Upcycling refers to transforming old or unused items into something new and useful. Anyone can upcycle fabric and clothing with a little planning. Here are the basics for upcycling South Asian clothing:

Selecting Pieces to Upcycle: Start by looking for items in your closet that aren’t getting much wear, don’t fit quite right, or have minor stains or defects. Saris are a great choice as they provide 6+ yards of fabric to work with, allowing for the creation of everything from a dupatta to an anarkali or a maxi dress.

Don’t rule out pieces that have slight damage, as the defects can generally be taken out of the final design. Also think about pieces that have special meaning for you. A sari that used to be worn by your mother or a shawl passed down from your grandmother. Instead of gathering dust in a closet, these items can be repurposed into outfits customized with your personal style in mind.

Selecting a New Style:  Get inspired! Look up ideas for new styles by checking out your favorite designers, browsing at an Indian boutique, and exploring boards on Pinterest.

Think about what you actually wear.  Upcycle your items into fashionable pieces that you’ll use. If you live in kurtis and leggings, forgo the formal outfits and opt for casual styles that you’ll get more use out of. Also consider events that you have coming up for which you want a new look (a friend’s mehndi, an upcoming Diwali party, etc.).

Designing Your New Piece: Assess your old pieces to see how much usable fabric they have. If you’re looking to create a lehenga, anarkali, salwar kameez, or maxi dress, you’ll need more fabric, whereas a choli, sari blouse, kurti, or dupatta require less material.

Think about the type of fabric too. Indian saris come in a variety of fabrics: silk, cotton, chiffon, organza, and art silk, just to name a few. Most of these fabrics are versatile and can be used for just about any new look, but the texture and thickness of the fabric should be considered when designing your new piece. Sheer fabrics make great dupattas, flowy fabrics are perfect for an anarkali or lehenga, cotton is a good option for a summery kurti, while thicker brocades are well-suited for a salwar kameez or pants.

Also think about how to best showcase the most intricate elements of your original piece. Saris, for example, typically have a more heavily embellished pallu and border. Take advantage of intricate woven patterns, embroidery, lace, and bead and sequin work, and consider how they can best be incorporated into the upcycled product.

Buying Fabric and Trim: Even when upcycling, you’ll generally need some additional fabric and accents to complete your new look. For example, when upcycling a sari, you may have enough fabric to create a salwar suit, but you may need a dupatta and some trim to embellish the outfit. Rather than purchasing a ready-made dupatta, visit a local fabric store to hand-select the fabric and trim that completes your look. You’ll save money and have a wider selection of finishes to choose from at a fabric store versus opting for off-the-rack pieces.

Working with a Tailor: The last piece of the puzzle is to find a tailor or seamstress who can bring your design to life. Unless you are a seamstress yourself, you’ll want the support of an expert who can guide you through the upcycling process— from identifying how much additional fabric and trim you’ll need to purchase, to confirming what can be done with the fabrics you want to upcycle, and stitching the final product. Tap into your network of friends and family to find a tailor that meets your budget and design needs.