UPCYCLING PROJECT: HOW TO TURN SCARVES INTO REVERSIBLE DIOR MEN INSPIRED SHORTS

I don’t know about you, but according to me, lately upcycling projects are more chic than ever. So let’s do that, let’s help the planet by transforming something we don’t like a lot into something we want to wear. And something that feels refreshing and unique.

Let’s start from the beginning. What is upcycling? So, let’s give Urban Dictionary the chance to enlighten us:

Upcycling: The practice of converting waste materials into products of greater value. Urban Dictionary

In this case, however, I have to say that these scarves by no means -even considering that the fabric doesn’t have great quality- are trash or waste. I actually had the option to donate them to people that could actually add them to their closet and love them for years. But another cool thing about upcycling -even though it is not the most important one- is that it gives you the freedom to be creative and wear unique pieces of clothing. And that is what I am doing here.

By doing this upcycling project, instead of taking these scarves out of my closet into someone else’s, they are actually staying, but transformed.

Do you help the planet by doing a project like mine? Yes according to me, if you don’t do something like this you may buy new shorts and contribute to the -out of control- industry of fast-fashion. So next time you need new shorts, consider following this “tutorial”.

UPCYCLING PROJECT INSPIRED BY CHRISTIAN DIOR MEN

If you know anything about me it should be that I’ve lived a good part of my life inspired by the work of Mr. Christian Dior himself, this is not new. The work that Kim Jones has been doing in the last years for their men collections is also of great respect and inspiration to me.

This time it was not the exception. When I saw these shorts I instantly wanted them. However being realistic, their price is not even close to my budget. But that doesn’t mean that I -or you, if that is also your case- can’t wear something like that, because upcycling projects are in our side.

The shine of the silk in this pants took my eyes directly to those two ASOS scarves that I was not really planing to wear again. The fabric of these scarves is by no means even close to the quality of the one on the DIOR shorts, but it shines. So it’s perfect and I don’t have to spend more money.

MATERIALS I USED

The base of my project are these two gorgeous scarves from ASOS. The first one is golden and brown and much bigger than the second one, the fabric is actually a polyester satin. Click here if you want to check a look I styled using the same scarf. The second one is also a polyester satin in black and beige, much smaller.

And even if they don’t have the same print, to my opinion they compliment each other pretty well.

In the pants that I have made before, I always like to add lining, especially for this ones, since the fabric is so thin and fragile. So I got ivory polyester satin and even fusible interfacing to make the whole thing stronger. Also an elastic waistband. I have to say that the DIOR bermudas do not have an elastic waistband, but mine do because I wanted to make the whole project as easy, fast and cheap as possible.

In materials, including the price of shipping and the scarves that I already had, I didn’t spend more than 40 dollars.

Again, as you see in the colors of the scarves and the different pattern I am not going for the exact copy of the Dior shorts. I just want shiny bermudas, like those ones.

With that said, time for the “tutorial”, I will just share my process. Keep in mind that I am by no means an expert sewer, in fact, I am the whole opposite. I am learning -on my own and some YouTube videos- with this projects, so I make a lot of mistakes. But I made it work at the end, which matters the most.

UPCYCLING PROJECT. HOW TO TURN SCARVES INTO SHORTS

These are the steps I took to complete this upcycling project. If you want, you can follow it as a tutorial.

I. COPY THE PATTERN

This is something I like to do constantly. Sometimes you don’t want to spend money on a pattern or you want to modify the pattern too much and it seams better to start from zero. A great idea is to trace your existing garments over paper to create a pattern, in this case I picked some shorts I made in the past. They are not that great, but they have the fit I was looking for. Check this article to check the fit of those shorts.

You can literally copy any garment you own. And you can use any type of paper. In my case I recycle some gift tissue paper. I like to use this paper because is pretty alike the paper of the patterns you buy.

So let’s make our own pattern for this upcycling shorts.

II. PATCHWORK. AN UPCYCLING STATEMENT

If you are using only one big scarf you can probably skip this. In my case, I didn’t want my shorts to be only the print from top to bottom. And the only lines I was able to play with to break the print were the brown ones on the borders, so doing patchwork -for the first time ever- was the way to go for me. Also because I was using two scarves with different prints. Let’s explore my process.

In my case what I did was cutting the whole scarf into 4 long rectangles and organize them in a way in which the brown lines came to the center of the piece of fabric. However, you can keep cutting it in many more pieces and then put the puzzle back together in different ways to make the print -and the shorts- more interesting and unique.

Puzzle Time!

1. First you need to stay stitch all the borders that need it. And believe me, if you are using a fabric like this, you need to stay stitch because this fabric frays like crazy. If you have a serger, maybe you can use it here, but that is not my case. Now, pin and stitch the pieces of the puzzle together. When I finished putting three of those rectangles together -I didn’t use the fourth one- I cut that piece of fabric in the middle to bring the side borders to the center too. After that, I got this:

Then, I did the same with the second scarf. I cut it in 4 squares and used three. Then I kept playing with the print and put then in the middle of the two panels I had ready. Stay stitch them and sew them two. After that, I got this:

2. Now, you have to open and press the seams flat on the back of your fabric. Basic, simple and needed -specially because we need them flat in order of the next step to work.

