5 EASY upcycling and mending projects to tackle TODAY!

Dear Sewing Friends - today we will tackle that dreaded mending pile! I have many garments that need some love and attention, from super EASY fixes, to more advanced and challenging projects.
A video for the sweater I am wearing in this video ( it is one of the 3 projects) - • HOW TO turn fabric scr...
Purple shirt upcycle - • How to upcycle a men's...
How to do thread sketching (embroidery) - 1st technique in this video - • Did you know STRAIGHT ...
How to hem garments - • 5 techniques that I us...
My FAVORITE videos for You to enjoy:
✂️ 7 amazing sewing tools - • I BOUGHT 7 unbelievabl...
✂️ Perfect neckband every time - • How to sew a neckband ...
✂️ Gifts to sew - • 10 EASY STOCKING STUFF...
✂️ EASY circle skirt - • SUPER EASY circle skir...
✂️ 30 minute apron - • Apron cutting and stit...
MY FAVORITE SEWING TOOLS:
1. Bias Tape Maker - amzn.to/3151IFh
2. Medical Tracing Paper (I use it for pattern drafting) - amzn.to/2EMafDm
3. Water soluble thread -amzn.to/3AHePQi
4. Diagonal seam tape - amzn.to/3OyHHjb
5. Bulky Seam Jumper (some sewing machines come with it and some don't) - amzn.to/3GDdRbD
6. Eloflex Stretchable thread (not the same as shirring elastic) - amzn.to/3VEAhxx
This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something from the links displayed above I get a small commission. It does not come out of your pocket, but it does help me to support this channel. Thank YOU!
#nopatternsewing #easypatterndrafting #thoughtfulcreativity
Thank You for being here and I hope that this channel encourages you to sew and make beautiful things!
xxx, Alisa

[@deb.m.7458]

Love the mending series and hope you continue. Even your mending is beautiful, creative and inspiring, like the rest of your content. People don’t seem to mend or sew anymore. I hope the trend of fast, cheap clothing ends. Knowing how to do stuff is the way to go.❤

[@mrgarner4796]

Every completed project is a winner. Your purple shirt, however, went from wonderful to fabulous. Thank you.

[@petooui]

Your husbands patch choice made me smile. Although I am a pretty good sewist, many years ago my husband chose his own duct tape patch on a puffy, navy blue down jacket, to my efforts. It was 12 years later in the middle of summer before I snuck that out of the house. Your husband has better taste. 😂

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Omg, I read this and giggled! I think our husbands are on the same wave length, lol, because he attempted to "patch" a hole in his favorite shorts with a moleskin bandage LOL I think I have that in one of my other mending/upcycling videos, it was sooo funny :)

[@stefs3460]

@@petooui 😂 Is your husband a fan of the Red Green show? Comedy show where the men fix everything with duct tape!

[@lsheffield6205]

@@stefs3460I’m a fan of The Red Green Show. “Any tool can be the right tool”.

[@kathygann7632]

Great patches on the shirt. I wouldn’t have thought of gathering to make a seam allowance.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank you! I sometimes use this method on rounded patch pockets, I figured it would work well in this case as well :) That shirt is nearly 10 yrs old!

[@kathygann7632]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity. When sewing round pockets, I trace the pocket on cardboard, cut it out, then press the pocket fabric piece around the cardboard for a perfectly shaped pocket. That might have worked here too.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

I do that, too :) it would work well, I just did not want to create an oval cardstock template for single use.

[@olivemd]

@@ThoughtfulCreativitytwo of my husband’s favourite shirts were worn by my son in high school 32 years ago. They still amazingly look good.

[@Queenread82]

You and Catherine Sews should get together. What a fun collaboration that would be - you could challenge each other to up-cycle things.

[@mrgarner4796]

@@Queenread82 I have seen a lovely comment from Catherine Sews on this channel.

[@ArlenePMCM]

Yes! I get so inspired by both these talented and creative sewists. Would be such a fun colab.

