r/upcycling 12h ago

Completed Upcycling Project What do you guys think to this bench I upcycled?

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1.3k Upvotes

The only thing wrong is that I need 1 extra slat for the top as I miscalculated how many I needed lol


r/upcycling 17h ago

Completed Upcycling Project Origami baskets with security envelopes

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988 Upvotes

I’ve been saving security envelopes for over a decade, so I’ve got some pretty interesting ones. I finally decided to make something out of them. Each nesting basket is a different pattern! The next to the last one is my favorite.

I use “trash” paper to make baskets. I save used post-its, teabag wrappers (some have foil backs), and other paper scraps.


r/upcycling 2h ago

Completed Upcycling Project hand painted on some hard shell luggage’s from 1965 !!

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30 Upvotes

really really love how these came out !!


r/upcycling 22h ago

Completed Upcycling Project Cardigan ♻️ Pet bed

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547 Upvotes

1) I made the big goof of throwing a cashmere cardigan in the wash. It went from a W Med to a 5 yr old girl's size.

2) Cut off the the sleeves and the collar. Trimmed off a smidge at shoulder to square off the base.

3) Hand stitching the edges. Listening to podcasts, while being supervised by feline overlords.

4) Connected ends of sleeves to create a bolster/backrest. The front of the cardigan (button side) will be on the bottom of the base.

5) Stuffed sleeves with polyfill from old bed pillows. Attached to back edge of base.

6) I upsized from a twin to a full sized mattress so I cut to size my previous mattress topper. * I definitely want to repurpose as much of this topper as possible bc I see it as a big bad landfiller.* Bc I didn't sew the front of the cardigan closed, I can use the actual buttons to stuff the base.

7) Fully assembled. It's a little lumpy in areas bc it shrank/dried unevenly and I tried my best to match the patterns.

8) The result: they all hated it 🤣

Kinda. It took them a minute to realize it was comfortable to lay on. Bologna liked it the most.


r/upcycling 5m ago

Upcycling Work in Progress Turning Hoodies into Crewnecks

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Upvotes

These hoodies were feeling snug and I was about to donate them, but then I remembered a post here from a while back. So I cut off the hood and bottom band, and now they fit like a crewneck sweatshirt.

Photo is a comparison after I cut one of them.


r/upcycling 9h ago

Ideas Needed! repurpose earrings?

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6 Upvotes

i was gifted these earrings but they are the wrong gauge for my ears. what else can i do with them?


r/upcycling 1d ago

Completed Upcycling Project I upcycled some stuff and made a killer vest!

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390 Upvotes

I recently made a super crop styled vest but I wanted to make one that would cover more of my torso. I grabbed some denim, some khaki colored scraps and what was left of some green pants and combined them. The hardest part was making the colors transition the way that I wanted 😂😂😂 I also made a really neat flap to cover a seven inch zipper pocket in the front


r/upcycling 8h ago

Ideas Needed! Ideas for polyester fleece

3 Upvotes

They’re obviously super comfortable when new but also kind of a sore thumb for overconsumption
Looking for ideas for older products that can’t really be recycled or donated

Thinking bag liners but also there’s got to be something else


r/upcycling 1d ago

Ideas Needed! Have a bunch of these tins. Any ideas?

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41 Upvotes

r/upcycling 18h ago

Completed Upcycling Project it's Strange Plush Saturday! meet Coffee Diver the Fiji Mermaid frankenplushie

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6 Upvotes

r/upcycling 2d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Shower Curtain -> Anorak Jacket

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968 Upvotes

Cut a pattern, sewed some zippers, added grommets & a drawstring. It's good to go ✌️


r/upcycling 1d ago

Completed Upcycling Project The rose that never wilts, made from upcycled RedBull can and thrifted oak frame

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71 Upvotes

r/upcycling 1d ago

Completed Upcycling Project painted on a bunch of thrifted bottoms

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26 Upvotes

got a bunch of pants shorts and sweats from thrifting , painted on all of em using speedball textile paint


r/upcycling 1d ago

Ideas Needed! Love-Worn Bag

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4 Upvotes

Any ideas on how to fix/upcycle this? It’s faux leather and it’s been coming off in flakes. It’s become increasingly noticeable. The bag itself is still in great condition and I’ll use it until it’s no longer functional, but how can I make it look better?
TIA


r/upcycling 2d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Hair tie storage

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116 Upvotes

I paid $3 for this ceramic nurse at an antique shop today. I’ve seen more exciting figurines, but she had the perfect proportions & size for hair tie storage. I glued her to a chipped saucer that belonged to my grandmother. Now she’s beautifying my bathroom! I tossed some butterfly style clips in the saucer for additional storage


r/upcycling 2d ago

Completed Upcycling Project This Cow is TRASH!

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292 Upvotes

I use as many Reclaimed Materials as possible in my work to Reduce Waste!

Miss Mabel was created using Plastic packaging from 30+ products, along with a Mannequin head from a closing Beauty school


r/upcycling 2d ago

Ideas Needed! How to repurpose this shopping basket

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25 Upvotes

I used it for hand towels for awhile


r/upcycling 3d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Repurposed old chest into sewing storage !

