What to Do With Fabric

[so lucky]

I was just wondering if anyone has any good ideas to recycle old clothing and fabric. I have made rag rugs, used old shirts to make various other clothes, made doll clothes, cut them up for patchwork pillows and throws. I have seen people use old jeans to make purses. Of course, use in animal beds and the cotton ones for all purpose polishing and scrub rags. I make stuffed animals out of socks. What else? There has got to be a goldmine in all these old clothes--just haven't found it yet! (I just sent a huge pile of clothes to the Salvation Army. I know I am gonna be so mad when somebody tells me a killer idea I could have used!)

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I have a great pattern for very, very warm crocheted slippers.....after I finish making the slippers, I put them down on a piece of denim and draw the soles + 1/2 inch more around, cllip curves and turn in. Then hem it around and apply to the under side of the slipper for reinforcement.....sometimes I do 2 layers and form a pillow, one side sheet material and one side denim and form a pillow with a little filling for a softer feel under the feet, while walking, plus more insulation. Very warm.
My grandmother would cut up old tee shirts for rags and keep them in her kitchen closet.......always a use for a rag. She kept some in the trunk of her car too.
I cut a single tee in one inch strips very, very long (going around and around) to tie up my tomatoes. One tee usually takes care of all my vines.
I use whatever fabric I have to make my patches. Sometimes I get as wild as I can with the choices of colors, just to make a crazy looking garment.

 

[DianeS]

I have seen people take a t-shirt with a nice logo or pattern on it, and wrap it around corkboard (staple it on the back), to make an interesting bulletin board. Especially great for school t-shirts, or those with cartoon characters.

 

[Marianne]

Produce bags! Carry all bags! Bags to take to the lake or pool! Bags for the wee ones!

I could be a true bag lady.

http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2011/05/greeneasy-knit-produce-bag.html

Unfortunately, her website will not allow me to snag a picture of the finished projects. Trust me, they are so cool, made out of recycled t-shirts or knit fabrics!

 

[the funny farm6]

i cut up old tshirts for rags. old jeans cut into @ 6-8" squares and 3-4 layers (sewn) make good potholders. (i have a friend with an industrial sewing machine) and a friend of ours collected harley davidson tshirts cut the fronts out and made my husband a quilt. i thought if i ever have a grand baby it would be neat to make a quilt with disney pic shirts.

 

[so lucky]

Produce bags! Carry all bags! Bags to take to the lake or pool! Bags for the wee ones!

I could be a true bag lady.

http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2011/05/greeneasy-knit-produce-bag.html

Unfortunately, her website will not allow me to snag a picture of the finished projects. Trust me, they are so cool, made out of recycled t-shirts or knit fabrics!

This idea is really cool. thanks for the tip.

 

[baymule]

I have made dog toys out of blue jean legs. Cut to size, sew up, stuff, insert a squeaker, more stuffing and sew up the end. They last longer than store bought dog toys and my DD's mini-weiner LOVED his toys!

 

[Marianne]

oh ya! I forgot about dog toys.

I would take a heavy t-shirt, roll it up tightly and cover it with duct tape. The dogs loved it. I did learn the hard way that you don't want to use el cheapo tape for something like this. Other times I would just take a piece of t-shirt and knot it randomly.

Love the denim idea. I bet my dogs would, too.

 

[ducks4you]

Make rolls, stuff them with fabric scraps and use them to block drafts in your windows. You will want to measure your windows ahead of time so they fit.

 

[~gd]

Have you ever seen heavy braided rugs? You use the sturdiest rags for the outside of the three rolls that are braided together and you can use worn-out or ugly rags to stuff the rolls [important that all three rolls be uniform] then the rolls are flat braided coiled [circle or rounded rectangle] and sown with HEAVY thread as the coil grows. I have one my grandmother made at night while listening to the radio that is how old it is. ~gd