Oxford shirts, again

[goldfinch]

I posted a while back about "repurposing" oxford cloth shirts. I've got a million that DH has outgrown or frayed at the neck. At the time I was thinking about making a quilt, but in all honesty I don't think that's going to happen. I did have a few more ideas today.

- Pillowcases! We have a set of sheets made from oxford cloth and it's great. I figure that even with my minimal sewing skills I should be able to make a pillowcase... right? :

- Garlands/flags similar to those seen in Pottery Barn Kids/Land of Nod catalogs;

- Discloths/tea towels. Not sure about the absorbency issue, though.

- Napkins.

Anyone have experience turning fabric from 100% cotton oxford shirts into other household products? Any thoughts on whether or not it would work as a dishcloth/towel?

Also wondering, would it be nice to embroider on? I embroidered a little bit as a 'tween'...

Thx.

[mightymoo]

Originally Posted by goldfinch

Anyone have experience turning fabric from 100% cotton oxford shirts into other household products? Any thoughts on whether or not it would work as a dishcloth/towel?

I haven't actually done it, but I think it would be fine, but I would double or quadruple the fabric - sew 4 layers together and I would think it would be pretty absorbant.

[savithny]

Originally Posted by goldfinch

I posted a while back about "repurposing" oxford cloth shirts. I've got a million that DH has outgrown or frayed at the neck. At the time I was thinking about making a quilt, but in all honesty I don't think that's going to happen. I did have a few more ideas today.

- Pillowcases! We have a set of sheets made from oxford cloth and it's great. I figure that even with my minimal sewing skills I should be able to make a pillowcase... right? :

- Garlands/flags similar to those seen in Pottery Barn Kids/Land of Nod catalogs;

- Discloths/tea towels. Not sure about the absorbency issue, though.

- Napkins.

Anyone have experience turning fabric from 100% cotton oxford shirts into other household products? Any thoughts on whether or not it would work as a dishcloth/towel?

Also wondering, would it be nice to embroider on? I embroidered a little bit as a 'tween'...

Thx.

Aprons?? I can even see figuring out how to use the basic shape of the shirt in the apron.

If the shirts are really really old, they're probably absorbent enough to be dishtowels. I *really* like the napkin idea, though -- though I'd probably double them rather than just hemming squares.

Do you do Mama Cloth? They'd make nice smooth top layers?

[***Heather***]

Little girl dresses!

here

I love making covers for throw cushions out of them. Cut fabric so that the row of buttons run down the back of the pillow. Super easy.

If you're looking for inspiration, I dare you to look at craftster. I spent 1 hour looking at the website then a good 6 hours (all together) sewing yesterday.