I have a pair of ¾ length lightweight travel pants that I bought about 8 or 9 years ago.  I have been wearing them for some time with a patch just below one knee, however, the fabric around the patch has given way, too.  I love these trousers as they are really comfortable and have several deep pockets.

I decided to salvage what I could from them.  The latest buzzword seems to ‘upcycling’ but you could call it ‘refashioning’, ‘making do’ or just plain ‘thrift’.  I cut the lower legs off and was left with a pair of knee-length shorts which just needed hemming.  Since they are an existing garment I know that the fit and function of them will be perfect.

The bottom of the legs had drawstrings so I removed them and they will be used for the drawstrings in two of the Christmas gift bags I am making as they match the material rather well.

There were a couple of button tabs on the lower legs so I removed the buttons to add to my collection.

All I had left was the lower leg pieces.

So I cut them into strips to use for tying up plants in the garden.

Here are my ‘new’ shorts and nothing else has been wasted.  I hope to get a few more years wear from them.

I would love to hear your thrifty/upcycling stories.