Healthy Fabrics

Hybrid Quilts

Hybrid Quilts, that’s what I call the patchwork blankets I make from new and old fabrics that are both eco-friendly and home healthy: vintage cotton prints for the top and new wide-width organic cotton or hemp/organic cotton blends for the backing. Sandwiched in between is sustainably produced natural fiber batting such as an alpaca blend, wool or cotton. The fun part about making a hybrid quilt is hunting for the vintage fabrics and creating a color scheme that’s uniquely you. I use a simple square or rectangle layout. I can piece it quickly and then hand everything off to a long arm quilting pro to do the rest. A hard core quilter once called that “lazy”. I call it energy efficient!

Turn Old Ties into a New Rug

 
Whenever I shop the thrift stores I can’t help but sift through the tie rack. I love looking at the graphics, especially the geometric and floral designs from the 1960’s and earlier. The fabrics, colors and endless array of patterns used in old neckties inspire repurposing projects like no other fashion accessory: Danielle Bags makes wallets from a single tie, Glamarita pieces ties to craft bags and Gadora Wilder covered a chair seat by weaving ties together.

I couldn’t resist designing with old ties either! Here’s how to make my floor runner design…

Felted Wool Sweater Stuffing

Have you started hunting yet for wool sweaters to make your felted patchwork blanket? For me, it’s become a fall season tradition. The green sweater blanket I made in 2009 is still my favorite and last year my blue and grey version turned out to be a beauty. So much fun! Here’s a peek at the color palette I chose for this year. Well, to be honest it chose me. That’s what happens when you shop at the thrift stores! I’ll keep you posted on the outcome.

In the meantime, don’t forget to keep ALL of the scraps from your felted   sweater blanket projects. When cut up into small bits they make a soft, compact stuffing for toys, small decorative pillows, wind blockers for doors and windows, etc. You’ll find so many uses for it. How-to: loosely arrange scraps in a single or double layer (depending on thickness) on a cutting matt. Cut in multiple directions with a rotary cutter to make ½” or smaller pieces.

Repurpose Tablecloths Into Towels

I figure every home textile item has more than one use. A tablecloth, for instance, whether it’s new or slightly used has so much more potential than simply covering a table. I see cotton and linen tablecloths as valuable yardage, ready to be transformed into all kinds of kitchen essentials like dish towels, napkins or even an apron. Did you know a tablecloth that measures 56" x 106" will yield 10 big dish towels? Here’s how I repurposed my new and old tablecloths into an eclectic, colorful bunch of towels and napkins for less than a dollar each.

Cheapo-Eco Binding

 
No budget for binding? Try this quick patchwork method for repurposing your fabric scraps into binding, flat bias tape and piping. It’s very easy (thanks to the Bias Tape Maker tool) and produces yards and yards of professionally crafted trim for free! This scrappy-style embellishment will add a unique finish to your quilts, blankets, curtains, tablecloths and other home sewing projects without adding cost. Instructions next page.

How-To Repurpose a Vintage Kitchen Towel

Kitchen towels from the 40’s and 50’s are coveted today for their nostalgic prints. Cheery, hand-illustrated fruit and florals are among the most popular themes printed on top of subtly textured toweling woven from thick linen and/or cotton yarns. Each retro design has a unique charm, which easily lends itself to a variety of repurposing projects. Here are my five favorites:

Wrap a kitchen theme gift such as veggies and herbs from your garden with a recipe.  

Sew two together or combine with other fabric to make a tote bag.

Hang framed or unframed on the wall.

Use as napkins, a different one for each person.

Adorn a throw pillow: see my post, Quick Hemp Pillow.