I have upcycled a bit over the years, so I thought I would write this up for those who haven't tried doing this yet.
There are a few different ways you can approach upcycling garments. You can either use it as straight "fabric" where you aren't using any existing seams or finishing or you can try to use some of the existing garment.
This is tutorial is for using the existing garments finished seams.
First of all you need to figure out what seams you are going to keep, and if they will fit your child. My DD is 8, so the necklines usually will work for her. I can also use sleeves if they aren't too roomy, as well. Using the ends of the sleeves (from the wrist up) works because I cut the arm pattern before it gets too wide at the adult top near the shoulder.
In upcycling pants, I usually keep the outer seams, but if there is a fly zipper you can utilize that, too.
Here is an example of upcycling a dress and some french terry pants into an outfit for my DD:
The dress is too big and the pants are too short, so I decided to combine them into a comfy outfit for the girl child.
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0002.jpg
Now, this doesn't necessarily save a ton of time, but sometimes it does. I did utilize the neckline and shoulder seams of the top. That time saving was soaked up by picking out the waistline of the pants so I could reuse the ribbing.
Win some, lose some!
Top:
First off, I cut the side seams of the top and laid out my pattern. As I was using the shoulder seam, I didn't take into account the seam allowance on the shoulders when cutting that out.
Next I cut out my arm pieces. As this was a short-sleeved dress I didn't have enough room to cut a full sleeve. I had to patch them up, but I used the existing rolled hem as the edging on the sleeve.
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0012.jpg
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0013.jpg
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0014.jpg
Now, I had to fix up the neck line, so it would not be gaping. I sewed it up to where she could still get it over her head. Then, I changed out the plain buttons to ones that had more "personality".
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0011.jpg
Lastly, a rhinestone appliqué.
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0015.jpg
Bottom:
On this one, I kept the side seams and cut the inside seam. Then I cut it off the waist, but saving the ribbing from getting cut. Later, I picked off the knit from the ribbing.
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0005.jpg
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0006.jpg
I laid the pieces out and cut them out. Again, since I was using the hem on the pants, I took that into account when laying out my pattern pieces.
Next, I sewed up the crotch seam and then the inseam.
Once I had the ribbing free of the knit (lots of seam ripper usage), I cut it in the back to a length that would fit her waist.
I sewed that back up. I measured elastic that would fit her waist, sewed the ends together and sandwiched them between the ribbing. Lastly, I attached the ribbing to the bottom. My serger was not happy, but we got through it. Barely.
The finishing touch is the horseshoes, of course.
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...4-DSC_0007.jpg
All done and quite cute!
http://thelandofka.com/wp-content/up...ay-upcycle.jpg
