5 Environmentally Friendly Ways to Purchase Clothes

We don’t often talk about recycling clothing.  Until recently, it didn’t even occur to me that people would throw clothes away!  But according to the Nation Resources Defense Council, Americans discard 68 pounds of clothing per year.  We buy cheap, disposal clothing and then quickly get rid of it when the new trend comes out, wasting valuable resources - both in making new clothes and landfill space with the trashed clothing.

When you consider all the different ways to reuse clothing, it’s astonishing that much would be thrown out.

I did a post about some ways to reuse clothing.  Obviously you can donate it, pass it on to a friend, use it for rags, etc.

I also gave some tips for usingworn out or stained clothes in crafts. 

However, we also can help the environment by how we purchase clothes!

Here are 5 environmentally safe ways to purchase clothes:

1.  Go for quality, well-made clothing that will stand the test of time.  Quality over quantity.

2.  Purchase your clothing from consignment shops.  (If you're in Lancaster, PA, make sure to check out BUiLDiNG CHARACTER in downtown Lancaster for 2 reused clothing store options in 1 location!)

3.  Purchase your clothing at thrift stores.  You never know when you’ll find a major label at a major discount at Good Will, American Rescue Workers or Salvation Army!  Check for their sales.  Usually certain days are half-off clothes.  Good Will has a discount card you can purchase to get even better deals!

4.  Yard sales are a great way to get clothes at really cheap prices.  You can often find clothes that are almost like new.  This is especially true of children’s clothes!  Look for ads for yard sales in your newspaper or on craigslist.

5.  Join Freecycle and find clothes for free.  Of course, if you are getting clothes for free, make sure to also list clothes that you no longer need on Freecycle as well.

 

Make sure to save your worn out jeans for a tutorial that I will be launching on Wednesday, January 18, 2012!  Make Jewelry from Jeans!!  If you want to know as soon as it’s available and get on the list for future tutorials, sign up for my Emerging Creatively Tutorials newsletter:

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How to Use Recycled Clothing in Craft Projects

 

You can use fabric from old, worn out or stained clothing for craft projects in the same way that you would use new fabric. 

With 700,000 or more TONS of clothing being tossed in the landfill each year, every time you can reuse clothing helps.

Tips for using worn clothing for craft projects.  (Note:  there are lots of people who need clothing, so if you have perfectly good clothing you simply do not want anymore or that doesn't fit you, consider donating as a first option.)

1.  Left the clothing intact until you know what you are using it for.  Cutting apart the clothes actually won’t make sense until you know the size of your project.  Or maybe you’ll come up with a creative idea for a sleeve that you wouldn’t be able to make if you already cut apart the sleeve.

2.  Use the little pieces of clothing for little projects.  This is fairly obvious, but to get the most out of a piece of clothing for a project, use the smaller pieces (i.e. the collars, sleeves, etc.) for smaller pattern pieces of your project or for smaller projects and leave the bigger pieces for bigger projects.

3.  Launder the clothing prior to using it in a project.  I often have friends give me clothing to use in my projects in addition to my own old clothes.  I’m pretty sure that they probably washed it already, but instead of finding out after-the-fact, I wash it prior to use. 

4.  Look for small holes or stains that will be in the way of your project and work around them.

5.  Denim is fabulous!  You can always find an awesome project to do with it.  It seems like it’s one of the most popular fabrics, so there’s always a lot around!

* Make sure to save your denim for a new tutorial I will be launching next week!  It combines denim and simple sewing skills, plus lots of other basic and easy-to-learn skills to make unique and artful pieces of jewelry!  To be on the list to be one of the first to know, sign up for my Tutorial Newsletter.

What to do with old clothing?

Various reports state that anywhere from 700,000 to millions of TONS of clothing end up in the landfill each year.  Reports state that up to 10% of landfills are clothes.

I cannot believe that!  I personally cannot remember ever throwing away a piece of clothing, even as a child.  There are so many ways to remove clothing from your closets without having to throw them away, I can’t believe that so much does end up in the landfill.

Here's what to do with your old unwanted clothing:

1.  Check with friends and see if they would like clothing you don’t want anymore.  You could even throw a Clothing-Swap-Party, where everyone brings the clothing they don’t want anymore and everyone trades clothes!

2.  Give them to charity.  You can take even old, worn out clothes to be donated because they will be made into rags or commercially recycled.  My local Goodwill raises money by selling damaged clothing to the commercial recycling market.  (Check with the charity first, I don’t know if all donation centers do this.)

3.  Cut them up and use them for rags for cleaning your home.  T-shirts are particularly great for dusting! 

4.  Make crafts out them!  Anything you can make using fabric, you can make using old clothes. 

I’ll be sharing a free tutorial later on this week that is just one of many projects you can  make with recycled clothing. 

Follow along this week and get tips on how to use your clothing for projects, a free projects and stay tuned next week for the launch of my latest tutorial, which make great use of recycled clothing.  Sign up for my tutorial newsletter to be the first to get in on the action!

Old Clothes - Now Dolls!

Did you ever have a favorite shirt, pair of jeans, dress, that you just couldn't get rid of even though it didn't fit - had a stain - was damaged?  I have an entire garbage bag full of t-shirts and other such clothing that has sentimental value, even though I can't wear the items anymore.

