Recycled Fabric Crafts

Have you ever wondered what to do with that pile of outgrown clothes at the end of the season? With those faded sheets or the tablecloth with the hole in the center? With your son's jeans that have both knees busted out and can't even be donated to your local thrift shop?
If you're nodding your head, then keep reading; I've got some ideas for you. I am an eco-friendly person, a waste minimizer, recycler to the core, freecycler du jour!

The thought of tossing anything into the landfill just fills me with anxiety. I try hard to minimize my eco-footprint whenever possible.
So, what do you do with that heap of fabric? Well, you RECYCLE it, of course!

For starters, you take all those pants and cut them just under the back pockets. Turn them inside out and sew across the bottom. Turn out again and voila! You've just begun a recycled fabric tote bag. Now, take the good section from the legs and create a handle (or two if you prefer). Attach it to the bag and there you have it, a hip, environmentally friendly tote bag. You can leave it plain and simple, or dress it up by adding a colorful scarf or necktie through the belt loops. Add a broach if you want for a sparkly touch.

You know what else you can do with those jeans? Take the scraps you have left and cut them into teeny pieces, puree in an old blender and make your own paper. Really!

What can you do with cargo pants? Turn those babies into a child's apron for craft time. One leg is plenty of fabric for that project.

Sheets, curtains, tablecloths? You can make so many things: cloth napkins, patchy table runners or curtain valances, throw pillows, bag-bags (to hold your grocery bags in for re-use), or market bags for taking with you when you shop for your organic veggies! (No pressure!)

I have made so many things from recycled fabric. I've used silky nightgowns for bag liners; pants pockets for inside tote bags...I even turned my daughter's purple, furry sweater into a cute handbag once she outgrew it.

With a bit of creativity and not much else (sewing machine, scissors, thread) you too can create useful items and even gifts from your families worn out clothes. Give it a try! I'll bet people will stop you on the street and ask where you bought that amazing bag! You can do it! Go on, raid your closets, clear out the clutter, and recycle that fabric!!