From Howtopedia - english
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| − | The obvious answer to the recycling of fabric is to make it into other things. Anyone who sews even just occasionally will know that there is a certain amount of "left-over" scraps that just aren't good for much of anything given their size. I sew a lot, and it bugs me to have to throw anything away because I am also passionate about recycling. So here are a few things I have come up with to "make the most" out of both my fabric and store bought clothing.
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| − | Be Thrifty: My family shops almost exclusively for basic garments at our local thrift stores. I live in an urban area and the selection there is always excellent, so I haven't paid retail for jeans or basic shirts in years. This satisfies most of the "reduce, re-use, recycle" mantra because we also donate our clothing cast offs. I used to just pitch things that were thread-bare, but then I found out that the thrift shops are also selling bulk lots of garments that don't sell or are worn out to international manufacturers that recycle the "rag" fabric. So I don't worry about whether a garment is wearable any more and that feels so much better than considering how long it would take for a pair of kid's khakis to break down in a land fill.
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| − | Get Creative: Whether or not you can sew, there are plenty of ways that you can recycle textiles that don't require a lot of skill. I use old towels and washcloths for cleaning up all over the house. Looking for a more aesthetic idea? How about felting/fulling an old wool sweater in the wash then cutting it up to make slippers, bags and mittens? Any sweater that is mostly animal fiber - angora, cashmere, Shetland - will felt in hot water. Throw in a couple pair of jeans to help the fabric felt up evenly. I've also used tennis shoes to aid in the fulling process.
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| − | In addition to sewing, I also knit and crochet. With some patience and planning, you can deconstruct old knits - sweaters, skirts, etc - and re-use the yarn to make other items. Be careful to choose a knit that does not have serged seams; they indicate that the garment was probably cut from a large fabric and you will end up with lots of little strings and very little usable yarn.
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| − | Don't be afraid to make old clothes into new clothes. Unless sewing is very new to you, it is a great way to freshen up the wardrobe. Embellishing clothing has become a popular trend. There are hundreds of articles online as well as books and magazines that can give you inspiration. Re-purposing - aka new use - is also an option. Altering existing textiles to become other items that are useful and attractive. Why not make curtains from tablecloths? Or turn a skirt into a little girl's dress?
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| − | Weird Science: What to do with all the rest?
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Revision as of 16:28, 15 December 2008
