2009 National Sewing Month Contest Submissions

win_buhler_katie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

WINNER - Katie Buhler
I was asked to redesign onesies for a small child to wear. I cut off the bottoms and either added skirts to make a dress or serged around the bottom to make a shirt. I used scrap fabric to add the skirts to the dresses the best part was matching all the fabric to the onesies. It also gave me a chance to try out my new sewing machine and learn how to use a ruffler. When I was finished I had made 17 onesies into new wearable dresses and shirts.
Editor's note: Katie is 11 years old

win_buhler_katie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

WINNER - Katie Buhler

win_horwitz_bobbie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

WINNER - Bobbie Horwitz
I made a rain coat out of all kind of plastic bags. They have been serged together. It is very eco-friendly and causes a sensation when ever I wear it and certainly keeps me very dry.

win_horwitz_bobbie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

WINNER - Bobbie Horwitz

win_yellen_gail1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

WINNER - Gail Yellen
This jacket is made from some of my mothers favorite neutral-hued sweaters. Using a Counterpoints Jacket pattern, I designed a collage motif, felted the sweaters and arranged the pieces. All seams were butted with a 3-step zigzag stitch to eliminate bulk and stiffness. Because there are no seam allowances, a “wrap-around” technique was devised to insert side seam pockets and I used the same technique for the buttonhole. Even the buttons are recycled. They’re from a collection of vintage buttons purchased at a local historical society auction. The 2 lower ones are closed with serger-embellished elastic loops. The jacket is lined with Bemberg rayon and linen bias binding finishes the jacket edges.

win_yellen_gail2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

WINNER - Gail Yellen

hm_brown_jillene1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

HONORABLE MENTION - Jillene Brown
I had a vintage pillowcase that had lost it's mate. Someone from another era had so lovingly stitched the floral design across the front and crocheted edging, that it would be a pity to not find a use for it. I hand smocked a simple geometric design in matching colors across the top and added coordinating binding to create a sundress for my granddaughter. Hopefully, the original creator of this little piece of handiwork is smiling down on its transformation.

hm_brown_jillene2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

HONORABLE MENTION - Jillene Brown

hm_duggan_deirdre1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

HONORABLE MENTION - Deirdre A Duggan
I made a reversible corset using only used and recycled items. On the pictured side, the blue t-shirt was purchased at the production of Les Miserable about 10 years ago and the neckline was removed so my fabric placement was limited. On the reverse side I used a cotton dress shirt that no longer fit my son and was ready to be delivered to Goodwill. Each of the 10 seams are boned with large sized electrical ties and 2 smaller ties for the front and back openings, all found among the stuff my husband can't part with in the garage. I sewed in aluminum pop-tops for the 'eyelets' and anchored them with the buttons that I removed from the cotton shirt. The bias tape bordering the top and bottom was made with leftover pieces of the shirt and the only cost other than thread, was the twill tape used to lace up the back. That was found at our local Kiwanis thrift shop for .25 cents and I tea stained it to age it a bit.

hm_duggan_deirdre2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

HONORABLE MENTION - Deirdre A Duggan

hm_garrigues_vivien1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

HONORABLE MENTION - Vivien Garrigues
I came up with an idea for reusing empty coffee latte containers by turning them into little evening bags. I cover the boxes in fabric, which I first embellish with embroidery and beading. After embellishing, the fabric is hand-stitched over the plastic containers. Holes are made on the sides and lid for a chair tieback (cord with tassels at each end) to pass through, this forms a handle. To finish off the little purses, I cover a piece of cardboard with embroidered fabric and attach this to the lid. A fabric lining is also added. The photos submitted show my ‘HAND-bag’, which has embroidery, beads and silk ribbon embroidery added. The large polymer clay hand bead was purchased. Also shown is my ‘Fish Catchall Bag’, with fish and seed beads and different types of dimensional embroidery. I like the idea that, instead of these plastic boxes laying in a landfill they now go out to dinner, to the theater or parties, as little evening bags!

hm_garrigues_vivien2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

HONORABLE MENTION - Vivien Garrigues

Aitken_Rebecca1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rebecca Aitken
These purses were made from neck ties. I used scrap fabric for the lining and scrap ribbions/ cording for the handles. What a great way to use ugly old ties than make a beautiful purse!

Aitken_Rebecca2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rebecca Aitken

Anderson_Hermelinda1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Hermelinda Anderson
I took an old pair of jeans and made a bag out of them. I used the bottom (legs) for the straps. I seam-ripped the waist and belt loops to secure straps, and placed a loop with a hook for keys that could neatly drop into the right front pocket. FRONT – I embroidered a design on each side and embellished heart yo-yos and used heart buttons to secure yo-yos to the body of the bag. BACK – I embroidered both back pockets, using a heart design and butterfly for the left back pocket, and initials and a rose design on the right back pocket. I used the original belt loops and included a removable sash. (Secured with a buttonhole and a button).

Anderson_Hermelinda2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Hermelinda Anderson

Anderson_Jane1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jane Anderson
These fabric postcards were part of an exchange with the theme of floral fantasy and a goal of making the card "green". So I used the selvage background to symbolize the dirt, grass, flowers, and sky. The flower was recycled from a quilt I had just made. They were great fun to make and share.

Anderson_Jane2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jane Anderson

Angela1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Angela
I bought the fabric and the patterns to make this outfit at second hand stores. i combined 2 patterns to make the outfit. i call it the Ernie suit because it is the same fabric as Ernie the Sesame Street puppet. The fabric was a left over piece that someone donated for resale to St. Vincent Depaul Society.

Angela2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Anthony_Cynthia1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Cynthia E Anthony
I have been using the wheelchair tote pattern on the charitable sewing pattern page for a service project. I used denim jeans and cut the denim off the seams for 4 long strips of denim. I cut the denim in specific lengths depending on the project. So this wheelchair totes required 2 18"x18" squares of fabric. I cut the denim in 18" strips and then sewed the strips together until I had a piece 18" wide as well. Since the denim has raw wedges, the wheelchair caddie needed a lining. So I took the mens cotton button front shirt. I gleaned all the usable chucks of fabric from the fronts, back,and sleeves. The caddie handles are also recycled denim.

Anthony_Cynthia2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Cynthia E Anthony

Athearn_Nancy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Nancy Athearn
This sweater-jacket was made from one man's pullover sweater that was color blocked. The bottom 6-8 inches was the dark variegated blue, the middle was medium variegated blue, and top was the lightest. All ribbed bands were navy blue. The center 6-8 inches had a cable pattern, which is visible on a few of the blocks. I took all the ribbing and the sleeves off, and cut open one side of the sweater body and the sleeves. I then fused lightweight tricot interfacing to all pieces to help prevent the knit from running.

Athearn_Nancy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Nancy Athearn

Audia_Brenda1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Brenda Audia
This was a skirt that hung in my basement for at least a year before i decided it needed to be a shirt, took out elastic waist, cut arm holes, a v neck, hemmed, gathered up the front and done.

Audia_Brenda2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Brenda Audia

Bankester_Sonya1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sonya Bankester
I found this cute girls skirt in a resale shop. Immediately my creative juices started flowing. The skirt is trimmed with a fuzzy cow print band with black fringe around the bottom of hem. I stitched to bottom hem together, found the perfect material for the lining, it's white with the words "moo..moo..moo" all over it. The lining features an inside velcro closure pocket, Used same material for a "belt". The handbag closes with a magnetic snap. The handles feature black, clear & silver beads with charms.

Bankester_Sonya2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sonya Bankester

Baranowski_Diane1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Diane Baranowski
I purchased "gently used" pair of children's jeans.I used trial and error to determine the width of the purse strap and then decided to line it with the paisley fabric. As I'm into "glitz", I selected an embroidery design that most closely mimiced the paisley design and embroidered the design at the slash pocket, adding glitz. I did it in such a way as to keep the pocket open for use, rather than sewing the pocket shut. When it came time to make the purse lining, I just kept making linings until I made one that fit. I started out quite large and kept cutting it down until it was right. Finally, I made a sash of the paisely fabric and put it through the belt loops of the jeans.

Baranowski_Diane2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Diane Baranowski

Barnes_Karen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karen Barnes
Our neighborhood sewing group, 'Sew It's Saturday', associated with the Corpus Christi,TX ASG chapter, September meeting was a "Second Hand Rose Challenge" in celebration of National Sewing Month. This ladies skirt was previously a men's plaid shirt purchased at a garage sale for fifty cents. The Shirt sleeves, collar and yoke were removed. Both sleeves were remade into inset seam pockets. The back yoke was fashioned into a wasteband and finally the shirt tails were cut off and the skirt was hemmed.

Barnes_Karen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karen Barnes

Bergert_Denise1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Denise Bergert
This quilt is made from old blue jeans. Friends and relatives save their "old, worn out, non-fitting" blue jeans and I make quilts with them. The squares are 5x5. The backing is a flannel sheet corresponding with the size of the quilt. This is a twin size. These blankets are good for football games, campouts, or just plain cold Ohio weather.

Bergert_Denise2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Denise Bergert

Bollinger_Katherine1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Katherine Bollinger
I made this apron for a "Tie One On" challenge, an apron blog. All the fabric and trim I used is from my mom. She has saved bags of scraps and old clothing because it was "too nice" to discard. I have to agree with her, I love vintage fabrics and trims and luckily she is passing them all on to me!

