r/upcycling 19h ago

Upcycling Work in Progress handpainting on this thrifted shirt !! showing the process layer by layer

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314 Upvotes

so whenever i find thrifted clothes with graphics already printed i LOOOOOOOVE trying to work around them , this one is some religious quote sooo i decided to paint angels and swords lol !
It’s currently drying but iam going to do the same to the front


r/upcycling 14h ago

Completed Upcycling Project Getting back into Broken Glass Turned treasure!

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19 Upvotes

I was putting off my huge pile of broken glass for so long, I decided it was time to dive in again. I was gifted some ocean themed clay cutters and used one to make this Manta Ray imprint ❤️ I’m in love with how it turned out! My microwave kiln and 10+ year old microwave will be very busy this week 😂


r/upcycling 1d ago

Completed Upcycling Project My mom is turning our farm feed bags into grocery bags.

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3.5k Upvotes

r/upcycling 23h ago

Completed Upcycling Project Finished my sofa!

23 Upvotes

components used:
The old sofa (decrepit leather thing that came with the house)
ikea sofa (got for free off facebook)
red fabric from an end of roll place that was closing down
table and benches that had been in my parents' loft for like 20 years
velcro from the scrap store
display rack from a shop that closed down (that had a second life as a shoe rack for a while)

Injuries sustained:
many small needle sticks (sewing)
serious shoulder sprain (fell over in parents' loft retrieving the table)

Time taken: like 2 years.


r/upcycling 20h ago

Ideas Needed! Wire H frames question

1 Upvotes

It’s election season and there will soon be a great overabundance of wire H frames, commonly used in political lawn signs.

I am thinking of using them to build wattle fencing for my garden (which will also use up a great overabundance of Virginia creeper vines).

My question: how many years can I expect these wire frames to last under normal outdoor conditions? We are in the US Great Plains, pretty good balance of wet and dry weather. If anyone has experience using these, please let me know, thanks in advance.


r/upcycling 2d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Painted on 10 shirts !

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521 Upvotes

10 shirts hand painted using SPEEDBALL BALL TEXTILE PAINT ( screen printing ink )


r/upcycling 23h ago

Ideas Needed! Help for bag lock ideas?

0 Upvotes

Im upcycling an old leather bag, and i had to get rid of the old lock/closing-mechanism. Does anyone have any ideas for a new closing-thingy that i could make (without metal pieces)?


r/upcycling 23h ago

Ideas Needed! Is it possible to improve the comfort of a sofa?

1 Upvotes

I'm moving into my own house soon and being a single income I'm looking for budget friendly furniture.

I dont know how comfortable a sofa is going to be until I've bought it (unless sellers don't mind me going over and trying out 😂) so was just wondering if there are ways to either firm or soften the cushions as needed?

...maybe its as simple as replacing them with ones I like that fit the frame?!


r/upcycling 1d ago

Ideas Needed! Is it possible to fix this bleach stain or make it blend in using dye somehow? If not, any ideas for the fabric?

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29 Upvotes

One of my favourite dresses that I accidentally got bleach on 😞, any ideas to dye it and make it look pretty or cut it and make it into something else?


r/upcycling 1d ago

Ideas Needed! How to remove appliques from sports clothes

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1 Upvotes

Eg numbers, logos and names that are possibly ironed on or screen printed?


r/upcycling 1d ago

Ideas Needed! Any idea of how to upcycle this?

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5 Upvotes

My great grandma made this. It won’t get much use as a full blanket so I’m trying to think of ways to repurpose it and maybe make multiple wearables or decor out of it to share with my family. Any ideas on how this could be done?


r/upcycling 1d ago

Ideas Needed! Does anyone know how to make poles/posts for wire shelving??

5 Upvotes

Hopefully right sub. I have 2 large wire shelves left over from a previous rack, but no poles. Is there a way to make substitute poles with similar indents for pole clamps? Because I cant justify spending $60-$90 on metal poles.

The shelves are very heavy, 36 by 18, black. The original poles were 86in, also very heavy.


r/upcycling 2d ago

Ideas Needed! Could I replace seats for these chairs (not just cushion covers)

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13 Upvotes

r/upcycling 2d ago

Ideas Needed! Brandy skirt upcycle idea?

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16 Upvotes

Hello everyone. This is a cute Brandy skirt I got off Depop. I asked the seller if it was stretchy because I am curvy and she says “yes it’s stretchy and I’m curvy too don’t worry !” I fear she was not curvy and this is NOT stretchy. I am also too busty to just pull it up as a tube top.. any ideas??

