"Waste Not, Want Not" Projects

[Geila]

Wow, I'm on a roll here. I haven't posted this much in ages! Feast or famine, I am. :)

You know all those odd bits and pieces that are too good to throw out, but no longer serve the intended purpose? So you keep them, moving them around every few years, and wonder what to do with them. Maybe we can put our collective minds to work coming up with creative uses for some of this stuff. I'm terrible at it. I lack the craft and creativity gene. But I know there's several creative gurus on here.

For you creative folk, what good uses would you find for these items?

1. Twin size flannel fitted sheet ripped down the middle - by naughty dogs - still in good shape but the tear appears too long to make the sheet comfortable for sleeping. Pretty green and white striped fabric.

2. Several cotton fitted sheets that have been well-used and have rips and tears, some heavy usage, but still have good pieces of cotton fabric left.

3. Several largish pages from my simplicity calendar of beautiful nature photography. Very pretty, but odd sizes, so difficult and too costly to frame.

[Meezer_Mom]

I let what I need and want drive what I save for projects, otherwise it's just added stress. I recently sent some old torn sheets to the clothing donation bin for the police DARE program. Clothes are collected, the decent ones resold to bulk clothes sellers, the remainder sent to fabric recyclers. Sheets are simply fabric. I suspect doing that will get them recycled. So that's good.

I almost always get calendars with African wildlife. I love the pix and have wanted to keep many. I haven't. I've just sent them to recycling. If you're REALLY attached to the pix, maybe start a nice scrapbook. I have a book in which I write quotes that have meant something to me. Made from elephant poo paper. I refer to it often.

[ToomuchStuff]

1. Dogs are telling you they want new bedding.
2. Rags, unless you have some projects to sew, like a clothespin bag
3. Digitize them and use them on your computer as background/screensavers. If there are small ones, then maybe you could use them on a homemade card.

[nswef]

1. I have a friend who makes quilts for Africa . It's Lutheran and Brethren churches so you could call to see if they do them. The sheets are used to line the quilts as they need to be lightweight.

[Float On]

I still like using a paper planner and always get one with a clear cover and insert favorite calendar photos from previous year into the clear cover - that way it feels more personal and a photo I like (one in front and one in back.

The sheets I'd probably use for stuffing for new dog beds. I refuse to put doggie smell in my washer so he gets a new bed every couple of months. Flannel ones could go to pet rescue kennels.

[Kestra]

I'm annoyed that I bought a sheet at Walmart and it's so scratchy I can't stand it. I didn't think to keep the receipt. So now I have to go to a better store, buy another sheet, and figure out what to do with the one I bought. I might keep it for curtains or donate it. Not sure yet.

I used some of my yarn to make a yoga mat carrying bag. Other yarn I split into little balls. I was going to teach some kids/teens how to knit/crochet, but that hasn't actually happened yet. But now at least I have some little yarn balls to give out.

[Tussiemussies]

If you sew you might be able to just position the pieces in a way that you could make a short flannel nightgown from your ripped sheet.

I just bought a kit not too long ago to make fabric rugs. Maybe you could make one out of sheets and find the rest of the ones you need from friends or family?

[Gardnr]

Since you are going to learn to sew with that new sewing machine:cool:, use those sheets to make yourself some new pillowcases. You could get adventurous and go buy a little matching fabric and put a fun edge on them and give them as Christmas gifts.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/images/millionpillowcases/2015/pdfs/Roll-It-Up-2015.pdf

We have queen size down pillows and purchased cases don't fit well. I make our pillowcases and get 2 perfect cases from 1 twin sheet so our cases can match our sheets.
The loved but still good sheets: stuff them for pet beds and sew that end shut. Get a piece of foam from Joann fabrics? You can sew that sheet pillowcase style and put a zipper on the end....since zippers is another skill you want to learn.

http://www.tinysidekick.com/how-to-make-a-zippered-pillow-cover/

On the calendar pics: do a really clean cut edge. Use small metal old fashioned straight pins (no glass or colored heads) to hang on the wall. The pin will hardly be noticeable.

[sweetana3]

Kestra, I like going to Bed Bath and Beyond because they have pieces of the sheet sets so you can feel them. I got sets from Costco and absolutely love them. They are soft and silky ($39 here for the set) and wash well. Not much color selection though.

