What do you do with extra, old sheets?

[Libby]

I second the animal shelter idea

[TheRootedNomad]

I also noticed someone mentioned having too many pillow cases. As a teenager I loved makeing quick summer shirts out of the pillow cases. I would just cut open arm holes in the side and put a quick seam around them and then cut open a neck opening (in whatever style I wanted) and do the same. Sometimes I cut it down and hemmed it and sometimes I left them long to be belted and worn with leggings.

Large pillow cases also make awesome bassinet mattress covers. Just stick the mattress in and tuck it under.


On top of what everyone else has mentioned we freguently use old sheets to make halloween costumes. Think no sewing type stuff such as jedi tunic by cutting a head hole in the middle of one, then split one up the middle halfway to be worn over the shoulders, open in front, add a sash and a lightsaber. We've done a nun outfit, a Robin Hood type charecter, some video game guy, and several others out of them. ..... and Halloween is approaching.

[Pemberleyan]

Here's a great use for them:

http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/

I use them in upholstery, when I am covering foam on a piece of furniture or covering foam for the inner cover of a dog bed. I also occasionally use them for things like covering plants when a frost is expected and for painting projects.

[max915]

hog panel>>>it is a fence they use to pen hogs with....I'm from the country and there are many hog famers....you can get them from stores that sell anything to do with farming..

[cuteoldlady]

I absolutely love sheets, I use them for:

1. making cloth napkins / replace papertowels / coffee filters / tp out of the flannel (did this for years - never new they were called "family clothes" till last week!) I am "fixed" now so I dont worry about pads anymore and daughter wont go for it. BUT she knows, and thats whats important, is she knows she has a choice.
2. quilts
3. drawstring bags to cover the quilts or whatever else needs a bag
4. aprons - I am a sucker for aprons and easy to make
5. cut a fitted sheet down the middle and sew back together to fit couch cushions for those overnight guests or to fit a twin bed
6. dogbed liners / beds
7. crochet / braid into rugs / planter holders / hammocks
8. out of the colorful sheets make a celebration banners / streamers (I used the kids old crib sheets and clothes for this too)
8. room dividers (we have window A/C 's and have a hallway with bathroom that does not need to be cool so hang a pretty flannel sheet across to keep from having to cool area - it is also where our washer and dryer is, there is about a 10 degree difference!!!)
9. indoor "forts" for the kids (put in a pillow case the sheet and clothespins for "instant" fort)
10. I dont have little ones any more (22, 22, 21, & 17) but have been known to have made dresses / shirts / capes / costumes
11. double hem the edges and put in button holes and make an awning for when working outside - great for camping
12. melt some paraffin wax (goes without saying I hope, LOW heat, and use a double broiler, you just want to melt the wax!!! I have always done it outside with a hot plate) once cool enough for you, dip your cotton sheet whole or in pieces in once melted, sqeeze to push the wax thru, do a couple of times. let dry flat or hang. Viola, you have a waterproof sheet. To clean just wipe off. (make into lunchbags, sandwich bags, or whatever else) Although nowadays isnt there a doohickey that'll melt wax and people pay a ton to dip there hands and feet in??? I love twofers


That is all I could think of off the top of my head, other than I will keep sheets and jeans over any other material.

[frugalfranny]

Some great ideas.........found two or three that I can use. I need some bags to put some quilts in.....will be doing that for sure.

Keep the ideas coming........

[zakity]

Make shopping bags with them. Portland has gone or is going plastic bagless and they charge (or will charge) a nickel for the paper bags. We have tons of the bags that I have gotten for free or cheap. I plan to make more when I get the gumption.

[Saule]

Mother made duvet covers for blankets - take two sheets, sew up the two long and one short end, put snaps in on the fourth side. This keeps your blankets cleaner - very important with little kids. It's also a lot easier than a top sheet plus blanket for making the bed. I use duvet covers still myself, especially for down comforters.

[Persimmon Lace]

I use them for quilting, covering the sofa during pet shedding time, covering stuff that needs to be moved, tear in strips for rug making. That's just a lot of fabric to get rid of especially when it doesn't take up that much space and can be used for so much!

[MomK]

My friend makes adult-size bibs for the nursing homes with velcro closures with hers...she's always searching the thrift stores for more.

[Judi Dial]

I had a hard time choosing this one! I chose what I did as that's what I'm going to do. The new "couch" needs cushions and I need material to line the cushion covers...and there go the old sheets. Thank you everyone who wrote for ALL the great ideas!

Judi

[fleurfavs]

I have many sheets at home however they were old and I was thinking to give them to charities.