[@joannemcd1257]

You are SUCH an inspiration! I have a WHOLE recliner chair FULL of projects, waiting to be mended! Thank you for all the brilliant and beautiful ideas! ❤

[@kimberlycooper4170]

I bought a sewing machine 2 years ago and have been too machine-paranoid to use it. Recently, I took some free classes at a locally-owned mom & pop fabric store. They are fabulous!!! They are encouraging, patient, giving adequate instructions, and helping me get started!!!!

[@carlyk502]

You say that you’re not an artist, yet those flowers that were hand-drawn are really very pretty! Good job by the way. Keep up the great work.

[@stitchersdelight]

I love the thread sketching on the shirt. It really adds another layer of interest. Thank you for the tips !

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank you! I am very happy with it, it is there, quite subtle, but does the job of covering the stitch marks, and as you said - adds a little bit of interest :) yeeeek, I am happy it will get lots more wear!

[@elizabethrowe7262]

Love the embroidery look on the recycled purple shirt. Looks stunning!

[@RoeRoe123]

You daughter is smart and those jeans are stinking adorable ❤ Great job Mom! Okay now I want to see what you do with that gorgeous scarf your Mom gave you. HURRY! 😂

[@tinarytting3799]

I love the mending shows the most!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Aw, thank you, Tina!

[@nuriagiralt617]

You most definitely are an artist!

[@viktoriabalensiefen8911]

Thanks for the nudge ... btw, you are one of the few KZbinrs, wehre I tend to watch ALL videos till the Endes a ki d of supporg

[@InAgatasCottage]

Absolutely fantastic. Jeans are soo cute. And the shirt just stunning

[@Ami5Jo]

Nice to see your furry supervisor. Such great results again and thank you for helpful ideas- you "flipping" the oval seam allowances was so brilliant.

[@patriciatufts4969]

❤ You always amaze me with your skills and imagination. Thank you once again for your wonderful ideas.

[@kristicitak3932]

I used to add pretty lace to my (now 37 year old daughter ) when she was 4-6 years old. She loved it 🥰 😊

[@kristicitak3932]

*pants

[@juanitaconover8836]

Oh, thank you! That is wonderful that you talked us through several ways a given problem could be fixed and then showed us how one of them is done! Real life knowledge for us to apply. That lavender shirt turned out SO lovely!

[@EdenFairhaven]

That’s really pretty and an ingenious way to cover up a myriad of things!❤🎉😮

[@carosnaehkram]

allays a great pleasure to watching your mending Videos.🥰 Thank you for sharing this with us. greetings from north germany🤗

[@Queenread82]

I like that you put the tone on tone thread sketching on just one side. Or you could put a small flower or leaf on the opposite collar corner.

[@cc83jc85]

I'd LOVE your sketching on the purple shirt, very clever!!

[@macuisinesanssulfites4101]

😍😍😍 Thank you for such a useful and inspirational video. Thanks to your suggestion in a previous video (not sure which one as I have watched so many 😊) I used one of the stitches on my basic Singer machine to hide a seam I had to make while upcycling one of my husband’s shirt into a summer top. Like you I used variegated thread in the same tone on the silky fabric. Using the same stitch around the neckline and the bottom edge made it look intentional. This garment is one of the upcycles I am most proud of. Thank you also for showing us how to mend holes on the machine, Alicia. ❤

[@Islander1668]

Wow, I love the embroidery on the purple shirt!

[@gloriahill9519]

I’m always in awe of your creativity. What great solutions you have come up with; especially love the purple blouse❤. I have done some thread sketching and it’s not easy to get it looking as lovely as what you have created. Well done 😊🇨🇦

[@juliewilde663]

Thanks for sharing all the great mending tips!❤❤❤❤

[@chandujacob]

Omg, I just love all these creative ideas that you have, just amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing with us.

[@laurenouellette6592]

The thread sketching on the shirt came out so beautifully!! I’m definitely inspired to try it myself. I also love your supervisor’s tail getting into the shot at 10:00 😁

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Lol, yes, she was taking her supervisory duties VERY seriously :)

[@Queenread82]

I love the elbow patches.

