Saving the World One Napkin at a Time

Does this picture make you a little bit nauseated? 

I am far from a save-the-whales type of person, but I hate waste. I also hate spending money. Leann, one of my good friends, made dozens of cloth napkins for her house, and generously cut out cloth squares for me to do the same. I am not a fan of cloth napkins, because most of them seem cumbersome and I end up only using one corner and then feeling badly that the entire napkin has to be washed when three-quarters of it is still unused.

Typical Cloth Napkin

These cloth napkins are perfect, though! They are 10 x 10 squares of fabric that has been hemmed.

What worked best for me is hemming the left and right side first, and then flipping it to hem the top and bottom.

Green napkins...

Blue napkins...

On the green napkins, I used bright green thread, because I thought it contrasted nicely.

I'm totally lying. I used bright green thread because I didn't have any light green thread. 

                        

But I think it worked out.

Here's the size of the napkins in comparison to a dinner plate. 

I'm so excited to use these! They also work great for wiping off counters and for cleaning. The fabric isn't super absorbant, so I don't think they will work to clean up spills, but let's be honest, cheap napkins don't absorb crap. I think these are going to be great. I want to make more so I only have to wash them once a week. This would be a great way to use up scrap fabric while also saving the planet. Who could pass up a two-for-one deal like that? Basically you'll be Superman, but a cooler version of him with a sewing machine.  And brightly colored cloth napkins. I have a huge blue flowered curtain I bought from Salvation Army and didn't use, so I think I'm gong to cut up and make more napkins. 

Also, I would be so honored and happy if you guys would put a link from your blog on my blog. Let's advertise for each other, shall we? 

T-Shirt Grocery Bags

Hi everyone!  Hope summer has been treating you all well...(or winter, for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere.)

Just wanted to share a quick refashion I did a little bit ago, starting with some old t-shirts I no longer wore or had been given by others to refashion. 

I didn't really need more shirts, but I realized something that these t-shirts could be good for.  They went from unused t-shirts to brand new reusable grocery bags!  I followed this Instructable and got to start getting used to my new serger...

As always, more refashions on my blog.

Recycled Fabric Wall Art project

I must admit I don't really like to rush my projects - especially the ones that I have been creating for our apartment, since these are the ones we will live with for a while. Consequently some projects can take me weeks or even months to complete. Sometimes waiting for the right fabric or buttons or even the right crafty day to come along.

Here is our new piece of wall art:

The inspiration for this piece was the seasons.   My little abstract interpretation of Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring which also celebrates my love for recycled fabrics.   The owlies I have been creating have produced lots of left over bits of fabric and felt which the hoarder side of me cannot bear to throw out.  So I have been collecting them all in a big container, coming in very handy for this project.

The circles measure  45cm and are made of what looks to be pressed grey felt/wool.  Each season has been hand stitched using embroidery thread in various colours including gold.

I really love how this piece turned out.  More so, I love that I got to use up lots of my scraps of felt and fabric. Fabrics that came from suits, shirts and some old woolen jumpers. For this and other recycled home craft / fashion ideas feel free to visit my blog

First Post - trousers to shorts

Hi, I'm Ravs. I live in Brisbane, Australia and have loved sewing since childhood. My 21st present was a Husqvarna sewing machine! I found this site via Reana Louise at Curves, Patterns & Pins. It is very inspiring.
I don't get as much sewing done as I would like (who does?) but hopefully that will change as soon as I get over this 'flu. My second (& final) has just started school and I only work part-time.
Anyway, here's a little refashion I did just before succumbing to the dreaded lurgy.

From disreputable, worn out (and too short) jeans

To a pair of 'cool' (according to Mstr 7) shorts.

If you want to see more - come and visit at ravscreations.blogspot.com and ravsrecreations.blogspot.com (I've just recently separated the sewing etc blog from the garden / environment blog).
All the best
Ravs

Hello all Re-fashionistas! This is my first contribution to this great community, I hope you like it. I'm into reusing and remaking and use to call my stuff for "beauty reborn" 'cause there are so much beautiful things just waiting for new users. Already Cinderella was a reuser/remaker - remember her gown...but her shoes were new (!?). So here are Cinderellas new shoes - old pumps, newspaper, lace, crocheted flower, voilá :-))

Mostly I reuse clothes and make different kinds of bags under my own label Mirkka. If you are curious you're welcome to visit my webshop at www.mirkka.com which is in english also. I also blog, but the blog is only in Swedish.

