Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose!

We all have to do a little clearing out every once in awhile when it comes to our closets. The best thing to do, of course, is to try to donate your clothing. What do you do with the stained and holey items, though? I mean, you can only have so many cleaning rags, right? Most donation centers won't accept things in questionable condition anyway.

So what to do with your old, out-of-style dress or shirt that you can't donate ... hmm. Trashing it just doesn't seem right. You did love it in a store once upon a time—picked it out above something else and added it to your closet. Repurpose!

Why not work it into your home? Well I have some ideas for you.

• Make a pillow/pillow case (if it goes with your current decor) to spruce up a couch or outdoor hangout spot. Beach or hammock pillows are comfy and adds a little somethin' somethin' for a summer party or cookout. Pillow-making instructions can be found here. (Measurements can be adjusted for your available materials).
• Placemats are an easy way to keep that favorite print that you loved to wear. All you have to do is cut square- or rectangle-shaped pieces and hem the edges! If you don't have a lot of fabric to work with, make coasters! They always seem to come in handy.
• A memo or jewelry hang board can be a way to reuse your old clothing item and get organized. All you need a s square of thick cork board, your shirt, skirt—whatever you're using—and a stapler. Lay the cork board on top of the fabric and wrap the fabric tightly around each side and staple as you go. Use thumbtacks for knobs to hang jewelry or attach your reminders. Voila! You have a stylish way to organize your life (at least part of it).
• If you still want to find a way to wear your item, you can cut it and hem it to dress up your handbag or your outfit as a neck scarf!
• One thing I always seem to be adding to my house is photos. You can remember the moment in the photograph and your old favorite t-shirt at the same time! You can use the fabric as matting for the photograph. Use a piece cut from your item to fit the frame you want to use. Use a stapler or fabric glue to tightly wrap and attach the fabric to the frame backing so it's nice and flat where it'll show in the frame. Mount the photo with double-stick tape to the fabric. You even add some trim or ribbon if you want. Put the backing into the frame and you're done! A unique photo display, with a little nostalgia and a ton of creativity!

I chose to do the photo-matting project. You can see the photos to see how I did it this time around.

I hate throwing things away—I may be a little bit of a pack-rat. So I love to repurpose when I can. Sometimes I even bring things back out and start wearing them again if I can make them new again. It might even rescue me from my shopping craving and save me some more cash!

If you have ways that you like to renew old clothes or even other things like frames, jewelry, furniture, etc., let me know about it! I'd love some fresh takes on ways to reuse!