If you have white clothes the kids still fit in but have stained beyond saving, if you can’t bear to part with certain baby outfits from your children’s wardrobe— here are some great ideas to give old clothes new life. Go a step beyond putting them out for yard sales or donating them to charities. Make them into family memories or keepsakes.
Tie Dye
Tie Dying white clothes that have been stained but still fit is a wonderful activity for the family. Make sure it’s a nice day so you can take the dye outside in case of spills. T-shirts, onesies, socks, even undies can be tie dyed into cool “new” clothes even when they are well worn.
This is an especially good idea for families with toddlers since whites never stay white for very long. So, that long stained white sweatshirt that could be a great hand-me-down if it wasn’t so obviously stained, can go on to give warmth to the next smallest child once it’s been tie dyed a cool purple or red or orange. Plus, the whole family can get together and brighten up their choice of wardrobe items.
Kid’s Quilt
If you have some basic sewing skills you can take cherished baby outfits and make a quilt for your child. Jammies, sweats, and flannels work best. Follow the same instructions for any quilt making project but use these well loved clothes as your base. What a wonderful thing to pass down to your grandchildren. A quilt made from their mommy or daddy’s pajamas and baby outfits!
Keep It Clean
Keep kids clothes clean during art time with adult polos, button downs and sweatshirts. Your old painting clothes can have new life as your kids’ art smocks. Keep their new clothes new by shielding them with old clothes.
Snugglies
Make children or grandchildren snugglies with old footie pajamas or old sweatsuits. They provide extra warmth and comfort for kids on any night. Plus they’ll love them more knowing they were made especially for them. The snuggles can give them all those extra hugs you wish you could.
Simply sew arm holes and leg holes shut, stuff with cotton stuffing and sew the neck shut. Embroider or write their name in permanent ink on the outside. If the outfit is two piece sew the two pieces together than follow the previous instructions.
The Most Obvious
The most obvious use for old clothes comes around October when the Scarecrows start showing up in yards and front porches. Simply find old jeans, chinos, flannels, sweats of all sizes and make one scarecrow or go for a family of them! Add a head made from a stuffed, ties of stocking, paint or felt facial features and a straw hat.
A great idea for Halloween is a make your own scarecrow party. Get oodles of hay and invite friends and family to bring a pair of old clothes to stuff!
If none of these ideas strike your fancy—please don’t just throw old clothes away! Give them to your local preschool for dress up, charities, women’s organizations who collect business attire for battered women going out on their own, or your local purple heart. Old clothes can bring so many wonderful gifts to people you don’t even know. Your used up sports coat may become someone’s nicest piece of clothing!