvet ribbon and fresh greenery. Pro tip: Make an afternoon out of this old clothes craft and watch your go-to holiday movie — or HGTV — while making your flannel-clad gifts.

Get a head start on your Christmas countdown with our upcycled sweater advent calendar craft. This festive activity calls for a bundle of adult-sized holiday sweaters, interfacing fabric, colorful yarn, vibrant thread and our step-by-step guide, linked below. Pro tip: Pour yourself a spirited seasonal sip and throw on your go-to Christmas movie while you create your calendar for maximum holiday cheer.