Salvos and Cricut Wrap DIY July Edit Circular Fashion Campaign

The Salvation Army’s DIY July Edit campaign, run in partnership with Cricut, is wrapping up as July 2026 ends. The initiative, promoted through Salvos Stores across Australia, encouraged shoppers to upcycle preloved clothing and homewares using Cricut’s cutting and design tools.

The campaign aimed to promote circular fashion by showing how secondhand items can be transformed through DIY customisation. Participants shared their projects on social media throughout July, with Salvos and Cricut featuring selected designs.

What Was DIY July Edit?

DIY July Edit asked Australians to buy preloved items from Salvos Stores and use Cricut machines to personalise them. Examples included:

• Adding iron-on vinyl designs to plain T-shirts and jumpers
• Customising tote bags with cut vinyl patterns
• Decorating homewares like cushion covers and tea towels
• Refreshing children’s clothing with fun decals

Cricut provided design templates and tutorials to help participants, even those new to crafting. The campaign emphasised that upcycling extends the life of garments and reduces textile waste heading to landfill.

Why Salvos Promoted Circular Fashion

A Salvation Army operates one of Australia’s largest networks of charity op shops. Salvos Stores sell donated clothing, furniture, and homewares to fund the charity’s social services, including emergency relief, homelessness support, and family programs.

Circular fashion aligns with Salvos’ mission by:

• Reducing waste. Upcycling keeps textiles in use longer.
• Making secondhand appealing. Customisation transforms basic items into unique pieces.
• Encouraging repeat op shop visits. Shoppers hunting for DIY project materials return regularly.
• Raising awareness. Social media participation spreads the message about sustainable fashion.

A DIY July Edit campaign follows broader trends in Australia where thrifting and upcycling have grown in popularity, particularly among younger shoppers concerned about fast fashion’s environmental impact.

Cricut’s Role in the Campaign

Cricut manufactures electronic cutting machines that allow users to cut fabric, vinyl, paper, and other materials for crafts and personalisation. The brand’s partnership with Salvos Stores introduced many Australians to the possibilities of DIY upcycling.

Cricut provided:

• Free design templates themed for July
• Step-by-step video tutorials
• Social media support and project sharing
• In-store demonstrations at selected Salvos locations

Participants could use any Cricut model, from the entry-level Joy to the advanced Maker series. The campaign focused on simple projects achievable by beginners.

Response from the Op Shop Community

The the campaign generated hundreds of social media posts from participants across Australia. Many showcased before-and-after transformations of basic op shop finds. Common themes included:

• Oversized men’s shirts turned into fitted styles with added embellishments
• Plain kids’ clothing updated with colourful iron-on designs
• Worn tote bags refreshed with new patterns
• Cushion covers and homewares personalised with family names or quotes

Several participants noted that the cost of a preloved item plus vinyl materials was still significantly cheaper than buying new, while producing a one-of-a-kind piece.

Circular Fashion and Op Shops

Circular fashion refers to systems where clothing is kept in use as long as possible through reuse, repair, upcycling, and recycling. Op shops play a key role in this by:

• Diverting wearable clothing from landfill
• Making secondhand accessible and affordable
• Funding community programs through sales
• Educating shoppers about sustainable consumption

Upcycling campaigns like the campaign extend circular fashion by encouraging active participation rather than passive consumption. When shoppers customise items, they develop emotional connections that discourage disposal.

For more on how op shops fit into sustainable fashion, see our guide on what to donate to op shops in Australia.

Will There Be DIY August Edit?

Neither Salvos nor Cricut have announced whether the campaign will continue in August 2026. However, the social media engagement and positive feedback suggest similar initiatives may return. Salvos Stores continue to promote upcycling and sustainable fashion year-round through in-store displays and community workshops.

You can find your nearest Salvos Store in our Australia-wide op shop directory.

How to Start Upcycling Op Shop Finds

If the campaign inspired you to try upcycling, here’s how to get started:

• Visit local op shops. Look for plain, good-quality items in your size or slightly larger.
• Invest in basic tools. Iron-on vinyl, fabric paint, or embroidery supplies are affordable starting points. Cricut machines are optional.
• Follow tutorials. YouTube and Pinterest have thousands of free upcycling guides.
• Start simple. Adding patches, hemming, or dyeing are beginner-friendly projects.
• Share your work. Op shop communities love seeing creative transformations.

A the campaign campaign may be ending, but the principles of circular fashion and creative reuse continue at Salvos Stores and op shops across Australia.

By Op Shops Hub Team