Thinking Outside the Donation Box: The Linens Department
This post here is the first of a small installment called "Thinking Outside the Donation Box", where I'll give you a small smattering of unusual but creative reuse ideas for that which you find at your local thrift!
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Make a point to peruse the linens and housewares section of your own local secondhand shop! It's literally a gold mine when it comes to materials you can utilize in the making of your own completely original clothing.
Straight off the top o' my head are some craft ideas for you to use when clothing-making, using the denizens of the linens/homewares section for your fashion fodder:
- Fresh Fabrics: Those gently used afghans, tablecloths, sheets and pillowcases in the linens department are really just piles of gloriously large expanses of fabric that can be perused and pilfered to be put to use as fabric for literally any garment you might fancy. Refashion that riotously colorful vintage quilt into a fabulously warm kimono-style winter coat, or seek out sheets to make a breezy, light summer sundress.
- Cunningly Chic Crochet: Swaddle yourself with a sweet, hand-crocheted tablecloth, seam up one side, and stitch a vintage crocheted collar to the neck to serve as strapping. Dip the whole thing in dye (to help any stains disappear and disguise it's former incarnation as a covering), and voila: you have yourself a lovely, lacy frock!
- Delicious Doilies: Dye 'em up in loud colors and simply add 'em on to anything apparel-related...the front of a tee-shirt, canvas tote, or plain skirt with matching thread (so it will blend in). Or, if your sewing skills are a bit more sophisticated, you could open up a section of the seams of an shirt placket and stuff one half of a doily into either side, line one up under the neck of an otherwise plain jumper or dress, or fold and then fashion them into pockets on the front of an a-line skirt (bonus points if said skirt is one you made yourself, natch).
- Pretty Placemat or Napkin Makes Good Pouch: Fold a particularly pleasing placemat or sturdy fabric napkin in half or in thirds, sew up the sides as necessary, and simply add a zip across the top, or a button and buttonhole to close. Add a strap of your choice for easy tote-age. Put it to good use in hand for a night out of the town (especially if it's sparkly or metallic!), or fill it with makeup or jewelry and stash it in your suitcase when you travel.
Have any other ingenious tricks for using linens or homewares in your clothesmaking you'd like to share with other Threadheads? Post your ideas in the comments!
those are some awesome ideas.
I haven't found any good thrifts around here in Germany, just the ones on base and those are a bit far and empty :( I miss Goodwill back in Ft. Lauderdale.
When I made my halloween costume, I used a sheet I bought at Goodwill to make a kimono-style dress. It turned out pretty amazing, if I do say so myself! It's posted in the forums if anyone's interested.
These are some good ideas. I'm actually going to make a dress (or maybe a shirt, I don't wear dresses much) out of an old curtain that we never have used.
Try checking out the back of the thrift shop, lots of good stuff goes out, if it has paint, or tears, I work at the Humane Society store, taking home loads of raggy jeans. They come back as purses, bikinis ,aprons that sell great. Every pocket and waistband is used. i should pick out the zippers, Im usually too lazy. I paint daisies over the stains, sunflowers if they are big.
"The Art Of Charity Shop Shopping" has some useful ideas :)
http://empty-purse.com/?page_id=3
Cassie! Hiii! :-)
Fyi craftykp - in Germany look for 2nd hand stores or "Kramladen" (the name in Bavaria, that may vary by region). I did on a visit to Munich & found great stuff!