Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials
Betz White has arrived at whipup on her blog tour to promote her new book. She is here giving us some tips on applique – there are a few projects in her new book that use this technique. And Melanie Falick books are giving away one copy of sewing green to a lucky reader – so be in the running by leaving a comment in the next 48 hours – and let us know your favourite repurposing crafty material. thank you for entering – winner will be contacted shortly.
Applique Tips, Tricks, and Techniques by Betz White
Appliques are one of my favorite ways to revamp any garment or accessory. Simply put, applique is a sewing technique in which a cutout decoration is attached to a larger piece of material. It’s an easy way to make something unique and personalized for yourself, your family or to give as a gift.
{project from sewing green}
Sometimes a favorite T-shirt or skirt gets stained or torn. A decorative applique can be applied to hide the damage. This works great for kids clothes. And speaking of kids, appliques come in handy for hand-me-downs, too. A boy’s T-shirt or jacket can be “girl-i-fied” by adding a sweet appliqued motif that can be used to cover up an existing screen printed graphic. I use this trick for hiding unappealing logos on an otherwise perfect thrift store find.
To applique a fabric design element to another piece of fabric, I rely on double sided fusible webbing. This is not the same as fusible interfacing. Fusible webbing is kind of like an iron-on glue sheet that gets sandwiched between layers of fabric. It can be purchased by the sheet or by the roll. The webbing has paper on one side that is removed after the webbing is fused to a piece of fabric. I like the brands Steam-a-Seam and Heat-n-Bond but there are many other options available.
To create an applique using fusible webbing, simply draw your desired shape onto the paper backing with a pencil. Be sure to reverse the image first if it is not symmetrical. Cut out the webbing around the drawn shape, just outside the pencil lines, NOT on the lines. Place the drawn shape, webbing side down, onto the wrong side of the fabric you wish to use as your applique, such as a piece of felt. Following the manufacturer’s heat setting instructions, iron on the paper backing to fuse it to the fabric. When cool, trim out the shape by cutting on the pencil lines. Peel away the paper backing to expose the webbing. Now you may place your cut fabric shape, webbing side down, onto the fabric or garment you wish to decorate. Cover with a press cloth and fuse the shape in place. For some visual explanation, you can refer to my caterpillar eyeglass case tutorial on my blog.
There are many ways to sew your now-fused applique shape. You can machine stitch around the perimeter using a straight stitch or a zigzag. You could hand stitch with yarn using a blanket stitch, as I did for the Penny Rug Trivet and Coasters (see photo below left).
For a more deconstructed or casual appearance, you might like to try an applique with a frayed edge. You can see an example of this on the Denim Shopper (see photo above right). Follow the above technique applying the webbing to the back of the applique fabric, but make the webbing the exact size of the shape you’d like. I used large floral motifs from a print fabric. Cut out your fused motif about 1/4″ beyond the edges of the webbing. Peel the paper backing away and fuse the motif to your base fabric or project. Stitch around the motif letting the extra 1/4″ extend beyond the stitch line. Now for the fun part! Dampen the edge of the extended fabric with water using a spray bottle. Take a soft brush (an old toothbrush is perfect) and scrub the loose fabric until it frays.
Thank you Betz for the fabulous tips – to catch the rest of the tour check the itinerary – thank you to Melanie Falick books for giving away one copy of sewing green to a lucky whipup reader – thank you for entering – winner will be contacted shortly. congratulations to Hilary.
{ 67 comments }
I like to use sweaters and old t-shirts to make new shirts
Cotton clothes of any color are my favorite for repurposing into just about anything!
I like finding uses for my toddler’s old shirts…they’re just too darn cute to get rid of sometimes :)
I love to reuse old sweaters and t shirts – there are so many items you can make from these castoffs. I also save any scrap of material I get my hands on – these are often just the little bit you need for finishing a project! Waste not, want not!!
A neglected teddy bear gets a second chance at some cuddles by sacrificing his fur and stuffing to new plush critters.
I’d say clothes in general, but especially t-shirts. There’s so much you can do with them- new shirts, skirts, dresses, pillows, bags, etc., and even the scraps can get used for embellishing more stuff since they don’t unravel like woven fabrics do.
I love to recycle sweaters.. but half the time I end up keeping them as sweaters instead of recycling them!
I love using scrap fabric to create new projects. Even thought the pieces are small, the possibilities are endless!
Ever since I bought the book “Alabama Stitch,” I like to use old t-shirts as a source of cotton knit fabric.
I am reusing my children’s old clothes to make new patchwork patterns
I use old sheets (the local hospice shop generally has some free, stained ones in the free bin) to make my own patterns out of a favorite skirt or shirt that I want to replicate. ~H
I love old sweaters — I felt them in the wash and make soft toys for my boys, sweaters for my coffee pot, oddball gifts for friends . . . I love that the edges don’t fray.
Gorgeous pictures and lovely projects! I like to repurpose my husband’s old linen shirts. He’s tall so there’s lots of material!
I’m always on the lookout for old buttons while thrifting.I use the buttons not only for sewing projects but a lot of my knitting projects too.
Thanks for the contest!
old curtains are a fun thing for me to use. When we bought our first home I hated the curtains so I made my own. Though I discovered that ripping up the ones that were there were very handy for different things. Appliques, linings, pillows and more. It was a great way of using something that came free with the house.
i like to buy sweaters at thrift stores and felt them :) fun to turn into bags, doggy sweaters… anything!
My grandmother saved buttons, so I have tins full of them. I do the same thing, but the buttons on clothes today are not nearly as cute.
I like re-purposing old clothing that won’t be worn again, especially stuff my mom gives me to use, very vintage! Denim and cotton are the best
sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com
Just recently I’ve started going through my “give-away” bags of clothing before they get shipped off to make sure I didn’t pass over something I could repurpose.
I like repurposing any old clothing that is too worn out to be donated. Even if it can’t be reused for a craft project, it can be used as rags for cleaning around the house.
I keep anything flannel to make shaggy flannel quilts. Also, denim and other clothing castoffs for the purpose of making one of a kind purses and totes. Tweed, leather, suade, lace…anything can be used again!
I adore repurposing, but my favorites are old sweaters (into puppets, purses, toys) and #6 plastic (homemade shrinky dinks!)
I so want this book too.. Betz is faboo.
I like to use old clothes for quilts.
I have often used the legs of old cotton or linen trousers to make drawstring bags – it’s really easy since you already have a tube and just need to stitch top & bottom!
Reenergizing life into damaged clothing and other items is so rewarding. I love either adding an embellishment made from other recycled fabric items using techniques like applique or embroidery, etc. to make it fresh and beautiful again, or if it isn’t selvagable, using it, along with pieces of other damaged items to make an entirely new, wonderful creation….by piecing them into a quilt, using them for applique, or making an incredible crazy quilted item using all kinds of recycled items…fabric, beads, jewelry, buttons, threads, etc. What a wonderful opportunity…..like the phoenix legend….out of the ashes…..
Sherry
I am just beginning my journey of learning to repurpose items into crafty things. I am loving it!! My current favorite is repurposing wool sweaters, but I am anxious to learn more uses for repurposing items. Thanks so much for the chance!! :)
I like thrift store sheets because the wide fabric allows you to make really big pieces (such as quilts) without having to piece together multiple lengths. Not to mention the sometimes ridiculous patterns that are on them.
My current favorite repurposing crafty material is denim. Jeans are just great and so is Betz’s book!
I love using a) bits of stained dishtowels for applique purposes (I heart applique!) or b) old hankies, which I love but really have no purpose in modern life (at least, not for me–I’ve tried to use a hankie rather than a kleenex, but…ewww!). Thanks for the giveaway
i love using my old flannel pajama’s for making plushies/softies. They always feel soft and child-friendly =)
and betz’s book looks so interesting!
Thanks =)
I love to repurpose small jello molds, along with milk glass and pyrex containers, by filling them with repurposed felt and creating pincushions, and I’m always working with worn denim just like Sherri I — great for all kinds of projects.
i save all my old jeans and cut off the legs to make beach blankets. they make great gifts and they are super durable. :)
Love this book! I love to re-purpose wool and cotton sweaters. I love making her cute cupcakes…all my co-workers got one for Christmas!
Thanks for letting me enter!
I like using metal soda pop tops for jewelry. Also I like to use plastic bags as gift bags.
Favorite repurposing material is definitely thrifted wool – here in Portland, I can usually find one or two luxury fibers like angora and/or cashmere, and I can take them apart to knit with the yarn, or I can felt them and sew with them. Yumm. :)
I will make a dress from my husbands button shirts that don’t fit him anymore for my daughter. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like to cut up old, worn-out but well-loved clothing for quilt squares.
