| Author |
Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills:  Re-purposing clothing.  |
|
Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 01 2011 : 7:36:42 PM
|
I hope that this doesn't sound too icky cheap, but I've been going through a huge bunch of clothing that I've had sitting in big rubbermaid tubs for years in storage. When I was still skinny, I used to dress in a lot of really beautiful long bohemian style dresses and skirts, peasant blouses and chunky sweaters, but none of it'll fit me anymore, so I was packing it all up to get rid of when I started to look at it with new eyes. LOTS of expensive and gorgeous fabric !  I went through those bins like a storm, making re-usable fabric piles and piles of stuff that I couldn't think of a use for and have quite a few bins of re-purposable clothing waiting to be re-made in to something else. To be quite honest, it's being a difficult year for me financially, and I've been racking my brain cutting corners and affording material for some of the projects that I want to work on, I don't know why on earth I hadn't remembered all of that lovely clothing before this. I'm dreaming of the beautiful quilts and such to be made and so happy that I decided to tackle the storage bins!
Do any off you re-purpose clothing? What have you made?
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
|
|
|
Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 04:08:36 AM
|
I do this all the time! I even go to Goodwill and rummage sales and scout out wool sweaters to make into mittens and hats. Right now I am making an anorak out of an old wool blanket for my DH.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Don't go with the flow...you are the flow.
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
 |
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 06:39:45 AM
|
Annika, I have gotten wool sweaters from thrift stores and felted them and made blankets. I have a stack of old jeans I am going to make a quilt with one day. Also a few bags of old t-shirts from the thrift stores to make t-shirt yarn with. I wish I was more creative and could actually sew clothing so I could alter them into wearable clothing. I have seen several blogs where people do that with old Goodwill clothes. They can make them into modern pretty clothes. I need to take a sewing class!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 06:51:07 AM
|
oh yes.........Annika it isn't icky cheap at all----more like practical.
I am in the process of doing the same thing.I have the ideas...but doing it ....well I'll try.....but the talent isn't quite there.
Beverly Gill
There's no place like home |
|
|
|
Acelady02
True Blue Farmgirl
1266 Posts
Penny
Washington
GA
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 07:00:41 AM
|
I love that you do this, I love finding clothes when they go on sale for a dollar or less and use that to make something else, I get enough fabric to make other things...perfect for the yo yo's too and love the flannel shirts to make burp clothes out of...I get some cute clothes and turn it into other things at the end of season sales and
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask... |
|
|
|
Lieberkim
True Blue Farmgirl
839 Posts
Kimberly
Sunnyside
WASHINGTON
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 07:46:50 AM
|
Nothing icky cheap about that! I don't sew much but I'll keep things my mom might be able to re use, like the curtains my house came with etc. I think that's great!
Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories |
|
|
|
batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 11:35:59 AM
|
I have a facebook friend who redoes clothes & sells them for high prices!!!...amazed me that she could actually make a living do it but her stuff is really pretty & you would never know she took old clothes & cut them & remade cool things from them....like said I have things that no longer fit but won't get rid of cause the fabrics would now cost a fortune to get...I cut the dresses to make skirts & shirts, jeans get made into jackets.....sheets get made into summer dresses....wool sweaters get made into hats & fingerless gloves for my carpel tunnel.....if I can use it I will tear it completely apart & re-piece it into something new.....have fun honey...& create new wonderful things...Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
|
|
|
njaw09
True Blue Farmgirl
397 Posts
Annie
NJ
USA
397 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 3:40:06 PM
|
With nowaday economy and job market I am keeping all the old clothing. I was planning to donate it but I change my mind. I have a huge piles of clothing from my husband and my own. Next I will be asking some old clothing from my family. I am making a list of what I want to create from his old clothings and my own. The old old clothing that have stains and tears will be rags.
There is a website that talks about repurposing clothing. She only spend $1 per day and convert an outfit to a modern twist. It is pretty inspirational.
http://www.newdressaday.com/
blog: http://nj-nyc-3inna.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 4:03:37 PM
|
You girls ROCK! I'll try to get a pic of my huge free fabric piles once I get it all sorted! Stupid arthritis is flaring up bad today and I'm moving pretty slow, but I'm getting it all washed and dry so that I can start doing things with it. I haven't finished with all of the bins yet and haven't even started on hubby's stuff! In this world and economy that we are living in, some times it pays to be a pack rat!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
|
|
|
|
Tea Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
645 Posts
Lorraine
Morris
IL
USA
645 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 4:15:24 PM
|
Its not icky cheap at all - its very cost effective - not to mention all the rage. Like Michelle, I know a couple ladies who make purses out of old sweaters and they sell for $80 - $120 - they also make mittens, pin cushions, etc. They sell a lot of stuff. Also, I was window shopping in a trendy area recently and saw skirts made from re-purposed clothes. They were geared toward young people and quite pricey. Go for it. I bet you'll create some beautiful things.
Lorraine
(aka Tea Lady)
Farmgirl #1819
www.birdsandteas.com |
|
|
|
woolgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
901 Posts
Elizabeth
Great Lakes
IL
USA
901 Posts |
|
|
FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 9:40:21 PM
|
I love cutting up old stuff. I used a curtain to make my DD a dress. How Scarlet O'hara! There's a business down here that goes around buying up old sweaters, undoes them and sells the yarn for a good price. People love paying extra for repurposed items. Something I've been wanting to make is a sit-upon using an old pair of jeans.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 09:36:48 AM
|
Chances are your great grandmothers quilt was made out of scrap material from sewing projects, worn out clothes, etc. So were her braided rag rugs. Jeans with shot gun holes in them are "in" too. Get some buck shot, set them up as a target, then blast away (good way to release tension as well).
