Today I vowed to start cleaning up the sewing area and take time for some sewing. Things got thrown in that space prior to and during the holidays.

Although I pressed a couple of garments, most of my time was spent finishing up some French-seam pillowcases I had begun. Then, I rewarded myself by making up a pair of Christmas fabric cases rather than put the uncut fabric in storage!! UFO and one new project--right?

We enjoy heavy terry washcloths, so will work on some UFO cuts tomorrow.

RECYCLE project: beautiful long staple cotton terry towels had bands which shrank up to half the size of the width of the towel.
I cut the towels up in squares and gently curved the corners.

With some rows of three-step zigzag stitching, I'll have nicely finished edges and recycle at the same time. My outlay will be the cost of the 1200 yard spool of thread. Pretty good bargain, in my book...

What are you recycling?????????

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan

You would not believe this, but I am ripping apart a quilt top (REALLY REALLY ugly) & making a string quilt top. I thought I was the only one into doing things like that.

hummmm you have given me an idea about those old bath towels that have shrunk up--Me thinks about potholder stuffing. What do you think?? Hate to use a good towel. How many layers for a potholder? 3-4??

I find I don't throw out near as much fabric ends as I use to from projects. I know have a container of crumbs and make crumb quilts! Less fabric in the land fills and more quilts!! I am working on sewing up the rows of my first crumb quilt and just love how it is turning out!

I have also used towels inside pot holders. Depends on the weight of the towel for # of layers.

I have made countless denim quilts from old blue jeans. Old blankets cut up & serged make dog beds/blankets. Old diapers (the cloth kind) cut up & serged make the best cloths for cleaning eye glasses.

These are the ones which come to mind immediately. Will post if I remember any more.

Recycling in my sewing room? Well, let's see. I save strips and bits and pieces of batting that I then zigzag together to use in either puppy/kitten quilts or placemats.

When I embroider, I save much of the stabilizer that has to be cut off to use on the next project. (All stabilizer does not have to be hooped -- just slide it under the hoop before starting the embroidery.)

I also have two different "baskets" going for fabric "trash" -- those tiny little bits for a string quilt. The other basket holds fabric that is large enough to be cut into 5" blocks.

Old dress patterns that I know I won't ever make again, I use as "tissue paper" in gifts to my sewing/quilting friends.

Have "ugly" fabric? Use it to wrap a present. However, make sure the recipient knows you don't want the "wrapping paper" back :roll: :roll:

A few years ago, I made twin size patchwork rag quilts out of used flannel shirts. I was amazed at the good fabric available at the local thrift shop in shirts with buttons missing or tears in part of the item. These are bright
and cheery quilts with the softness and warmth of flannel and cotton batting.

I was raised in a household where both parents went through the Great Depression of the 1930's. We mended items or recycled clothing fabric in newly constructed garments.

Which reminds me...... If you ever run across a woman's pleated Pendleton brand wool skirt.....you've really found something. I have removed the stitching, pressed out the sharp pleats with a damp tea towel and steam iron; joined the front and back sections and ended up with lovely Pendleton wool plaid couch throws. The colors are outstanding and the final hemmed throw folds up to almost nothing for storage in the summer months. I can always tell Pendleton wool blindfolded by its wonderful "hand." If you carefully wash with Woolite brand soap/detergent and dry over a shower rod, you also eliminate dry cleaning expenses. I have three beautiful throws in my possession :)

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan

Great ideas in all your replies! Thanks.

My daughter laughs at me for this, but when I'm piecing a quilt top, I keep a ball jar by me and throw all of the thread clippings in it. When my granddaughter and I have an afternoon, we will make pinecone bird feeders with peanutbutter and roll them in the thread and birdseed. The birds to use the thread in their nests.

Now that is about the neatest thing I have ever heard. My DH and myself sit outside in our swing and watch the birds,when the weather is good,Drink a cup of coffee. It is our timeout from everything. Just swing,sip coffee and look at the birds. I am going to do as you do from now on. What a wonderful idea. We have pinecones everywhere so it would be easy to use them and the strings with peanut butter and seeds.
Thank you. BillsBonBon

Just think how fun it would be to find a nest with all the bright colors in it.. :lol: