Weekly Sewing Digest - 4/23/2010 - Sewcycling!

[nuisance26]

We all know to recycle our cans, bottles and newspapers but do you also recycle your cast-off fabric items by turning them into new items? Many crafters refer to this as "upcycling" since a useful item is created from a poor item. There are thousands of tutorials and guides on the web to be inspired by! This week I gathered just a few projects that recycle, reuse and upcycle commonly discarded fabric items to get you started.

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Now that warmer weather is here and winter clothes are being packed away, perhaps you have some fleece tops and sweaters that need a new life. Both materials can be turned into hats, mittens and bags. Or how about making some slippers? Or a nifty dusting mitt?
Fleece or old towels can also be used for a great buttoned Swiffer cover.
Old towels can be cut down and finished into rags and washcloths but can also be used to make a basket-weave bathmat.
T-shirts can be upcycled in many ways including t-shirt quilts and the classic t-shirt tote bag.
100% cotton t-shirts make excellent flat diapers for a baby or for cleaning.
A pretty colored shirt can be used to make a ruffled jacket.
Bed sheets are a wonderful source of material for many things like curtains, napkins, pillows, handkerchiefs, aprons, dresses, tote bags and rag rugs. If you can crochet a little bit or are willing to learn, you can combine the rag rug and pillow projects into a stylish floor pillow.
Denim jeans are a favorite among crafty recyclers! They can be refashioned into potholders and place mats, bags, skirts, aprons, organizers, book covers, quilts, and much much more!
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What items have you recycled/upcycled?
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This week's Member Project of the Week honorree is Shellyrhds for her recycled wool sweater bag!



Remember to post pictures of your projects in the Sewing Forum, Sewing Challenge thread and Crafters' Retreat Weekend thread to be considered for POTW! We want to see your work and be inspired by your creativity!
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If you haven't already done so, join the Frugal Village Sewing Club!
Come participate in the Sewing Forum and the 2010 Sewing Challenge. You choose what you want to accomplish each month, 1 item, 4 items or more!
We also get together with the other hobby groups for one weekend each month to power through our UFO's and urgent projects. These are currently held the last weekend of each month. Come join us this weekend!

[nuisance26]

~I finished my upcycled diaper bag! I used a woman's jumper dress and salvaged the zipper for the top of my bag. I also used the dress' existing pockets for the bag pockets. The lining is a yard sale sheet.
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[mauimagic]

Love this thread - mahalo nuisance - think I am going to make the updated bath mat!!

Great looking dipaer bag - think it would be great if others shared other upcycled projects!!