Dec
10
2010

I Want To Make Stuff

Filed under: Environmentalism, Inspiration, Videos

I’m kind of obsessed with the idea of repurposing clothing, particularly T-shirts. I say obsessed with the IDEA because I don’t actually ever DO any of this said repurposing. But that’s about to change. We got this book. And we like to look at the pretty pictures.

And as soon as I locate a sewing machine, Bella and I all will be all over this!

Until then, I give you…my friend Christine. She is hilarious. And she’s crafty. Check out this short and sweet video, where she combines all of her superhero skills to make a rad t-shirt.

Posted by Sara @ 9:19 am | Leave a Comment

http://www.twirlingwithdragonflies.com Meli

Love it!!!
I just did a huge closet sweep and donated most (if not all) of my old t-shirts, or I’d be all over this RIGHT NOW.
May have to raid the kids’ closet… I’m sure I could find a shirt or two that’d fit me! lol
Tamberine

I want to make some upcycled stuff as well! I have that book, and have done some t-shirt stuff. The thing about the book is that a lot of it is no sew so not everything lasts, still inspiring though.
Check out this guy, he cuts t shirts while they’re on. Very cool..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncq8Y4MBSZc
Laura Fever

Hey, I just used an old T-shirt to make myself a scarf last night…fun. I might need to look into this book!
http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com Aimee

love, love repurposing clothes, jeans, etc for new projects…so fun, so thrifty, so cute, so satisfying!!!
http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com Aimee

Goodwill usually sells all their t-shirts for 50 cents or $1…i find really fun ones there~
http://esmerlda27.blogspot.com Heather

Long-time lurker here

I would suggest buying a sewing machine from CL or getting one from Freecycle. Many of the older machines are all metal, easier to maintain, easier to use and inexpensive. A quick clean will have you sewing in no time.
Abby

LOVE this! I am the queen of random boxy tees. Many of them hold so many memories but they’re not fashionable for anything but when cleaning the toilet or washing diapers. I’m SO doing this!
http://www.meredithinprogress.blogspot.com meredith

i totally love that book. i have had it for a couple years now. I agree that the patterns are mostly no-sew, so they don’t really last a long time…but I was able to modify most of the patterns to use my sewing machine with & they have held up just fine. I love the idea of taking something old & repurposing it! there are so many great ideas out there.

another great idea for old tee shirts that can’t be salvaged is to cut them up in hankie squares for runny noses/cold season. also, we use them for sewing times…give the kids a needle/thread/jar of buttons & they are entertained for hours!!
http://holly-applesofgold.blogspot.com/ Holly

I love the whole month of December even more than the actual day. We fill it with crafts & baking & traditions. We do Advent readings using Jotham’s Journey or readings for the Jesse Tree.
I also wrap all our Christmas books, put them in the book basket & every day I let the kids pick one out to read. They love it-especially the younger ones.
We’re also studying the many names of Jesus & putting them on a paper chain. Here’s a link to that:
http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1679.html
We don’t have satellite or cable, so the kids don’t see any commercials & I try to avoid the stores as much as possible during December-it just totally kills my Christmas spirit. I order online mostly for Christmas gifts & we keep that to a minimum. We did order a wooden kitchen for our little girls & I have been having so much fun making felt food to put in their stockings to go with that. I found a ton of links with free templates & tutorials for felt food.
The kids are all making things for each other & that has been so cool to see them crafting & hiding things-keeping secrets from each other is not easy! My 6 yr old wraps things that we already own. She raids everyone’s rooms & takes something to wrap-it is hysterical & is the 3rd yr she’s done that-I’ll miss it when she stops. I found out about your blog from my sister & love it! Holly
kari

hey sara, I have a sewing machine, in my car, ready to donate….I don’t use it, and I think something may be wrong with the tension. I have no idea. It’s older, all metal, and a great machine (from what I hear ) any chance you’d be in OREGON soon, and I could hand it over? or you could have me ship it? No kidding, I’d rather YOU have it then Goodwill–

Kari
http://halfassedmama.blogspot.com/ Amy

Oh yes, I’m a little obsessed with refashioning clothing as well. My own main obsession is definitely sweaters and cashmere/woolen things. If you’re getting into refashioning/reconstructing clothing, you should absolutely check out these links:

This one is DIY videos, and the clothing refashioning show is called Threadheads. There’s also a link here to all the specific project videos. I don’t think they’re doing new videos at this point (though I may be wrong), but the archives are great.
http://www.threadbanger.com

Wardrobe Refashion is fantastic in and of itself, and a great source of blogs written by people who do this sort of work on a regular basis. The project itself isn’t accepting new members/pledges, as Nikki is shutting it down soon, but the site and its archive will remain up and viewable. And the archives are an incredible source of inspiration.
http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/

And, of course, the reconstructed clothing community on Craftster is vast and wonderful.
http://www.craftster.org/

Have fun!
http://blog-ordinarymary.blogspot.com Ordinary Mary

I’ve had that book for over a year with the intention of making each and every one of the projects in it. I’ve not even started a single one! You (and your friend Christine) have inspired me to get a move on!