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Nifty Thrifty:  Repurposing  |
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earthmamaT
True Blue Farmgirl
96 Posts
Tammy
portola
California
96 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 7:56:51 PM
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So our local Salvation Army has $1.00 day clothing sales. Sometimes I find clothes we need but I love shopping for the "other" things I end up with.
~ I make reusable grocery bags out of old t-shirts
~ Jeans are cut up and used for purses, patches, pillows and quilts
~ T-shirt are used to make dress tops for TShirt Dresses
I love finding ways to use stuff other people don't want
Tammy ~
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 04:39:57 AM
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Hey Tammy :)
Our Salvation Army often has fill the bag sales for $1.00. I have bought used t-shirts to make rag rugs with :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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Marlies Schmitt
Farmgirl in Training
36 Posts
Marlies
Nampa
Idaho
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2010 : 4:14:30 PM
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Found some 100% wool sweaters and washed them in hot water to felt them. Cut them out and making a felted coat for my granddaughter. Want to try needle felting some designs on it!
I love felted wool because it becomes so dense and gives great warmth.
Marlies
Duck Lane Winery |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Nana Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
Linda
Camden
Missouri
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 3:32:23 PM
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I just returned from the Salvation Army store. I just made 2 dresses, for my sister and me, and the fabric was a little thinner than I thought, so I got 2 slips to line them with. Plus I had my "punchcard" full, worth $5.00 so my $3.50 purchase was free. I had to donate the remaining $1.50, they can't give back change. But that's cool, I save so much money shopping there, I like donating back to them.
Linda
Make God Laugh, Tell HIM Your Plan. |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
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fisher
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Nancy
Crawford
Nebraska
Ukraine
1 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2011 : 10:20:21 AM
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I have been a Nebraska ranch girl all my life. One thing I would like to share with my sister rancherettes is that I keep my fencing supplies in an old shoulder purse. My purse is big enough to hold a pair of fence pliers, leather gloves, staples, T-post clips, etc. Zipper pockets keep staples and clips separated and I can sling it over my saddle horn, hang it on the handlebar of the 4-wheeler, or carry it over my shoulder. Zipper closures also keep everything from spilling out and getting lost. Now I'm thinking someone should invent a purse-sized fence stretcher. Never thought my 6' 2" hunk of husband would ever want to carry a purse, but he wants me to get him one of his own.
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Bushel n Peck
True Blue Farmgirl
251 Posts
Tracy
Truly
MT
USA
251 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2011 : 7:18:10 PM
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I re-cycled an old quilted bedspread and made heavy curtains for our bedroom. They are really thick and are great for both keeping out the heat and the cold.
my blog: http://bushelnpeck.blogspot.com
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.
C. S. Lewis
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
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Cherime
True Blue Farmgirl
1222 Posts
Cherime
Wasilla
Alaska
USA
1222 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2011 : 08:40:38 AM
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I found a lovely comforter that had a large burn hole. Thankfully it had one pillow sham with it that had the same design. It was machine quilted on cotton batting. I used a rotary cutter to cut out the burned part, lined up the design and cut it out of the pillow sham. Zig zagged the patch into the hole and repaired. It would have been such a shame to throw it away.
CMF |
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adnama
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
inge
fargo
north dakota
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2011 : 3:56:54 PM
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| Cherime, That is a wonderful idea, I wish I would have read this a month ago, when I was pondering if I should buy a beautiful comforter, and didn't. The fabric was beautiful, but I have to draw the line at only things that are NOT chipped, not cracked not flawed otherwise I would drown quicker is stuff. |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2011 : 4:20:11 PM
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Elaine,
You are a girl after my own heart! I have been picking up sweaters from the thrift and felting them for that very purpose :) I may venture out and use the sleeves for fingerless gloves too!
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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blackantsnpeonys
True Blue Farmgirl
151 Posts
Denise
Hinckley
Illinois
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2011 : 6:55:40 PM
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I give new life to everything I buy thrifting. Clean it, paint it, give it a facelift,Sometimes give it a new purpose too!. Then I find a new home for my find. Sometimes in my home or sometimes in someone elses. I could do this everyday. What great therapy and relaxing. Good for the mind for us creative ones! Happy Junken, Thrifting ladies!
Appreciate the little things, for they are not really that little. |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13641 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13641 Posts |
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jan49829
True Blue Farmgirl
2428 Posts
Janet
Gladstone
Mi.
USA
2428 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2011 : 5:49:22 PM
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I love repurposing old stuff. I have a pretty good imagination to redo all kinds of things. Just recovered sofa cushions from 2 quilts I found at a thrift store for $1.00!!!
Jan
Farmgirl Sister #3340 |
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Annie S
True Blue Farmgirl
756 Posts
Annie
Custer
S.D.
