Thrift Flips: 15 Easy Ideas That Turn $5 Clothes Into Outfits Everyone Asks About

Thrift flips are proof that the best outfits do not come from a mall. They come from a five dollar rack, a pair of scissors and a little bit of courage. Maybe you have seen the videos: a baggy hoodie, a plaid blanket or an old tablecloth goes in, and something stylish comes out. The good news is that most of these projects are easier than they look. Many need only straight seams, and a few need no sewing machine at all. Every idea below starts with clothes or fabric you can find secondhand for a few dollars. You save money, you keep clothes out of the landfill and you end up with pieces nobody else owns. Ready to look at that thrift store bag in a whole new way..

Thrift Flips Start With a Plaid Blanket Chore Jacket

Among all thrift flips, this is the one that makes people stop you on the street. A thick wool or fleece plaid blanket has everything a jacket needs: warmth, structure and a cozy pattern. Lay a boxy jacket you already own on top, trace around it with chalk and add an inch for seams. Use the fringe edge as a fun hem or cuff. Big patch pockets and wooden buttons finish the chore jacket look. Thrifted blankets often cost less than ten dollars, and the jacket feels like a hug on cold mornings..

You will need: Plaid wool or fleece blanket, a boxy jacket to trace, chalk, fabric scissors, pins, sewing machine and matching thread, five or six large buttons.

How to make it: 1. Fold the blanket and trace the back, two fronts and two sleeves from your jacket, adding seam allowance. 2. Cut out the pieces and pin the shoulder and side seams. 3. Sew the seams, attach the sleeves and fold under the front edges. 4. Add patch pockets, buttonholes and buttons.

Hoodie to Fitted Zip-Up

Oversized hoodies are everywhere at thrift stores, and this flip turns a shapeless one into a jacket that fits. On Instagram, a thrift flip post pulled in more than 880,000 likes, and hoodie makeovers like this one keep going viral. You take in the side seams, crop the hem and sew a zipper down the center front. Suddenly it looks like a store bought zip up. Go one size smaller than you think. Which old hoodie in your closet deserves a second life?

You will need: Oversized hoodie, separating zipper the length of the front, fabric scissors, pins, chalk, sewing machine, matching thread, seam ripper.

How to make it: 1. Turn the hoodie inside out, pin the sides closer to your body and sew new side seams. 2. Cut straight up the center front. 3. Fold the raw edges under and pin the zipper in place. 4. Sew the zipper and trim the hem to a cropped length, then fold and stitch it.

Silk Scarf to Halter Top

Vintage silk scarves are some of the best treasures in a thrift store, and they cost just a few dollars. A large square scarf folds into a pretty halter top with only a few stitches. Wear it over a white tank or a simple camisole for an easy summer look. The bold prints feel fancy at a picnic or a wedding. If you are nervous about cutting, this is one of the thrift flips that is a great first try, because there is almost no cutting at all. What pattern would you hunt for?

You will need: Large square silk or satin scarf, a white tank or camisole to wear underneath, needle and thread, a small piece of elastic, safety pins.

How to make it: 1. Fold the scarf into a triangle with the point facing down. 2. Tie the two top corners behind your neck. 3. Stitch a small piece of elastic between the two side corners so it fits snugly around your back. 4. Wear it over a tank and adjust with safety pins as needed.

Button-Down to Off-Shoulder Top

Men’s button-down shirts are the most common thing on any thrift rack, and they turn into something completely new with one simple change. You cut off the collar and the top of the shirt, make a casing for elastic and pull the elastic through. Now it sits gently off the shoulders. Tie the shirt tails in front for a cute waist. Light blue, stripes and soft florals all look fresh. Of all the thrift flips here, this is the easiest to finish in one afternoon.

You will need: Men’s button-down shirt, fabric scissors, 1/4 inch elastic, safety pin, sewing machine or needle and thread, chalk.

How to make it: 1. Put on the shirt and mark a line across the chest just above the armpits with chalk. 2. Cut off the collar and shoulders along the line, leaving the sleeves attached at the bottom. 3. Fold the top edge down to make a casing and stitch it. 4. Thread elastic through with a safety pin, sew the ends and tie the shirt tails.