[Kestra]

Kestra, I like going to Bed Bath and Beyond because they have pieces of the sheet sets so you can feel them. I got sets from Costco and absolutely love them. They are soft and silky ($39 here for the set) and wash well. Not much color selection though.

Oh yes, my favourite luxury store purchase (I think I had a giftcard) was sheets from BB&B. They were amazing, and lasted a long time.

[Dhiana]

Make a needle book? http://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-sew-a-needle-book/

Make home-made paper towels or dust cloths? Just hem the edges

Make stuffed animals?

Coasters?

Curtains/Valance?

Tablerunner?

[Geila]

Thanks for all the replies!

Let's see... so far I'm glad I learned that:

1. my dogs are asking for new beds. :|( And I'm thinking that these sheets that they conveniently tore up for me can be used to make them some new bedding. I thought their 1-yr old beds were good enough, but they've set me straight. Maybe they've been talking to Float-On's dogs who are so spoiled!!! I want to make a bed cover that I can throw in the wash and that also allows them to "dig" and make themselves those little nests that they like to make. Any ideas on that? Maybe make a cover with several chunks of fabric attached so they can feel like they are digging?

2. the flannel sheets would make nice throw pillow covers for wintertime when you want something soft and warm. I can put a zipper on them and use them on the sofa where we all hang out.

3. for the calendar pics I like the idea of using them as planner covers because I still prefer those and I use one daily. I also like the idea of using the little pins to tack on the walls. We're making side-by-side working stations for dh and I and I can use some on my side of the wall.

4. I'm glad to learn of the African quilt project and I will keep that in mind for linens that are in good shape. I have a weakness for linens and find it hard to resist them at garage sales and thrift stores. I think I have some stored away that I can donate.

5. I like the needle book idea very much. That will be a fun project once I know how to sew.

6. I might make some small flannel pee cloths from the scraps and try that out.


Question - can you use plain cotton cloths, the kind you would make from sheets, for window cleaning? Does anyone do that? That could be really useful as I hate wasting paper towels that way.

[early morning]

You can use anything you want for window cleaning, they are your windows, lol. I like to use old t-shirt fabric; I just like the feel of it and it's not linty. At least mine aren't. Sheets, if somewhat absorbent, should be fine. I used up all the kids old flannel diapers for glass cleaning. Just try different rags and see what you like to work with.

[Geila]

Well, I used some old kitchen towels for the window cleaning and they worked just fine. I'm going to have to do a small load of wash, either in the machine or my utility sink when I do it, because that Windex is awfully strong smelling. Some day I will move towards homemade cleaners...

On a side note, I was going to give away an Ethan Allen cherry wood dresser and mirror that I have because it's too dark and heavy for our house. I ran into a diy blogger who looks for these type of things on Craig's list and then paints them and they look great. She had one very similar to mine and she painted it french gray and it looked beautiful. Here's her website, I was looking for ideas on painting my mission-style side table: http://home---made.blogspot.com/2013/10/mission-style-end-table-makeover.html

I like a bright, airy and cheerful house and my dark wood pieces need some lightening up. Now I'm excited about updating several of them and using up some leftover paint in the process - win/win!!!

Now the fun part: deciding what color to paint the dresser and mirror... sky blue, sage green, linen white...>8) so many choices!


ETA: I found a pic of my dresser online: http://onlycornerstone.com/wp-content/uploads/5355-4-Ethan-Allen-Solid-Cherry-Georgian-Court-Dresser-with-3-Part-Mirror.jpg

Right now it's in a bedroom facing east, with walls painted a light sky blue. The other furnishings in there are two simple white sidetables and a bed dressed in light blue, sage, and linen. Color ideas for the dresser are welcome!

[KayLR]

I was going to suggest pillow cases. Or perhaps string pull bags (for shopping or gym clothes, etc.) Or apron?

[Aqua Blue]

I used to try to do use it up projects for excess I had. I would make the project, but then never really use it. Now, if I have say a bed sheet that I am not using I release it back into the world(send it to the local thrift shop) to go to someone who really does need(or thinks they need) a sheet. Then, when I need something I go to the thrift shop and nab something that someone else has "released". This is not to say I never repurpose something I own, just that I don't go out of my way to do that.