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2011 : 10:49:48 AM
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| Cutting up DH's jeans to eventually make into a quilt for new baby grandson and one for his big sister. Going to see if I can find "kiddy" blankets or material from the thrift store or Goodwill for backing. Will make hot pads from the pockets. His old t-shirts will be made into grocery bags for me. Will do some embroidery on them to spruce them up a bit. Don't toss out paper - espcially when the printer runs off more sheets - use for scribbles of grocery lists and notes to myself. Use old insulated ironing board cover for inside of hot pads. Use old kitchen towels to make 1/2 aprons - just sew on some twill take on one long side with enough for ties and you're good to go. |
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andwhathaveya
Farmgirl in Training
31 Posts
Tiffany
Beckley
WV
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2011 : 8:20:07 PM
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| I work at a thrift store and I buy things all of the time to repurpose. I never know what kind of treasure I am going to find at work! Last week, I purchased cameo salt and pepper shakers for $2.00 and a white eyelet shower curtain for $4.00. I plan on putting the salt and pepper shakers in my farm house (whenever I save up enough money to buy one) one day. The shower curtain is going to be curtain panels very soon. I also purchased two grandma ruffle valances that I tea stained. They are beautiful! Happy treasure hunting, ladies! |
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misspittypat
True Blue Farmgirl
102 Posts
lila
osceola
mo
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - Sep 24 2011 : 6:58:11 PM
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I purchased 2 orange t shirts for 25 each; cut 2 rectangles stiched up 3 sides leaving top open;stuffed them with wool that I cut off of leather that the Amish had left from making saddles; stuck a piece of a stick in the top gathering it shut; hot glued buttons on for a face; added fall silk flowers/leaves that I bought at the thrift store. These were cute pumpkins I gave one away for a thank you gift and took the other two to the office for decorations. Received tons of compliments and I literally have nothing in them except fun creating them.
Lila |
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herb19355
True Blue Farmgirl
321 Posts
Debi
Danielsville,
GA
USA
321 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2011 : 07:31:26 AM
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Annie, my mom and I have had a lot of success in the local area taking "Grandpa's shirts" and making a baby outfit or a stuffed bear for the new baby! Please email me if you want more information.
Debi
herb19355
GA Farmgirl #2515 |
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Tea Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
645 Posts
Lorraine
Morris
IL
USA
645 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2011 : 1:56:35 PM
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These are great ideas!
Janet - I just saw a couch with the seat cushions recovered with a quilt in the fall issue of Flea Market Style magazine. It was really cute and I thought about it for my old couch in the basement - very dated plaid number with a wood frame...
Lila - your pumpkins sound so cute. I just saw a "pattern" to make white pumpkings using a white ribbed sweater - same principle. It was too cute.
I'll have to keep the radar on when I'm looking through the thrift stores.
Lorraine
(aka Tea Lady)
Farmgirl #1819
www.birdsandteas.com |
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Pedro
Farmgirl in Training
45 Posts
Diana
Bremen
Ohio
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2011 : 06:30:22 AM
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Everyone has such great ideas! I'm a thrift store, yard sale queen. I like felting wool sweaters for candle cozies. Cut a rectangle to fit the size jar you want, add ribbon to tie it on. I like to use thin ribbon to embroider flowers and add vintage buttons. The cuffs work well for small jars. And these are also cute to dress up your jars of homemade jellies, etc.
And a little more offbeat repurpose.........when you get a run in your pantyhose. Cut the legs off the control top panty. These panties are great to keep, they hold up well to repeat laundering w/o fraying. Then I use the legs for storing our home grown garlic, I drop in a bulb, tie a knot, repeating until its full. Then hang them in a cooler room. When I want a bulb, I just cut below the bottom knot.
Di@ShadyPines |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2011 : 06:11:57 AM
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all my small scrap fabric that I cn't use goes into a bag for later use as stuffing in pillows ect...I also have a bit of baby girl clothes that have small stains that I decided would make wonderful free cloths pin holders, the little coveralls made great cute holders...I didn't even cut them just sewed up the leg areas at the crouch area & used the little plastic hangers I had...gave one to my neighbor who also hangs her cloths....cost me nothing but my time......I make summer sleeveless dresses with patterned old sheets that don't fit the bed we now have....I use the old burlap coffee 50 lb bags as covers for the animals beds, curtains for the windows & doors of the chicken coops when ts cold....even covered a old padded rocking chair with these bags & its great.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 08:25:25 AM
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I'm going to try to crochet shopping bags out of good used baling twine. It's something that horse owners have alot of if they don't have round bales. Just need to find the right pattern. We hay in the summer, so some of our reg. customers may have it just kicking around. Need to find a way to clean the twine prior to crocheting. Maybe some vinegar or bleach rinse to get out the barn smell. Will try this this winter when things wind down for us.
Lorie |
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Cherime
True Blue Farmgirl
1222 Posts
Cherime
Wasilla
Alaska
USA
1222 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 08:38:18 AM
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Good idea Lorena. I made a good strong one out of nylon one time but it was new stuff. I think that you could do a really good job with the baling twine.
CMF |
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Nifty Thrifty: Repurposing |
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Repurposing
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