Bollinger_Katherine2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Katherine Bollinger

Boyd_Teri1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Teri Boyd
Last summer my cousin got married and wanted to include her 3 month old neice in the wedding party. A friend gave me a tired old black and gray stroller and I transformed it into an elegant carriage. The carriage has been reused for another wedding and two Christenings and is stored away for the next special family occasion.

Boyd_Teri2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Teri Boyd

Brown_Susan1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Susan Brown
My brother didn't think his old work jeans would be of any use to anyone. Little did he know that he'd be putting them to use again on a cold winter night. This quilt was made from about 6 pairs of old blue jeans and some leftover light blue heavy weight cotton. The border and binding are pieced leftovers and the back side of the quilt is pieced blue flannel squares.

Brown_Susan2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Susan Brown

Burke_JoAnn1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

JoAnn Burke
This bag was created from some old jeans that didn't fit anymore. I took the zipper from the fly and put along the yoke seam in back and created an additional pocket. I added a quilted pocket to the back patch pocket using scraps from another quilted bag I had made. The bag is lined with fabric from that bag with extra pockets in the interior, as well as the strap. The hardware was from an old bag I had from about 10 years ago. The yellow sash is from scraps from my grand- daughter's quilt. I used my Pfaff 2058 and my Babylock Imagine serger to complete the bag.

Burke_JoAnn2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

JoAnn Burke

Burkey_Kathy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy Burkey
I had a seriously tattered velvet patchwork quilt and I couldn't bring myself to throw it away so I took and repaired each square that only had the batting showing, and I repaired them with my velvet garments that I no longer wear, then I used my leftover suade material (leftover from other sewing projects) and constructed a backing and binding. The new quilt is so beautiful. I am so proud of myself. Not only did I make a beautiful quilt but I also rescued used items from my closet that would otherwise be discarded.

Burkey_Kathy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy Burkey

Burton_Jamie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jamie Burton
I love this dress that I made out of items purchased at the Goodwill Outlet, which sells discarded items by the pound. Here I used an ill-fitting top with a tear along the hem and a black skirt sized XXL to create an Anthropologie inspired dress. I paired it with a belt I already had, and love the way it turned out. Actually, the elastic I used along the waist of the dress was up-cycled also: salvaged from a skirt that I bought at the thrift store for the fabric. Refashion is my passion.

Burton_Jamie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jamie Burton

Byrnes_Barbara1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barbara Byrnes
I had a nice expensive sheepskin car seat cover which was part real skin and part fake fur, but I machine washed it on the wrong setting and ruined it, then decided to dry it out and recycle it. Cut and glued some of the real skin to the bed of a pair of flip flops. They're comfortable and warm even in the winter. Used the back piece of the fake fur to make a cushion for my computer chair and had the edge left, which was about 6 inches wide and professionally finished on one side. I added some left over elastic to the other side and made a custom steering wheel cover for my car from it, which fits it perfectly and keeps the wheel cool - and looks much better on the car than on me!

Byrnes_Barbara2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barbara Byrnes

Cable_Judy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Judy Cable
My nieces two daughters were a perfect age to play 1800 Southern Belle dress-up. A local thrift store in Georgia was the source for the pink prom dress, a blue evening skirt and Easter type hats. My friend Roseanne Miracle washed both garments in the washing machine with no ill effects. I bought flower girl hoop skirts from Ebay. The blue skirt did not have to be altered. We pulled up lengths and secured with 6 handmade ribbon roses. The same roses were added to the hat along with ribbon ties. The pink prom dress bodice was cut off leaving the pink satin sash, which we turned in half and hand stitched to the skirt. Pink ribbon roses were added to the hat along with ribbon ties.

Cable_Judy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Judy Cable

Cais_Carly1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Carly J. Cais
Loose blouson top fashioned from two XL men's sweatshirts and one L men's sweatshirt. All shirts were cut off straight across under the arms, and the bottom halves were used - two were sewn together and gathered to make the top half of the tunic, and the third sweatshirt became the bottom of the finished garment. I added buttons and buttonholes to make boatneck - and the entire piece can be worn at the waist as a drapey-pocket buttoned skirt, or turned upside-down and worn at the waist with all the buttons undone as a ruffled long skirt. The tops of the sweatshirts I have used in another refashioning project.

Cais_Carly2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Carly J. Cais

Callan_Trudy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Trudy Callan
I purchased this vintage dress from the 1970's in the a thrift store, and decided to give it an updated look. I cut off the sparkly silver top. The jacket was too small. It would not close and tie in front. So I opened up the band on the bottom front and took out the under the bust gathers and spread it out, closed it back up; and it now closes. The dress was floor length; so I shortened it and put in a zipper in back.

Callan_Trudy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Trudy Callan

Carritelli_Lorie

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lorie Cerritelli
I make my own cloth menstrual pads, baby wipes and brest pads. The baby wipes are the easiest thing in the world to make, I had so many flannel receiving blankets that I had many I never used to they got turned into wipes, they're 8"x8" squares with a zigzag stitch around the edge. The breast pads can be made out of your smallest fabric scraps, I usually use the top, bottom and 3-4 layers of flannel inside. The pads are also easy but the most difficult out of these 3 projects. I sewed snaps onto the wings so I could close them. They have anywhere from 2-8 layers of flannel and whatever else I have inside them.

Chambers_Robyn1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Robyn Chambers
I didnt like using or buying plastic bags for my lunch everyday. I knew they were bad for the environment and the cost just kept going up and up. I had seen some other reusable snack bag, but they werent lined or very fun. I bought the fun and stylish material and lined them with nylon which is 100% BPA, Lead, and Phthalates free. My daughter and I use a bag everyday for our breakfast on the go, snack, and lunch. YOu cannot go wrong without one of these bags!

Chambers_Robyn2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Robyn Chambers

Champion_Ann1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ann Champion
I wanted the challenge of making something from some beautiful men's neckties that were given to me. I used a commercial pattern for a Mandarin jacket and cut the pieces a bit larger than needed. I then used those pieces as a foundation for sewing the opened out ties onto. I stitched a decorative embroidery stitch over the seams then trimmed the jacket pieces to the correct size and assembled the jacket.

Champion_Ann2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ann Champion

Christian_Jessica1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jessica Christian
I got this free, hand me down flip out couch for my daughter, and made a new slipcover for it. It was definitely something that I wouldn't have kept as is, so it got a new lease on life

Christian_Jessica2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jessica Christian

Cisko_Sheila

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sheila Cisko
The '70s chairs for the basement rec room needed to be updated and the stack of too- small-but-keep-'em-'cause-we'll-lose-weight jeans was growing. Each chair was made from two pairs of jeans (one for seat, one for back) that were cut off at the top of the thighs, double leg seams removed, then sewn together hem to thigh. The fabric was then covered around the seat and stapled. The fabric for the chair backs was sewn into tubes, back inserted, then stapled on the sides. The footstool was a sudden inspiration, still having leftover fabric and the cut-off torsos. In true recycle-reuse spirit, the footstool is filled with used plastic grocery bags, inserted through the fly zipper.

Claycomb_Debra1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Debra Claycomb
My small purse/backpack wore out. I used the straps and put decoration with thread using two differt cams. I used scaps of material to make a quilted bag.

Claycomb_Debra2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Debra Claycomb

Contreras_Lupe1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lupe Contreras
The quilt was made with my granddaughter's 25 tee shirts from 1st through 5th grade at Windsor Park Elementary, Corpus Christi, TX. The "frames" around the tees and the border were made with pieces and scraps from my stash. I used cotton thread on top and invisible thread in the bobbin. I stitched in the ditch around the tee part and then did a running stitch around each frame with varigated thread (primary colors). I did a running stitch on the border and the binding using varigated jeans thread. The batting was Warm and White. The "fat" binding is black with tiny different-colored hearts. The backing is pink with cute owls. The school mascot is an owl.

Contreras_Lupe2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lupe Contreras

Dalessandri_Karen

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karen D'Alessandri
A Crazy Quilt sewing retreat spurred me to make this small quilt using the hand made and embroidered textiles that I've picked up at junk shops, yard sales and flea markets over the years. I enjoy restoring them and admiring their beautiful and intricate details. The center of this small quilt is a collar band surrounded by the edges of appliqued hankies, vintage trims, beads, laces, buttons, appliques and broken bits of jewelry that always seem to find their way into my stash! This quilt is one of a set of six (I also made one in pink, yellow, green, blue and multi).

Darnell_Nancy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Nancy Darnell
I made this suit, a skirt and jacket, from a beautiful tablecloth and napkins I found in an antique store. I drafted the pattern from my sloper. The damask pattern is matched at side seams, center front, and sleeve seams on the jacket, and side and back seams on the skirt. The jacket and skirt are lined. The jacket features three covered buttons. The skirt has an invisible back zipper with no waistband. The upturned cuffs and lapels are made from the napkins, which have the same reversible damask pattern in a smaller scale. The skirt is knee length, the jacket is wrist length, and the sleeves are three-quarter length with the cuffs turned up.

Darnell_Nancy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Nancy Darnell

Davis_Britynn1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Britynn Davis
I made this dress from an old mumu that I found at a rummage sale. It was huge but I loved the bright kelly green color and knew it could have a new life. I used McCall’s pattern M5388 (which is a pattern for a top) and lengthened the pattern into a dress. The back of the dress is actually the original front of the mumu, but I liked the buttons so used it as the back. This is my first recycling project and am so happy about it! and especially the fact that it only cost about 50 cents.

