recycled sewing

**lori17048** · 12-08-2008, 11:39 AM

I was wondering if anyone else repurposes old clothing? Right now I am sewing 3 Teddy bears from old blue jeans, I also removed the pockets to make little purses. I have baby quilts cut out from old clothing...............Lori

**Patty A** · 12-08-2008, 11:49 AM

yes I do also. I have made fabric covers for old cork board and dry erase boards.
I did them last year for Christmas gifts, and no one knew I had use old boards!
I have also done door draft guards out of old jeans, pillows out of old favorite t-shirts, and the booty bags for women out of old jeans. They are fun, and I am always looking for new ways to use old things!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-08-2008, 12:16 PM

I've just started this so I'm way behind most of you. I took apart an apron and a Christmas bag yesterday and will use them in a Christmas quilt I've been making for a couple of years. I also cut up a blouse of dd's a few weeks back and will use the material in a quilt. I've never done this before so it's all new to me.

Now dd on the other hand is really good at this. She is always looking for used things to make her doll clothes with. Recently she was given a set of curtains (pretty mint pattern) which she is taking apart and making into clothes. When we are at yard sales or thrift stores, she is always looking for clothing she can re-use.

**MRAHoffman** · 12-08-2008, 12:23 PM

This past weekend, I began to seriously think about this. Have a few ideas, but will post later for input (lunch is over). Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

**Jeanna** · 12-08-2008, 01:20 PM

I am guilty of not doing this enough. I do take off all buttons and zippers out of clothes that are ruined and can't be donated though.

**guest002** · 12-08-2008, 01:36 PM

I was wondering just yesterday if someone could make a shopping tote bag out of my husbands old military uniforms (the camouflage type ones)

**nuisance26** · 12-08-2008, 01:37 PM

~Oh yeah! It's fun to make something new out of something old. Whenever I need ideas I peruse Craftster, Etsy, my favorite sewing blogs and old sewing books. I have two sewing blogs. If anyone is interested in seeing my recycled projects you can go to http://latelyreconstructed.wordpress.com/ or http://www.villageblogger.com/nuisance26/ .~

**sunshine** · 12-08-2008, 07:28 PM

Yes I do. (won't let me just say that, says it's too short)

**miss_thrifty** · 12-08-2008, 08:42 PM

im getting some great ideas thanks everyone. I need to put some of them down for next years goal list.

**zakity** · 12-08-2008, 08:48 PM

I have tons of jeans taken apart. I want to make potholders for xmas, but I don't think that will happen this year. I have plans on making a quilt, but I haven't gotten around to it. I also plan on making some grocery bags out of them.

**LastDragonfly** · 12-08-2008, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by lori17048

I was wondering if anyone else repurposes old clothing? Right now I am sewing 3 Teddy bears from old blue jeans, I also removed the pockets to make little purses. I have baby quilts cut out from old clothing...............Lori

Mother Earth News has a picture of an apron made with jeans in the Dec/Jan issue. It's adorable. They used the back pockets as the front of the apron, sewed wide lace around it-cute.

**LastDragonfly** · 12-08-2008, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by PaulaPAFW

I was wondering just yesterday if someone could make a shopping tote bag out of my husbands old military uniforms (the camouflage type ones)

Oooh, I think and oversize purse made from camies would be cute!

**FrugalDonna** · 12-29-2008, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by PaulaPAFW

I was wondering just yesterday if someone could make a shopping tote bag out of my husbands old military uniforms (the camouflage type ones)

You could do this easily by making a simple tote bag. I use homemade totes at the grocery store all the time. Just make sure you reinforce the handles and double sew any seams so they hold up.

**MoonMommy** · 12-29-2008, 06:14 AM

I am trying to recycle old clothes into other stuff. Mostly things like turning old t-shirts into shopping bags. I have a huge hamper full of old clothes that I need to do something with. After the holidays wind down, I will get to work on them.

**thefrug** · 12-29-2008, 07:56 AM

I've taken old flour sacks and such that I've found at flea markets and made bags for myself and hubby and a friend to use at the Ren Faire we attend. I made the strap long enough that we can put them over our heads and across our chests so the load ( I carry too much stuff) won't dig into our shoulders during the long days.
I've taken an old sweater vest and turned that into a purse. Also old jeans and made a purse(just like back in the 70's)
The sleeves from old sweaters and made leg warmers ( back in the 80's)
Old stained crocheted doilies that I've further stained with coffee and then made pillows.
Some old lace off of a shirt, to hand sew onto one of my Ren Faire hats.