Intersting ways to recycle everday articles

[keepersdaughter]

Here are a few ideas to reuse some articles that may seem to have little use.

An old bridesmaid or evening dress can be turned into a shawl or throw for your chair or bed: Cut a large rectangle from the skirt of the dress, split open the seams and lay flat, turn rough edges under to create a hem, you can add beading or lace available from craft stores to the end pieces. If you don't sew you can use fusible iron tape.

A blast from the past! Turn an old 9" vinyl record into a bowl: -

Instructions and other tips can ce found at: www.thriftyfun.com at the search bar at the top type in 'vinyl record bowl' and scroll down, you'll find directions about halfway down.

Turn your old favourite teeshirt that's seen better days into a cushion, these would make good pillows for a child/teenagers room: Turn teeshirt inside out, cut off sleeves, cut across the top and sew, fill with pillow inset of other soft filling, sew bottom seam.

[Gentian]

Turn cast off jumpers into cushion covers, Aran jumpers are particulary effective

[buecherwurm]

I just finished a blanket made from old sweaters (saw this years ago in CL magazine; was supposed to cost a fortune). I cut Din A 4 pieces and sewed them together. I lined it and sewed on buttons as to cover up some little holes or worn out areas. This way I used up some of my old buttons as well.

[Gentian]

That sounds great buecher, I bet it's warm.
I once saw a patchwork dressing gowm with a towelling lining for £175 and I thought I can do that. I used up a lot of cotton fabric bits and the lining cost me a fiver. The beauty of it is that any worn patches only need covering with a bit of the same and no one is the wiser.

[Sparrow]

If you have any of those old woolen blankets (eg tartan with fringes), back them with a toughish fabric like hessian or some other furnishing fabric and they make GREAT bedside rugs as they are really warm to the tootsies in the morning. My cats fight for them.

[Rustic Pumpkin]

I am currently making a throw from cut up corduroy jeans. I cut the unworn parts into
6" squares and finished the edges on my overlocker. I am now sewing them together by butting the edges together and using a modified faggoting stitch in contrast thread that does not leave a gap. Once I have the finished piece, I plan to back it with an old blanket and quilt (or maybe use buttons in the centre of each square) the two together.

I am also collecting and felting old woollens to cut into squares and using the same premise I will turn them (hopefully) into a jacket or body warmer of some sort.

[Gentian]

I like the idea of felting old jumpers and making a patchwork fabric to make into a jacket, Rustic, might try that.

[sandybay]

Nice ideas Rustic.

Cheap woollens to felt up aren't easy to get now. Remember Jumble Sales ?
Don't seem to see them now since car boots took over. You could pick up a bundle for a reasonable price.

Mens suit fabrics and tweeds can look quite good as patchwork. They can look ngreat with tartan mixed in.
Also sometimes nicer to have darker thicker tones than cotton.

One of the scenes I have in the novel I'm writing is when a group of country women in Italy during the war come together to make a warm patchwork winter coat for a woman who has had to flee the Germans.
Each piece of fabric they bring tells a tale, and as they sew they talk about the memories associated with it.

[JG]

Sandybay - isn't that blatant advertising????!!!!
However, your novel sounds intriguing and I, for one, would love to know more about it and read it when it's finished and available.

Postscript
Just came on to edit this as I found more detail on your book on another thread

[JG]

I found this Canadian website
http://www.recycle-eh.com/index.htm
some time ago and have it saved as a favourite, althoug I haven't visited it for a while due to it being Summer and my garden taking over from crafting.
She has some whacky ideas and is obviously very creative

[sandybay]

Sorry JG !

I can assure you as yet I have no contract or advance, and the scenes still needing pulling together to be able to discern what makes up the first few chapters.

Anyway when [I can dream can't I ?] I do sell it I will ensure can provide some freebie copies for my supportive Rural Muse mates.
Glad you like the sound of it. Am trying to write a book that I would want to read if that makes sense. The sewing scene came to me after I'd been doing some craft work of my own and calling to mind how in many cultures sewing is a shared activity whether for need or as a pasttime.
Maybe we should have an RM sew-in !

[Shelli]

Hey Sandy

As a fellow aspiring writer I just wanted to say that i understand that when you describe a scene you are working on its often about seeing it from a third party perspective and also testing whether others like the sound of it. your scene sounds a little like the idea of the American quilt passed on from mother to daughter for each generation to add a square - and the stories that they share - good idea as it adds great depth to your characters in a single chapter - did someone say theres a writers section on the forum?