Davis_Britynn2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Britynn Davis

DavisMoore_Pearline1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pearline Davis Moore
I love to design from pieces of fabric. I also like to reconstruct beautiful fabrics from out dated clothing.

DavisMoore_Pearline2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pearline Davis Moore

Day_Pamela1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pamela Day
"Rivers in Aubergine" is ‘distressed elegance’ in all its embellishments.The embellishment on the front, back and closure is done with bias cut pieces of the cotton that are needle felted and stitched with: turquoise wool roving, a variegated cord with just a hint of sparkle in shades of greens and soft blues, a fancy yarn in a soft olive and just the barest hint of Angelina fibers in an iridescent blue/green. The ‘rivers’ design on the front is exquisitely set off with a hand crafted fused glass button. The lining is a deep robin’s egg blue linen with a couched cord of deep wine burgundy with a fine iridescent thread.

Day_Pamela2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pamela Day

deCesare_Michele1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Michele deCesare
This started as a pull-over, hooded sweatshirt. The plum and red accents are ultra-suede that I had originally used to make curtain panels. I created the flower by placing two pieces of ultra-suede, then solvy topping on top, and sewed along the swirl lines I had drawn on the topping with a sharpie. I cut off the hood, leaving enough to create a fold over collar with more of the ultra-suede. And cut down the middle, sewed 2 pieces of the plum fabric, turned them out, and finished with a straight stitch, and a zig zag stitch. The sleeves were simply folded, turned up (after cutting off the ribbed cuffs), and zig zagged. I cut the ribbed bottom off just below the seam line, and left it unfinished.

deCesare_Michele2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Michele deCesare

DeLong_Laura1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Laura DeLong
The project started when a customer brought me the leftovers from a jacket she had made of silk. The next step came when a male friend announced his silk boxers were worn out, and I begged him to let me recycle them (all the burgundy and black). Finally, I noticed that a silk blouse in my closet was the perfect shape and color, but I didn’t want to sacrifice it because it was a favorite. Then I looked closely at it and realized it had been a favorite for a long time and was truly ready for recycling. I searched out a pattern that would accommodate the collection. The lining and buttons are “new”, but you’d never guess that everything that shows is used or scraps.

DeLong_Laura2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Laura DeLong

Dempster_Rosemary1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

M Rosemary Dempster
The Jester bag is made from my mother-in-law's old velvet curtain and my nylon shirt, which I no longer wore. The ribbon, bells and beads were recycled from a Tatty Christmas wreath. I now have an unusual evening bag which only cost a length of thread to sew it. I love using it as it tinkles gently when I walk.

Dempster_Rosemary2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

M Rosemary Dempster

Dill_Katy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Katy Dill
I have 5 daughters, 8 and under. So, reusing makes me happy. I've never done this before, so I just started cutting, sewing, and trying them on my little one. I used an old t-shirt of mine with a stain I couldn't get out. I used elasticized bobbin thread to gather around the bodice and sleeve edges, as well as in the creation of the flower(s). I used the existing hem for the tunic hem and the neckline for the sleeves. The scraps I turned into flowers for the dress and hairclip, using every bit of my old shirt except one sleeve!

Dill_Katy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Katy Dill

Dipaola_Marisa1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Marisa Dipaola
The Smurfhouse" & Smurfette costume sewn entirely from found materials. The cap from two old beach umbrellas, old crinoline, & old broken tent poles. The stem from my uncle's old living room draperies. The floor from old corduroys and clothing & some fabric scraps I've gathered over the years. The door & windows & cushions from old upholstery. The toadstools are carved from a found poplar log. Smurfette's apron & shoes are sewn from an old chenille bedspread, her legs from an old shrunken sweater, & her dress resewn from an old sundress. Overall dimensions: 9 feet tall x 8 feet diameter

Dipaola_Marisa2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Marisa Dipaola

Dobratz_Noreen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Noreen Dobratz
A $7.00 purchase of a linen jacket,at a Goodwill Store,started my creation. Asian faces were cut from fabric and appliqued to the front and back of the jacket. Gold,metallic netting was hand sewn over the faces, then lace was sewn over the collar. A black crest was embroidered on the back of the jacket and a Japanese word for "butterfly" was embroidered on the front. I purchased 3/4 yard of upholstery hooks and eyes,tea dyed them, and hand stitched them on for the front closure. Many different buttons were sewn on the pocket. Original lining was removed and a new lining, with many decorative stencils, was sewn in.

Dobratz_Noreen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Noreen Dobratz

Dominig_Rebecca1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rebecca Dominig
In honor of Earth Day, 2009, I created thees throw pillows from heavyweight bridal satin cut from the hems of Bridesmaid dresses. Piped and backed with the sage satin (a long dress shortened), they are beautiful from either side. Perfect for today's modern decor; elegant fabric, with a simple design. Heavyweight bridal satin scraps cut to size, stitched together, quilted to 1/4" batting, piped, backed, sewn, turned and stuffed. 14" x 14" (36cm x 36cm), Fully closed, hand stitched shut - no zipper or lap seam in back, 100% polyester exterior and interior. Purchased pillow form inside

Dominig_Rebecca2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rebecca Dominig

Dunn_Celeste1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Celeste Dunn
This purse idea came from the fact that I had dozens of pairs of jeans from my two boys as they were growing up. I wanted to make use of the salvageable areas. This purse is actually made from a pair of shorts (main section) and the back of pant legs pieced for the strap. The nice thing about this purse is that I can change the bandana to fit the seasons, holidays or outfits. I often make bandanas from left-over fabrics from clothing and sometimes I purchase a particularly interesting bandana. Note the wooden star button on the back pocket that I found.

Dunn_Celeste2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Celeste Dunn

Dunn_Patty1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Patty Dunn
I used an small old table cloth which I found in an antique shop. I cut it up and put it together into a crazy patch jacket. I built it on a light weight interfacing using decorative stitches, laces and trims to cover the raw edges. The table cloth was only 54" X 54" but it had several different boarders inside the square. This made for interesting changes throughout the overall design. I used every inch of fabric. It had such a beautiful hand and drapes beautifully. I don't know what the fabric content is but it was a joy to sew on!

Dunn_Patty2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Patty Dunn

Eastwood_Irene1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Irene Eastwood
Made scrap wool quilt, pillows and window topper from discarded Navy and Air Force uniforms

Eastwood_Irene2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Irene Eastwood

Edmondson_Barbara1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barbara Edmondson
I made this reusable grocery bag our of one of my husband's oxford cloth dress shirts that had yellowed under the arms. I gave the collar area to a little girl who made a baby bib out if that.

Ewald_ Barb1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barb Ewald
I needed to make a table runner as a gift. I went to my stash of very old fabric I inherited from a family death, and found the most wonderful cottons in just the right shades for my runner. I also had enough left of the backing to make four matching napkins. This material was from an avid hand quilter who died at he age of 91. I was honored to receive all her quilting supplies, frames, etc.

Ewald_ Barb2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barb Ewald

Eyde_Debbie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Debbie Eyde
Felting and refashioning old sweaters has been a challenge and a total joy. Selecting sweaters at the local thrift store gives me the variety of color and knit patterns that would otherwise take a lifetime and cost a fortune to knit myself. Of course the creative process is the fun part for me and it is a bonus if I love the end result.

Eyde_Debbie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Debbie Eyde

Falck_Beverly1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Beverly Falck
When my son was a sophomore in college I decided that he needed some extra pillows for his dorm room, so these are what I created. I used the "good" parts of his old mattress pad and leftover batting and fiberfill to made the forms. I used his old jeans to complete the pillows.

Falck_Beverly2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Beverly Falck

Fink_Beth1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Beth Fink
I made these large tote bags out of empty hay pellet (horse feed) bags. The bags are from the barn where my daughter rides horses--I have lined them and made handles. They measure 16" high by 15" wide by 5" deep, and are great for hauling chaps, helmet, gloves, crop, etc to the barn, or anything else. My daughter has one that I made approx. 1 year ago that is still holding up well.

Fink_Beth2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Beth Fink

Finn_Kerry1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kerry Finn
I restyled this jean jacket with hand dyed fabric and machine embroidery. I removed the cuffs, added binding to the sleeves and around the jacket. I appliqued fabric into the insets on the front and back plus over the existing collar. The last step was embroidering leaves with variegated embroidery thread across the front and back of the jacket. Special buttons completed the new look.

Finn_Kerry2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kerry Finn

Forsman_Judy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Judy Forsman
I have worked for our small school district for 45 years as the secretary. I started in 1980 making quilts from new/used double knit fabric. One year our principal was cleaning out the coaches rooms and had boxes and boxes of old sports uniforms--of course I took them off his hands. I've made these quilts for various school related fund raiser raffles. I usually tie them as they are so bulky.

Forsman_Judy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Judy Forsman

Fortney_Daelyn1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Daelyn Fortney
My project is a purse made from old fabric from around the house. Old sheets, cloth napkins, and clothing. The lining of the purse is made from an old towel.

Foskett_Genevieve1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Genevieve Foskett
This reusable cloth shopping bag is made from a second-hand Hawaiian shirt. It's made in the same general size and shape as a plastic shopping bag, so it will hold quite a bit. The button placket is sewn together along each side for sturdiness. There's already a pocket in the shirt, and I make sure to incorporate that into the bag for keys, cell phone, whatever. Some of my bags are made from leftovers from quilting or sewing projects, and some are from drapes, bed linens, or clothing I purchase from thrift stores. I often look at a second-hand dress and, instead of trying it on, I’ll start calculating how many bags I can get out of it.

