Image: sxc.hu

Nowadays, in our stressed economy,  recycling garments has become popular once again.  Not because fabric is scarce, but because people can’t afford to purchase new.

I used fabric from old garments for quilts and for my daughter’s clothing many years ago.  It was fun to pour over the quilts and find scraps from sewing projects and family garments.

Nowadays, women are rediscovering this art of making quilts and clothing from old garments.  In addition to fabric shops being popuplar places to shop, quilters and dressmakers are pulling out the old fabrics and garments from their stashes.  They are finding these items also at thrift shops and rummage sales.

Have you utilized old garments for your sewing?

Related Posts:

Aprons in Art, Business & Memories mentions recycling clothing as aprons.

Penny Halgren’s Cutting Up Garments for Fabric gives a tutorial.

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Making Quilts from Old Garments

IMG: Jill Vanderwood

Here are your random numbers:

35
15
Timestamp: 2009-05-27 15:55:29 UTC

#35 Jessica K. (http://macmomof3.blogspot.com/)
This would be a great book for my daughter to read. She talks about Being Green and things she can do to improve the environment.

#15 was Susan C. (http://pregnantkatiesmom.blogspot.com/)
I lowered the themostat on my hot water heater and hang my clothes out to dry in warm weather.

Both of these winners will get one copy of “What It’s Like, Living Green?” book. Can’t wait to hear what you think of this book. Email me at eliza.ferree@b5media.com with your mailing address. Congratulations!

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Winners of the “What’s it Like Going Green”

What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live. In this non-fiction book for ages 9 and up, you’ll read about a teenage girl who began a recycling business, with 100 clients, when she was five. Learn about a boy who started a foundation to bring fresh water to an entire village, at age seven. You will see how kids, like you can make a difference for the environment, help others and even earn some money.

IMG: Jill Vanderwood

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is the author of four childrens books. She is a mother and grandmother who wants to make a difference for the next generation. She makes her home in the state of Utah with her husband, Bill.

Prize: 2 lucky winners will receive “What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live.”

GIVEAWAY TIME:

Rules: Answer the following: What is one thing you can do to make a difference for the planet?

Extra entries for those that stumble, twitter or blog this post.

Deadline:  May 23, 2009.

GOOD LUCK!!

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Giveaway: What It’s Like, Living Green?

Image: sxc.hu

Do we have the correct data or simply what politicians and those making money from the big industry of environmental and global warming wants us to know?  Are scientists, who present data that disproves the theory of global warming (and this group is growing), discredited and even lose their jobs because they’re not “politically correct” in their beliefs?

Holly Fretwell, a natural resources management expert, has a well researched and documented book out there, The Sky’s Not Falling! Why It’s OK to Chill About Global Warming, that presents a common sense view, with facts, on this topic, without the scare tactics the politicians and environmental businesses are using.  She also includes “fun facts” for the youngsters reading the book.

(Holly’s most recent book – Who is Minding the Federal Estate?: Political Management of America’s Public Lands.)

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Are We Teaching Kids Global Warming Lies

You save 25% on all of their organic cotton, bamboo and even their “City Blocks” fabric, which is made from 100% recycled pop bottles.

Why buy green fabric?  Fabric manufacturing is unfortunately, not a very eco-friendly process.  Cotton takes a lot of pesticides, fabric dyes can be toxic, and synthetic fabrics are usually made from petroleum products.  Going green in your studio can be one more way to make little changes that help the planet.

As a special treat, you can also get an eco-tote with any purchase of eco-friendly fabric.  Just use the code “TOTE424″ at the checkout.  Just remember, the sale ends on Monday, April 27th at midnight.

image: Fabric.com

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Want to Stock Up on “Green” Fabric?

Guess again: “Sex is part of our lives, so any issue that concerns us out of the bedroom has implications inside it: if we recycle, buy local produce, watch our carbon use, and think ecologically in other ways, it makes sense to
do the same when we make sexual choices. Our well-being and that of the earth are connected, so consider where you can go Ecorotic!” says  Dr. Carol Queen, Good Vibrations‘ staff sexologist.

Just in time for Earth Day (cause it’s ALWAYS time for good toys), Good Vibrations has a new earth-friendly Ecorotic collection of all-natural and organic products, like the awesome Ooh La La Kit, shown at left.

Going green has never been sexier!

Image: Goodvibes.com

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Having an Eco-Rotic Earth Day

For the latest news on the global warming front, turn to Change.org – Stop Global Warming. Your guide Emily spends a lot of time researching to make it easier for you!

Another favorite of mine, Green Living Tips, is written by Michael in Australia. He includes lots of helpful articles about living green.

If you’re looking for the latest in green and ethical shopping, you can’t miss with Hippyshopper. You’re sure to learn something new and intriguing when you visit.

For family life on the green side, try out Tree Hugging Family. I used to write over there with Jennifer, so I know how passionate she is about the topic.

If you’re curious about how celebs are living the green life, find out at ecorazzi. You can get some juice for water cooler talk.

Do you have any favorite green websites to share?

(Image via stock.xchng)

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Online Friends for Going Green

“He’s really learning about ‘going green’ from school,” the mom remarked.  “They’ve got a big program about saving the environment.”

Many schools are emphasizing the “green” theme, including those where I do substitute teaching.  Youngsters are informing their parents and looking for ways to be green at home.

This is great, as long as it isn’t carried to extremes.  Parents have to take into account cost, time savings, and their lifestyle, as well as environment practices.  Sometimes you also can’t change all at once.  These practices have to be adapted gradually.

What’s going on in your household regarding “going green?” Have your children’s schools joined the “green team” in a sensible manner or to the extreme?

Image: sxc.hu

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Parenting for the “Green” Family

Eileen, from The Artful Crafter, contributes some of her frugal finds to the ongoing series here at Quilting and Patchwork.  Quilters and fabric artists, throughout the years, have been noted for reusing fabric, salvaging old clothing, and finding ways to be creative with various odds and ends.

Eileen has some great ideas:

• I always rummage through the remnant bin when I shop for fabric.
• Friends who don’t sew anymore know I will gladly help them declutter and take their leftovers.
• Friends who have curtains made or furniture upholstered keep just a few scraps for repairs and matching, then give me the rest.
• Out of date upholstery books

Do you have some frugal tips to share with us?

(c)2008

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Frugal Quilting Tips from The Artful Crafter

Here are some more ideas from the Arts Bloggers to “get your creative juices flowing,” as my mother used to say.
Cloudy skies on fabric with Tangled Thread
Follow this step-by-step tutorial to create your own hand-painted fantasy skies on fabric.

Book Arts Resources at Layers Upon Layers
Book arts resources to either get you started or to inspire your further exploration!

Quick Visual Prompt
Visual prompt from the book Art Escapes

Quilters “Going Green” – Has This Changed Your Quilting?
Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork shares some tips on recycling and going green in your quilting/fabric art.
Scrap Girls Color Challenge: Red, White and Black
Do you know the derivation of the phrase “Three Dog Night”? Eileen clues us in with a scrapbook layout featuring three of her darling dogs.

ENJOY!

(Amazon image; check here)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Scraps & Prompts & Painted Fabric from the Arts Bloggers