3. This step is probably something you could skip, but I recommend not to. The fusible interfacing will not only make the fabric a bit stronger, but it will also help you secure your seams. Remember this fabric frays a lot and this will help too. The way to attach the fusible interfacing is by puting it over your fabric, then you iron it and it will melt its glue and attach to your fabric. You have to make sure that the side of the interfacing that is not smooth -according to me, it actually is not smooth because it has micro glue bubbles that you melt with the hot iron- goes direct with the wrong side of your fabric.

Note: I have to say that most people -as I understand- cut the pattern on the interfacing and then attach them to every piece of fabric already cut and make them match. In my case, I fused the interfacing on the whole fabric and then cut the pattern. Yes, you may waste a bit of interfacing, but I don’t think that it was that much and it was easier to me.

Advice for step 3:

• Take care with the hot iron and your fabric, however, you need the iron pretty hot so the glue melts and attach to your material, so test it.
• Start ironing directly over the seams or in the center of the fabric, that will stabilize the interfacing and help you get a better result.
• Iron this over a smooth surface, like a table. I didn’t do this -I did in on my carpet- and my fabric ended up having a lot of air bubbles. However, I liked the effect and kept going this way.

Note: As you can see in my patchwork piece and my finished shorts, the graphics and seams didn’t end up matching everywhere. I have to say that I could have try to make them match better, however, that was not my priority for this project and I like the look I got. However, if your priority is making every line match, go for it.

After this step, your patchwork is ready and your pattern is ready too. Here we are getting closer to the goal.

III. CUT THE PIECES OF FABRIC YOU NEED TO BUILD THE SHORTS

Now that we finally have our fabric ready, we are going cut it again. Here is what we need to do:

1. (See picture F) Place the pattern over your fabric. Here, I was not sure yet what I was going to do, but I ended up going for the placement that made the most sense. In here, you have to take the decision of your own project. Only remember that you need enough space for 2 backs sides of pants and 2 fronts. Note: I cut the pockets from the extra panels I didn’t use from both scarves.
2. (See picture G) Strategically pin the pattern pieces on the fabric and cut. Also cut the pieces of the lining.

At the end of this section you need to have all of these pieces:

From the patchwork piece -or anything you are using as your front fabric:

• 2 front sides of the shorts, opposite directions
• Also, 2 back side of the shorts, opposite directions
• And, 2 back pockets
• And then, 4 side pockets -2 pairs in opposite directions.

From the lining

• 2 front sides of the shorts, opposite directions
• Also, 2 back side of the shorts, opposite directions
• And, 2 back pockets -the back pockets of the shorts have lining.

So, in total, 16 pieces. When you have them all, go the next section

IV. CONSTRUCTION

We finally have our pieces of fabric ready, let’s build the shorts in 6 steps:

Note: Before starting with this steps you should already have the back pockets with the lining and attached to each of the back sides of the shorts which were cut in the patchwork or your front fabric. So if you haven’t done that, do it now.

1. Pin both sides seams -as you see in picture H- for every leg in both your patchwork and the lining. Remember that when you are putting the legs together you have to match opposites: one front leg and one back leg; and repeat the process. At the end of this step you should have 4 legs -2 in patchwork and 2 in lining.
2. Sew together both patchwork legs trough the center seam -right side to right side as you see in picture I. Lining legs stay disconnected. Also press all the seams flat inside.

Do steps 3 and 4 for each leg individually

3. Pin the hem of the lining to the hem of the patchwork pants -right side to right side as you see in picture J- and sew a simple straight stitch hem.

4. Then, turn the lining inside of the patchwork pants, press the border on the outside and sew again, now in the outside to create the outside hem -as you see in picture K. At the end you should have both linings connected to the hems of the pants -as you see in picture L.

5. With the lining legs inside of the pants connect the lining legs -you probably have to turn them to do this, but you have to connect them right side to right side of the lining. Press the seams flat and then sew together the top of the patchwork pants to the top of the lining making all the seams match. After this step your shorts should look as you see in picture M.

6. Add the elastic waistband. For this you have to measure the waistband with your or your model’s waist and sew it together. Now divide this circle in 4 parts and make then match to the side and center seams on the top of the pants -on the lining side- and pin. Then sew that together with a zig zag stitch. And to finish the project fold the waistband inside and sew again with a straight stitch.

And you are done!

Your upcycling shorts should look something this this:

As you can see the shorts have errors -specially the back pockets-, but I am pretty pleased with the result in general. Here I have them styled with a basic white sweater and white sneakers. If you want more ideas how to style this type of shorts with essentials check this article and also this article about essential shoes for men.

What I didn’t realize until after a voice of reason told me is that actually these shorts are reversible. If you add pockets to the lining you have two pairs of shorts. So this is a tip: Instead of buying a fabric as lining for this upcycling project, buy or upcycle a second outside fabric and you have to pairs of shorts in one. Check here to check this shorts styled on the opposite side.

In conclusion, upcycling is not only chic, but also an act of responsibility that if taken seriously can save the planet. It is also pretty easy, and lets you be creative and unique. Win-Win-Win. And you can practically transform anything into anything to refresh your closet.

Have you done or are you planing to start any upcycling project soon? Tell me about it.

Related links:

Check another DIY project by THE FABRICS BLOG.

Also, check this Pinterest Board: UPCYCLING MENSWEAR IDEAS

And then, check this Pinterest Board: DIY MENSWEAR