Foskett_Genevieve2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Genevieve Foskett

Fox_Amber1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Amber Fox
I had this shirt that I really liked but the fabric was faded. I happened to find this fabric and fell in love with it! So I took the collar and sleeves off the old shirt and used it for my new shirt!

Fox_Amber2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Amber Fox

Fucoloro_Lauren1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lauren Fucoloro
The first project is a skirt made completely out of a bunch of old ties. The second project includes a belt made out of a guitar strap and cds, and a dress embellished with guitar strings.

Fucoloro_Lauren2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lauren Fucoloro

Gainey_Lauren1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lauren Gainey
I turned this mexican embroidered vintage top I bought from ebay a few years ago into a bag. I braided strips of fabric to use for the handles.

Gainey_Lauren2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lauren Gainey

Garton_Barbara1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barbara Garton
The big recycled jeans shopping bag is made from one pair of jeans, two pairs of shorts and extra " zebra " fabric for the lining. The set of four recycled shopping bags are made from : eight pieces of clothing, and some fabric scraps. 2 ladies overall skirt/shorts, 4 men's shirts, and 2 ladies blouses. Made good use of the pockets also.

Garton_Barbara2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barbara Garton

Gilbert_Kirsten2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kirsten Gilbert
I decided to turn this giant, ill fitting polo into a sweet fitted zip up hoodie. I used the capped sleeves to make the pockets and another set of sleeves from an identical polo to make the hood and the long three quarter sleeves. The hood is unique because it is lined with matching striped fabric that is on the rest of the piece to give it that soft knit feel. This is one example of my many applications of tee shirt reconstructions. What I like the most about this hoodie is it doesn't even look like the orignal shirt! Enjoy and thanks for looking.

Gilbert_Kirsten1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kirsten Gilbert

Girotti_Sarah1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sarah Girotti
I had a nice white knit sweater that I would wear ALL the time...alas, after many years it was falling apart. The sleeves were too short, there were holes in the collar, but I didn't want to throw it away! So out came the scissors, and I cut off the seams, sleeves, and collar and TA-DA! A square of knit cloth perfect for a pillow. I sewed around the edges, leaving an opening on one side, turned it right side out, and slid in the pillow. Next, I had to hand sew the opening closed. The last step was to sew around the square again, but in from the edge 2 1/2 inches to make a ruffle of sorts.

Girotti_Sarah2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sarah Girotti

Glassenberg_Abigail1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Abigail P. Glassenberg
I sewed this soft sculpture owl from a vintage flour sack. Flour sack is a wonderful material for fabric sculpture because it is strong and tightly woven. This flour sack had the name of the flour company and the weight of flour the sack contained printed on it in red and blue lettering. To make the owl I first created an original pattern. Then I cut the flour sack, sewed it on my home sewing machine (a Bernette 330 I bought in 1988 when I was 13!) and stuffed it with 100% wool batt. To form feathers I tore the flour sack into long strips that I formed into loops. I sewed the loops down in rows. I embroidered her eyes to give her a wise and knowing look.

Glassenberg_Abigail2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Abigail P. Glassenberg

Grueb_Beth1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Beth Grueb
Talbot's 100% linen shirt from the goodwill. I added Jenny Haskin's Beyond Color Purple machine embroidery designs. Back flower designs are appliqued with satin and the shape area is applied with sheer lace. There are 4 repeats of the design. The flowers on the front are appliqued with lace fabric.

Grueb_Beth2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Beth Grueb

Guzman_SarahJane1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sarah Jane Guzman
I use old ACU uniforms to make purses. All my linings came from the clearance stection in either Jo-anns or Walmart. I try to use everything of the purse from the pockets to the patches.

Guzman_SarahJane2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sarah Jane Guzman

Hansen_Ida1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ida Hansen
My charity quilts use left over, cast away, and a few new fabrics. This green quilt used the fabrics shown in the first photo. I used garage sale fabrics given to me by a friend - the green flowered was a half-made long pant, the solid green was a remnant after cutting out a pattern, and the green stripe was half a sheet (the top hem is shown in the photo). The white sheets at the top of the photo, from an up-scale hotel, were on the way to the land fill - again, ransomed by a friend that works at the hotel. Since white isn't very practical for utility quilts, I dyed it and used it as the backing, photo 2, upper right. Almost no scraps of any fabric were left!

Hansen_Ida2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ida Hansen

Harris_Brittany1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Brittany Harris
I designed an eco-friendly backpack made from recycling eight coordinated color and pattern men’s silk neckties, two pairs of denim jeans and remnants of a previous project. The outside of the backpack was constructed by cutting and sewing many strips of ties together to create the front, back, and sides. The ties were additionally used to create a binding around the opening flap and the button loop closure as design details. The bottom, closing flap, and straps of the backpack were all made out of denim jeans. For more functionality and convenience, I created two large pockets on the front using the denim jeans and a patchwork design made from the silk ties..

Harris_Brittany2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Brittany Harris

Heye_Becky1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Becky Heye
The wreath shown is made by recycling and reusing fabric upholstery samples to form a Crazy Quilt Christmas Wreath. The fabric I use to do the crazy quilting on comes from old drapery lining. I reuse fiberfill from old bed pillows that are being discarded. The fabric on back part of the wreath and the trim are probably the only new items I use. The pumpkin is made by recycling, reusing fabric upholstery samples. The fiberfill I reused from old bed pillows that were discarded. It is 100% reuse, and recycle creating a nice decorater item for the holdays.

Heye_Becky2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Becky Heye

Hill_Jane1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jane Hill
Fabric sample books were given to the Senior Center that I belong to. I have made tote bags to be given to shut ins and quilts for project Linus .

Hill_Jane2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jane Hill

Holdredge_Carlie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Carlie Holdredge
I took a man's shirt and used the front of the shirt for the back of the dress and the back of the shirt for the front of the dress. The shirt was purchased at Goodwill for $1.10 lb.

Holdredge_Carlie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Carlie Holdredge

Hollan_Cindy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Cindy Hollan
Jacket is constructed from Goodwill finds. The yellow pieces are from a brookstick skirt that still had the T J Max price tag and the blue was a lined linen jacket dress. The tough part was tearing everything apart so I could have a flat piece to what I call creative cutting. I used an old McCall pattern for this jacket. While constructing I tried not to waste a thing. I used the lining of the dress to line this jacket and I used the trim of the dress at the yoke pieces of the jacket. There were scraps left for the covered buttons.

Hollan_Cindy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Cindy Hollan

Hoskin_Teri1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Teri Hoskin
My project consisted of taking old school uniforms and cheerleading outfits and turning them into two one-of-a-kind quilts. I took both of the school and cheerleading uniforms and ripped out all of the seams. I also very carefully removed the twill tape that lined the bottom of the cheerleading skirts. I then created two unique quilt tops by cutting squares out of the cheerleading outfits. The back of the quilt consisted of using the school uniform skirts. To finish up the quilts, I fussy cut the cheerleading logos that were too large, and strategically placed them on the quilt. I also used the twill tape to bind the quilt.

Hoskin_Teri2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Teri Hoskin

Huszar_Sandy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sandy Huszar
This is a bag I made out of a pair of my old jeans. The size of the bag is 12"x 9". Jean is going over the wood where the handles slip thru at both sides. You can have the handles short or slide them were they are long and you can wear over your shoulder. Decorations added are part of an old dresser scarf with the embroidered lady and flowers and bird on it, old lace and dollies, yo-yo's that I made with old buttons in the center also a vintage rhinestone pin and some silk ribbion roses. On the back is a pocket off my jeans with lace decoration. Pocket is a great size for a cell phone. Inside of bag is lined with a small flower print fabric from an old shirt. Also an inside pocket.

Huszar_Sandy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sandy Huszar

Ide_Audrey1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Audrey Ide
The body of the purse was made from a shrunken wool sweater. The bottom, top bands, and straps were made from a thrift shop wool skirt. The lining was new fabric. It includes a zipper pocket, small pockets for cell phone, digital camera, pens, credit cards, misc., and a snap on loop to hold keys. The shape was determined by the shape of the shrunken sweater. The bottom rib of the sweater gives some texture interest just below the top wool bands.

Ide_Audrey2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Audrey Ide

Isom_Linda1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Linda Isom
I am disassembling and restoring old fur coats and, after fashioning a 2-piece pattern, I am constructing teddy bears in sizes S (12"), M (18"), L (24") & XL (30"), gauged by the size of the fur piece. Thus far I have made 42 teddy bears for my sisters, daughters, granddaughters, nieces, in-laws and friends (the guys get pillows).

Isom_Linda2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Linda Isom

Jacobi_Veronica

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Veronica Jacobi
I created this aqua and white Peasant Shirt using two vintage pillowcases to fashion the front and the back. For the sleeves I used a quilter’s cotton in coordinating aqua flowers. This shirt has become one of my favorites to wear because of the softness of the vintage material.

Jane1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jane
I like to go thrift shopping.One day I went and saw these cute and simple sheer-like curtains and thought one day I'd use them. The blue sheer fabric is what the curtains were, I kept the wide curtain hem for the bottom of the dress as a nice feature. then paired it with red satin and tulle underneath with a satin ribbon sewn on as a belt to pull in the back with a bow.

Jones_Sharelle1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sharelle Jones
ReStyled Sweatpants into a Cozy Floor Length Skirt. Cut inner leg seams; Pinned & cut front & back panel; Stitched form fitting panels together.