I may even make the odd little post myself (although am a bit shy about my writing - the little voice still says "it might be rubbish "!!)

Shelli X

[Rosa]

Sandy, I think you are a very open person and certainly not advertising! Indeed, an already published author would never dream of sharing with a newsgroup the plot of a current novel-in-progress. Far from advertising, you're giving away a freebie to would-be plagiarists! You see, you and Oola are babes at this game. Mere babes.

x

[Rosa]

Forgot to add that when you get your publishing contract Sandy and Shelli, you will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement, meaning you shouldn't discuss the plot in detail with anyone. Maybe you'd be allowed to mention the bare bones of it. But no more.

[Rosa]

Ah, love the avatar Shelli. Now we're the day and night of RM !

[sandybay]

Thanks for the encouragement. And for the advice Rosa. Should any plagiarists pinch it you'll know you saw it here first ! Never have had much of a business head on me. Have always loved writing from a schoolkid and ealry retirement gives me a chance to follow my heart.

The writers thread is on this section Shelli, but it hasn't really taken off.
Can really identify with the 'it might be rubbish'.
My OH has told me I write well and to concentrate on telling a great story. He says I'll probablty never be annother Flaubert but I'm not aiming for that. Maybe a bit of fresh blood is what we need. Dragonfly has written some stuff as well.
Anyway even if anyone did plagiarise it wouldn't be the same story. And it wouldn't come from their heart.

Sorry JG if I over reacted. I appreciate that you where interested in the story I have to tell. In the end that means more to me than supplementing my pension.

[Shelli]

Anyway even if anyone did plagiarise it wouldn't be the same story. And it wouldn't come from their heart.

Well Said - you only have to read something by Jeffrey Archer to realise that plagiarism always comes across as crass and cold!!

[Rosa]

I'm delighted to tell you that I've never read an Archer novel.

[dragonfly]

As there are a few of us writers about I am surprised the writing thread hasn't taken off.

Shelli it doesn't matter if your writing is rubish (which I'm sure it isn't as you seem like an interesting person) as long as you enjoy writing it and write about things you are interested in. I would love to hear what you are writing about.

Thanks for the plot Sandybay I think I will use that in my next novel. ONLY JOKING!!
I don't mind telling anyone the outline to my novel (I think I did on the other thread) for as you say Sandybay they won't have the same depth and feeling that I have if they tried to copy it.

Happy writing.

[sandybay]

Thanks Dragonfly. I know what you mean about the heart in the story.
That's what gave you the drive to tell your tale wasn't it ? The characters had a life of their own in the end.

Put aside all those critical voices Shelli, or they'll inhibit you. Creative criticism is useful though.

[JG]

I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING PLEASE.

I WAS NOT, I REPEAT NOT TRYING TO FLOG A PRODUCT WHEN I MADE MENTION TO RUSTIC REPLY ABOUT THE SCENE IN THE BOOK I AM ATTEMPTING TO WRITE.



I've only just come back on this thread to see if there were any more posts and my stomach turned over when I read this. I'm really, really sorry Sandybay if my thoughtless comment upset you. It was meant only to be a little, friendly tease and not in any way an accusation. I can only apologise that I was too 'familiar'. The familiarity of RM makes me feel that I can make jokey comments, but this has been a lesson that I must consider how it looks in print before pressing 'submit'.
I honestly thought that your storyline looked interesting and I'm glad that you mentioned it.
Please forgive me Sandybay if I hurt your feelings

[sandybay]

JG are you psychic. I'm serious. Earlier tonight when I was cooking supper after reading about your trip etc. I thought when I go back on line tonight [OH watching football] I will message JG and apologise for my 'shouting post'. All I can say in my defence is that I'm menopausal at moment. Some strange stuff had been flying around the site and I felt got at. Paranoia of massive proportions. Sorry and I really appreciate what you've written. No apology necessary. After agreeing with Rosa about not censoring things I might go against that and delete it myself. Or shall I leave it there so I can remind myself what a prat I am.

Will be checking the blog later and really look forward to hearing from you on your trip.
All the very best. Sandy

[JG]

I'm not going to keep this one going, but I'm replying only to say that I've seen your reply and your note on my blog. Let's not mention it again.
Thank you
J

[sandybay]

Look forward to hearing about your exploits. Sandy

[eleanor2]

arrrr sandy and j.g how lovely that we can all get on.it makes it such a lovely place to be.

[sandybay]

Eleanor you'll make me cry....ina nice way that is. The problem online is you can't see the person or hear their tone of voice to understand if they're teasing or whatever.