Upcycling galore

I had put a call out for any unwanted t-shirts or linens during spring cleaning (whatever that is!)and my friend Lori kindly dropped off a bag for me.  I started cutting the shirts into yarn, but some were too cool to just cut up, and one I have even been wearing (*gasp*).   I have been doing 2 different upcycling crafts with these supplies: rugs and chair pads.
     I decided to crochet the rugs, but I don't really know how to crochet!  I am making a rectangular one to fit in my boot tray and absorb the salt, then get thrown in the washer to clean it.  It is ugly as I have been trying to get used to the t-shirt yarn.

Ugly, but functional

My second attempt is an oval rug, again probably just for use in our equivalent of a mudroom, to be a good foot scrubber during barefoot, sandbox summer months.

Could be cuter if I tried to save my yarn and work in a color scheme.

I had a vintage dish towel that was sort of tea stained and ragged in some spots, but it had that power over me that all vintage linens have, so I just couldn't let it go.  I decided to use it to make a chair pad for my antique cosco stool.  I did a really craptastic job, because I was in such a hurry to jump into it, I didn't make a pattern, so its fit isn't "ideal".  But it serves its purpose and I love looking at the colors on it.  I used an old receiving blanket for the batting and machine quilted around the design.  I had some rick-rack scraps that I used rather weirdly.

Wabi-sabi!

One of the t-shirts from Lori that I couldn't bear to cut into yarn was a souvenir from Hell's 1/2 acre, Wyoming.  It became a chair pad for Vladdie's stool.  I used the edge from a gingham sheet I had to make a ruffle.  I also used another blanket for the batting.

Vladdie's cool new chair pad!

Unfortunately, my machine gave me nothing but hard times when I was making it.  I wanted to do some more machine quilting on it.

I have posted this to show people that although my results are more Sanford and Son than they are Martha Stewart, anyone can have fun with upcycling.  You can end up with something functional that provided you with some free entertainment and may have helped you develop at least one new swear word!  Plus you not only kept something out of a landfill, you didn't consume something else to fill that task. On that note, I would encourage anyone that has not seen this to please take a few minutes to watch it! http://www.storyofstuff.com/

All about the upcycling

Don't know what upcyling is?  I bet you've done it.  Ever made something old into something else?  See, I knew you had already done it!  Well, I've got it on the mind.  I already recycle and I reduced our purchasing new items made from virgin materials.  It was time to kick reusing up a notch.  I turned 2 souvenier shorts outfits from Thailand into tea towels and potholders.

The fabric was a waffle weave.  I made them 2 ply, topstitched the edging and quilted around a bit of the design to keep everything in its place.  I used the Thailand border to make the potholder's loops for hanging.
Fun!
     Today, I took a really soft Ralph Lauren sheet I picked up for 50 cents at a garage sale and cut out 17 cloth napkins!  I need to snap a pic, but didn't get to it as I brokemy sewing machine after making several napkins. Boohoo!
    I have been looking at things I use that are disposable and eliminating as much of them as possible.  For example, using more cloth diapers, and making reusable doggy potty pads.  Those pads came out really well, as the dog uses them without any problems.  I am going to experiment with a washable replacement for cotton balls.  Stay tuned for the results...
    Speaking of which, I dated my last roll of paper towels when I opened them, By using rags and cloth napkins, we have kept that roll going since feb.!

Today Wolfie has the flu with a high fever and coughing.  He says, "I'm sick with the nipples!"  I think he meant sniffles!