Jones_Sharelle2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sharelle Jones

Katharu_Gurtej1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Gurtej Matharu
My submission is a dress made from an old fleece that was my dad's and a salwar (which is traditional indian suit trousers, that was my mum's) and i used the salwar to create an overlay to the dress which can come off with a zip to show the dress underneath and a grey t-shirt was used to creat a detail at the back

Katharu_Gurtej2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Gurtej Matharu

Kathyleen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy
Photo 1 was when my twins was a year old. I took my old dress and turn it in to outfits for a last minute party they were invited to. Photo 2 shows an old curtain that i turned it in to a new valance.

Kathyleen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy

KirchnerVite_Susan1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Susan Kirchner Vite
Using 140 capri sun juice bags and Vogue 840 I made a trench. All pattern pieces were used except for the pockets. This jacket was sewed entirely by machine, with the last seams, sleeve underarm and large snap closure sewn by hand. After washing and rinsing out enough juice bags, I connected them using a zig zag stitch on my industrial Pfaff. I sewed together enough bags to cut out each pattern piece separately, being careful to match my strips/bags on each seam. Some of the more difficult areas were sewing sleeves into the armseye since the bags have no "give"... but I persevered 1/4" at a time. The bags were collected from the neighborhood kids who would drop them off.

KirchnerVite_Susan2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Susan Kirchner Vite

Koda_Judee

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Judee Koda
When I am sewing quilts or bags, I always have scraps. Even cuttings in triangular shapes can be used in other projects. I make potholders using scraps of batting and fabric. It is important to use only cotton and not fleece due to flammability.

Koerting_Ruth1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ruth Koerting
Scrappy Stars Quilt cut from scraps that were left from clothes construction into whatever shapes I could get out of them. The "piano-key" border was constructed from the smaller left-over pieces. The 15 inch blocks were machine quilted before sewn together. The seams in the lining were slip-stitched by hand. Started the quilt in May, finished in September 2009.

Koerting_Ruth2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ruth Koerting

ktquilts1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

ktquilts
These linen napkins are made from linen bought at a rummage sale for $1.00 a yard. This particular set is decorated with selvages and left-over binding from another project. Also, there is "neuhaus" ribbon included from a box of chocolates that I received for Christmas last year. On a final note, I managed to find a selvage in my bin that has the word "consumption."

ktquilts2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

ktquilts

Kuhn_Martha1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Martha Kuhn
I went to a yard sale that was getting rid of a bunch of tee shirts, so I bought a bunch, went home and started making things with them. This is one of them. I took two tee shirts, cut squares from the bodies, sewed them together to make the bag and lining. Made the casing for the drawstring by stitching around the bag about an inch and a half below the top seam then snipping a hole to pull it through. I used the bottom hem of the shirt to make the draw string and leftover material for the strap.

Kuhn_Martha2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Martha Kuhn

Kuperman_Emilie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Emilie Kuperman
I love upcycling, which is how I created my strappy sundress/jumper for my daughter. I use one women's or men's long sleeved tshirt that was once loved but is now ready for new life. I take advantage of the side seams and hem already in place (primarily because I hate hemming!), and create a self-lined bodice with t-back detailing and a pleated or gathered skirt. I've made three so far, including one made from a women's blouse that turned out so sweet. My kid lives in these dresses! I also will take bits of fabric from other things to add shapes (the one pictured has a leaf motif from a piece of a blouse).

Kuperman_Emilie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Emilie Kuperman

Larson_Lisa

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lisa Larson
My top is recycled from my grandma’s dress. The fabric is quiana. I used different pieces of the dress and still have some left. I plan to make another type from the remaining pieces.

Larson_Lois1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lois Larson
My wool jacket is recycled from 3 skirts and a jacket. The aqua wool was originally a wool knit skirt that had pin tucks woven into the knit. The teal sleeves, hood, and contrast pieces were parts of a wool knit suit. The aqua lining was originally a skirt. The only 2 items that I needed to purchase were 2 spools of thread. The rest of the supplies were either recycled or already in my stash. I had used the pattern before, but I modified it for this project. I added the contrasting teal band at the bottom. I also chose to use fabric loops made from the scraps instead of purchasing a zipper for the opening. I decided to combine the 2 other wool fabrics for the pockets.

Larson_Lois2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lois Larson

Lascelle_Pattie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pattie Lascelle
This ensemble was made from a vintage bed cover. In order to utilize the beautiful cutwork and applique the tops of the outfit was cut on the bias from the center of the bed cover. All four corners were used to make the Capri pants so the decorative border and designs would be salvaged. Left over scraps from the bed cover were used to assemble a purse to complete the ensemble.

Lascelle_Pattie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pattie Lascelle

Lo_Shuriu1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Shuriu Lo
My Jeweled Flamenco Skirt came was sewn from a jeweled purple t-shirt I found, a tie-dyed rayon dress found in a give-away bin near my friend's house, faded fabric for 99-cents at the fabric store and some "crystal organza" fabric that my dance company had used as a custom scrim for a dance no longer in repertory. My Patchwork Flamenco Skirt was assembled from clothing my acupuncturist no longer fit into and gave me. I re-usedthe fabric for the ruffles of the skirt so they were made from a reversible silk halter dress, an op-art sleeveless dress, a purple dupioni silk a-line skirt, rust dupioni silk pants, purple dupioni silk blazer, Indonesian batik fabric and a small remnant of brown silk.

Lo_Shuriu2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Shuriu Lo

Lollar_Vickie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vickie Lollar
I created this handbag from a pair of blue jean capri pants. I used the upper portion of the jeans for the body of the bag. Incorporating the front pockets on the ends of the bag for my cell phone and loose change. The back pockets I used on the front and back of the bag. Utilizing the belt loops for my sunglasses and keys. Lined the bag with a bright, fun quilting cotton. Topped it off with my initial and one of my favorite Bible verses on the front pocket and TinkerBell on the back pocket. I used another back pocket on the inside for my pen and check book on one side and pockets make from the quilting cotton on the other side for odds and ends.

Lollar_Vickie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vickie Lollar

Lovelien_Mary

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Mary Lovelien
This purse, coffee cozy and 2 zippered pouches were repurposed from a vintage pillowcase I found at a thrift store. I of course added the denim and a white cotton for the linings. There is actually one more coffee cozy and zipper pouch that are not pictured. One pillow case made all of that! I actually found a bed sheet in the same print but green and made my everday purse out of it.

LumpkinBrown_Ellen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ellen Lumpkin Brown
This doll dress was created from an old plaid flannel shirt and a bit of scrap lace. I used the back yoke of the shirt (which has more body because it is doubled) to make the bodice. I also used the front button placket of the shirt to make the back closing -- this way, the button holes were already made! The doll is also sewn from wool felt using my original pattern.

LumpkinBrown_Ellen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ellen Lumpkin Brown

McCarroll_Gerry1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Gerry McCarroll
Last year, after having made my first quilt, a friend who is an interior decorator, offered to give me outdated fabric samples and leftover fabric. I appreciated the offer and did not want the fabric/fabric samples to go into a landfill. My first project was the pillow in the attached photos, made entirely of fabric that just would have been thrown away. It is my own design, and the only things I purchased were the pillow form and the trim.

McCarroll_Gerry2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Gerry McCarroll

McCartney_Lorraine1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lorraine McCartney
The straight version of Dos de Tejas Artistry Vest was modified and cut into 8 sections for modular assembly. All 8 sections are fully lined, using fabric from a beaded turquoise/purple print blouse and a dark turquoise poly crepe skirt.. The four exterior side sections are made from a poly shantung skirt. The 2 center front and 2 center back sections are a fabric collage. Crosswise purple threads were pulled from the shantung fabric and randomly placed on the fabric collage before being channel stitched with turquoise rayon thread. All pieces were channel stitched to a 17-year-old flannel nightgown - using tissue wrapping paper as a stabilizer - before being lined.

McCartney_Lorraine2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Lorraine McCartney

McFall_Laura1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Laura McFall
I purchased the dress at a discount store on the clearance rack for about $5, as the zipper up the back was broken. My original thought was to replace the zipper and have a sundress. But the top was a very lightweight white fabric...not very modest! So, I removed the band with contrast piping, cut the remaining bodice off and stitched the top band into a waist band, adding elastic into the back waist for fit. I inserted a 7" zipper and for less than $8 total - a new skirt, complete with built-in petticoat.

McFall_Laura2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Laura McFall

McFarland_Karen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karen McFarland
My dog traveled with me on a trip and due to the weather, she was unable to return with me. It was a really bad winter and she was stuck there for a few months. To give her a little something from home, I cut up four of my t-shirts and using some scrap fabric from around the house for the back and some leftover batting, I made a small patchwork quilt; just her size. Because the shirts were well used, they apparently still carried my scent. She would curl up on top of or under the blanket whenever she wanted to take a nap. Now whenever we travel I bring that quilt along so she has something from home that can serve as a blanket or mat.

McFarland_Karen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karen McFarland

Mentzel_Bobbie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Bobbie Mentzel
These items were in my parents basement for many years. I cleaned them and set them in the sun to dry. I made colorful floral cotton fabricliners for the wicker basket and also the "Back Saver Basket," which has legs with wood wheels. I made a bag for on the wire frame to hold my clothespins. It is handy to be able to just hang this on the clothesline. The fabric was purchased at a resale shop and was pretty and inexpensive. I enjoy hanging my clothes out to dry, as they smell so fresh. I like the fact that it also saves energy. My pretty accessories help brighten this task. I had enough fabric left to make two children's painting aprons for my nieces!

