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Entrepreneurship:  Business from Recycled Sweaters  |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 02 2004 : 08:32:00 AM
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I saw and old Michael's magazine (it's a chain craft store) and there were two ideas I saw there that sparked huge interest.
One was a tea cozy made out of an old wool sweater. It had been minimally shrunk and felted, lined and was basically an inverted half circle. But the design on it was so cute - it depicted wash hanging out on the line and the laundry pieces were 3-D.
The other was purses made from chicken wire cut into squares (presumably as they gave no directions), wrapped around and wired into a box/bowl. A black velvet inner bag was added as well as chain or some kind of strap. But in the holes of the wire were charms that made the purse unique and one of those things you just wanted to play with and look at more closely - enticing.
So now my daughter and I have thought about making things from recycled sweaters. Finding wool sweaters in southern AZ is next to impossible, but we've discovered a ton of lacy hand-crocheted sweaters at every thrift store in town. One of the ideas is to take the bottom of long sleeves, cut them off, add a liner, a cord strap and closing to make cool cellphone/ glasses purses. We don't use a cellphone, but every teen girl has one! (except my daughter) Most parents get them to keep in touch with their kids.
I do want to stay away from making just purses, though. Any ideas? We'd like to turn this into a mother-daughter home business. |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2004 : 3:15:14 PM
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This sounds so intriguing, Padma. Have you experimented with any of them yet? How will you market them? I often will look through a catalog and see patchwork type denim dresses or jackets or jumpers, for example, and think to myself that I should really try that, because it wouldn't be that hard... Just need to create or find a pattern that lends itself to adaptations. I should hit the thrift stores again and just see what pops out at me for possibilities. Let us know how you are progressing!
Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural |
Edited by - Clare on Jul 12 2004 3:17:19 PM |
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cecelia
True Blue Farmgirl
497 Posts
cecelia
new york
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2004 : 6:37:40 PM
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Providing you can find a good supply of sweaters (pullovers preferable so you have a good front and back), it is possible to make throw pillows from them. You'd have to wash and block them, perhaps sew a lining if you don't use a pillow form with a cover, and of course you'd have to figure a way to sew them up without the edges unraveling. I saw some of these in a magazine a while back; there were no directions with the picture so I didn't save the article and can't remember which magazine it was in.
Cecelia
ce's farm |
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Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2005 : 11:20:48 AM
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Hi Everybody,
On the topic of business from recycling I would like to add that for a long time now I have been doing art from recycled wool blankets. I just finished a commisioned art peice titled "Wedding bears" for a friend who has a daughter that will be getting married in Hawaii next summer. This art piece is to be a wedding gift.
I thought you all might like to see what I do besides farm.
Eileen
You should be able to see them by clicking on this link.
http://eshare.hpphoto.com/start.asp?JobID=885fb2fe-4f5a-429b-9aba-263ae4c9bbd8
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2005 : 11:29:58 AM
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Eileen they are precious! Did you do the bead necklaces too? The blanket with the cross they are sitting on is that another "Eileen Masterpiece"? Your friend should be honored to have a friend as thoughtful as you! Her daughter will cherish those bears forever.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2005 : 11:42:58 AM
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Meadowlark,
The only parts of the project that I did not make besides the blanket pieces themselves is the Hopi fetish bear and dish in the center of the medicine wheel on the blanket. Also I beaded the necklaces but did not make the beads or the shell or the horsehair these items are found and used as a part of the piece.
In a Native American wedding ceremony the couple is wrapped in a blanket together as a symbol of their union. Thus, "Wedding Bears"
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2005 : 11:51:58 AM
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Oh those are dishes! I thought they were hats for the bears...My vison isn't what it used to be. Very lovely tradtions.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2005 : 12:16:03 PM
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Eileen, how creative you are! Wonderfully inspiring work!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2005 : 6:10:44 PM
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How cool is that! Sometimes, with all you do Eileen, I think you are up 24/7!
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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JoyIowa
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Joy
273 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2005 : 1:41:34 PM
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Don't rule out old jean stuff. there is a pattern on the market "The Upside Down Jeans Jacket" that uses a pair of jeans and a bunch of scraps to make the best jacket I've ever owned. Don't forget to get written permission to create these for resale before you start.
Another thing that continues to be "hot" around here is blue jean accessories ie: hair scrunchies, detachable cuffs and collars, totes, etc.
Have fun and keep us posted.
JoyIowa
To live without farm life is merely existing, to live with farm life is living life to it very last experience. |
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sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2005 : 08:43:06 AM
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| I went home for Christmas this past year and rumaged though my Mom's attick and gathered all my old favorite sweaters that I haven't worn in years and I just couln't give them away (too many memories). So I cut their sleeves off cut them up the side to make them into two panels which turn them into big squares. Them sowed them all together into a quilt and got a big piece of soft flannel and used that for the back of the quilt. i love this blanket, it's so warm and it really only took about a weekend. You can find so many nice sweaters in thirft shops. Oh also I took the sleeves and stitched them together with colored yarn in a crazy quilt fashion and made scarves for all my friends for christmas. It was a lot of fun. There is a lot you can do with old sweaters, just make sure to watch becasue they begin to unravle right after being cut. |
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greanmama
Farmgirl in Training
13 Posts
Kim
Madison
WI
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2005 : 06:20:12 AM
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Hi Everyone,
I do have a business making (just about any inspiration) items from recycled materials. And much of what I make is from old sweaters -- not all of them are from wool. You can make bags, purses, kids clothes, pins/brooches, hair stuff. It is endless. My business is based on making what I can, when I can, and then selling at craft fairs OR craft consignment stores. There is a huge surge of DIY craft going on -- w/"trendy" stores selling this stuff. Two stores just for this type of stuff in my town. I also love using old pillow cases and sheets. Old buttons and jewlery. Anything I can dig up at a thrift store (oh, how I love a good find). I don't have pictures up anywhere yet. I also happen to do alot of birth related work. So these fit well together but leave me with irregular schedules and long to do lists. Oh, tip, use zig zag stitch to mark where you'll cut a sweater, then cut next to it and you'll have an edge that doesn't fray. I've even gotten good at sewing my stuff before I cut it. Sweaters are incredible forgiving.
kim
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~ Ghandi |
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Entrepreneurship: Business from Recycled Sweaters |
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Business from Recycled Sweaters
