Los Angeles Times Reports on Recycled Clothing Trend

Hello Fellow Green Crafters & Artists,
Did you know that the average American throws away over 54 pounds of clothing and shoes each year? In this past Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times newspaper there was a series of articles on the "new trend" for recycling clothing. Of course, many of us "green" crafters have been recycling clothing for years. How many of you have ever turned an old pair of jeans into a tote bag, made a headband out of one of your Dad's old ties, or created a puppet from an orphaned sock?

Well finally, more clothing manufacturers and designers are getting in the game. "In a new twist on sustainable fashion, designers aren't just embracing new fabrics made from organic cotton, hemp or bamboo, they're pawing through piles of clothing waste, crafting high-fashion, hand-made items from old cashmere sweaters, T- shirts and other castoffs."

If you are interested in reading more, here are the links to the articles.
Yes, Even Clothes Can Be Recycled
Designers Find Value in Vintage
Clothing Makers Expand Recycling Efforts
Photos: Upcycling and Recycling

I would love to see your photos of recycled clothing projects you have created. Here's one of mine. I created a sweater jacket out of a stretched out turtle neck sweater and fabric from skirt that no longer fit.


* I started by cutting off the "turtle neck"
* Then I cut up the middle of the front.
* For the next step I cut across the middle above the waist.
* I added a swatch of denim fabric (cut from the skirt) to the waist and then reattached the bottom part of the sweater I had removed.
* I made the collar from the "turtle neck" I had removed in the first step.
* And finally I made and attached a tie closure with another scrap I had in my stash.

Need more inspiration? One of my favorite sites for recycling ideas is Threadbanger.com. They have great tutorials on all kinds of recycled clothing projects. And here's a link to a video from Maker Magazine on how to make a beanbag chair from old t-shirts.

Looking forward to seeing some of your recycled clothing projects.
Best wishes,
Michelle