The free pattern links below represent just a few of the thousands of free patterns available across the web. You can use these or any pattern as long as they meet these guidelines or as requested by the organizations we serve. Items should be simple in design and made from quality materials that are machine washable and require no ironing. Feel free to add appliques, ribbons, trims, etc. to your garments as long as they’re machine washable. Please check out our Pinterest site too.
Recycling and Repurposing
Many of our members have limited income and acquire a lot of their supplies by visiting thrift stores, garage sales, etc. Some are using their skills to refashion or remake items from clothing in their own closets or from “finds” at resale shops. Let your creativity soar when fashioning something new from something old keeping in mind our donation guidelines. Repurposing and recycling keeps perfectly good textiles out of landfills and challenges our artistic side. Please join our Facebook group Sew For Kids Volunteers and share your recycling ideas and pics of your creations so others can be inspired.
Recycling Suggestions
- Sock Tops – Cut off the top of socks to use as ribbing on kids pants, pj’s, and shirts.
- Socks – Use to make sock dolls and animals or cut the foot portion off knee highs and use for “baby legs”.
- Flannel sheets – Use for quilt lining, backing, burp cloths, diapers, wash cloths, etc.
- T-shirts – Refashion into rompers, diapers, toddler shirts, shorts, etc.
- Men’s shirts – Refashion into girls dresses, cut up for quilt squares, use for lining garments, etc.
- Buttons, zippers, trim – Get into the habit of “harvesting” good items from old clothing before discarding.
- Ribbed knit shirts – Instead of buying ribbing by the inch check out your local resale shop for shirts made of stretchy rib knit
- Jeans – Tote bags, aprons, play mats, quilts, clothing patches, and a hundred other uses.
- Towels – Backing for bibs, burp cloths, filling for potholders, etc.
- Wool sweaters – Felt and use for mittens, hats and slippers, diaper covers
- Pillowcases – make cute summer dresses
- Pockets – From pants and shirts make great design features on garments and a few together make a great organizer for baby’s room
- Fabric scraps – Cut up for quilts, make patchwork animals, “I Spy” quilts, appliques for clothes, etc.
- Free patterns – trace old clothing you like before you toss it so you can have a free pattern.