[@tammymasson2343]

Wow! What a helpful, useful series! You are so inspirational and educational! Thank you!

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

I really like both mending and upcycling. Thank you for these videos. Great info you share!

[@Queenread82]

I used to put knee patches on my son’s jeans. (And hubby’s work jeans) I would take out the “easy seam” up past the knee, use old cut up jeans to put on an inside patch and a large outside patch. The large patch is just more sensible because the area of wear is larger than the hole. Anyway. I love to see creative mending.

[@andreeabucur2953]

I would really appreciate it if you'd continue with this series. It gives a very concrete and useful look on mending. You are very creative in your solution findings .much love

[@abaigealduda2756]

YAY!!!! More mending!!!

[@louiseeiffel1014]

Great results. The machine embroidery on your shirt is beautiful! Despite what you say, I would consider you an artist.

[@henriettelinkshanderin1449]

You can make sturdier patches for the elbows by taking two ovals, sewing them right sides together, cutting a slit in one, turning them inside out and then sewing them onto the shirt (with the cut on the inside of course.) Right now I'm lengthening my youngest favorite pyjamas (Star Trek OS style, two sets, designed and sewn by me in 2021) so they can be worn at least one more season. I just let out the hems of the arms, legs and waist and attach cuffs. When I sew clothes for my kids I always make sure that I can make them bigger when my kids have grown again. I plan hems big enough and I choose stitches and a stitch length that can be removed easily.

[@ebbram9879]

Wow the shirt looks great

[@DIY-Sewing]

Wow what great ideas 🎉 thanks ❤❤❤

[@robinr6399]

Ruffles on your daughter's jeans! Sweet, sweet, sweet!

[@pamelahill7164]

I absolutely love these videos

[@ArlenePMCM]

These are all fantastic! I think I'll copy your daughter's 3/4 sleeve transformation for my own T-shirts. Purple shirt gorgeous. 🙂

[@margaretduran4415]

great educational and inspirational video - loved it!

[@michellestmarentette.antoi5904]

I am an artist, you did wonderful. You are an artist with material. 👍🏻🇨🇦

[@ireneparker8253]

This video was absolutely full of helpful tips and techniques. The purple shirt is a WOW! project. The stitching is beautiful. Putting the gathering stitch around the patch was a new technique for me. Also the picot elastic on the hem of your daughters shirt. Cuffs annoy me. So, I usually get rid of them. I like the idea of a new finish. I also really appreciate how specific you were about the number of passes when darning. I never know quite when to stop. I really enjoyed spending Sunday morning with you. 🥰

[@caramoonlynn]

What an amazing channel. I subscribed. So many great tips. I love upcycling clothes!

[@brendabuckley7071]

Of course u r an artist

[@littlelady7843]

All your mending projects are so nicely finished! I love the way you repair the hole on your husband's shirt. It is very simple, sturdy and neat looking. I am going to use that on my pants for sure (I prefer no bows on my pants. LOL!) I also love the way you finished the sleeves for your daughter's top. I am going to use that a lot as it is easy, practical and pretty-3 in one! Love you mending videos. Please make more!

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

The patching you did for your husband - when my husband used to need something fixed i was more than willing to do the work. But I'd ask him "do you really like this shirt? You're not going to get rid of it soon right?" Just to make sure my time wasn't wasted. PS i like your furry helper 😊😊

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Same here, lol, only in a slightly different direction :) I have clothes that I wear only at home, good clothes, but the ones that I know I can get paint, and glue, and oil, and dye, and whatever else on and I won't cry over it, lol. My husband - all clothes are for everything, so sometimes I have to remind him that all those nice button-up shirts he has would have had more wear if he did not chase a racoon up the tree in one of them and get a bit tear right on the chest, or do some other similar things.

