As you know, we are on a mission this year to pay off debt and live on a budget. Luckily, that doesn’t mean we can’t keep living. Instead, we’re finding creative ways to save money on everything from food to toys. That makes the monthly Thrift Store Challenge even more exciting. This month we’re playing dress up with an upcycled DIY Minnie Mouse dress up apron.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

The Rules:

Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
There’s no monthly theme.
There’s no budget to stick to.

Meet the Hosts

Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!

[bctt tweet=”This #upcycled DIY #MinnieMouse dress up apron is proof you can surprise kiddos and stick to your budget!” username=”diyadulation”]

Full disclosure: I got over zealous with this project so there aren’t as many photos as usual. Luckily, this is a super easy project that involves simple sewing techniques. This is easiest with a sewing machine but you can do it by hand if you don’t mind the extra time involved.

Minnie Mouse Dress Up Apron Materials

Red Darted Women’s Button-Up Dress Shirt
Black Felt
3 inch Wide Yellow Ribbon
White Fabric Paint
1 inch Circle Sponge Brush
Scissors
Sewing Machine

Step 1

Start by cutting the back of your dress shirt off of the rest of the shirt. Make sure that the top is cut straight and disassemble the sides at the seams. Leave the bottom seam intact.

Step 2

Next, add white polka dots to the bottom of your red shirt with your sponge brush.

Step 3

Set your shirt aside to dry.

Step 4

Now, cut the cuff of the end of one sleeve of your dress shirt. Sew the cuff into a rectangle.

Step 5

Then cut a small strip of fabric from the same sleeve you removed the cuff from.

Step 6

Next, wrap your piece of fabric around the rectangle and create a bow.

Step 7

Set your bow to the side and pull out your black felt.

Step 8

Cut your black felt into a rectangle that is roughly 12 inches X 8 inches.

Step 9

Then round the top of the rectangle into 2 half circles.

Step 10

Next, sew the red bow you made to the top center of your black felt.

Step 11

Now sew the flat edge of your black felt opposite your bow to the unpainted edge of your red shirt back.

Step 12

Lastly, sew a long length of your ribbon to the center of your apron covering the seam between the black felt and red shirt.

Step 13

Finish off your apron by sewing each end of a piece of ribbon to the center of each half circle at the top.

There you go! This upcycled DIY Minnie Mouse dress up apron is so easy to make. As you can see, baby girl is absolutely loving it. Who says you can’t live the good life on a budget? Now it’s time to see the other amazing thrift store projects my friends have come up with. Check out the rest of the Monthly Thrift Store Challenge below!

See where I’m linking up!

And now for more thrifty goodness!

Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

It’s time to pull out the sewing machine and save money with these 12 easy sewing projects you can make now. Sewing your own clothes and décor is an easy way to boost your savings.

[bctt tweet=”Pull out the sewing machine and save money with these 12 easy #sewing #projects!” username=”diyadulation”]

When is the last time you pulled out your sewing machine? I admit that most of the time I opt to hand sew my projects instead of pulling out my sewing machine. If you’ve been following along then you know we are working hard to get out of debt and that means finding more ways to be frugal.

DIY Wallets for Kids (Life Sew Savory)

Give your kids somewhere to store all of that allowance with this easy DIY. You can easily customize it to their individual tastes with fabric and colors.

DIY Hedgehog Pin Cushion (DIY Home Sweet Home)

How stinking adorable is this little guy? There’s no reason your pin storage can’t be cute as well as functional.

Fabric Flower Boutonnieres (Blowing Away Out West)

This project is perfect for proms and weddings. Make a beautiful accessory on a budget with this tutorial.

Easy Oilcloth Post-It Note Holder (Bombshell Bling)

Are there any other Post-It addicts out there? Give them an adorable home with this easy sewing project.

Llama Finger Puppet (The Country Chic Cottage)

Being on a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t still surprise the kiddos with toys. This easy finger puppet lets them get creative and have fun!

Quilted Sweetheart Pillow (Gluesticks Blog)

Could your couch use a refresh? It’s easily done with this gorgeous quilted pillow.

Kids Oven Mitt Free Pattern (Life Sew Savory)

Here’s another great DIY for kids’ pretend play. Get ready for lots of pretend dinners at home when you make this easy craft.

Easy Star Wars Sleep Shorts (DIY Adulation)

Clothing costs can be a huge hit to your budget. Make your own awesome clothes like these easy shorts.

DIY Boho Moroccan Pillow (Made in a Day)

If the quilted look isn’t your style, then make this boho Moroccan pillow instead for your living room. The bright colors are sure to give your home the update you want on the budget you have.

Felt Food Bacon and Eggs Sunny Side Up (Intelligent Domestications)

These felt foods are the perfect accessory to the oven mitt above. Kids will love “frying” up some bacon and eggs to serve at your pretend meals.

DIY Fruit Slice Pouf (Two Purple Couches)

Does it get any fresher than this awesome pouf? Brighten up that dark corner in your home with this gorgeous DIY!

DIY Camera Strap (Inside the Fox Den)

Need a new camera strap? Don’t go out and buy one. Instead, check out this easy tutorial to make it yourself.

When you’re paying off debt and trying to live frugally it is time to get reacquainted with that old sewing machine. Pull it out and start saving even more money with these 12 easy sewing projects. You can even start planning for a homemade Christmas this year by making these projects. Then check out the Merry Monday link party below to find even more awesome projects that save you money. Don’t forget if you’re struggling to make a budget I have a strategy to teach you How to Budget When You’re Overwhelmed. It doesn’t have to be confusing, complicated, or hard. I’ll show you how.

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Have you ever noticed how right after playoffs your social media fills up with angry fans mad that their team isn’t in the Super Bowl? It is one of the feelings that I simply can’t relate to. Would you like to know why? I’m a Bengals fan. The last time my team saw a Super Bowl was in the 80’s.

That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy making awesome stuff that supports my team. Super Bowl still brings out the creative football spirit even when your team isn’t in the game. This DIY upcycled Bengals throw pillow is easy to make and easy to customize to your favorite team.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

The Rules:

Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
There’s no monthly theme.
There’s no budget to stick to.

Meet the Hosts

Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!

[bctt tweet=”DIY upcycled Bengals throw pillow is easy to make or customize to your favorite team! #repurposeit” username=”diyadulation”]

Materials

Old Bengals Jackets (or team of your choice)
Scissors
Sewing Needle
Black Thread
Poly-Fil

Step 1

First, cut the back of the jacket into a rectangle that includes the team logo.

Step 2

Next, fold your rectangle in half with the right sides of the fabric facing in.

Tip:

In this case, the right side is the side with the team logo.

Step 3

Now sew around the edges of your pillow until only 2-3 inches of the seam remain unsewn.

Step 4

Then turn your pillow right-sides out.

Step 5

Next, stuff your pillow with Poly-Fil.

Step 6

After your pillow is filled to your liking, sew the corner opening closed.

I seriously cannot stop squeezing this pillow. It is so soft! The fact that it represents my team makes me absolutely love it. Make your own DIY upcycled Bengals throw pillow or find a jacket that represents your favorite team. Then find out how to use the front of your jacket to make this DIY Cincinnati Bengals Purse. Now it’s time to see what other thrifty ideas my friends came up with this month. Check them all out below!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

And now for more thrifty goodness!

Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!

An InLinkz Link-up