I would love to win this! Thank you for the chance…
Right now I’m really enjoying re-purposing old knit shirts
I’m collecting vintage sheets to make beautiful quilts at the moment, but also love to recycle some of my daughters clothes to make new stuff for my much younger son
I like using op shop fabric & lace to spruce up old things in my wardrobe. :)
Great info on applique…and what an adorable little puppy dog toy. As a mixed media artist I love to use T-shirts as my canvas!!! …just rip ‘em to shreds and paint!!!
My favorite material to repurpose is my (or women’s shirts) old shirts.
Girly shirts always have cool buttons, lace, trim, patterns, etc…. I sometimes buy shirts from the thrift store just because I like the buttons on it and want to use them.
merino or cashmere sweaters,vintage cotton sheets and linens.
My last project was made by collecting up bits of thread and scraps of fabric off the floor of my studio and making them into a patchwork-type pillow.
Thanks for the chance to win, this looks like an amazing book!
I save all little pieces of scraps and I re-use them to make stickers to mail packages to my friends and family. I don’t sew often, because I’m trying to learn (again) — been on hiatus for about 25+years (I’m only 33 so I have time). Lately, from reading others blogs and finding new ways of doing things and I’ve been buying vintage rather than new. Great book. Would help in my sewing adventures.
I have a six year old boy who always seems to wear out the left hand knee of all his trousers/ jeans. I get him to design a picture, which I then stencil on a piece of denium using freezer paper and then applique it onto the jeans. He loves his customised jeans so much that the only difficulty becomes getting him to stop wearing them when he grows out of them.
Old clothes and op shop fabric turned into something new. Best buzz! I find it hard to give up anything! Am enjoying finding too small dresses and changing them for my daughter at the moment. Hoping to try some old jumpers soon…
This book looks very inspiring.
I love to use old clothes for new projects. Turning old sweaters into new yarn is great!!
Hey there. I love lining stuff with old flannel bedclothes (soft and cosy!)
I’m a big fan of re-purposing old woollen jumpers (sweaters). I either unravel the yarn for knitting, or they can be felted in hot water and cut up. Felted sleeves make brilliant arm warmers.
Old jeans! I made a giant blanket with squares cut from the good parts of old jeans. I am currently saving old jeans for a new big project.
My current favorite is thrifted wool sweaters–I started making diaper soakers and am coming up with other uses for the felted sweaters as well.
Old cotton shirts, sheets, etc. make a great hodge-podge of cloth napkins.
I haven’t yet tried to applique anything (I’m working on getting straight seams first : >). The various projects referenced above look fun.
Forgot to mention I love to thrift for old wool sweaters to felt into cat toys and sachets (same thing really, if you want a mouse in your lingerie : >).
Thanks for the applique tips! Like others, I like to felt old wool sweaters. I’ve made kid hats out of them.
My favourite “repurposing crafty material” is old jeans… they accumulate, have lots of still-useable fabric, and are great for all sorts of projects, especially ones where a durable material is needed. :)
It’s hard to pick a favorite material. I would have to say either wool sweaters or old jeans. But I also love old t-shirts and dress shirts, sheets, towels… LOL!!
I love a good old fashioned felted-by-accident sweater. I don’t like cutting up something that could still be worn or used by someone. So, scraps from a worn through quilt, a super stained sweater that can be cut into usable pieces, discarded bottle tops. . . whatever I can get my hands on!
I love using empty matchboxes to make treasure chests,little bugs,houses,dolls beds…the list goes on.
I buy sweaters at thrift stores to full/felt. they make toasty warm scarves.
Maggie
Old garments are a great source of buttons, too. You can never have enough basic shirt buttons around. If I’m about to toss a garment (stains, wear) I’ll cut it up into “big enough for projects” pieces, and put the stained or worn parts into the rag bag. Really terrible parts go to the bicycle maintenance box.
I love the idea of making toy animals from old sweaters. In addition, I enjoy making altered books. I am making one from an old Alice in Wonderland book. I would really like to have the book…Betz White is very talented.
I love to use wool sweaters and buttons. I love Betz White’s ideas. My best to you all.
I love wool of all kinds because I’m a rug hooker. It’s fun to use strips of wool sweaters in my rugs!
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