[@christinesmutek3856]

Loved these tips. My favourite was the machine embroidery on the blue shirt. You are so talented 🥰

[@julianachandler2975]

More great fixes! FYI, you are definitely an artist. Love that embroidery ❤

[@patcottlr5250]

Love seeing mending. I did visible mending and embroidery in the 80's, before it was fashionable. Particularly Love the elastic lace. A joy to watch. Thank you

[@Queenread82]

Those ruffled pants are so cute.

[@lavondacarter7228]

Absolutely, love the purple blouse !

[@cindywinkler4172]

You're wonderful ❤

[@papercents]

Very helpful video. Thank you!

[@lsheffield6205]

You took your husband’s shirt from okay to VINTAGE. Beautiful work.

[@robinr6399]

Oh! That purple blouse! Gorgeous 😍

[@lindahoffman8296]

I learned a lot today, Alisa. Keep the video's coming. Thank you.

[@kathygann7632]

Your daughter is going to love the ruffle so much, she is going to want the ruffle on her shorts!

[@memaperm9553]

Another great video!

[@Tomoej76]

Thank you,I got great tips!

[@barbaramason7636]

Love the stitching solution on the purple shirt! And the frill on the little jeans! The elastic trim is something I can use, too. Thanks for your ideas!

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Great work. I love what you did to the purple shirt. I have two pair of dress pants that are too short for me. I don't think that putting a ruffle at the bottom would work for me. However, sewing what should look like a cuff may work.

[@oskarmolly]

I love the purple shirt! It's beautiful. My mending usually is replacing zippers, this coat that I'm having to do now, is almost impossible to find the stitches to remove the zipper, because it blends in so well with the coat. I got one side done but this other side is just awful. Whoever made this coat should also never have put in snaps on top of the zipper. I'm just pulling my hair out over this one. And I really could use this coat tomorrow as I have to go far above the Arctic Circle to have eye surgery but I think I'll have to choose something else because this coat is going to take awhile to replace. Please continue with the mending series as I do a lot of that.

[@seamssewvintage]

Great ideas!!!

[@cindywinkler4172]

Thread painting is the best

[@carlyk502]

I really love your cut-out pullover top that you’re wearing in the video. Is there a tutorial for that? Also, I love the thread embroidery that was restyled into the shirt. That takes it up a few notches, & I would so wear that shirt. It makes it seem more polished, & much more feminine.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Sure is :) it is one of the projects in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYjako2jo9aJd7s Thank you for watching, Carly and happy sewing :)

[@rebeccacamacho-sobczak4282]

THREE thumbs up!!!!

[@Jpudgy5]

You inspire me so much!

[@dovaillancourt]

Hi Alisa. I think you could use the darning foot for the actual darning of the jeans/uniform. You already use it to embroider. It would become much more organic. Love your videos !

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Hello there Dominique! I actually don't use a foot at all for the embroidery, but you could for sure use the technique for darning. The reason why I didn't is because it is hard to get a straight line with free motion embroidery technique and for darning particularly I prefer a very even result.

[@crabwalk7773]

It's very refreshing to see you mend clothing, instead of the now-popular toss and purchase something new (typically inferior, fast fashion). Yes, if repaired and mended, clothing can well last for years and years. (This allows me to spend my discretionary budget on non-clothing 😁)

[@marciewhite5368]

When mending sleeves and pantlegs i open the seam to have a flat fabric for the machine. Its simple to restitch the opening at the end. Memding work clothes can really save you $. Ive patched my husbands and extended their life 4x. If not we would have had to repurchase each time. I also think that mending is a safety issue. No loose parts to get caught in the machinery

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

For sure, great suggestion! In this case I did not want to deal with reattaching the cuff and re-sewing the flat felled seam... I also did not have a perfectly matching thread :(

[@leelulady2010]

You could make a lightweight cardigan from the blue print fabric!

[@kathygann7632]

When you said embroidery, I imagined colors, and days and days of handwork. The monotone embroidery is much, much prettier and efficient. What stitch did you use on the embroidery?