Shop the Racks for Better Thrift Flips

Great thrift flips begin with smart shopping. Look past the size on the tag and look at the fabric instead. Big shirts, long skirts and men’s sweaters give you the most material to work with. Check for good stuff like silk, wool, linen and sturdy denim. Skip anything with stains you cannot remove or holes in the wrong places. The home section is a hidden gem too, because blankets, tablecloths and curtains are full of fabric. What is the best five dollar find you ever brought home?

You will need: A tape measure, a list of projects you want to make, a reusable bag, a little patience.

How to make it: 1. Start in the men’s and home sections where pieces are bigger. 2. Feel the fabric and check the label for wool, cotton, linen or silk. 3. Hold pieces up to the light to check for holes and stains. 4. Wash everything as soon as you get home.

Thrift Flips for Denim: Baggy Jeans to Midi Skirt

Denim thrift flips are everywhere, and long denim skirts are back, and you do not have to buy one. Grab a pair of baggy jeans, open the inner leg seams with a seam ripper and lay the front and back flat. You will see a triangle gap in front and back. Fill each gap with a panel cut from the leftover leg or a second pair of jeans. Two shades of blue look extra cool. It takes a few hours, but you end up with a skirt that fits your waist perfectly. Ready to try it?

You will need: Baggy jeans (one or two pairs), seam ripper, fabric scissors, pins, chalk, sewing machine with a denim needle, matching thread.

How to make it: 1. Open the inner leg seams all the way up to the crotch. 2. Cut off the extra crotch curve so the front and back lie flat. 3. Cut triangle panels from leftover denim and pin them into the front and back gaps. 4. Sew the panels in and hem the skirt to midi length.

Sweater Sleeves to Leg Warmers

This might be the coziest of all thrift flips, and you get two pieces from one sweater. Cut the sleeves off a chunky cable knit, and they slide right over your boots as leg warmers. Fold the cut edge over and stitch it so it does not unravel. What is left is a sweater vest, which is a huge trend right now. Just finish the armholes with a simple stitch. Two outfits for the price of one five dollar sweater. Who knew?

You will need: Chunky knit sweater, fabric scissors, yarn needle, matching yarn, pins.

How to make it: 1. Lay the sweater flat and cut the sleeves off just inside the shoulder seam. 2. Fold the cut edge of each sleeve over and whip stitch it with yarn. 3. Fold and stitch the armhole edges of the sweater the same way. 4. Wear the sleeves as leg warmers and the body as a vest.

Tablecloth Sundress, the Sweetest of Thrift Flips

For summer thrift flips, vintage tablecloths are big, cheap and full of charm, which makes them perfect for a sundress. Gingham, florals and embroidered edges all work beautifully. Use a simple dress you love as a pattern, or sew two rectangles with ruffled straps and a tiered skirt. The tablecloth’s finished edge can become your hem, so there is less sewing. Wear it to a picnic, a farmers market or a summer party. Do you have a tablecloth in the closet that never gets used?

You will need: Large cotton tablecloth, a dress you like to trace, chalk, fabric scissors, pins, sewing machine, thread, elastic for the back.

How to make it: 1. Trace your favorite dress onto the tablecloth, using the finished edge as the hem. 2. Cut the front, back and straps. 3. Sew the side seams and attach the straps. 4. Add a strip of elastic across the back for a snug fit.

Flannel Patchwork Skirt

Thrift flips with flannel are easy, because thrift stores always have a pile of flannel shirts, and each one only costs a few dollars. Cut them into squares, mix the plaids and sew them into a patchwork skirt. It feels like wearing a cozy quilt. Red, green and cream plaids look great together in fall and winter. Use an elastic waist so there is no zipper to fight with. This project also uses up shirts with stains or holes, because you only need the good parts. How many plaids would you mix?

You will need: Four or five flannel shirts, rotary cutter or scissors, ruler, pins, sewing machine, thread, 1 inch wide elastic.

How to make it: 1. Cut the shirts into equal squares, about 6 inches each. 2. Sew the squares into rows, then sew the rows together into a long panel. 3. Sew the panel into a tube that fits around your hips. 4. Fold the top over to make a casing, thread the elastic and hem the bottom.

Granny Square Sweatshirt

For cozy thrift flips, plain sweatshirts are cheap at every thrift store, and granny squares make them special. If you crochet, make three squares in bright colors. If you do not, look for granny square blankets or pot holders at the thrift store and borrow a few squares. Sew one on the chest and one on each sleeve. It looks cheerful and handmade in the best way. It also makes a great gift for anyone who loves vintage style. Which colors would you choose for your squares?

