Care, Consumption, Reduce & Reuse, Textile Waste
Creative Repurposing with Blankets and Jumpers
Have you ever wondered what to do with the old fashioned wool blankets or the used woollen jumper that’s beyond repair? Creative repurposing with blankets and jumpers is an imaginative way to upcycle clothing – to create something new from old.
Here are seven Australian creatives who make unique one-of-a-kind clothing and homewares using either retro, vintage, used, or old fashioned blankets and jumpers.
All of these are available via Etsy, one of my recommended partners (I may receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase)
Six Ideas for Creative Repurposing with Blankets and Jumpers
The Recycled Hound
Jennifer from The Recycled Hound creates warm coats for cold long dogs. You’ll find handmade coats for all kinds of hounds in vintage, thrifted and recycled materials.
As the maker, Jen believes that keeping your dog warm and stylish doesn’t have to cost the earth. Using recycled woollen blankets, thick fleece blankets & thrifted fleece, The Recycled Hound makes coats that are stylish, warm and comfortable.
Image credit – The Recycled Hound
Clothworkers
Based in Adelaide, Maxine is the creator behind Clothworkers, specialising in making quilts and doll blankets with vintage wool blankets. Using quilting techniques, each woollen blanket has an added cotton backing and free-motion quilted stitching for durability and comfort.
Go here for Clothworkers full range of upcycled quilted blankets…
Image credit – Clothworkers
Creations Sweet Home
Leonie Johnston is the creator behind Creations Sweet Home. Based in Melbourne, Leonie creates sweet keepsakes made from pure wool felt and vintage wool blankets.
Go here to enjoy the upcycled keepsakes from Creations Sweet Home…
Lindyloo Designs
Linda Main is the founder, owner & creator at Lindyloo Designs. Based in Melbourne Australia, Linda has been making her own clothes since she was young. She enriched her interest in textiles & fashion by doing three years at NZ’s The School of Design.
With a particular interest in upcycling vintage fabric, trims and blankets, Linda turns them into new & exciting garments with classic styling & thoughtful practicality.
Image credit – Lindyloo Designs Insta
Polka Dot Blue Design
Perth WA based Theresia from PolkaDotBlueDesign creates handmade nordic scandinavian gnomes from old jumpers.
Amazed by the excess amount and quality of clothes found in second hand shops, Theresia decided to turn them into adorable little Gnomes. Being able to recycle, upcycle and reuse is PolkaDotBlueDesign‘s philosophy on reducing the impact on the environment.
Image credit – PolkaDotBlueDesign Insta
Olive and Co Australia
Based in Echuca Victoria, Inger from Olive and Co Australia chooses to upcycle old woollen blankets into gorgeous fabric-lined satchels. Also making bags from upcycled denim, reviews of Inger’s upcycled blanket work tells of well-crafted and finished items.
Go here to see the full range of coats from Olive and Co Australia…
Image credit – Olive and Co Australia
I hope these Etsy-based businesses have inspired you to either:
- support Australian handmade small business by browsing their shops on Etsy Australia, or
- given you the inspiration to get sewing to create your own way for creative repurposing with blankets and jumpers.
To boost your inspiration even more, find ways to creatively re-use these scrap fabric bundles, denim scraps and vintage ties – all from ReNewy Living. Or perhaps find your next piece of mended clothing right here.
Some links in this post are my affiliate lifestyle partnerships. I may receive a commission when you make a purchase through these links.
Find out More
Read similar stories about ways local creatives upcycle and re-use waste as a valuable & useful resource:
- Blue Wrap Couture: From Waste to Art and An Inspirationally Creative Waste to Art story (video)
- Creative ways to upcycle tea towels and linens
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