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The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting and Upcycling with Craft Supplies

Upcycled jeans with dimensional paint

Give new life to your thrifting finds by upcycling with Tulip! Our wide range of color products make it easy to turn gently used clothing, furniture, textiles, and home décor into unique, vibrant pieces. Check out our guide for the best craft supplies for thrifting and upcycling and get inspired for your next upcycling idea!

Contents:

  • What is thrifting
  • What is upcycling
  • Best craft supplies for thrifting and upcycling
  1. Tulip ColorShot Fabric Spray Paint
  2. Tulip Permanent Fabric Dye
  3. Tulip One-Step Tie Dye
  4. Tulip Reverse Tie-Dye Kit
  5. Tulip Brush-On Fabric Paint
  6. Tulip Puff Paint
  7. Tulip Fabric Markers

What is Thrifting?

Thrifting refers to the act of shopping at thrift stores, secondhand shops, or resale stores to find and purchase used items at lower prices. Thrifting has gained popularity not only for its economic benefits but also for its environmental impact. By purchasing secondhand items, individuals are promoting sustainability by extending the life cycle of existing products, reducing the demand for new production, and contributing to the reduction of waste. Additionally, thrifting can be a fun and adventurous way to discover hidden gems and express individual style!

What is Upcycling?

Upcycling is the process of repurposing existing items in a creative way to give them a new life. It encourages creativity and resourcefulness, as individuals find innovative ways to use materials that might otherwise end up in landfills. Upcycled projects can range from turning old furniture into stylish pieces, transforming used clothing into new fashion items, or repurposing various household items for alternative uses.

Best Craft Supplies for Thrifting and Upcycling

It's easy to upcycle with Tulip! Whether you’re refreshing faded fabrics with our vibrant dyes or adding a personal touch to secondhand clothes with fabric paint, our wide range of vibrant color products offer endless ways to repurpose clothing, textiles, furniture, home décor, and more! Here are some of our favorite craft supplies to use for thrifting and upcycling projects.

 

  1.  Chair upcycle idea with Tulip ColorShot Fabric Spray Paint
Chair upcycle idea with Tulip ColorShot Fabric Spray Paint

Thrift stores are often full of used furniture— you just might find a hidden gem next time you’re out thrifting! If you find a piece that catches your eye but you’re not a fan of the color, remember that you can always change it. Re-upholstering furniture can be expensive, but with a few cans of Tulip ColorShot Interior Upholstery Spray Paint in your craft supplies stash you can easily upcycle your thrifted find for a fraction of the price! 

2. Couch cover upcycle idea with Tulip Permanent Fabric Dye

Couch cover upcycle idea with Tulip Permanent Fabric Dye

One of the most essential craft supplies you’ll need for upcycling thrifted textiles is Tulip Permanent Fabric Dye! These vibrant fabric dyes utilize the classic hot water dye method for ultra-rich, even dye coverage and is most vibrant on natural fabrics such as 100% cotton, rayon, linen, and silk. This couch cover upcycling idea is a fun way to change up your space— you can even dye matching throw pillows for extra colorful home décor.

3. Bedding set upcycle idea with Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Refills

Bedding set upcycle idea with Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Refills

 Add even more color to thrifted fabrics with Tulip One-Step Tie Dye! Tie-dye isn’t just for T-shirts; our easy-to-use One-Step Dyes can be used on a variety of natural-fiber fabrics, including sheets, pillows, and blankets! With tons of color combinations to choose from, our One-Step Dyes are a must for your upcycling craft supplies. The refill packs are perfect for larger upcycling ideas like this ice dyed bedding set— plus you’ll have extra dye leftover for your next project!

4. Dress upcycling idea with Tulip Reverse 4-Color Tie-Dye Kit

Dress upcycling idea with Tulip Reverse 4-Color Tie-Dye Kit

Occasionally you may find a thrifted outfit that has an unsightly stain— bleach stains on dark fabric can really stand out! Before you put it back on the rack, consider using reverse tie-dye as a creative upcycling idea. All the craft supplies you’ll need for this bleach tie-dye technique are in the Tulip Reverse 4-Color Tie-Dye Kit: use the Color Changer remove color from dark fabric, then add color back in with vibrant One-Step Dyes!

5. Upcycled denim jacket with Brush-On Fabric Paint and Puff Paint

Upcycled denim jacket with Brush-On Fabric Paint and Puff Paint

Looking for an upcycling idea that showcases your artistic talent? Make sure your craft supplies are stocked with Tulip Brush-On Fabric Paint for unlimited ways to create! Upcycle your thrifted clothing with custom hand-painted designs or use stencils as an easy alternative. This fabric paint dries permanent and flexible, so your painted designs won’t crack or peel even after washing!

6. Upcycled jeans with Fabric Markers and Puff Paint 

Upcycled jeans with Fabric Markers and Puff Paint

Keep some Puff Paint in your craft supplies to add textured designs to clothing! Turn your thrifted clothing into unique, wearable art with this dimensional craft paint. Puff Paint dries permanent and flexible on fabrics— the precision-tip applicator and easy squeeze bottle makes it perfect for detailing! This easy upcycling idea uses Tulip Puff Paint and Fabric Markers to add a whimsical floral print to the pockets of an old pair of jeans.

7. Upcycled canvas shoes with Fabric Markers

Upcycled canvas shoes with Fabric Markers

You’ll want to have Tulip Fabric Markers stocked in your craft supplies for upcycling, too! These ultra-vibrant markers dry quickly and permanently without heat setting, making them perfect for quick thrift flips on small surfaces such as shoes and bags. Your upcycled projects will look amazing with detailed, hand-drawn designs!

Stock up on all of these must-have craft supplies and get ready for your next upcycling idea!

Show us your thrifting transformations with Tulip and tag us on social media @TulipColorCrafts!

Keep the creativity coming and check out these links to get inspired for your next DIY!

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