You will need: Plain crewneck sweatshirt, three crochet granny squares, yarn needle, matching yarn, pins.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the sweatshirt first. 2. Pin the squares where you want them. 3. Sew around each square with small stitches using yarn. 4. Knot the yarn on the inside and trim the ends.

Lace Doily Collar

Lace doilies are often sold in bundles for a dollar or two, and they make the sweetest collars. Fold a round doily in half, cut a small curve for the neck and stitch it around the neckline of a plain sweater or dress. It looks romantic and very trendy. Black sweaters with white lace are a classic, but cream on navy looks lovely too. This flip takes about thirty minutes and no sewing machine. For more easy makes, try our mason jar crafts. Isn’t that sweet?

You will need: Round lace doily, plain sweater or dress, small scissors, needle, thread, pins.

How to make it: 1. Fold the doily in half and cut a small half circle in the middle for the neck. 2. Cut it open at the back so it can wrap the neckline. 3. Pin it around the neck of the sweater. 4. Hand stitch it in place with small stitches.

Thrift Flips With Embroidered Flower Jeans

A few stitched flowers make plain jeans look like a designer piece. You do not need to be an expert. Lazy daisy stitches, French knots and simple leaves are easy to learn in one evening. Start on a back pocket or along the hem, where the fabric is easy to reach. Draw your design with a washable fabric pen first. Embroidered thrift flips like this also hide small stains. Every flower makes the jeans more yours. Where would you put your first flower?

You will need: Thrifted jeans, embroidery floss in a few colors, embroidery needle, small embroidery hoop, washable fabric pen, small scissors.

How to make it: 1. Draw a few flowers and leaves on the jeans with a washable fabric pen. 2. Place the area in a small hoop. 3. Stitch petals with lazy daisy stitches and centers with French knots. 4. Add leaves with a simple satin stitch and knot the thread inside.

Crochet Flower Patch Over a Worn Knee

Thrifted jeans with a worn or ripped knee are often the cheapest pair on the rack. That is good news, because a crochet flower makes the perfect patch. Sew a scrap of denim behind the hole first so it stays strong. Then stitch a crochet daisy on top. White petals with an orange center look sunny and sweet. It is the kind of detail that gets compliments everywhere. Kids love it on their jeans too. Will you add one flower or a whole bunch?

You will need: Jeans with a worn knee, scrap of denim, crochet flower (handmade or thrifted), needle, strong thread, pins.

How to make it: 1. Turn the jeans inside out and pin a denim scrap behind the hole. 2. Stitch around the hole to hold the scrap in place. 3. Turn the jeans right side out and pin the crochet flower over the spot. 4. Sew around the edges of the petals and the center.

Cardigan With New Buttons

Sometimes the smallest change makes the biggest difference. Plain plastic buttons can make a good cardigan look cheap. Swap them for wooden, pearl, brass or vintage buttons and it suddenly looks expensive. Thrift stores often sell jars of mixed buttons for a dollar or two. You can also add a ribbon trim along the front edge for extra charm. This is one of the fastest thrift flips you can try, and it takes about twenty minutes. Which buttons would you pick?

You will need: Thrifted cardigan, new buttons the same size as the old ones, needle, strong thread, small scissors, ribbon trim (optional).

How to make it: 1. Snip off the old buttons carefully. 2. Line up the new buttons with the buttonholes and mark the spots. 3. Sew each button on with a few strong stitches. 4. Add ribbon trim along the front edge if you like.

Thrift Flips for Matching Sets: Dress to Two-Piece

Matching sets are a huge trend in thrift flips, and a long thrifted dress hides one inside it. Cut the dress where the waist would be, hem the top so it becomes a cropped top, and add an elastic waistband to the skirt. Now you have two pieces you can wear together or mix with other clothes. Solid colors like rust, sage and black work best. It is a smart way to save a dress that never fit right. What other outfits could you make with the separate pieces?

You will need: A long dress in a solid color, fabric scissors, chalk, pins, sewing machine, thread, 1 inch wide elastic, safety pin.

How to make it: 1. Put on the dress and mark where you want the top to end. 2. Cut straight across, adding an inch to both pieces. 3. Fold and hem the bottom of the top. 4. Fold the top of the skirt into a casing, thread the elastic through and sew it closed.