to think that "upcycling vintage fabric"

[purplepidjin]

basically means "buying stuff in the charity shop and turning it into something else"??

I just got a bright pink double sheet, and will be using it to line a toddler dress. It's a gorgeous colour, and far less faff to trawl the 4-5 local charity shops than faff into town to get to the proper fabric shop (which I also use). I'm planning on selling the dress as I'm trying to start my own business.

Having done my market research browsed lots of websites (not on here) lots of brands claim to be eco-friendly because they upcycle vintage fabric. AIBU to think I'm doing the same?

I probably am, there's most likely a whole ungooglable source of eco-friendly, biodiversely farmed, herbally dyed in pretty colours, fairly traded, organic cotton/hemp/bamboo at reasonable prices that I simply can't find

YANBU, that's what I take it to mean!

well... no YANBU but the phrases 'upcycling' and 'downcycling' are useful as a lot of 'recycling' is actually 'downcycling' - things becoming lower value and lower quality through their lifespan and 'upcycling' is a much better thing to do - the difference between you making that sheet into a lovely dress, or somebody else cutting it up for dusters.

What a great idea. YANBU, obviously :)

I've bought new size 22 brushed cotton pyjama pants before to use as lining because it was cheaper than just buying fabric. Is there a word for when you buy something new and then turn it into something else?

haha, I was fully prepared for a pasting on here, thanks!

I now have one turquoise corduroy dress with stripy lining won in an auction for Count the Kicks, and one with a pink lining for sale. Now to tackle the bandana bib for the SANDS auction and make a few to sell.

Hmm, wonder why I don't make much profit yet

Ooh, Karstan, I did that! Gorgeous pink ones with butterflies on. Mine were another charity shop bargaing though...

I think it's just recycling?

Karstan - I think it's called dressmaking

Dressmaking surely is taking fabric and turning it into something else, I was just pondering if there was a word for cutting up brand new items of clothing because it was more economical than buying the fabric alone. Maybe I need to invent a word

sounds lovely but could you actually turn a profit doing this?

I'm going to point this out to my mum who has recently taken up dressmaking after a 20 year gap and she can't belive the price of fabric! Neither of us had considered "upcycling" from charity shops

Jasper, it adds about 30% to the price of the item, which is why I was sceptical! Lesson learned, I shall make sure I advertise my "upcycling" skills accordingly

I bought a double fitted sheet for £2.50 - 2m of fabric with a bit of unpicking. Polycotton in my local shop is £2.99 per m...

It's a great idea but with two young kids and a part time job I find it much easier to shop online than in charity shops. Less satisfying though :(

I work shifts which gives me handy weekdays to shop, have no kids to get in the way of sewing, and don't trust buying fabric online in case I get it wrong!

I also read a few threads on here where parents wanted plain bright colours in practical styles (disclaimer, they were threads started by other people, I lurk but don't contribute )

I bought some wonderful unused 70s bedsheets at a car boot sale a few years with the idea of making them into something new. It's a fabulous idea.

Ooh, what did you/will you make, bodyof?

I've no idea!!! I just liked the material. I've never made anything before.

I love how this AIBU post has become a Craft thread by stealth!

BodyOf, polycotton makes good kids dresses, rompers for babies, possibly curtains for a small window although you'll get sun bleaching after a few years

Reshape, I'm not very good at BU I tend to maintain my sense of humour and repel buns

That's a bit ambitious for me. I was thinking more of a tablecloth

See, I'd have no use for a tablecloth. A throw for the sofa would be nice? Actually, my sofas are currently covered with cheap primark curtains, no sewing required, with kingsized flat sheets on the backs...

Don't repel buns, eat them

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm buns. Chocolate eclairs, currant, cupcakes...

Can you tell I'm stuck at work and forgot my lunch?! On the plus side it's a quiet day so I've made fluffy baby bootees

I am staying true to my name, and doing bugger all productive