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Supplies for Upcycling
30
items All supplies I use to upcycle clothes- from no sew techniques, to making your own patches, and painting on clothes.
Sections
6
No-Sew Materials for Easy Upcycling
Making Patches
Painting on Clothes
Stamp making
Thrifted Materials
Favorite Stores for Supplies
No-Sew Materials for Easy Upcycling
No sewing machine? No problem. You can still apply patches by hand sewing, cover stains by dyeing clothes and fabric markers, and more!
The perfect starter kit for hand-sewing your own patches. Includes everything you need plus step-by-step guidance and sew-along videos. Compact and travel friendly- perfect for downtime and on the go.
My Hand Sewing Kit
Fabric markers I have used for some of my projects. Don't forget to heat set (yes markers also!)
Tulip® Fabric Markers® Fine Writers
What I use to make my cyanotypes!! Do some research before trying this method, it's a tricky process!!
Jacquard Cyanotype Component Bottle Set
I made a detailed and comprehensive guide on how to properly paint on clothes, with guided steps and helpful tips!
Upcycling Guide For Beginners
Making Patches
Tips for looking for fabric that you can paint on (I use these as patches I can sew onto shirts): - 100% cotton is best - non stretchy fabric but stiff- not to much texture, needs to be a smooth surface
Scrap Fabric
Use this iron on stabilizer to help strengthen your fabric. Perfect for DIY patches!
Iron-On Fusible Interfacing 44in x 2yd
Smaller Spray- use if it is first time trying it out
Spray N Bond Basting Adhesive Temporary Bond
BIG Basting spray- I use a 14.7oz and it lasts me a long time. Get big one only if you plan to adhere a lot
Odif USA Temporary Adhesive Basting Spray
I use a heat press (AN IRON WORKS TOO) to set the paint so it doesn't wash off!! I got mine used from a friend, try looking on FB marketplace first. There isn't a specific brand I look for, they all should serve the same purpose.
Heat Press
Use a washable pen/pencil to sketch out your designs first!
Loops & Threads™ Disappearing Ink Marking Pen
How I make my stamps!! Draw out your design and then carve it out! (very satisfying process, you can thank me later)
Incraftables Rubber Stamp Kit (5-Pack). Linoleum Block Kit ...
Painting on Clothes
Everything I use to paint on clothes. You can make your own fabric paint or buy as is.
The textile medium I use!!! I had several unused paints, so it was the perfect opportunity to create fabric paint by simply adding one key ingredient!
Golden GAC 900 Medium - 8 oz bottle
Paint I use to mix with textile medium. Nice consistency and good quality. I fear that if you use a cheap paint it might not adhere as well/start flaking on the clothes.
Liquitex BASICS™ Acrylic Paint, 4oz.
If you don't want/have the supplies to make your own fabric paint- this brand is good for starting out
Jacquard® Textile Color, 2.25oz.
I found that a flat brush works really well for painting on textiles. The quality of the brush makes a difference and it's worth it to invest in a more expensive one that a cheap one (it wont go on as smoothly)
Golden Taklon Short Handle Flat Shader Brush by Artist's ...
Round brush
Simply Simmons Short Handle Round Brush
My favorite applicator bottle that allows paint to go on smoothly and doesn't clog up as easy as the other ones I have used in the past
Squeeze Bottle with Tips
Stamp making
How to make your own stamps
Free Guide on how to Lino Print
How to Lino Print for Beginners
Starting kit I used when getting into stamp making
Incraftables Rubber Stamp Kit (5-Pack). Linoleum Block ...
Custom stamp to make my clothing labels! I uploaded a custom file of my design and they turned it into a stamp. Very useful if you have your own logo or if you made a design that you want to turn into a stamp!!
Custom Logo Stamp, Personalized Stamp, Business Stamp, Self Ink, Branding Stamp, Rubber Stamps,
Linoleum Blocks
SGHUO 8pcs 4"x6" Rubber Carving Blocks
I use an old sponge to apply paint to my stamps. Make sure to lightly dampen it first so its squishy, then add a thin even coat of paint and dab it on your stamp!
Old sponge
Use this roller to help you apply paint evenly and smoothly on stamps
Stamp Ink Brayer by Recollections
Thrifted Materials
Cheap materials you can find at thrift or reuse stores!
Keep your eye out for sample fabric at thrift or reuse stores!! They have cool patterns and designs that I like to cut into shapes and sew onto my clothes!!
Sample Fabric
Pillow cases are a great material for using as a patch to paint on- just make sure it's not TOO stretchy
Pillow Cases for Patches
Use old jeans (try to avoid jeans that still have potential to be worn) to use as patches
Old Jeans
Favorite Stores for Supplies
BAY area: Eco-friendly salvaged goods, from housewares & building materials to furniture, clothes & books. My favorite store for finding literally anything. Seriously one of the coolest stores I have ever been to.
Urban Ore
If you live in the BAY- this was my FAVORITE store to go to to get super super cheap craft supplies.. they have EVERYTHING. Check to see if your town has something like this!!
The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse: Oakland's ... - Oakland
Best store ever
Goodwill Industries International – Local Goodwills are nonprofits ...
obviously…..
Michaels Stores