Being Scrappy With Fabric Scraps
I recently cleaned out my closet and found quite a few different items, from tops to purses, with rogue holes and ink and martini stains in awkward spots that won’t allow for stitch-ups.
I am not sure if I have mice, really old clothing, or a clumsiness complex I’m unaware of –but that’s another story.
Anyway, afterwards, I had a 20-minute stare down with the pile of fabric items, trying to judge if anything was donation-worthy and/or how to get rid of the rest; I have a hard time throwing things away because I am haunted by images of children wading through garbage-infested water and the idea of drinking micro-organisms tarnished by carcinogens from pollution.

21-minutes in, I recalled vaguely someone or a website once telling me that I could use clothing scraps to stuff handmade pillows, but I was never sold on the idea due to expectations of lumpiness from strips of old vintage sweaters and cheap H&M leggings jammed into a square of flimsy fabric.
Enter Google: the solution to, and cause of, all of life’s problems. I now have a great list of crafts to try in my quest to morph these unwanted items into something with new life and purpose, which is wonderful on two fronts: I will be significantly reducing my trash output, and I have a fun and productive activity to last me through this rainy, grey Saturday in Vancouver.
Let this be a lesson that things are what you make of them. Before logging idly onto Facebook or Twitter or YouTube, try using the World Wide Web to make the world itself a little better.
20 Recycling and Upcycling Ideas
Before you toss any bits of material, try some of these recycling/upcycling ideas:
- Layered butterflies
- Baby quilt
- Scrap fabric necklace
- Snack bag
- Hair bows
- Flag garland
- Fabric-wrapped jars
- Fabric bowl/container
- Keychains
- T-shirt Bangles
- Fabric hair clip
- Scissor/ Makeup brush pouch
- Wristlet
- Business card holder
- Envelope bag
- Trimmed towels
- Make- up bag
- Glasses case
- Whatever pouch
- Journal covers
do like they used to crochet a rag rug or make a quilt!
http://www.savvyhousekeeping.com/making-a-rag-rug/