Upcycled Textile Accessories: A Creative and Sustainable Approach
Upcycling is the act of transforming something from its intended use into something else. In a world full of mass-produced fashion, there’s something special about making your own accessories—pieces that are unique, personal, and created with care. And what if the way in which you create also takes care of you? Bringing a mindset of curiosity over forcing an outcome? In my Upcycled Textile Accessories workshop, we explore how to transform fabric scraps into wearable art using slow stitching techniques fused with playful creative exploration that focuses on process over end product.
What to do with all the scraps?
I facilitate a lot of creative workshops and I’m often left with piles of fabric scraps at the end. The idea of throwing them away conjures an overwhelming feeling of guilt towards this beautiful planet I live on and I know these scraps still hold so much potential. Over the years, I’ve found ways to repurpose them—using scraps as stuffing for soft sculptures, elements in visible mending, or materials for handmade accessories. Some of the fabric I work with is over a decade old! So I wanted to share this process with my local community because many of us value sustainability, creativity, and the uniqueness of handmade items over mass-produced ones.
How It All Started
I first began making upcycled textile accessories while working at a disability day service. We had a project to reuse denim and create accessories for a fashion show. I had made stitched patches before, but I needed to simplify my approach to suit the needs of our group. That’s how I discovered the process I now use and teach—one that’s accessible, flexible, and honestly works well for most people. To begin we focused mainly on gluing down embellishments but I also found that quite a few participants took naturally to stitching and really enjoyed the delicate and detailed process. Soon we were making denim hand bags, belts, earrings, bracelets, rings, hair clips and personalised patches. It was so fun and playful, each week we found a new way to use demin for personal expression.
The History of Upcycling and Slow Stitching
Upcycling in fashion has roots that stretch far back in history. Before mass production, people regularly repurposed old garments, transforming them into new clothing, quilts, or household items. During times of scarcity, such as wartime rationing, mending and repurposing textiles became a necessity. Visible mending—a practice that embraces creative repair rather than hiding it—has been seen in Japanese boro textiles and Indian kantha stitching traditions, both of which give fabric a second life while celebrating its history.
Slow stitching, a mindful hand-sewing practice, encourages patience, creativity, and a connection to the materials we work with. We make the most of what we’ve got. It’s the opposite of fast fashion, which prioritizes immediacy and replication; slow stitching allows for an intentional, meditative approach to making. It helps us slow down, notice and experience the process through our senses.
The Mindfulness of Making
Crafting with intention can be deeply soothing. The rhythmic nature of stitching, the sensory experience of handling fabric, and the focus required to layer and arrange materials all contribute to a calming, meditative state. Creating something with your hands engages the senses, inviting connection to the body and grounding you in the present moment. The process of making—rather than just the finished product—can offer joy, relaxation, and a sense of accomplishment and it can offer a space for quiet self reflection.
What you need
Below is a list of some items you’ll want to gather for creating your accessories. Glue and buttons are optional but can be a nice option for added extra embellishments that will be hard to stitch on.
But first, let’s play!
Before we even attempt our accessory lets play! Just like working out at the gym, it’s so important to warm up before launching into an art and craft project. So here’s a quick tutorial on how to make a fabric flower out of scrap pieces of fabic. I’ve added a little twist to this process by adding in some scrap tassle too. These are optional but I love to add a tail to most things I make; tails make me feel curious.
Make a Simple 4-Petal Fabric Flower
Cut Out Circles
Cut out 2 fabric circles the same size.Make Petals
Cut each circle in half—this gives you 4 semi-circles (your petals).Thread the Petals
Thread a needle with embroidery thread and stitch along the straight edge of each petal, one by one. Push each petal down toward the knot to gather and bunch the fabric.Form the Flower
Once all petals are gathered, you’ll see a flower shape form. Stitch the first and last petals together to make a closed loop.Finish
Add a few extra stitches to secure the shape and tie off the thread. Your flower is ready!
Creating Upcycled Textile Accessories
It’s always hard to know where to start when you there is no plan. As this is a intuitive process, I offer some ideas of how to start and some methods to start bringing things together. Here’s an overview:
Start Small – Keep your project palm-sized. Large projects can feel overwhelming, and small-scale pieces are more likely to be finished and enjoyed.
Find Your Materials – You don’t need to buy new fabric! Source scraps from your own worn-out clothes, old linens, or places that recycle fabric.
Choose a Foundation Piece – This is your base fabric, the biggest piece in your composition. From there, build up by selecting smaller pieces that complement it.
Follow Your Intuition – Let color, texture, and shape guide you. Lay out your materials like a mini collage and experiment with different arrangements before committing.
Take Photos of Your Layouts – This helps you step back and see what works. Which arrangement feels the most balanced or exciting to you?
Keep It Playful – Don’t overthink it. Let your piece evolve naturally. Mistakes can become unexpected design elements!
Absolutely unique. Examples of upcycled textile accessories I’ve crafted.
Things to notice in your process:
Making it too complex – Keep your designs simple, especially if you’re new to slow stitching.
Overloading with too many elements – I love the maximalist approach! However, to start focus on a few key textures or colors rather than overwhelming the design. Layering fabrics will build up thickness quickly, and make it hard to stitch through. If you are finding it too thick but you love your design, just use craft glue to stick it together.
Being too rigid – Creativity thrives in exploration. Allow yourself to make changes as you go. Let yourself have fun!
Let’s begin
Try this method to get you started:
Choose Three Pieces – Pick one large, one medium, and one small piece. They can be different in shape, color, and texture.
Play with Arrangement – Move them around, noticing symmetry, angles, negative space, and overall balance.
Capture Your Options – Take photos of different layouts.
4. Pick Your Favorite Composition – Choose the one that speaks to you.
5. Secure Your Design – Start stitching or gluing, and enjoy the process of bringing your vision to life!
Stitchin’ inspiration
Running stitch is one of the simplest hand-sewing stitches—it's made by passing the needle in and out of the fabric at an even distance to create a dashed line. It’s often used for joining fabric, gathering, or decorative purposes in slow stitching and visible mending. See image on right for different ways you can apply running stitch to create a variety of patterns. I’m sure you can come up with some of you own too!
Check out my blog One stitch at a time: Slow Stitching for well-being for more slow stitching inspiration.
Finishing & Using Your Creation
Once you're happy with your stitched or glued piece, you can:
Attach a badge back to turn it into a wearable pin.
Use it as a patch to decorate a bag, jacket, or jeans.
Add a loop to turn it into a pendant for a necklace.
Create statement earrings by attaching jump rings.
Sew it onto a band or cord to make a bracelet or headband.
Get creative with how you wear or share your creation—it’s entirely up to you!
How did you go?
Enjoy the journey of creating! Upcycling allows us to reimagine materials, tell new stories through textiles, and craft with sustainability in mind. Have fun, experiment, and embrace the uniqueness of handmade accessories.
I can’t wait to see what you create! Tag me on Instagram
About Me:
If we haven’t met, I’m Mary-Helen, a transpersonal art therapist and artist, passionate about equipping others with tools for self-expression and self-discovery. Through my work, I aim to help people tap into their creative flow, break free from perfectionism, and embrace the process of making art as a way to reconnect with themselves. Most of my artistic journey has been self-taught, and in the last couple of years, I’ve further honed my skills with a Visual Arts Diploma at TAFE, where I spent many hours exploring and experimenting with different art materials — I loved it! I contiune to strengthen my practice through my own creative practices and learning from other skilled practising artists.
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