Upcycling kids' clothes: creative ways to refresh their wardrobe

by Daniel Corlett June 06, 2025

As sustainability and recycling become increasingly important in the current climate, we can no longer afford to discard perfectly good clothes.

Whether that means passing them on to loved ones, donating them to a charity shop, or upcycling them, it’s up to you. However, today we’re focusing on the latter.

Upcycling your children’s clothes is a great way to give them new life and have fun getting creative in the process. Within this blog, we’ve provided a range of great ideas to implement so you can save money and repurpose items in your child’s closet.

Do you want your child's clothes to last longer? We have a great range of designer kids' clothes at great prices, so you can get more out of your spending.

Why upcycling kids' clothes makes sense

Sometimes we search the internet for hours for an idea in our head, but we can never find it embodied.

Instead of placing this desire in the hands of clothing brands, why not bring your ideas to life with your child’s old clothes instead?

Not only does this give you creative freedom, but it also means you’re saving money, reducing consumerism, and altogether helping the planet by being more responsible.

Don’t worry; you don’t have to be an experienced fashion designer to upcycle old clothes. All you need is a sewing machine, a sewing kit, and some fun embellishments.

Simple ways to refresh kids' clothes

Most of the time, you’ll find that what you need is already in your closet; it just needs a little tweaking.

Children grow quickly, and repurposing old items to transform them into something new can save you a significant amount of time and money. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Turn dresses into tunics or tops

That old dress that now sits too high on your child? It’s a beautiful new top or tunic waiting to be designed.

With a simple adjustment, you can turn a short- or mid-length top into a stylish or graphic t-shirt for your child. Place the item on your child to determine where the new hemline should be.

Then, complete the following:

Lay the dress on a flat table.
Measure and cut about 1 inch below your marked line.
Fold the cut edge twice under, hiding any raw edges, and pin it in place.
Use a sewing machine to add your new hem, or iron on hemming tape for a quick and easy finish.

Depending on the style of the dress, you could get a new blouse, shirt, or jumper out of it. If your child has a long dress they no longer wear, you could split this in half, turning it into a top and maxi skirt co-ord.

This is perfect for getting more wear out of a dress that no longer reaches your child's ankles.

2. Transform trousers into shorts

Does your child have a pair of jeans or trousers that has become too short on the legs? If so, turn them into a great pair of shorts for the summer.

Not only is this a fairly quick and easy process, but it’s ideal if you’re running low on money and need to transition your kids' wardrobe from winter to spring. All you need to do is measure where to cut for the desired length and create a simple hem.

Here’s some guidance to get you started:

Have your child put the trousers on and mark the length for the new shorts.
Lay the trousers flat, and cut evenly across both legs.
Fold the edges under twice (about half an inch each time) and pin.
Stitch along the fold to create a neat new hem.
Leave the raw edge exposed and sew around it to prevent fraying.

3. Add decorative patches and embroidery

Perhaps your child's clothes still fit perfectly, but something just feels… off. Basics are essential for every wardrobe, but the issue arises when there are too many.

Sometimes, a simple emblem or pattern can really elevate the outfit; that’s where decorative patches and embroidery come in. Fish out a plain top or jumper from your child's closet, purchase some fun patches online, and iron or sew them on!

The best part is that you can add as many or as few as you want. You could even get some coloured embroidery thread and sew in some inspiring quotes or patterns, depending on your skill set.

4. Swap buttons and zips

Often, many people throw out clothes because the fasteners have broken, but this is easily fixed.

Swapping out old buttons or zips for new ones can breathe new life into your garments, reducing unnecessary waste. You can purchase these from any craft shop or online, with many simple or decorative options to choose from.

All you need to do is:

Remove old buttons or zips with a seam ripper or a small pair of scissors.
Thread a needle with strong thread, knot the end, and sew the new buttons securely in place.
Unpick any broken zips, pin the replacement in place, and sew in using a zipper foot on your sewing machine.

5. Add fabric paint or tie-dye

What better way to turn your child’s old clothes into something fresh and unique than with paint and tie-dye?

