Three Sheets to the Wind: Upcycling Old Linens

I am a BIG fan of vintage, needless to say this includes vintage sheets. I especially adore the plethora of old floral print sheets that continually beckon to me from the thrift shop's linens section, and I'm always on the look-out for quality items to reclaim and upcycle. On a recent scavenging trip, I found the remnants of someone else's attempts to upcycle these lovely, nostalgic textiles of yore. They had cut sheets (and some other fabrics) into long strips and sewn the strips together at the end to create a sort of yarn or cordage. I was instantly drawn to the tattered, shabby look. 

Once the sheet strips are cut and sewn into lengths, they can be used for all sorts of creative applications. One thing I did was use some long strips to tie around the tissue wrapped packages I ship from my Furious Designs shop. You use it as you would a normal ribbon, and it adds a cute, shabby, decorative yet eco touch to packages and gifts. 

I also knew that I wanted crochet some of the ribbon-like cordage. It crochets up quickly and easily into braid-like chains. If you leave enough length on each end so you can tie it, these work great as headbands. The crochet work has a bit of stretch, which makes if super comfy and the tie closure makes it really adjustable. So cute! This can also be worn as a chunky fabric necklace, which I think looks pretty adorable too!

Thinking about wearing the crochet chain as a necklace made my mind wander and it went to some beautiful places. I wondered how it would work to incorporate one of the crochet chains into a dress or shirt, and I'm really pleased with the results of my prototypes. 

Give a Gal a Handpunch

Using the remnants of an Amazon gift card, I recently purchased a star hand punch and a "flourish" paper punch with the idea of finally making some attractive, upcycled tags for my clothing.

Needless to say, I've been having so much fun! Punching out paper is quite therapeutic and satisfying. I immediately gathered up some paper and cards that have been sitting around waiting for exactly such a moment, and started punching away.

By far my favorite tags came from a recycled cardboard box from some delicious Alaskan smoked salmon we enjoyed over the winter holidays. I was able to get 12+ tags from the box top, each one with a piece of the indigenous styled artwork decorating the package.

I added a personalized stamp to the backs and finished each tag with some satin ribbon. The tags will hang on my clothes from tiny safety pins that can then be reused for something else. 

And when I'm done, it all fits neatly into a 5" by 8" repurposed, wooden box. Until next time. <3



  

Crafting Holiday Style

I've been wanting to make some gifts for family and friends for the holidays, and today I finally was inspired to dig into it. After rooting through bags of fabric scraps I had several nice Christmas print calico and an idea was beginning to form in my mind--a festive garland, something that is durable and decorative and can be reused every year and even be a family holiday heirloom. I cut out some triangles and just went with my creative groove. After adding some decorative trims, I sewed everything up onto a some sweet vintage, red acetate seam binding, and added the final touches--some golden and Christmas style dangles (upcycled earrings and mini wooden toy trains and such). I am totally pleased with the results.

After completing the garland, I was inspired to start rooting around for more holiday fabrics to work with. I found a few bags with unfinished sewing projects some unknown, fellow crafter had never completed (this is one of the things I love most about being the scavenger that I am--discovering other people's unfinished or abandoned projects and giving them new life/bringing them to completion). I was excited to find a set of tree appliques, already cut out and assembled, just waiting to be sewn together, so of course I did!

To the person who cut out and pieced these so lovingly together, I thank you for your beautiful works and the opportunity to bring them to completion with my stitches. They will both be finished into sweet little gifts for someone in my family. I think I'll sew seam binding around the edges and a couple loops at the top so they can be hung using a dowel rod, or bamboo. Or maybe turn them into pillows? We'll have to wait and see where the creative roads take me this time. <3