Lorie |
|
|
|
tammyknit
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Tammy
Reedsburg
WI
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 6:28:25 PM
|
I have made lots of denim and flannel quilt out of old flannel shirts/flannel scraps and old jeans. I made an old sweatshirt into a really cool jacket using fabric out of my stash, really ragged T-shirts (when I can get my DH to give them up) turn into shop rags. I love reusing old clothes!
Tammy |
|
|
|
natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2011 : 06:58:19 AM
|
I'm saving jean material to make a braided rug for the living room. I also have the 'fancy' jeans from the girls with flowers and stuff on the legs that will be throw pillows for the couch.
It would cost a fortune to buy all the material, so saving it up a little at a time as people outgrow it is the only way.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
|
|
|
Farmer Judy
True Blue Farmgirl
433 Posts
Judy
North Aurora
IL
USA
433 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2011 : 07:59:41 AM
|
I have a box full of tee shirts with printing on them. Any idea what I can make with them?? I had heard of someone cuting making t-shirt yard but I have no idea how to do that.
God bless,
Judy
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2011 : 7:21:34 PM
|
Judy, you can make a quilt with your t-shirts. There are several places you can send your t-shirts and they will piece together a quilt for you. I've seen the ads in Mother Earth News and other magazines.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 12:35:25 PM
|
my hubby is a size XL but will not give up his Smalls/med from high school, yeap I have them packed cause the idea of him even attempting to wear them sends chills down my back & not in a good way :)...but I do plan someday to drag them out & do a sofa quilt for him so he can still have them but they are being used......this man collects t-shirts...has over 200 & wears only the ones he can grab so many never get worn they may go into that quilt also.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
|
|
|
Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 5:00:16 PM
|
Oh Michele, that would be such a sweet Christmas or birthday gift, wouldn't it? 
We'll we drive a two-tone green '99 VW "Bug" and I'm thinking of making seat covers for it, since every time we buy new seat covers, they fall apart in about a year. Drew likes black or sand colored seat covers, so I'm thinking of making all black t-shirt topped rag quilt seat covers out of all of our numerous un-used black tees!
Have a great weekend m'dears!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
|
|
|
|
SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
|
|
Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 9:23:08 PM
|
Sheila, I sure AM in good company here! I just love the pale purple jumper that you made for your daughter from the coat! I'm sure that my husband and I would be living in potato sacks if I didn't haunt the junk shops, thrift shops and mostly the yard sales all summer. There are a lot of people in my town with a bunch more money than me and they shop pretty upscale, but sell their last years clothing for nickles and dimes, so we end up dressed pretty darned well. Just last month, I picked up a whole big arm load of wool and wool/cotton plaid shirts for under $8, so both of us have some warm and sturdy newish shirts for the cold winter that the weather liars say is on the way 
I've got a big pile of those clothes of mine in a laundry basket here beside me, all washed dry and fresh, ready to de-construct and re-fashion into something wonderful! I have a red cashmere sweater that I'm going to refashion into soft red arm warmers and mittens for the newest almost member of my family, my nephew just announced his engagement to the girl I had hoped he would choose 
Sweet dreams everyone!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
|
|
|
|
Farmer Judy
True Blue Farmgirl
433 Posts
Judy
North Aurora
IL
USA
433 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 10:50:38 PM
|
I need to be on hand tomorrow while my DD (22) tries to make her first pillow cases. I will not be bored though, I have 6-8 pairs of jeans to deconstruct so I can make a patchwork jean blanket that I heard about on another thread. And, speaking of thrift stores, I got a free kenmore (1970's) sewing machine and table at my local store. it had not sold in however many days and on Mondays they put all sorts of stuff out front and lable it free.
God bless,
Judy
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2011 : 2:45:08 PM
|
Oh I am sooo excited for you with a free sewing machine...how wonderful is that! Way back when Mother Earth News started they did a section on bluejeans & there was a blue jean quilt that was so cool...they did theirs in squares with no pockets ect but I have always though how cool would it look as a scrap quilt & with the pockets ect on it...but I do know that some of the newer machines can't do blue jean material well if its really thick...thank goodness for my petal machine that thing will go thur anything like butter...lol.....Its funny I will buy new clothes for my hubby but when it comes to me I prefer the thrift stores....I have never liked that all new look & feel so getting something nice thats been washed a few times feels so comfortable.....My best friend hoarded all her old cashmire that was holey & is sending it all to me......I have no idea what I will do with all of it but I do see a pretty little dress or skirt for the grand daughter done in patchwork cashmire!....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
Edited by - batznthebelfry on Nov 07 2011 2:41:40 PM |
|
|
|
Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
|
|
Crystal Koelzer
Farmgirl in Training
44 Posts
Crystal
Cosby
MO
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 8:45:54 PM
|
| I absolutely LOVE the newdressaday website. I also have a box of clothes for re-purposing when I figure out what to do with them. |
|
|
|
soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2011 : 1:36:33 PM
|
To my new friend, Judy, my wonderful farm-girl neighbor to the north...
Yes, you can make t-shirts into yarn. I'll be posting the steps complete with photos on my blog. Give me a bit to get it typed up and take pics, and it should be up tonight. I've seen all kinds of stuff created with t-shirt yarn online, so hopefully this will be helpful.
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog:http://suburbanprairiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
|
|
|
|
Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills: Re-purposing clothing. |
|
Re-purposing clothing.
