Sustainable Style: Our Favorite Patterns For Upcycling
Upcycle Tips from an SMD Pattern Tester:
Hi, I’m Sammy! I started sewing about 3 years ago and I have been testing for Samantha Marie Design for most of that time as well!! One of my favorite things to do as a seamstress is to upcycle old and thrifted clothing into new pieces. It’s a fun way to be more sustainable with fashion!! Especially with kids since they are outgrowing their clothes so quickly.
I really got into upcycling about 2 years ago when my grandma passed away. She had a love for fashion and had so many fun clothing pieces!! I thought it would be so special to turn some of my favorite items of her clothing into new clothes for my kids and other family member's kids, too!
Some of my favorite patterns to use for my upcycles are Magnolia, Camellia/Azalea (depending on fabric), Olive, Knox, Wren, Terran, Breeze, Hazel, Upton, Nirvana, Winter (especially for upcycled sweatshirts!!), Cedar, Indigo, Laurel, and Denali!
I know that is a lot of patterns- but truthfully, you could use just about any pattern to upcycle!! I usually like to try to use a Large-XL shirt but it will really depend on what you are making and what size you are remaking it into.
Use those creative minds and some old tees you have laying around and get to upcycling!! Don’t forget to share your makes in the Samantha Marie Design VIP group so we can all swoon over your beautiful makes 💗
Pictured is Magnolia from one of my grandmas old shirts
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-Samantha Rose Potter is an SMD Pattern Testers and Owner of WNKS Tutorials
Ideas for sourcing materials to upcycle
•Ask friends and family for old clothes, sheets, tablecloths, ect. that they are planning to throw away.
•Raid your own closets for old blankets, baby blankets, old t-shirts, ect.
•Goodwill or other thrift stores are often a good place to source clothes and linens.
•Save any fabric scraps for future projects.
•Look for deadstock fabric stores in your community.
SMD has some fun accessory patterns that can be a good way to use up some fabric scraps:
