What do you reuse/ recycle for crafting?

[goinggreengirl]

Because we are really short on cash, I've been trying to reuse and recycle as much as possible for crafting. I made some tree Christmas ornaments with felt and used some beads I had from a broken necklace and a star shaped charm as the ornaments on the small trees. I just finished making 10 cloth diapers from an old ripped sheet, t-shirts and a tablechoth. I even used the elastic from the sheet for the diapers- it took awhile to get it separated from the sheet material, but it's cool to have used everything possible. I'm about to make soakers out of the scraps of material I have left.

What's something you've reused lately for craft projects?

[zebra15]

I haven't re-used anything but I have tons of crafting supplies so I dont need to set foot in a craft store in 2011 LOL.  I have tons of yarn, cross-stitch, beads and 'works in process'.

[goinggreengirl]

Yeah, I have a ton of stuff as well- my grandma died last year and had the HUGEST collection of sewing and crafting supplies and I inherited a big chunk of it. My goal is to stay out of craft stores because I know if I go in for elastic I'll come out with new needles, some sale yarn, maybe some thread and some cute buttons that I found, etc. It's a dangerous place!

[ollyoxenfree]

I'm making a garland using a circle punch to cut out old Christmas cards, scraps of wrapping paper, pages from some ancient paperbacks that are falling apart, and sheets of music. 

I'm collecting left-over yarn from other projects for amigurumi (crocheted toy animals). 

[rere]

Most of the stuff I sew is from reused materials.I use a lot of clothes and sheets that my mom gives me.Here's a set of some of my repurposed projects.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by rere 

Most of the stuff I sew is from reused materials.I use a lot of clothes and sheets that my mom gives me.Here's a set of some of my repurposed projects.

Those were awesome!  Thanks for sharing.

Amy

[rere]

Originally Posted by AAK 

Originally Posted by rere 

Most of the stuff I sew is from reused materials.I use a lot of clothes and sheets that my mom gives me.Here's a set of some of my repurposed projects.

Those were awesome!  Thanks for sharing.

Amy

[OkiMom]

Sheets/bedskirts/old curtains can all be used as fabric. I made fairy wings/tutus out of a bedskirt this Christmas. 

Also, if you are throwing out any shirts/pants remove the buttons/zippers they can be used for something else.

[goinggreengirl]

Originally Posted by OkiMom 

Sheets/bedskirts/old curtains can all be used as fabric. I made fairy wings/tutus out of a bedskirt this Christmas. 

Also, if you are throwing out any shirts/pants remove the buttons/zippers they can be used for something else.

I totally have a jar of buttons taken from old clothes! I use the fabric too usually but I'd never throw out the buttons!

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by rere 

Most of the stuff I sew is from reused materials.I use a lot of clothes and sheets that my mom gives me.Here's a set of some of my repurposed projects.

I love your tree topper - what a great idea!!

[rere]

Originally Posted by vbactivist 

Originally Posted by rere 

Most of the stuff I sew is from reused materials.I use a lot of clothes and sheets that my mom gives me.Here's a set of some of my repurposed projects.

I love your tree topper - what a great idea!!

Thanks!
 

[34me]

I made tea bag folders for all my employees (12) from a pair of old ripped jeans and 2 t-shirts :)

[saoirse2007]

I have made diapers from flannel sheets, covers from wool sweaters, matching flannel pjs by cuttin dh's top into bottoms for ds and then using the scraps to applique tie on shirts they already had....my latest is underwear from t-shirts using this tut

http://nancyscouture.blogspot.com/2010/03/t-shirt-trunks.html  they are 4T/5T

It is a great tut and great free pattern!!!! I am such a novice and I made these in a flash....ds is over the moon :)   ....very comfy

[rere]

saoirse,Super cute!Thanks for that link.I think that style would work good for summer under skirts underpants for my girl.

[LiamsMommy]

Originally Posted by rere 

Most of the stuff I sew is from reused materials.I use a lot of clothes and sheets that my mom gives me.Here's a set of some of my repurposed projects.

How do you make that fabric basket?  Love all your stuff!

I have made cloth wipes out of old receiving blankets an tshirts.

Currently I am addicted to felting old wool and making stuff with that.  Mainly longies. 

DH and I are always reusing old jars and containers to store stuff around the house. 

[momadancer]

Do you have a pattern for the longies or just wing it?

[Mommy247]

I recently created a baby book for my six month old out of random things I found around the house such as rubberbands, cardboard, fabric scraps, yarn, gift bags, and the list goes on and on. It was a lot of fun and my daughter LOVES it!

For pictures of this project: http://apocalypse-diy.squarespace.com/

[saoirse2007]

Originally Posted by momadancer 

Do you have a pattern for the longies or just wing it?

For gelded sweater longies I used to just wing it using the sleeves, but I have tried katrinas free pattern and it works great for making them from the main body ofthe sweater!

[LiamsMommy]

I got my pattern from here:

http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/wool-diaper-cover.html

[LiamsMommy]

Originally Posted by 34me 

I made tea bag folders for all my employees (12) from a pair of old ripped jeans and 2 t-shirts :)

What is that?