Children love to get messy and creative, and this is a great way to involve them in the upcycling process while creating a fun activity for them to enjoy. They can draw stars, rainbows, and easy shapes on their clothes with fabric paint!

Just lay the garment on a piece of cardboard to avoid ruining your furniture. To create a tie-dye pattern, follow our easy steps:

Choose a plain cotton t-shirt and wash it first, leaving it slightly damp for the paint.
Select a pattern: spiral (pinch the centre and twist into a flat disc), stripes (fold the shirt like an accordion) or bullseye (pinch the middle, pull upward and band at intervals).
Wrap rubber bands around the fabric sections to hold your folds in place.
Apply the dye with squeeze bottles.
Place the T-shirt in a plastic bag or wrap it with cling film to keep it moist.
Allow the dye to set for 6-8 hours, then remove the rubber bands and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.

Creative upcycling projects

If you’re looking for ways to turn your child’s clothes into something other than a new garment, then look no further.

We’ve included some great ideas below, so your child’s old clothes don’t go to waste.

6. Create hairbands and scrunchies

Accessories elevate any outfit, and bobbles and hairbands are always needed; no child wants their hair in their face while playing.

So, what better way to create a beautiful and unique scrunchie or hairband than to use an old top for the design? High-quality cottons, silks, and soft jerseys are best, as these fabrics are soft and gentle on hair.

Simply cut the old piece of clothing up and use some of the off-cuts for the accessory. Opt for bold patterns for a statement piece. Here’s how to create each one:

Hairband

Cut a strip of fabric 20cm wide and 50-60cm long (depending on head size).
To create a tube, fold the fabric lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the long edge.
Turn the fabric right side out and press flat.
Insert a piece of elastic that is 10–15 cm shorter than the length of the fabric.
Secure the ends and stitch the hairband closed.

Scrunchie

Cut a piece of fabric that is about 45 cm long and 10 cm wide.
Fold lengthways, pressing the right sides together, and sew the long edge.
Turn the right side out and thread a 20cm length of elastic through the tube.
Tie or stitch the elastic, tuck the ends in, and sew the opening closed.

7. Design a memory quilt

As your child grows, you’ll wish that you had a collection of their old clothes and items to look back on.

Instead of keeping a box of their clothes to be stashed away and collect dust, why not design a memory quilt? You can gift this to your child as they get older, memorialising their childhood in a beautiful way.

To create this, follow these easy steps:

Select 10 to 20 items with varying textures, colours, or prints.
Cut each item into squares or rectangles (around 20 cm by 20 cm).
Arrange the squares into a design you like, balancing colours and patterns.
Stitch the squares together row by row to create your quilt top.
Add a backing fabric and insert soft quilt batting for warmth.
Stitch through all layers to secure them together, then finish by binding the edges.

8. Turn them into dolls’ clothing

Does your child love dolls? Buying clothes for their dolls can be just as expensive as buying clothes for your child; reusing their old garments is a great way to overcome this issue.

You can use small scraps of your child’s old clothes to design miniature outfits for their dolls and teddies. Your kids will be delighted to see their own clothes on their toys, and it’s a great way to teach them to be creative and sustainable.

Here’s how to make a doll’s clothes in a few simple steps:

Use existing doll clothes as a size template.
Cut fabric pieces with a small seam allowance (approximately 1 cm).
Sew pieces together by hand or with a machine.
Use simple closures, such as press studs or Velcro, for easy dressing.
Embellish the items with leftover ribbons, bows, or buttons for extra detail.

Shop smarter for the future with Village Kids

By investing in longer-lasting, high-quality designer pieces, you can get more out of your child’s wardrobe, reducing long-term spending and promoting more eco-friendly consumerism.

At Village Kids, we offer a wide selection of designer children's clothing from renowned brands such as Boss and Ralph Lauren. However, that’s not all; many of our items are sold for less than you’d pay on the high street.

Say goodbye to buying endless replacements today, and hello to kids' clothes you can rely on.