Mentzel_Bobbie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Bobbie Mentzel

Meschi_Alexis1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Alexis Meschi
This is an old shirt I took and cut off the sleeves to add the "in-style" ruffles on the front. It's a really simple project and a great way to make a shirt really special.

Meschi_Alexis2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Alexis Meschi

Michel_Ann1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ann Michel
I went into a Goodwill store looking for a good find. There was a used tablecloth for $5. It was cotton from India (perfect for Chenille), and there was about 2.5-3 yards, and at least 60 inches wide. I decided to use it to create a jacket for the Spring-Summer-Fall. Using 2 layers to Chenille it had texture and the color was great for a "Red/White & Blue" theme. I used every scrap but 2 sq. inches that had a cigarette burn on it.

Michel_Ann2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ann Michel

Miller_Charlotte1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Charlotte Miller
At an estate sale I found a peach colored dress with sweater top and Ultra-suede like skirt for $15.00. I tried it on but didn't like the way it fit so decided to transform it into a jacket. I used a thin fusible batting on the suede skirt pieces, along with the dress lining and channel quilted them together for the jacket body. The sweater sleeves were used "as is" in the dress for the jkt. A mandrian collar that I created from the suede skirt was attached with the bodice sweater knit as facing.A spearating zipper was applied. Small breast pocket again from suede with heavier ribbing from dress collar was added. I found a cording at the store that matched for bottom gathered tunnel.

Miller_Charlotte2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Charlotte Miller

Misheski_Pam

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pam Misheski
This purse was constructed from recycled 100 %wool from thrift store clothing. The garments were washed several times and cut apart. The fabric was then used to make 18” X 22” sections. Originally the sections were to be used to construct a quilt but some of them were not to my satisfaction. To utilize the not so perfect pieces, I constructed purses from them. The pieces of wool were butted on to pieces of iron on stabilizer and then an appliqué stitch was used to join the pieces together. This kept the bulk down on the seams. Heavy interfacing added the necessary stiffness and a fancy fabric was used for the lining. The handles were also recycled from thrift store purses.

Monday_Susie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Susie Monday
Stories on My Shoulders -I'm a textile artist who makes one-of-a-kind altered jean jackets and vest from recyled thrift store finds. The jackets and vests tell personal and cultural stories, inspired the the Texas Borderlands and it's rich mix of languages, natural beauty and icons and images. Using found fabrics and fabrics that I dye and print myself, I fuse my "stories" onto the yoke, back and front panels of the jackets with a fusible web, then free motion quilt and embellish by hand with embroidery, buttons and more.

Monday_Susie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Susie Monday

Mooney_Tracy

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Tracy Mooney
I found a wool sweater at a thrift store and felted it in the washing machine. I then needle felted the design in the style of Starry Night with wool roving and embellished with beads and Swarovski crystals. I then turned the design into a purse

Moorman_Michelle1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Michelle Moorman
Sewing at my dining room table caused me many backaches. So I decided to buy a sewing table. After looking around online, I realized that new tables were beyond my reach. So I decided to convert this old sewing table I purchased at a thrift store to hold my sewing machine. It took me a day to finish the project and cost about $20 in supplies. By re-purposing this table, I saved a bit of money and helped the environment.

Moorman_Michelle2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Michelle Moorman

Morgan_Jodie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jodie Morgan
My husband is a restaurant manager, so his dress shirts never last very long. A grease spot always turns up and we can't seem to get it out, but I hate to throw away a perfectly usable shirt! So I came up with this idea to turn an old dress shirt into something stylish. I call it my Button Down Bag. It is a pleated bag that shows off the button down front of a shirt and the handle even still has the cuff from the sleeve.

Morgan_Jodie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jodie Morgan

Murphy_Barbara1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barbara Murphy
A friend and I started making purses out of old neckties. I've expanded into using other "recycled" fabrics such as thrift store clothing for linings and upholstery fabric samples for the bottoms of the bags We started out just doing custom orders, but now we are gearing up for a large craft show in the fall. Hopefully shoppers will love the purses and feel good about recycling the beautiful silks from all those old ties coming out of the closets and thrift stores.

Murphy_Barbara2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Barbara Murphy

Myers_Martha1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Martha Myers
I completed the Ikina Jacket without the side panels, using 5 old garments, 2 from aqua linen and 3 from blue linen. I pieced each one, using piping. This required creating new pattern pieces with 1/2" seam allowances, as well as creating the piping by cutting on the bias. The grain of the fabric was maintained throughout, so that the jacket would hang properly. I used contrasting piping (blue piping with aqua pieces; aqua piping with blue pieces) to add design to the garment. I added some bias tubes to some of the pieces, as can be seen in the final jacket. Using left-over fabric I was able to also make a purse with prairie points, flip-and-sew and other techniques.

Myers_Martha2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Martha Myers

Niemann_Sally2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sally Niemann
This purse was made from men's ties (recycled) and I used yoyo's from my mother Marie's stash. She made these from scraps of fabric, some she gleaned from old clothing. The buttons were from her old collection (I inherited after she passed away in 2008). The inside batting is really flannel from an old sheet. The inside lining is from my stash originally bought to back a quilt years ago. The plastic inside the bottom insert is from computer packing.

Nowland_JD1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

JD Nowland
I made this beach cover-up for my daughter from my husbands' old v neck x-large tshirt. She put her left arm through the neck opening and I cut off the right sleeve. I sewed a new side seam on the right side and sewed elastic to create an empire seam. The neatest trick was that the left sleeve ( staying attached to the tshirt ) was easily shaped and hand sewn into a great looking flower which I then painted. The finishing touch was cutting a slash in the right shoulder to create balance. Super easy project with a great result!

Nowland_JD2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

JD Nowland

Ocull_Anna1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Anna O'Cull
This garment was created using a Vogue pattern and plastic bottles! The chic black (tho' green) jacket has taken recycling to round two. Constructed from 18 shopping bags made from recycled polypropylene drinking containers, the term "bag lady" is given a whole new image. The shoulder pads and zippers were re-purposed from the discard pile, and the jacket is fully lined, comfortable, and fun to wear.

Ocull_Anna2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Anna O'Cull

Ogilvie_Ann1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ann Ogilvie
I recycled wool for the lining and added pockets for cellphone, change and comb. Using men's beautiful silk ties from the thrift store, I layered them on the wool. Placing the ties side by side and using my designer machine stitches to form the fabric. Two ties form the closure by crisscrossing in the casing. Another tie was used to make the flower decoration.

Ogilvie_Ann2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Ann Ogilvie

Parker_Trisha1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Trisha Parker
This toddler's dress was made out of an old button down man's shirt.found. The back is made from the front of the man's shirt using the existing buttons. The front is actually the back of the shirt, and since there was no wrong side on this material, I turned it inside out to have the pleat on the outside of the dress. The sleeves are cut from the sleeves of the shirt and made into a ruffle by taking the curved part of the sleeve where it attached to the shirt and using that for the outside of the sleeve. I also took an extra strip of fabric, hemmed it, and used it to create a matching hair bow. Then I took some extra of the trim I had made and added it onto a pair of socks to have matching ruffle socks.

Parker_Trisha2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Trisha Parker

Patton_Pam1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pam Patton
I make journal covers from scraps of fabric others are throwing away. To make my journal covers - I collage fabric scraps to the front of a batting scrap - add a backing from my stash and then quilt, couch, embellish and bind. To finish I add a 50/c composition book and it's done - a true trash to treasure

Pollock_Rosalind1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rosalind Pollock
This is a little quiltlet approximately 24 inches tall that is all made from supplies that were originally something else.! The majority of the fabric (blue,white and gold) is cut from a soft Indian cotton skirt that was very well worn! The shisha mirrors were removed from a purse. The butterfies were fussy cut from a grown out of dress and the bowl fabric from an apron pocket. The backing was the best part of an old sheet and the batting was part of a washed in blanket. I think the only new bits on this piece are the beads, threads and ribbons forming the tassels.

Pollock_Rosalind2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rosalind Pollock

Pourbyanski_Kathy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy Porubyanski
Five dollars at the second hand store bought me a Bill Blass black/brown/blue tweed suit coat. I loved the inside pockets, one being buttoned. I chose to cut off the sleeves and remove the length so the jacket would sit on the waist. I already had some nice black knit fabric that did not ravel and it worked with the black in the jacket. I made two new sleeves using the black knit fabric. The wrist hem on the sleeve was turned up to the right side and top stitched. Blue ribbon blanket stitch was used to decorate the outside of each sleeve for about seven inches. I added a straight flange to the bottom of the jacket repeating the blanket stitch at the bottom edge. I then placed one button on top of another and sewed them both to the jacket for the closing and added some ribbon to the buttons. The jacket is modern and comfortable while the inside pockets keep my cash, credit card or lipstick safe.

Pourbyanski_Kathy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy Porubyanski

Pritchard_Vicki1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vicki Pritchard
I've been making different kinds of reusable shopping bags and thought it would be fun & colorful to use actual bags that food comes in, since these bags are not recyclable where I live. I saved the sturdiest & most colorful bags, cut & washed them, and sewed them onto an old bed sheet using a paper grocery bag as a pattern. The handles are made from 2 thicknesses of braided trim. It has gotten lots of comments at the grocery store, and now my friends have started saving their colorful food bags for me!