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Just a straight stitch :) I left a video link in the description of the video where I explain how to do this , it is so much fun! It did take time to complete the entire design, but definitely faster than handwork!

[@kathygann7632]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity I haven’t had time to look at your links yet!

[@annabelladelli6121]

You are great! First comment here 😘

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Annabella, hello hello :) Happy Sunday and happy sewing/mending :)

[@kathygann7632]

Oh man, I’ll probably monopolize the space! I’ve been sewing since I was about 10 years old in 1960, but you have great imaginative ideas that I don’t think about. I’d probably put a denim ruffle on the pants, but I love the chiffon!

[@Blissfully-Keto]

I've used a soft bristle new toothbrush to rub on prior stitching to remove the stitching line from the thread.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

I usually do that too + a lot of steam, but it wasn't helping at all in this case.

[@altaroberts5105]

A plastic bottel works well when mending a sleeve.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank you soooo much for a suggestion, you're totally right!!! Great thinking!

[@eamonbamon]

Hi Alisa, wonderful tips for mending here. Please explain how to get rid of the marks left by the carbon paper, do the marks disappear after ironing or do they have to be washed off? Thank you so much.

[@vickyrushton1783]

Are you saying your husband wouldn’t appreciate a bow on his work trousers 😂

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

LOL :D you gut me chuckling here :)

[@tamarabuxton2516]

Good morning. Love your channel. Have you dabbled in upcycling clothes to make dog coats/sweaters etc.?

[@nancyschaffer7568]

Love the embroidery technique. The top you have on Did you do reverse embroidery on the front and do you have video on reverse embroidery? I did a pillow years ago and would like a refresher course on it.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Hello there, Nancy! I sure did, so much fun - the video on how I made this sweater is linked in the description of this video :)

[@petro3441]

👌👌👌

[@estellek993]

Thank you for the thread sketching inspiration - would there be any value in using tear-away or wash-away stabilizer? Would this be necessary for regular quilting cottons or fabrics of a similar weight? I'm enjoying your videos so much. I could watch you and Catherine Sews every day, all day. I try to avoid the harsh American accents, there must be something wrong with me, but at times I just have to turn them off. You and Catherine are so easy to listen to, so thank you for that!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Hello there, Estelle and thank you for such a kind comment :) at times I do use stabilizers, both types that you mentioned (as you can see in this video and I also explain why I went for it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6PHq2Z8oMqlhLc ) but it really depends on the fabric and how much stitching you're doing in your designs. I find that the better I can "flatten/stretch" the fabric in the hoop, the less additional stabilizers I need, but again, depends on the fabric and the design. I usually do a test sample before I start, so that way I can confirm if the technique and method is a go or if I need to problem solve. I hope this helps :)

[@clairefrancois6046]

❤❤❤😊

[@sleepycat8887]

I have not touched my sewing machine …. For weeks 🫣. Even though… I have things to do and finish. Lost my sew mojo. 😅

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Oh no... so sorry you lost your sewjo! It sucks when it happens, it feels empty... I hope you get it back soon. Sometime organizing supplies helps me get the creative process going :)

[@sleepycat8887]

thank you ☺️. Me too… I hope it appears sometime soon 😂.

[@CeeceeWhip]

Helloooo, I would love to see you make some cotton mid-brief panties. I’ve seen it done without any words or explanations in KZbin but sure would like to hear it explained and gone into detail. I have a latex allergy so cotton and latex-free elastic is what I am desiring to see created😊

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Hello there, I have done undies tutorial, you can see it here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqesgmiqbZxlaJI

[@deverm00]

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@aamenaborane4548]

This are very beautiful ways to mends clothes .Thank you .ma'am I have a request can you shows us how to mends holes or rip in girls stretchy knit fabric leggings .Thank you .

[@karenwerts2331]

[@peeshyholland433]

Wow Alisa. You are an amazing sewist. I have a favorite shirt that I will be putting patches on. It’s so worn out but I still love it. Thanks for this amazing video.