Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without

Even though we did a lot of decluttering last year in preparation for selling our house and moving we still seem to have plenty of "clutter" around.  This last little while I've been making a push to finally use up some things we've had sitting around.  I've got a good start on a stack of denim that I want to use to make one of these fun quilts.

I've got all the seams and extra bits cut out and I've tucked the zippers away for future use in felted bags.  W used the seamripper to take off the leather labels with the comment that they "should be good for something".  I love that attitude.
E has been using old t-shirts for making into pet beds.  In the past we've used old sheets for these but I am impressed with how well the t-shirt "yarn" works. 
We cut it into strips - round and round the shirt.
Then we just give the strips a little tug and the edges turn in to make a nice smooth edged yarn.
Then he uses a big crochet hook to make them into a little bed or rug.
I think these would make great bathroom rugs because they are very thick and soft.
And while usually my mending pile sits for ever quite awhile before I get round to it, I put this mending at the top of my priority list.  E came to me with his dragon suit tail in need of repair and I did it that very night.
  I know that it won't fit too much longer and I will miss this sight.

4 comments:

affectioknit said...

What awesome ideas - I love the pet bed idea - and the little dragon is adorable!

Tonya Gunn said...

I have wanted to do something with all the old jeans as well. Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes on your moving.
Tonya

Kristina said...

Oh my goodness, I love your blog. I recently found you and am really enjoying going back through your old posts. You're living such a good life!

I gave you an award; check it out on my blog. :)

Greenie said...

I followed you over from Cassie's blog (Long Life). Love what you have over here, and definitely plan to be back!

Also love the idea of making "yarn" from old shirts. I'll definitely be trying that out sometime soon.