Recommended for you
From outgrown onesies to beloved tiny t-shirts, your child's wardrobe holds a treasure trove of memories. Don't let those precious fabrics gather dust in a box! Instead, discover creative and heartwarming ways to give their old clothes a new lease on life.
These are the 9 coolest (and most creative) ways to repurpose worn or outgrown kids' clothing.
Turn Them Into Doll Clothes
Polesie Toys / PEXELS
If you have kids, you have dolls that are likely in dire need of clothing. Make their accessories something extra special by repurposing your kiddo’s old threads into exciting new duds for their favorite playtime pals. Only thing cuter than your babies in clothes small enough for dolls? Actual dolls.
Sew Some Stuffed Animals
Antoni Shkraba Studio / PEXELS
It can be easy to just let those cherished memories sit in a closet, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Transform your child’s beloved outgrown clothing into a precious stuffed animal like a bear or kitty cat. That’s a memory they can literally snuggle up with for years to come – and then some!
Make A Quilt
Kha Ruxury / PEXELS
Thought about picking up a new hobby lately? Put your children’s old clothing to the task and take up quilting! With quilting, you’ll be able to piece and pair swatches of material and arrange them in a way that is meaningful to you and your child. Plus, doesn’t a quilt just feel cozier when you know it's full of memories?
Put Together Pillows
Thirdman / PEXELS
Got leftover clothing after you’ve created the quilt of your dreams? That’s perfect! You can also use those items of clothing to make decorative pillows. While a quilt might stay in a bedroom, these pillows can dot locations all over the home, from the living room to the guest suite. Share the love!
Make Wall Art
Marina Podrez / PEXELS
Can’t quite bring yourself to bring the scissors towards those precious duds that once covered your little ones? That doesn’t mean you can’t still repurpose them into something splendid. Try taking your little one’s old overalls and hanging them on a curtain rod, then mounting the rod on the wall for a visually interesting piece of wall art with meaning.
Host A Clothing Swap
Julia M Cameron / PEXELS
An oldie but a goodie: when in doubt, share the wealth! Organize a clothing swap in your neighborhood or check local forums to connect with new parents. One thing all new parents have in common is a need for all the tiny clothes they can get their hands on! Help them save their pennies and give those clothes a beautiful second life.
Use Them As Gift Wrapping
Tima Miroshnichenko / PEXELS
In Japan, the custom of furoshiki has long been popular – it’s the method of tastefully wrapping gifts or packages in easily transportable (and beautifully folded) fabric pouches. Elevate the next baby shower you go to by trying out this Japanese style of packaging with some of your formerly-little one’s favorite floral prints.
Turn Them Into Reusable Bags
Miriam Alonso / PEXELS
Love the idea of making your child’s old clothes useful but dread the idea of actually giving them away as gift paper? Don’t worry, there’s another option. Use the fabric of those precious memories to craft reusable shopping bags. Go easy on the environment while carrying around a piece of memory lane everywhere you go.
Make Them Into Holiday Ornaments
Ma Boîte A Photos PEXELS
Yes, you can turn your kids' old clothing into ornaments, and I don’t mean just tossing a pair of socks on the tree and calling it a day. Boxes of plain circular ornaments are easily available at most large box stores. Cut up the old clothes in question into different shapes, arrange by color and using simple craft glue transform those plain globes into something truly one of a kind.
Subscribe to our newsletter for more sustainable DIY ideas!