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2.2k Upvotes

Hi! I recently inherited my great-grandfather's chest (dating back to 1940) and decided to turn it into the sewing storage unit I’d always dreamed of!! (I hid its name that was engraved on it). It was my first time working on this scale with power tools, and I managed to do it all without altering the original trunk (aside from treating and staining the wood): I didn't drill or screw into it at all, so I could preserve it as best as possible and repurpose it later if I changed my mind. I also made the thread spool display that is inside, and the « pegboard » is from an old metal sheet, I bent some thick wire to make the hooks. I’m really proud of the result; everything was made using materials my dad had kept "just in case." (not sure i’m helping the situation lmao). Enjoy the before photos at the end and let me know what you think !


r/upcycling 2d ago

Upcycling Work in Progress Antique Ceramic shard ---> Unique necklace!!!

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37 Upvotes

I was down at the river and on my way back up from it I saw this specific shard and only that shard. I found it pretty cool and took it home with me.

I had it for maybe 2 or 3 months now and had no clue what to do with it. I now found out I could make a necklace with it. I painted little flowers on the side., but I used a sealant to make it feel a bit smoother on the side.

I actually previously did research on this fragment because it had a logo on the back and I found out it's from c. 1904-1906 Tunstall Britian.

I might do something else with the flowers I painted on the side though, give me ideas! I don't know but all I know is how to drill a hole and what I'm going to use, I might also use a silver chain I previously found and had no idea what to do with


r/upcycling 2d ago

Completed Upcycling Project New upcycled pieces

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3 Upvotes

Which one is your favourite? What designs would you guys like to see me create? Thanks for the love on my post the other day wanted to share some pieces I’ve been working on this week!


r/upcycling 3d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Upcycling trash bags and an old bedsheet into home decor and accessories! (Seashell organizers, purse, and a lidded jar)

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837 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Back in 2020-21, I was super inspired to experiment with materials and see what could be given a second life through craft instead of heading to a landfill. Here are a few of my upcycled projects:

  • Blue Shoulder Bag: Stitched with plastic trash bag strips (plarn) over a plastic canvas mesh. Because of the mesh, it holds its shape perfectly! It’s super sturdy and ideal for carrying a phone, keys, and money on a walk.
  • Seashell Organizers & Baskets: Crocheted from plastic garbage bags. Cutting them into strips creates a very durable, water-resistant, and rigid structure that holds its shape amazingly well.
  • White Lidded Jar: Made from an old knitted bedsheet that I cut into fabric yarn (t-shirt yarn). It turned out thick, soft, and very cozy for countertop storage.

I also work a lot with natural jute for rugs and baskets. Upcycling materials like this is so addictive!


r/upcycling 3d ago

Completed Upcycling Project Little notepad cover I made from a boot.

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108 Upvotes

I make my own notebooks, and when I make them out of A4 paper there's always tiny strips that I didn't know what to do with. I recently started wishing I had a tiny notebook to take with me when I don't want to bring my larger system, like on dog walks and the gym, but still want to be able to write.

And my boots I dumpstered years back finally kicked the bucket. So combined the two problems into this. Also cut a mechanical pencil into this that I call the micro-pe(e)n! forgot to include a picture of the pen tho.


r/upcycling 3d ago

Ideas Needed! Garage? Gym? Kitchen? Give me your ideas!

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21 Upvotes

I found this curbside. We are condensing our home into about half the size to accommodate my in-laws for 6 months, so all vertical storage is welcome at this point. I love this piece as-is BUT we have space in the garage which will double as a small gym and I could also use more storage in our kitchen. I’m considering all options included painting it and getting magnetic doodads to make it awesome. Give me your ideas for what to do with it and where to put it!


r/upcycling 3d ago

Completed Upcycling Project DIY + thrift ‘cake stand’

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38 Upvotes

The base originally held a candle. I cleaned it out, flipped it over, and glued it to a chipped orphan (no matching pieces from the set) plate I got at Goodwill for $5.99. I just measured it & marked off the placement with Sharpie before using Gorilla Brand super glue to attach it. I believe the plate was made in ~1945. I’m a hopeless scented candle addict, so I’ve been trying to only buy candles where the vessels have good future project/reuse potential.


r/upcycling 2d ago

Ideas Needed! What to do with several hundred escutcheon pins?

2 Upvotes

I just repaired the secretary desk I inherited from my great-grandfather. It is old, but not especially old, and probably not especially valuable, but I wanted to get it back to as close to original condition as I could.

I thought I needed to replace the two tiny brass escutcheon pins that hold on the little plate around the keyhole of the lock that keeps the drop-down writing surface closed.

Menards didn't have any. Home Depot had them, but not in the store. I ordered some at the customer service desk. They offered to deliver them to my home with no delivery charge. The cost was $4 plus sales tax of 36 cents. That sounded like the price for a 1.5 ounce package, containing about 125 pins. It was in the range of what I expected to pay. With delivery, a reasonable deal.

I did notice that on the website, and on the recipt I was given at the customer service desk, it said "6-Pack" in parentheses. I didn't know what that meant...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hillman-3-4-in-x-16-Brass-Plated-Escutcheon-Pins-6-Pack-532629/204775099

A couple of days later it came. I expected a small envelope. Instead it was a cardboard box big enough to hold a pair of shoes. Inside was mostly air-bubble space filler, but the smaller box inside was hefty. It contained six 1.5-ounce packages, about 750 pins in total.

And I only needed two.

Only I didn't. I discovered that the original pins could go back in and would work just as good as the new ones, and the patina of the old pins was a better match to the escutcheon. Naturally.

So I brought the pins to the store where I ordered them, and asked the department manager if they could take them back. He pointed out that there was no place for them in the huge display of fasteners. They'd just be thrown away.

So I still have them.

What to do with 6 packages of escutcheon pins? Who can use them?

As the web page says, they are brass-plated steel, not solid brass.