Have a nice day, we have a sunny but cold day today, -9° C.
maritta

Well, Hello There!

Hey everyone!

Hellabella here--long time refashion co-op reader, first time contributor! I'm so excited to be a part of this fantastic community of creative people! I love all aspects of creation and crafting, but sewing is definitely my first love. Since I was in middle school I've been rummaging through thrift stores and altering what I find. Bed linens are a particular favorite resource of mine.

Today I thought I'd share my most recent transformation. My sewing machine is in the shop, but I've really been itching to make something, so I decided to jump in and do my first completely hand sewn piece. I think it came out pretty great!

I started with this shirt, which was buried down at the bottom of a drawer--it's comfy but had lots of small holes in it and a few discolorations.

I made a pattern from another skirt that fits me really well, and cut pieces from the shirt. I had to get creative to avoid all the holes and stains, but being forced to make do gave me the bright idea to play with the placement of the stripes, and (hours of hand sewing later) I love how it came out! I saved the bottom hem of the shirt for the waistband, and luckily the fabric had enough stretch I didn't need to add a zipper :D

Why not a new jacket?

I want to share refashion of firm, sometimes hard to refashion items, such as mens jeans or corduroy pants or skirt. I would like to see what other people are making of it, so let me know! There is still plenty of denim waiting to be useful!

Basically it's again just turning clothing upside down, cutting it apart and sewing on together. Legs to sleeves, pants to jacket. And I also added faux leather and vintage buttons (just because i love them).

If you like this idea, there are more pics of this jacket on my blog or in my shop. Other refashions follow!

My first blog post!

Hello everyone! My name is Amy, and I am new to Refashion Co-op, though not new to refashioning. I have been sewing and tweaking my clothes since I got my first sewing machine in high school. I have only discovered recently that it is a whole fashion movement, and I love looking at the things other people have made. So far, I have mostly done fairly straightforward refashions, like turning dresses in to skirts. I am looking forward to trying out more radical revisions, though, and posting them here. Here are some of the things I have made so far.

I made this bag for my yoga mat from the leg of a pair of too-long capris. I pulled the drawstring at the bottom of the leg tight to form the bottom of the bag and preserved the buttons above the fly to keep the top closed. A strap made from the excess material makes it easy to carry, and the buttoning back pocket is perfect for my ID and keys.

This shirt is made from a magenta t-shirt and an old maternity blouse. I loved the fabric of the blouse, but it was too much for a whole shirt. I removed the sleeves of both shirts and added the patterned ones to the magenta shirt to spice it up. I love pink and orange together.

When my daughters shirts get too short but are still favorites of hers, I will sew on a quick gathered skirt so she can keep wearing them. I liked how this combination of shirt and skirt fabric turned out.

I added some interest to this plain turquoise shirt by making ribbon flowers and sewing seed beads into the center of each.

Here is a felt-applique robot shirt that I made for my son when he was a baby. I use felt applique to make a lot of stuff for the kids when we can't find the characters they like on store-bought items.

Guten Tag from Germany!

Hello fellow Refashionistas!

Thank-you for allowing me to join in your awesomeness!

I’m a Canadian graphic designer and lived a most extraordinary existence in North America, Japan, England and Greece before I finally settled in Germany, married the man of my dreams & co-created our first child, who popped into the world at the end of March/2011! I am not a professional seamstress but inherited an elderly sewing machine from a Great Aunt & am having loads of fun re-creating old clothes & upcycling fabrics into cool new gear!

