Don't throw It away!

Photo: Contributed

We’ve all experienced it. You have a piece of clothing you love, and then due to use or a stain or an accident, it’s rendered unwearable. 

Toss it?

Maybe not.

Here are some creative ways to salvage your beloved fashion to see another day, while saving money and the planet. 

Is the damage fixable? 

Problems such as broken zippers or a simple tear can often be remedied by taking the item to a good seamstress, or by using fabric mending tape. 

I once ripped a huge hole in a favourite patterned silk blouse, but thankfully was able to use iron-on mending to fix it. In the past two years of wearing it, no one has ever noticed the patch job. 

Can you cut off the damage? 

Maybe you’ve irreparably torn or stained the bottom of your favourite jeans. Just cut off the legs to create jean capris or shorts. 

Ruined the sleeve of a favourite blouse? Take it to a tailor to remove the sleeves and enjoy your new sleeveless top. 

When I damaged the bottom of a silk minidress, I just cut three inches off the hem and resewed the raw edge to create a tunic.

Tie a knot in it. 

If the damage is at the hem of a loose shirt or skirt, you may be able to create a simple twist knot to hide the issue and give it a new asymmetrical form. 

Remember those patches from the '70s? 

They are back and cool as ever. Use them to cover small holes in your casual denim and jackets. Fun iron-on patches are available in fabric stores and online. 

Doesn’t fit any more? 

Are some clothes feeling too tight, or too loose? Instead of buying more, consider if items can be altered. 

Or get uber-creative and add panels to too-tight items. Simply use a seam-ripper to separate the side seams, then add an inch or two of contrasting cloth in between, like tuxedo pants. 

Pills on your favourite sweater? 

There are many de-fuzzing tools available to remove those nasty pills. My favourite is the d-fuzz-it fabric comb. It takes a bit of elbow grease, but totally worth it if you can get another season or two out of your best knitwear. 

Dye it! 

Maybe you have a dark stain on a light top. Or its colour is simply not to your liking any more. If it’s made of a natural fibre such as cotton or silk, you may be able to dye it to a new shade or darken it to hide stains. 

Michael’s craft store and Fabricland carry fabric dyes such as RIT brand that you can use in your washing machine. Just read and follow all instructions carefully. 

You can also buy fabric paint at Opus Art Supplies to add a design over the flaw. 

Beyond all hope? 

Depending on the fabric, you could use an undamaged patch to create a scarf or use the fabric for a home decor project. I’ve created pillow cases from old shirts.

Don’t overlook the man-in-your-life’s wardrobe. 

I’ve created jean shorts, tank tops and pyjamas from my husband’s discards. 

Just don’t want it any more?

Items in good condition can always be recycled by donating to a local thrift store or charity. 

Big Brothers/Big Sisters take clothing that they can convert into dollars towards their mission. Business wear in good condition is always appreciated at the Kelowna Women’s Shelter for women recovering from abusive relationships and seeking independence. 

If you’d like to recoup some of your investment on high quality items, there are options for local consigning and eBay that I’ll explore in a future column. 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.