Pritchard_Vicki2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vicki Pritchard

Pustejovsky_Mary

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Mary Pustejovsky
This bag was made using a pattern found in Joelle Hoverson's book "Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts." I got a large pile of upholstery samples from a friend who works at a furniture store. They throw away the sample fabrics every season! I thought those browns looked good together. The lining is fabric I got free from a fabric swap--all the attendees brought fabric they no longer needed and everyone took home something new! It was a lot of fun to make something from items people would normally throw away.

Quigley_Janice

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Janice Quigley
I was given some vintage lace doilies and wanted to have a way to display them.The pattern called "Saucy Senorita" by Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli fit the bill. The original quilted wall hanging has 4 "saucy ladies". I elected to make only one and used the doily instead of a handkerchief for the skirt. It worked just as well. There were other improvisations, like coloring her hair, shoes and fan with a combination of crayons and fabric inks, free motion stitching around the figure and decorative stitching around the sashing. It turned out to be a unique way to display an heirloom.

Ramsey_Kathy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy Ramsey
Recycled Insulated Bib Overalls and Jacket for Two Year Old. This is a recycle project I made 18 years ago before recycling was cool. I took an old pair of my insulated coveralls and an old pair of my husband’s insulated bibs and used the “better spots” to cut out a pair of insulated bibs and a hooded jacket for our grandson. I placed the pattern taking advantage of zippered sections like the leg zippers and zippered pockets. I cut the sections so that the zippers were where I needed them. I cut the front of the jacket taking advantage of zippered chest pockets that were on my coveralls for zippered pockets for the “little” jacket.

Ramsey_Kathy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Kathy Ramsey

Reinert_Jodi1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jodi Reinert
This is a purse that I made from a reversable placemat and a dress I had started to make and decided I didn't like it, so I used it for the lining and the loops to attach the handles. The placemat was red and black and I took it apart and I am planning on making another purse with the red part. This is something I designed as I went.

Reinert_Jodi2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jodi Reinert

Rhodes_Elizabeth1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Elizabeth Rhodes
This sweet toddler Size 2 dress was refashioned from a vintage family heirloom embroidered pillowcase. The skirt is of the original and the bodice is newly hand-embroidered by me in the design to complement the original in the skirt. A sash has been added to the back and single button closure (vintage button, of course!) Vintage pink linen complements the dress at the collar and waist.

Rhodes_Elizabeth2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Elizabeth Rhodes

Ridgers_Karmen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karmen Rodgers
I found this old men's shirt at a thrift store and I decided to cut it up and turn it into a lovely top with crisscross straps in back and a belt to cinch in the waist. I cut the top of the shirt off and stitched a double rolled hem. I used to remainder of the fabric to make the straps and belt. I think this is a good idea for anybody who has old men's shirts lying around.

Ridgers_Karmen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karmen Rodgers

Riskedahl_Rita1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rita Riskedahl
I sewed this jacket using four different colored denim jeans and one long jean skirt. I chose Vogue pattern V1042 for the pattern since it had 6 pattern pieces so it was easier to use the pant legs of the jeans. The jean skirt was used for the sleeves centering the sleeve pattern on the side seam so I had enough material to cut the sleeve in one piece. I cut 3/4 inch bias strips out of the pant legs to sew on the collar and cuffs. The fabric flower on the collar I made out of scraps of the four different colored jeans. The tie scarf was made out of an old cape that I found in my closet.

Riskedahl_Rita2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Rita Riskedahl

Rosa_Mayara1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Mayara Rosa
I create lots of designs using neckties. This vest is made of vintage ties and is a god way to reuse them. I used 8 neckties for this project

Rosa_Mayara2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Mayara Rosa

Roszkowski_Jo1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jo Roszkowski
There are lots of old plastic bangles in people's drawers and in second hand shops not being worn as they are no longer fashionable. I found a way to re-fashion them, make them look cool AND use us all those little odds and ends of wool/yarn that would otherwise not be used... the KNIT COVERED BANGLE!

Roszkowski_Jo2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jo Roszkowski

Rowland_Jennifer1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jennifer Rowland
This bag was made for a friend from her deceased mother's 1980's pink beaded party dress. Much of it is hand sewn to preserve all the beading. The closure is an 11 inch tubular frame from Ghee's. The bead work is on lace whick I over layed on the black skirting from the dress. The handle is plastic tubing wrapped with the same black fabric from the body of the skirt with strings of beads I made from the dress. The second bag is beaded lace applied to a plain black bag. Basically, it is just to document the use of the fabric.

Rowland_Jennifer2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jennifer Rowland

Savitskij_Karen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karen Savitskij
My husband just switched jobs and was going to throw out several cotton, no-iron, beautiful work shirts because they had the old company's logo. Instead, I cut the shirts apart at the seams, including the sleeves, and found that with just the right positioning I could get a pair of shorts with pockets from Butterick pattern 3475 out of each shirt with a few scraps leftover. I adjusted the waist to fit and added 1/8" top stitching at the top to help keep the elastic from turning in the wash. (we even cut the buttons off and used those for preschool sorting games)

Savitskij_Karen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Karen Savitskij

Schwartz_Terri

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Terri Schwartz
This is a picture of my first quilt I made for our two year old son.

Serlin_Deanna1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Deanna Serlin
The Harmony Bag is made from a silk Hawaiian shirt that was a gift many years ago.

Serlin_Deanna2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Deanna Serlin

Smith_Joan1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Joan Smith
Drawstring bags made out of old T-shirts. I sewed from the sleeve all the way around. Once you sew all the way around, you cut around it (the sleeves will be cut off in this process). I pinned the bottom of the t shirt before sewing so it would not bunch up. For darker T-shirts (I made about five), I used a marker to mark them for guidance. That is optional. The collars of each T-shirt was used as casting. I cut a slit at the corner of each one and used either a drawstring cord or ribbon (I made about five). I used a safety pin at the end of the drawstring and ribbon and pulled it through the casting. The drawstring can either be used on one side or both sides.

Smith_Joan2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Joan Smith

Smith_Vanessa1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vanessa Smith
I found a great bargain on a blue jean jumpsuit for $2.00. I decided to cut it up and make this eclectic pillow.The front has a pink embroidery design from my Viking sample collection. I added 4 triangles to each corner using a Waverly Mod print. A red satin stitch was sewn across each triangle. The yellow and pink squiggly lines are dimensional fabric paint. I randomly sewed pink beads and blue buttons on the front. For the back of the pillow, decorative stitches were sewn horizontally using variegated threads that compliment the front of the pillow. I then scattered yellow and pink dimensional fabric paint over the stitches abnd used Black Lion Brand Fancy Fur yarn to create trim.

Smith_Vanessa2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vanessa Smith

Sokolis_Gladys1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Gladys Sokolis
I made a Holloween costume Captain Jack Sparrow for my 3 year old great granddaughter in the picture. I purchased a brown ultra suede womans jacket at a goodwill store cost $2.00 for 1/2 off the Regular price. I cut the jacket up and made the vest. pants, belt, knife holder and the boot tops.Purchased a mans white shirt at a resale shop for $o.88 cents on a 75 per cent off sals made the shirt in the picture. I got top quality material and saved money and had fun doing it.

Sokolis_Gladys2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Gladys Sokolis

Stowe_Amanda_Tina1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Amanda and Tina Stowe
I used five ties from my dad (as well as a few purchased ones from a thrift store) and made a skirt out of them as well as a matching drawsting tote. I cut each of the ties in half in the middle. The wider portion I made the skirt, and the narrower portion I made the tote.

Stowe_Amanda_Tina2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Amanda and Tina Stowe

Summers_Eva1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Eva Summers
I design and make teddy bears. I have for years went to thrift shops and bought old coats to make bears from. This is a 14 inch bear made from one of the old mink coats. Old coats are hard to work with as most of the leather on these coats is quite dry so I line the bear with muslin. I do machine sew the bear add joints in the head, arms and legs and put on child safe eyes and nose. The feet are leather scrapes that I have bought at the flea market.

Swanson_Jeanette1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jeanette Swanson
I had a lot of neckties laying around gathering dust and thought I would put them to use in something my daughter could wear. The bodice is a black linen from pattern Butterick 5317 and the lower dress is piece together from the neckties. The cap sleeves are made from the wide part of two of the ties. The dress was easy because there wasn't any hemming to do but it was difficult working with the bias neckties and they tended to curve a little which I decided was a nice design feature.

Swanson_Jeanette2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jeanette Swanson

Thatcher_Carroll1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Carroll Thatcher
The design concept was to create a wearable outfit that used recycled materials in an innovative and decorative manner. I chose a vest, kameez (tunic) and skirt. The vest features three elephants, mother and baby on the back and a daughter on the front. The “heffalumps” are heavily decorated, with a theme derived from a poster, “Festival Elephant II”, by an unknown artist and found in the Fulcrum Gallery. Sadhana is the mother of Priya and Damayant. In India, the three names mean Devotion, Beloved and Flirt. Damayant is the baby holding his mother’s tail in his trunk.

Thatcher_Carroll2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Carroll Thatcher

Thomas_Heather1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Heather Thomas
This leather bomber belonged to my husband. I started with the elastic band, separating it from the bodice. Most of the vertical seams came apart very quickly. I opened up the sleeve and cut away the snap cuffs. The sleeve cap was easily cut away from the shoulder too, which would be difficult with a pair of dull scissors. After separating all of the parts that I really wanted to work with I ended up with: 2 sleeves, 2 front pieces, 1 back piece, collar, front flap and a partially elasticized leather covered trim and many extra smaller pieces. I spent 3 days conditioning the leather back to its glory days.

