Because textile recycling is only just beginning, if you throw fabric or clothing away, it usually ends up in the landfill.  Not a very good use of resources or land!

I think most of us have garments that are hanging in the back of the closet that we just can’t part with for one reason or another.  Even if it’s been years since they’ve seen the light of day…

So why not remake them into something that will actually get used?

This totebag began it’s life as a shirt – a shirt that no one could actually wear!  The fabric was just too interesting to toss out, but it’s quite crisp – not comfortable for wearing.

Crisp fabric however will work great for totebags.  I cut the body of the totebag out of the torso of the shirt.  One sleeve got made into a handle and the other handle was stitched out of a shoulder panel.  I didn’t even need a pattern, just cut two squares for the bag, and two rectangles for the handles.

I now have a cool looking totebag – and don’t need to send anything extra to the landfill!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Rethinking & Reusing Textiles

For their latest 500 book, Lark Books wants hip, trendy and modern scarves – but with a twist…

They’re looking for upcycled scarves, scarves sewn from interesting thrifted materials – they want you to think outside the traditional “scarf” box.  Lark Books has emphasized modern and urbane for this one.

The book is focusing on sewn scarves for the beginner or intermediate stitcher.  They’re looking for cool scarves, but with a do-able how to for less experienced seamstresses.  The scarves can be the wearable kind, or strictly for home decor as well.

Want to take part?  Read the rules online here, and get sewing!  But you’d better hurry, because the call for entry closes on October 15th, 2009.

*Contest Alert* you can win a pair of Peace & Love earrings and a Peace & Love charm bracelet from Twisted Silver here!

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Call for Entry – 500 Scarves

Crafters are using everything from vintage clothing to old watch parts to make some amazing pieces of work.

But have you ever thought about using old grain sacks in your work?

Fiber artist and jewelry designer Leslie Janson creates gorgeous jewelry and home accents using vintage burlap grain sacks – that would normally just get tossed into the garbage!

This is one of her sewn cuff bracelets, with an outside made from vintage burlap, lined with a soft vintage grain sack on the inside.  It’s accented with vintage crystal and metal floral bloom.

She also uses the grain sacks to create funky pillows – perfect for adding some country flair to your house.

I’ve seen some really interesting burlap sacks from coffee roasters – they’re used to ship the green, un-roasted beans from different countries.  It might be worthwhile putting on my thinking cap and seeing what I could make from those…

image: Leslie Janson

Post from: Blisstree

Fabric Upcycling from Old Grain Sacks

Thank you to everyone who entered, and keep watching because I’ll have more contests coming up

If you’re disappointed because you didn’t win, Megan Nicolay, the author, has been generous with her tutorials and you can find quite a few online.

She appeared on “Take Five & Company” to share two of her projects from Generation T.

If you’re having problems with the video, you can also watch it online here too.

Here’s another segment, not hosted by Megan, but with projects from two of her books:

There are also lots of free patterns on the Generation T website.  You can make anything from a braided necklace to learn how to add simple straps to a dress.  How about a cute little shrug?  It’s a great way to re-work t-shirts that you’re going to toss otherwise.

Let’s keep that fabric out of the landfill!

Post from: Blisstree

And the Winner of Generation T Is…

“Why not use inspirational pictures and quotes or sayings on CD collages, coasters, hangings?”

This idea of recycling (or upcycling, as some call it when you use a discarded material for art) CDs can go in many directions.  CD collages might consist of:

• Family photos, as Anitra described
• Inspirational sayings
•  Scenic and still life photos
• Reproductions of one’s paintings
• Found objects and memorabilia
• Flower petals and leaves
• Fabric to give a quilted effect
• CDs attached to form a multi collage
• Any combination of these

Have you recycled CDs for art?  For coasters, wall hangings, photo frames, and more?

(Image: sxc.hu)

Post from: Blisstree

Inspirational CD Collages

Megan Nicolay, author of “Generation T” has an easy how-to for re-fashioning a t-shirt into a halter top.  It’s perfect for beginner sewers and is one of those instant gratification projects that we all love

Actually, there are fabric recycling bins – in fact, in Britain – you can even recycle old bras!  But it’s definitely better to reuse fabric rather than tossing it in the garbage.

Post from: Blisstree

Too Many T-Shirts? Transform Them!

Several talented crafters have come up with a whole lot more interesting ideas for using carpet samples.  They’ve made everything from a hammock to a decorative lamp shade – all with those little carpet samples.

You can check out all the winners, as well as previous years’ entries on Ample Sample’s website.

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

What To Do With Those Carpet Samples?

The team from Threadbanger have come up with a great way to breathe new life into an elderly wool sweater.  Just make sure your sweater is actually wool, because it won’t felt otherwise.

There are so many options for making a felted wool sweat your own – the sky really is the limit.  So have fun, don’t be afraid to be creative and explore your notions cupboard

Post from: Blisstree

Upcycling Thrift Store Wool Sweaters

It’s from the same team that produces CraftStylish, but Junk Market Style is for those crafters who like to get a little more… creative with their materials.

They have great tutorials and how-tos like how to store ribbons .  Got some vintage sewing supplies hanging around?  Check out their suggestions for using them to decorate your home.   This burlap window panel is a suggested craft for fall or Halloween, but I think it would work year-round, just play with the colors!

image: Junk Market Style

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Upcycle?

“If you’re like us, you recycle glass plastic and paper, compost your food waste and take your own shopping bag when you go to the store. Right? (”Of course! “) So do you ever think, “why do I need a trash can at all ?” What’s going in there? Well, take a look at the leftovers, get inspired, and create some handmade treasures from so-called trash! We wanna see how you can creatively re-purpose items that you have lying around the house, unused, or that might haveotherwise ended up getting thrown ‘away’. Perish the thought!”

Upcycling can be as simple as using fabric that was going to be thrown out or as detailed and complex as creating a masterpiece from scrounged materials.

So get creative, be thrifty and think twice about what you’re using!  Just click on the graphic to get all the details.

image: Sublime Stitching

Post from: Blisstree

Creative Upcycling Contest