Here's a few links to some of my baby refashions/upcycles that just might come in handy this chilly holiday season:



Hugs for Grandma (or The Elf Hug)

Keep little toes toasty! (How to add footsies to pants)

Snug as a bug sleep sack

Anthropologie Inspired Brushed Lace Cardigan

My version of Anthropologie's Brushed Lace Cardigan

Total cost: $2

My inspiration:

Anthropologie's Brushed Lace Cardigan - $128

I loved the coral lace on this sweater. But how could I create it on a budget? A quick search on my friend Google and I found this tutorial on dying lace trim with acrylic paint. I had plenty of white lace on hand, and acrylic paint is super cheap (around $1 for a bottle) - so I decided to give it a try, although I have to say I had my doubts about whether this would work or not. Luckily it worked like a charm.

See more info on my blog

Hi I'm lorimarsha!

A quick introductory post- and thanks for the invite! I've been designing clothes from nearly 100% recycled components for about five years. I transitioned from jewelry and handbags after finding a 1955 Bernina sewing machine at a rummage sale for $35. I had sewn before but primarily decorative things- drapes, pillow covers, etc. I enjoy sourcing all my textiles from thrift stores, flea markets and a few great vintage textile shows. My process: I launder everything first, then begin sorting textiles by color palette, then begin with a base piece on the dress form- draping, adding, taking away...until I like the way it looks.

There are days that I so love what I'm doing that the hours fly by like minutes. I'm really fortunate to be able to do what I love and work from home. I live with my husband, Carl, and 13 year old lab mix, Scout, in a 103 year old house in Redlands, CA. I sell my work at select shows in Southern California and also host a couple Open Studios in my home. I really love meeting the people who will wear my clothes. I have a blog where I share my current projects- some business, some personal. I also have a Facebook page where you can follow me and see what's up. "Like" me and let's stay in touch! Here are a few photos of recent work.

Smelly Coat Reimagined - Memoryseed Style

Hello! One year ago I never even heard of the term refashion. Fast forward to today, here I am being included in the Refashion Co-op community. Yay! I'm so excited! :)

I am a Malaysian born and bred, presently living in Iowa with my husband and son. Always been into making things, I love cooking and do a lot of handsewing (mostly home deco stuff and crafts). My husband bought me my very first sewing machine 2 years ago, but I only braved myself to have a go at using it last year. My goal this year is to teach myself garment sewing, and that's what I've been doing for the past few months...

For my first post, I am sharing with you my Cape/Cloak/Capelet project that I completed last month. It took me about a month from start to finish, but I am super proud (and relieved) that it's done!


Materials:

• 1 Smelly long tan suede coat (fabulous faux fur collar came with it) found at a consignment shop (cost $20)
• 1 thrifted men's plaid wool jacket (cost $0.25)
• Thread from stash

Unfortunately, I do not have a before picture of the coat and jacket, but here they are reimagined:


And here I am at the park wearing the cape/cloak/capelet, fit for chilly fall in the Midwest.



If you are interested to read more on this project, come and visit me at my blog Memoryseed (I'm very green at blogging too!). I have a few projects on the works, so I will be back soon.

Peace,
Far @ Memoryseed

Refashion Co-op Newbie

Greetings all!

I am so happy that someone took the initiative to start a new site and continue in the spirit of Wardrobe Refashion. A little bit about me. I love to sew from new fabrics, previously loved fabrics, and alter existing clothing into something new and wonderful. I am a lover of all things handmade. I live in Georgia but am originally from the Midwest. I have just begun to sell items I make (participated in my first craft show last weekend - Woo-hoo). I am showing a few pieces I have done in the past. I look forward to doing some fun and funky stuff in the future.

Skirt from Men's XL T-shirt

Skirt for my daughter made from her old jeans and new fabric for the flounce

Updated black T-shirt with a ruffle made from old leggings and another old t-shirt

Catching up with some of my refashions

For some reason, as soon as I saw this at a yard sale I knew it was destined to become a purse!
Ta-dah!
I wish I had used a stiffer interfacing, but it works okay.


I found a piece of tapestry at a yard sale, just enough for this really neat vest!

From some vintage curtains, no before picture. This was long sleeved for awhile, but eventually one of the worn spots became a hole, so now it is short sleeved, but the print actually looks like springtime anyway!