Thomas_Heather2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Heather Thomas

Thompson_Jeanette1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jeanette Thompson
These two quilted fabric collage pieces were made using recycled clothes from the thrift store, or clothes from my closet that I no longer needed. I love not only reusing clothes to make my art, but also putting to use the beautiful fabrics that might have once been someone’s favorite shirt. Their love still lingers in the clothes and I believe is transferred into the art I make.

Thompson_Jeanette2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jeanette Thompson

Thompson_Jonnita1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jonnita Thompson
This purse was made using the material from a 20lb Dog Chow bag that is a plastic weave, (like Tyvek). The main panels are the Dog Chow bag and is paired with a cute weiner dog in sweaters cotton print. The handle is a dog leash. The inside pockets are an orange and red polka dot print. The bag was made for my sister as a gift and photographed with Gypsy.

Thompson_Jonnita2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jonnita Thompson

Tomesheski_Vienna1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vienna Tomesheski
This quilt was made for my first grand baby Grace. My daughter-in-law gave me all the newborn clothing that Grace outgrew. What a perfect way to reuse all those garments and create a quilt that will keep the baby warm on those cold winter nights. The sizes of the garments varied from newborn to 3 months old. There are a total of 77 different size pieces, cut from 77 garments. I decided to tie the quilt with variegated embroidery floss.

Tomesheski_Vienna2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Vienna Tomesheski

Topolski_Nancy1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Nancy Topolski
This plush toy animal is mostly hand sewn using recycled repurposed materials. I fulled (felted) wool sweaters that I purchased at the Salvation Army and Good Will and used pieces of the sweaters for the front, arms, face and ears. I used fabric from a used cotton men's striped shirt for the back. His feet are black sweater pieces too. This little guy is 12 inches from head to toes and 12 inches from ear to ear. He has black buttons for his eyes (pupils), chosen from my expansive button collection which was handed down from many grandmothers. I sew all the parts onto the front with a blanket stitch, I sew the front and back together using a sewing machine.

Topolski_Nancy2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Nancy Topolski

Torgler_Jolene1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jolene Torgler
The first quilt was made with "older" stash fabrics which I collected from people throughout our city, who no longer sew, and they wanted to recycle various fabrics. I washed and ironed all the fabrics before using. The batting is also recycled... from a twin sized mattress cover that I cut up. When I finished the quilt, it went to a local hospital for a young dialysis patient. The second quilt was also made out of recycled fabrics from various "older fabric" that I washed, ironed, and cut up to make into a "kitty pattern" for my elderly mother-in-law, who can no longer sew, and lives by herself with her cat.

Torgler_Jolene2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Jolene Torgler

TownsendDonabed_Sandra1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sandra Townsend Donabed
I've been using the same canvas drop cloth for 15 years for all my projects. Finally I realized the drop cloth is more interesting than what I have been painting so I used it as a base for 5 29" square quilts adding vintage and found fabrics, applique and patchwork, as well as photo transfer images on fabric that I had been looking for a place to put! The 5 pieces can be hung in any combination or configuration, and make a wonderful reminder trip back through everything I have painted over these years. I call the piece "Tune In Turn On Drop Cloth".

TownsendDonabed_Sandra2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sandra Townsend Donabed

Ulrich_Leslie1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Leslie Ulrich
I created this quilt like piece called "Grandmother's Garden" from paper grocery bags I bring home from the store. I paint the bags, cut them into patterns and machine sew them together. This piece was inspired by the tradtional quilt pattern of Grandmothers Garden. I love the way it undulates and hangs so much like a quilt but it is made from recycled paper bags.

Ulrich_Leslie2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Leslie Ulrich

Vanhoosier_Sharon1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sharon Vanhoosier
This is one of the "tissue box covers" that I made as Christmas gifts. The cover is reuseable, making it "eco-thifty". When you use your last tissue, simply untie the cord, remove the empty box, place a new box of tissues inside and tie it back. I got a "creative moment" and added a "bless you" label for those sneezes needing a tissue.

Vanhoosier_Sharon2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sharon Vanhoosier

Venitsky_Joen1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Joen Venitsky
My inspiration initally came from my two teenage daughters. After they went through there clothes for no longer fit, I looked at all the denim jeans and thought what could I do with all this great denim fabric? I began by making the wristlet that both my girls love to carry, found they were great for the beach or a night out myself!! Then I transformed it into a great shoulder bag utilizing the pockets for great outside pocket for my keys and pockets inside the bag. I utilize my sewing stash of fabric for the linings the shoulder bag I used a quilted fabric and a great cotton fabric for the wristlet, because as most long time sewers my stash is vast!

Venitsky_Joen2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Joen Venitsky

Vermillion_Bethany1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Bethany Vermillion
I took one of my husband's old shirts and created a dress for my daughter from the sleeves. The bodice of her dress is made from a sleeve (notice the buttons and cuff) and some fabric from the back of the dress shirt. It was a great way to recycle a shirt that wouldn't have been worn otherwise. I added a little vintage fabric to create a pocket.

Vermillion_Bethany2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Bethany Vermillion

Vermillion_Hellenne1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Hellenne Vermillion
This is the jacket and sleeveless undershirt from Diane Ericson's "Revisions" Fault Lines pattern. I used 1 pair of striped linen pants legs for the sleeve; 1 silver linen blend jacket including lapel and original buttons; 1 patterned linen shirt including the collar points; 1 natural linen color shirt including the cuff tab; 1 blue linen skirt including the original waistband buttonhole and button as the closure for the undershirt; 1 white linen skirt; 1 blue linen skirt; and 1 very worn out olive linen skirt for the lining to make this Fault Lines jacket and undershirt. Embroidered running stitches tie the entire garment together along with buttonhole stitch "links" to hold some pieces together and as accents.

Vermillion_Hellenne2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Hellenne Vermillion

Walker_Brenda1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Brenda Walker
Needing a holder for all my knitting supplies, but wanting to save my funds for patterns and yarn I decided to make one with leftover fabrics and trims. The outer portion is made of a lovely dimensional fabric that my sister used to make curtains for a bedroom. The inside fabric and batting was leftover from a quilting project years ago. I had picked up the elastic on sale over a year ago and removed the velcro off an old bag several years ago. Even the ribbon was in my stash. Not a penny was spent and I think the re-purposed materials are much improved in their new form.

Walker_Brenda2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Brenda Walker

Webb_Joan1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Joan Webb
I enjoy making items from used, denim blue jeans. I think my favorite recycled item is the apron made from a denim dress I paid 50 cents for at a garage sale. It had two pockets in front, decorated with rhinestones, and picnic food appliques and embroidery down one side and on the back shoulder. I cut it off, hemmed it, and cut the back and sleeves off tapering the front but leaving the collar. I used the back of the dress to make the ties. I removed the 3 demensional lady bugs from the back shoulder and placed one on each tie.

Webb_Joan2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Joan Webb

Willaims_Sharon1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sharon Williams
My daughter works at a restaurant on the lake called Cardinal Cove. She wanted something a little different than the plain black apron she was given so we recycled some jeans and jeans pockets, I added a pieced cardinal and now three of the waitresses have "new" aprons sporting the restaurant's cardinal.

Willaims_Sharon2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Sharon Williams

Willard_Dana1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Dana Willard
his past year I've taken many men's dress shirts and turned them into girls' summer dresses. This latest installment took it a step further by shirring the top bodice on front and back of the dress. I think it worked well with the flower-chain feel of the original shirt.

Willard_Dana2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Dana Willard

Williams_Elizabeth1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Elizabeth Williams
I have always thought that those lovely silks were wasted on men's neckties fabric.....so I made a little summer shift out of 11 ties. I gently laundered them, undid all the stitching and ironed out the creases. Making good use of the bias cut of the ties, I draped and pinned them on my dress form and, after sewing the seams, added a touch of embroidery to the bodice, straps and hem using metallic gold floss. The end result was a feather light, form-fitting shift made from discarded ties purchased for $2 each at a local thrift shop.

Williams_Elizabeth2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Elizabeth Williams

Wilson_Laura

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Laura Wilson
I was trying to clear out a cabinet to make room for our new baby's clothes. I had all these odd shape scraps of PUL (waterproof fabric for making cloth diapers), too small for diapers, too big to throw away. So, I decided to make these simple little snack bags, which make a nice alternative to disposable ziplock bags. Of course, you don't have to use PUL, but I think it helps keep moisture out, so your goldfish/dried peas/cheerios stay fresh longer.

Winter_Pat1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pat Winter
I made this handbag using a salvaged vintage clasp and various formals from the Goodwill. I found lame' and various sheer gowns and cut them up then layered them with salvaged laces and my mother's old chiffon scarf then did random machine stitching to hold it all together. I then cut a purse design from this newly made "fabric" to make this purse. I added a hand transferred fabric image and beading with tiny shells taken from a thrift shop necklace to embellish it with.

Winter_Pat2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Pat Winter

Ross_Diana1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500

Diana Ross - Diana made this Texas quilt for her mother in law's family to write their family history on the Texas appliques with an acid free paint pen. The back is made of a king size dark blue flat sheet she had and the Texas applique was enlarged from a stress squeezy foam piece she got from a bank promotional item. The quilt is King size and was a surprise gift at a family reunion. Diana stitched stars in between the top of each panel, to quilt it down from top and bottom piece.

Ross_Diana2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:04:50 -0500