Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Ruined Clothes Get New Life

I saved this blue sweater in the repurpose pile that I created from clearing out my closet last week. I found the striped sweater in my art stash and decided it was time to get cutting.
Both wool sweaters were accidentally washed in hot water, so the fact that they turned to felt made them perfect candidates for some fun projects.  I started by cutting the bottom of this sweater off, as I liked the knit and purl texture.
Then, I cut parts and pieces of the sweater in circles and stitched them together.  I also stitched around the edges to add some color.
The ruined sweater, that has been sitting in my closet, um...for way too long...now has a much happier purpose.
I love my new headband and have already started a few more!  They are so fun and easy to make.
I then cut a portion of the sleeve to make this supercool coffee cup cozy.  I added parts of the blue sweater, along with some leftover felt pieces for embellishments.
Now I'll be totally styling when gettin' my drink on.
I'm using the rest of the sweaters to make flower pins.  My creative mother-in-law made this one.  Check out her felted pouches made from her stash of recycled sweaters.

Your Personal Reflection:  Do you have any clothes that could be reused in creative ways?  Have you joined the growing list of explorers making the commitment to create space in their lives by reducing clutter?  Join the discussion here.

21 comments:

  1. Shannon - Totally FUN!
    Great colors, great designs - pure fun ;>)

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  2. I was just about to cut up a couple of t-shirts for rags (they were advertising and I would never wear them), but then I realized the material was perfect for a hat I've been eyeing in one of my books. I just started this morning with the embroidery and I'm loving it already.

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  3. i really, REALLY need to start collecting old wool sweaters - love these ideas - included a link to this post in my GratiTuesday post this morning - thanks so much for sharing!

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  4. love this, love this, love this idea!! I bought a beautiful cream jumper from a carboot once and boil washed it, cut arms off, sewed up bottom, lined it and then sewed in wooden handles (bought in carboot on another bag for 50p also) and lo - a new bag and I added a rose brooch I made from an old hair tyre!

    Great ideas.

    Amelia.x

    Ps. I am doing a give-away on my blog - do visit with suggestions!

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  5. Oh Shannon, I love your new headband! This is very colorful! Just in time with spring showing up!

    I have created a little dog for the kids with an old wool sweater. I picked the idea from Betz White's latest book: sewing green. You can see our little dog here: http://mcommemaman.blogspot.com/2010/01/un-petit-chien-de-laine-avec-une-queue.html

    I have a big pile of clothes that I'm planning to use for projects like these. Must now plan how to store them...hum.

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  6. Love your creations, Shannon! I thought the headband would be my favorite, but I'm really digging the coffee cozy - and I don't drink coffee!

    I have some cotton sweaters I'd like to use for crafty projects. Any suggestions?

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  7. Great - did I say GREAT loud enough idea and oh-so-inspiring! THANK YOU!

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  8. Super ideas!! I cleared a lot of clothes out of my wardrobe last week, and I was tempted to put some of them in the studio to repurpose, but I knew I wouldn't so that anytime soon, so I gave them all to a charity shop!!

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  9. WOW! Those items are all amazing! It looks so easy in theory but I don't know if I could do it (create the items, that is). What a great way to re-use your sweaters.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Tricia

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  10. you might turn me into a felter yet, you groovy girl you. gorgeous pieces! (i'm wearing one of your necklaces right now!)

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  11. Lovely colors and ideas!
    I love to repurpose my clothes :) It's FUN!

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  12. Love it that l am not the only one to felt jumpers!Ha! I too am making brooches and necklaces from these jumpers. I love recycling!
    just to let you know my husband is still not good but getting betterxlynda

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  13. What a gorgeous and creative way to re-new an old sweater! Excellent work! :) Thank you for sharing.

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  14. really great ideas, Shannon. You make it look easy. I am off to my cupboard to look for things to cut up and repurpose.

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  15. Your colourful creativity makes me happy and inspired. I love recycling!

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  16. Totally cute! Love it :) I've used sweaters to make mittens for my kids too... maybe Kestan could get some from the blue sweater.... or slippers too! so fun :)

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  17. Thanks for all you're awesome comments. I'm kind of wanting to felt sweaters on purpose just to see what other fun things I can make out of them!

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  18. Beautiful results & fab ideas. Thank you for your inspiration.
    Kat :-)

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  19. you make it look so easy! especially looking so completely adorable in your little headband. is that you? I have no shortage of ruined sweaters, to be sure...now you have me thinking...xo

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Thanks for sharing!