http://craftypod.disqus.com/NoneenWed, 15 Apr 2009 09:37:35 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547905<p>I shop at thrift stores for fabric and keep every scrap . . my daughter 'sews' with this 'scrappies' while I sew . .she's 2.5 and it keeps her busy!!</p>DonnaWed, 15 Apr 2009 09:37:35 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547904<p>I like reusing old stuff for kids crafts. Cutting up magazines, drawing on the backs of fliers, let them cut old clothes into doll clothes or bedding, or make stuffies out of them. If you give a kid a pile of old stuff and some basic supplies you will be amazed at what they make!</p>heathersWed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:15 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547903<p>When I worked at a school I used to gather scraps after the children had done projects (scraps that were getting thrown away otherwise and in at least one case scraps that had already been thrown away- it was wool felt, that stuff is like gold!) to take home and use.</p>Jessica TWed, 15 Apr 2009 07:20:47 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547902<p>I reuse potato chip bags after I wash them to make the "crinkly" in baby toys!</p>CarolineTue, 14 Apr 2009 21:46:07 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547901<p>I just had my second child and both my husband and I are on parental leave, so money is tight (but worth it!). I've recently started altering my maternity clothes into clothes that I can breastfeed in. And the shirts and sweaters that don't fit me anymore are being converted into skirts, dresses and legwarmers for my girls!</p>MichelleTue, 14 Apr 2009 19:46:09 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547900<p>I love using thrifted yarn and thread in home projects, from baby toys to kitchen dish cloths and sponges. I also enjoy using fabric and wool sweaters to make new things for our family and home. Great fun making one new thing after something old. :)</p>Kate H.Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:29:18 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547899<p>I make fire starters from old lint from the dryer, egg cartons, and candle wax left over from almost used up candles. I stuff the lint into the egg cartons (paper ones, not the styrofoam), and melt the wax to pour over the tops. Rip them apart and there you go! Fire starters! I learned this from my Mom, she is so thrifty! It isn't really "crafting" but I feel crafty doing it!</p>AngieTue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:26 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547898<p>My sons and I love to search through the recycling bins to find materials for our projects. We're currently working on some "night vision goggles" out of toilet paper rolls and string.</p>kelliTue, 14 Apr 2009 17:04:41 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547897<p>I saved all of the curtains when we moved to repurpose into other things, hopefully clothes for my little girls. I also saved some shirts that my sister gave me to size down for the girls.</p>ShawnaTue, 14 Apr 2009 16:36:47 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547896<p>The last quilt I finished was made of thrifted wool from old clothes, lined with old flannel sheets, and backed with fabric I bought long enough ago that it's ALMOST like it's vintage; I've turned old t-shirts and sweaters into dresses, leggings and a skirt for my kid; I'm experimenting with plarn-crochet, and I've started on a Kaffe Fasset-esque mitered strip quilt using thrifted mens striped shirts...Now I have to figure out what to with the plastic tops off the milk jugs...</p>FelicityTue, 14 Apr 2009 16:22:09 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547895<p>Although not overly original...I love to recycle old clothes to make new clothes. Shirts into baby hats, baby pants, sundresses...etc!</p>MaryAnneTue, 14 Apr 2009 16:11:49 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547894<p>i love taking apart thrift store sweaters and making all kinds of crocheted projects! (i love leg warmers!)</p>Erin ETue, 14 Apr 2009 15:31:52 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547893<p>I love Betz White's ideas...her first book was wonderful. I love going through thrift and "junk" shops, I aways emerge with a treasure for decorating or gifting. Swapping materials with fellow artists is a help also.</p>RoseannaTue, 14 Apr 2009 15:08:07 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547892<p>On the rare occasion that I forget my coffee mug, I made a sleeve for to-go coffee cups. That way, I don't have to take a cardboard sleeve. It is a VERY small thing to help the environment, but it proves that being eco-friendly can be fun! I pick my favorite fabric and back it with felt...add some velcro or a button and viola!</p>Christine C.Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:01:01 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547891<p>I re-purpose my son's shirts into pajama's and house coats for myself. They're the best!</p>Catie RocheTue, 14 Apr 2009 13:21:14 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547890<p>Hi! I use old towels and tablecloths to make tea cozies.</p>Heather MurphyTue, 14 Apr 2009 13:16:05 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547889<p>I reuse clothing and other fabrics in my sewing and crafts, too. And I typically refashion instead of going out and buying new.</p>lmillaTue, 14 Apr 2009 11:40:38 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547888<p>My dad's family made quilts through the depression and the 40s and 50s with clothes that they had worn out, I have a couple and love to look at the fabrics and think about the garments they might have come from. So I love finding thrift store clothes with unusual fabrics or textures and saving them for quilts. It's probably not cheaper than buying fabric from the store, but much more fun. I also save particularly favored clothes that my husband or I have worn out that aren't appropriate for goodwill or just too loved to give up. I'm currently working on a quilt for a friend's child that has a tree with the trunk made out of my husband's favorite cords, and I can't wait to surprise her with it!</p>NicoleTue, 14 Apr 2009 11:22:32 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547887<p>This book looks so fun! <br>I use vintage linens to make pillowcase dresses. I've also made scarves and table runners from them. I also have a quilt in the work with them!</p>AmyTue, 14 Apr 2009 11:05:40 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547886<p>I use thrifted or outgrown adult clothing to make little shorts and skirts for my toddler. I also use old mesh laundry bags to create produce bags similar to those described in Betz' book. I like that the mesh is see through for the checker. I've made a few totes out of old pillow cases...these are great for general (not food) shopping. I love to have the cashier place my purchases in a cool, one of a kind tote!</p>water worksTue, 14 Apr 2009 10:41:35 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547885<p>I almost never buy new fabric, only secondhand.</p><p>take care!</p>iHannaTue, 14 Apr 2009 10:33:22 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547884<p>I've saved and used old buttons since childhood. I've been felting and recycling wool sweaters for years--they become girl-sized for my daughter and then turn into bags and other projects when she outgrows them. I've started making my adult cast-offs into shorts and tops for my girl; and taking her outgrown shirts and repiecing them into new, larger ones. Most recently, my girl is wearing her Gram's vintage wool skirts, that will eventually become rag rugs! I've been a thrifty, flea-marketing chica forever! Reusing makes life fun!</p>MoniQ in WITue, 14 Apr 2009 10:01:26 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547883<p>I'm a thrifter with extraordinary skills!</p>kristenTue, 14 Apr 2009 09:58:02 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547882<p>I have a stack of dresses from when my girls were little...and make dresses for their dolls. I'm also a big believer in thrifting!</p>kristenTue, 14 Apr 2009 09:56:49 -0000http://www.craftypod.com/2009/04/13/giveaway-sewing-green/#comment-12547881<p>This sour economy has forced me to make things from my stockpile which is better for me economically and much better environmentally.</p>debbieTue, 14 Apr 2009 09:10:27 -0000