Tag: recycling

ONE MAN’S JUNK…

Vintage hoovers

If you were to go into a clothing factory and have a look around, you’d see the huge amount of wastage that occurs during the manufacture of clothing. There is quite literally tons of it which usually just gets binned then ends up at landfill sites.

However now companies have been set up to redevelop and recycle old clothes and waste. One particular company works with the cotton waste and the scraps are mulched into something like cotton wool, ready for re-spinning into a new cotton yarn, which can then be used to make a new garmet.http://www.howies.co.uk/mens/features/mens-recycled-cotton-clothing.html

You can also earn some money from your old clothes and not by selling them on ebay but to companies set up for this reason. Return to Earn is just one of those – http://www.returntoearn.co.uk/?gclid=CITn7LvVj68CFc0htAodRRtsyA – all you do is request a bag from them, fill it with your old clothes then they will send you a cheque for him.

Failing that you can recyle your own clothes into different outfits, for instance, you could transform a man’s shirt into a dress. Just go here for ideas http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com/transform-a-mens-shirt-into-a-dress/2009/04/30/

There are lots of ideas from websites with some of my favourites below –
http://hideyourarms.com/2009/09/29/how-to-customize-recycle-t-shirts/
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Whole-New-Wardrobe-by-Recycling-Your-Clothes
http://www.retrosewing.net/design-your-own-clothes.html
http://www.vintagedubonton.com/pages/about-us-contact
http://www.thriftyprincessstudio.com/

If you do have a go at recyling your own designs do let me have some photos to put on this blog.

TIP FOR RECYCLED BLACK CLOTHING…

Long live vintage

If you’ve bought something vintage in black that looks more lie grey, then put it into the washing machine with Dylon’s Fabric Colour Dye Kit and 500g salt, then run on a cool cycle.

RECYCLE THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK…

The shirt of his back

‘The Shirt off his Back’ is a book by Hilary Bruffell which has 30 projects ideas on what you can make out of a man’s shirt.

It’s available from Amazon and other good book stores. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shirt-off-his-Back-transforming/dp/1906417644

The Shirt off his Back provides crafters with the ultimate thrifty, creative project. What happens to men’s shirts when they are no longer worn? This book puts them to excellent use and shows how, with a little imagination, it’s easy to transform them into beautiful, useful objects – from bunting to bags, doorstops to duvet covers, cushions to chairs and much more. Successful blogger and craft expert Juliet Bawden reveals how to re-invent men’s shirts to make an array of charming, pretty and functional projects, including things to wear, accessories, toys and a host of ideas for your home. Charity shops are always brimming with men’s shirts in a wonderful array of styles, patterns and colours. Whether it’s stripes, checks, florals, retro prints or plain brights or pastels, you’ll have little problem sourcing inexpensive, good quality material with which to create fabulously stylish items. Each project is beautifully photographed and features clear instructions as well as either painted illustrations or step-by-step photos. You’ll be surprised and inspired by how many inventive ways there are to utilise every part of your shirt – from buttons to sleeves, collars and cuffs.