7 replies to this topic

[Sarah C.]

I am curious if you guys have any suggestions for recycling things made of cloth. Ex. clothes, linens, towels etc.... I know I can donate the items that are still in good shape, but the items that are not, I am wondering should I just burn them, or is there something else i could do with them?

[mariaandrea]

Use 'em up until they're just a few shreds left!   No, seriously. If they're just rags, use them as rags to wash cars, floors, etc.

Here's a blog post I did on what to do with old jeans: 5 No-Sew Projects For Old Jeans

And another on what to do with old T-shirts: A New Life For Old T-Shirts

Turn old towels into beach bags. Cut down old dresses into tunic tops. Tear lightweight fabrics into strips and make rag rugs. Cut old clothes into squares and make colorful quilts.

[zararina]

Yes they can be reused as rags. Some old jeans are used to made purses and bags and it maybe works too for some other kinds of clothing. You can also try making pillow covers with those old shirts.

[Sarah C.]

mariaandrea, on 11 March 2012 - 12:52 AM, said:

Use 'em up until they're just a few shreds left!   No, seriously. If they're just rags, use them as rags to wash cars, floors, etc.

Here's a blog post I did on what to do with old jeans: 5 No-Sew Projects For Old Jeans

And another on what to do with old T-shirts: A New Life For Old T-Shirts

Turn old towels into beach bags. Cut down old dresses into tunic tops. Tear lightweight fabrics into strips and make rag rugs. Cut old clothes into squares and make colorful quilts.

Thank you for the advice and the links. I am excited to look at them and get some ideas!

[Sandra Piddock]

Everything Mariaandrea said - plus this idea. If you have old bath sheets, turn them into beach cover ups. It's simple, even for those who think needles are for giving injections. Put two bath sheets together, leave a slashed kneck at the top, and sew about 5 - 6" each side for the shoulders. Then measure down 8 - 9" from the outside edge of the shoulders. Stitch down from there. If you have the legs to do daring, just stitch down past the hip bone, otherwise, hem down to the bottom.

This makes a good caftan for relaxing indoors as well. Go for matching or contrasting towels, and if you want to, decorate with ribbon, or whatever else you have available.

[Sarah C.]

Sandra Piddock, on 11 March 2012 - 11:50 AM, said:

Everything Mariaandrea said - plus this idea. If you have old bath sheets, turn them into beach cover ups. It's simple, even for those who think needles are for giving injections. Put two bath sheets together, leave a slashed kneck at the top, and sew about 5 - 6" each side for the shoulders. Then measure down 8 - 9" from the outside edge of the shoulders. Stitch down from there. If you have the legs to do daring, just stitch down past the hip bone, otherwise, hem down to the bottom.

This makes a good caftan for relaxing indoors as well. Go for matching or contrasting towels, and if you want to, decorate with ribbon, or whatever else you have available.

This sounds like a neat idea. Have you done this? I would love to see a pic of what the finished product looks like.

[rbaker_59]

Provided there is enough good cloth, old bed sheets can be cut down and stitched to make curtains for the windows.  When the fabric is turned into shreds after use, wash well and use as batting to make pillows.  Decorator pillows can be handstitched to give a distinctive look.  And they can be used from cloth that is good on other things you would normally throw away, such as worn out shirts and dress slacks, etc.

[SheforACT]

Alter your clothes - turn a long sleeve shirt into a short sleeve summer top, or cut off some old jeans for shorts. Use old fabrics for rags - use rags for cleaning instead of disposable paper towels.