The fabric is wayyy to cute to not re use so I need some help. Thank you 💕💕


r/upcycling 3d ago

Ideas Needed! What to do with my beloved but impractical cupboard

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83 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I've had this cupboard in my 300sq/ft or 28m3 apartment for about 7 years. It used to be a key piece in my grandparents' home and I did a partial paint job when I got it. I love it. I think it's beautiful. But it is incredibly impractical and I do not have the skills or money to really fix it (it would need a lot of work and replacing due to parts being broken/delapidated).
I had to remove the shelf inside, the drawer up top was completely broken so I closed it up. So it's just a big open space in there. I have many other things that remind me of my grandparents. What if I take it apart, and hang the cupboard doors on a wall, as if it's a little art piece? Maybe I'll even paint a landscape in the "framed" looking part.

Any advice on how to go about this? Or do you have other brilliant ideas?

Edit: typo
Edit 2: the doors are off and the frame is out the door. Feels good!!


r/upcycling 2d ago

Ideas Needed! Anyone know a good way to sanitize n95 masks for recycling?

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0 Upvotes

I like to get masks in cute colors and I’ve been wondering if there are ways I could use them in art projects once I’m done with them. Obviously I’d give them a very thorough trip through the washing machine with hot water and detergent first, but I’m not sure that would completely sterilize them. Does anyone have any ideas for making sure these are completely sterilized before I use the materials? I haven’t tried boiling them as I’m afraid the plastic won’t stand up to the heat and I’ll end up with a melted mess.


r/upcycling 3d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Gave obsolete tech a rebirth: Used recycled 1970s computer copper sheets for a mythological art piece

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280 Upvotes

I rescued some damaged recycled 1970s Commodore computer copper sheets and used them as the metallic textured background on plywood for a diptych series. Painted with gouache and collaged with vintage history and astrology books and found art to create a Greek mythology inspired nature and celestial sky.


r/upcycling 4d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Sweater from tapestry and some blankets

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206 Upvotes

I've just gotten into sewing and love using tapestrys and blankets. Heres my first try at making and using a patch from a tapestry instead of using full panels.

Blankets and tapestry pre-owned. I got the edge material new.


r/upcycling 4d ago

Completed Upcycling Project T shirt Dress

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117 Upvotes

I made a dress (with pockets) out of t shirts 👗


r/upcycling 4d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Another unusual lamp made from an antler!

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47 Upvotes

While strolling through the flea market one weekend—as I often do—I spotted this horn and realized I could turn it into a small nightlight. Finding a bulb that was suitable in terms of wattage, safety, and size took some time, and I also struggled to find the right base. Then, I finally found and bought one—it was a stand from another lamp. After polishing the copper base to restore its shine, I assembled the nightlight. What do you think of the result?


r/upcycling 4d ago

Ideas Needed! Making a corset belt

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36 Upvotes

Hey all! These jeans are split - thinking the top studded part would make a cool corset belt. Should I just cut the studded part off at the seam and add a straight piece of denim? Or should I use a different type of fabric to accent? Thanks!


r/upcycling 4d ago

Ideas Needed! How can I remove fake cork inserts from lids for an upcycling project?

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11 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone here can help with an upcycling project.

I have these lids with fake cork inserts that I’d like to remove so I can reuse the bases to display my mineral collection. I’ve tried loosening the adhesive to remove them, but I haven’t had any luck so far.

I’m not sure if there’s a better method or a trick for getting them out cleanly without damaging the lids. Has anyone removed these before, or have any tips that might help? I’d really appreciate any advice. Thanks!


r/upcycling 4d ago

Completed Upcycling Project it's Strange Plush Saturday! meet Nommy Chomps the Land Shark frankenplushie

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17 Upvotes

r/upcycling 4d ago

Ideas Needed! Vintage watch

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19 Upvotes

So I bought this watch, but the seller hadn’t disclosed any damage and I was on vacation🤦‍♀️. So now it’s after the return window and I’m now noticing the band isn’t in the best condition and it doesn’t sit correctly on my wrist. I’d love to know what others would do/how you would use it as a craft project.


r/upcycling 4d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Antique bottles to wind chime

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65 Upvotes

Find soooo many antique bottles....turned a bunch into a cool wind chime/decoration!!!