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Upcycle Your Closet
Learn how to make necktie wreaths, leather belt doormats, oxford shirt placemats and more from expert DIY'er, Danny Seo.
Learn how to make necktie wreaths, leather belt doormats, oxford shirt placemats and more from expert DIY'er, Danny Seo.
Necktie Wreath
Supplies: Metal wreath frame, lots of tacky neckties, and straight pins
Wrap old neckties around a cheap metal wreath frame (can be found at Michael’s) and simply pin into place. If you don’t have old neckties, you can usually find inexpensive ones at thrift stores.
Cozy Scarf-Blanket
Supplies: Scarves of about the same length, iron-on Stitch Witchery tape, iron and ironing board, large needle and yarn (for heavier weight scarf-blanket)
Modern take on quilting: If you want to make a no-sew blanket, lightweight scarves work best. Use a medium-hot iron with no steam and strips of Stitch Witchery no-sew tape to attach the scarves together. Run a strip of tape along the edge of one scarf, lay another on top, and run the iron on top. It’ll melt the tape and secure the scarves together. Repeat these steps until entire blanket is made. For a heavier weight scarf-blanket, you’ll need a large needle and yarn; just hand-stitch two scarves together at a time until you’ve created a blanket in your desired size. If you aren’t that crafty take them to a dry cleaner that can sew them for you for only a few dollars.
Sweater Chair
Supplies: Old sweater, screwdriver, scissors and a staple gun
An old cashmere or wool sweater with a hole in it doesn’t have to be thrown out or donated. Recover a dining room chair with it!
First cut the sweater apart working up the side seams and across the shoulder. Trim off the neck hole and sleeves leaving two squares of fabric slightly larger than the seat of the chair. Next, unscrew the seat cushion from the chairs. Then cover the cushions with the sweater fabric and secure the clothe edges to the underside using a staple gun. Trim any excess and reattach the cushion to the chair.
Leather-Belt Doormat
Supplies: Approximately 10-12 vintage / thrift store leather belts, leather hole puncher (from the craft store), hemp string, scissors, a large threading needle
Punch holes approximately every inch along the edge of two belts. Stitch them together using hemp string, knotting them at the beginning and end for extra reinforcement. If the belts are uneven in size, trim them along one edge with sharp scissors for a clean edge.
Sock Shoe Forms
Supplies: Old sock, scissors, safety pin, pillow stuffing
Take old sock, cut off the top of it and fill with store bought polyester fill, or stuffing from an old pillow. Fold the edges and secure safely with a large safety pin. Adorn with ribbon and add herbs or lavender for a fresh scent.
Oxford Shirt Placemats
Turn old oxfords and button down shirts into placemats. First iron them and then cut the back into squares and take to a copy shop and have them laminate, or make them into cloth napkins by cutting into uniform pieces, about 12 inches square. Leave edges frayed or sew a hem for a cleaner look.
Shoe Box Notebooks
Turn old shoe boxes into a notebooks with just some use paper. Take paper that’s only been used on one side and bind the sheets together. Cut into uniform sized rectangles and stack the pieces with the blank side up. Then punch two to three holes along one edge. Take the old shoe box and cut two pieces of cardboard the same size as the paper. Punch holes along the edge keeping them aligned with the paper holes. Place paper between the cover and bind them together using key rings. Use carpet samples, fabric, or contact paper on the cover.
Upcycling projects courtesy of Danny Seo. For more of Danny's DIY projects and upcycling webisodes, visit Michaels.com.
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