I have a plan for all of these items:  cut them up and make a quilt.  I've had this plan for over 10 years.  I just realized how long it's been.  Maybe it's time to move on.

People often give me things they no longer want, but they don't know what to do with.  When I put it out there that I will take old jeans - I usually get a ton of old jeans.  (Thanks!!)

I have found a new use for these old items.  Rag dolls!  I have been on a roll lately sewing these lovely ladies up.  I adore their zombie like eyes.  I think they are especially creepy and cute lined up together.  I love that I'm putting some old clothes to new use.

These 3 are all made from the same pattern.  I designed them, then designed and made the pattern and then made the dolls.  I have other designs that I haven't yet made, so there's sure to be more rag dolls!

Custom Dolls

I can also make a doll with your favorite t-shirt, jeans, skirt, etc.!  Just contact me and we can figure it out!  What fun.

{Note:  Due to small parts, these dolls are not recommended for small children as they could cause a choking hazard!}

These three gals are available in my Etsy Shop and in my shop at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER (342 N. Queen St, Rear Warehouses, Lancaster, PA)

Dolls from Recycled Clothing

Dolls, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

If you follow me on facebook or twitter (and if you don't, why not?) then you probably already know I've been on a doll-making bend lately. I don't know what got into me. I pictured them in my head. Drew them while I was working at my day job. Dreamed about them at night. I finally had time to make them. I must say, I'm in love. There are so many more in my brain and on paper, too!

I don't know if it's because they aren't jewelry that I'm loving them so much (and I still love to make jewelry, no worries!) or that I just thought about them so very much that I loved making them so much.

I also must say, I am just tickled pink to see these 4 all lined up like that in my couch in my studio. They make me smile every time I walk in.

Details about the dolls:
For the dolls with the blue hair: all the fabric used is from used clothing except for muslin for the face and arms. The lace and buttons on the eyes are from Lancaster Creative Reuse.

For the zebra girls: The zebra fabric is from Lancaster Creative Reuse, the button eyes are also from there, the pink fabric is from clothing that was worn out. I have no idea where the ribbon and lace came from on these 2 since it came from my stash, but chances are that they are reused, too.

All the girls are stuffed with new polyfiberfill.

They aren't recommended for children to play with because of the buttons and such, but they would make an awesome addition to any fun room.

I'm tempted to sell them as twins because I think they are creepy-cute that way.

What I'm Working On:

 

Upcycled fabric, chain, beads.....

Completed piece will be part of my upcoming 2010 Fall Jewelry Line Release on September 2nd.  Click on the link for the Facebook event page for details and to let me know if you'll be attending!  :)

Recycle and Reuse Your Clothes!

This month, I'm focusing on how to Recycle and Reuse old clothing.  

One way - and probably one of the major ways - that I reuse old clothing is to make it into jewelry.  I've been making cuffs, mainly out of old jeans, but also with some other clothes.  I've also made pins as well.

The cool thing about reusing clothing is that you can basically make anything you would out of any new fabric, because...it is fabric.  You may have to think a little more creatively because of a hole here or a stain there that you have to cut around.

Another major project that I do with old clothing is rag dolls.

You can refashion your old clothing into new DIY fashions:  Recycled Your Clothes Into New DIY Fashions (Lots of ideas there!)

I did a post about recycling clothing previously that has some great tips.

Here's a cute video about how some artists are reusing clothing, and how to make a plain t-shirt into a cuter shirt without sewing!

Even if you're not crafty or don't wish to make something from your worn out clothes, you can always donate clothing (even worn out clothing) to your local good will or salvation army.  They pass along worn clothes to other organizations who use them for rags, etc.  

Or you can make your own rags from your old clothes!

And, if you have worn out jeans and are in the Lancaster, PA area - I'm always looking for denim!

Next week, look for another post about reusing and recycling clothing!

Thursday Green Artist of the Week - Debbie of My Aunt Debbie

Today I am so thrilled to feature Debbie Serdy, the artist behind My Aunt Debbie! I am quite a fan, and I know you will be, too!

Debbie encapsulates exactly what it means to be a “Green Artist.” All of her clothing and accessories are upcycled pieces that had a previous life. Her designs are delightful and you have that extra added benefit of being earth conscious!

From her website: "Remember your favorite Aunt who showed you how to finger paint with your toes,
dyed your hair fuchsia, and took you to your first rock concert?
My Clothes are like that."

This post is filled with my favorite items from My Aunt Debbie, but believe me, it wasn't an easy task trying to narrow down my favorites!

Possibly the best earrings I have EVER seen!

This skirt is sold, but it is so gorgeous, I had to share it! Created with an upcycled skirt, vintage lingerie, and springs.

Snapple Cap Brooch

Here is what Debbie had to say about her business, My Aunt Debbie:

My business name and handcrafted creations are inspired in part by my 3 nephews; Michael, Daniel and Johnny. They constantly remind me to think outside of the box, believe in magic, and embrace each moment with wild imagination. I strive to weave these principles into my designs. Each piece of clothing or jewelry I create is upcycled and reconstructed using vintage garments, rescued second hand items, and forgotten artifacts.

I use recycled goods in my designs because it is good for the environment and good for people. By embracing this “slow fashion” movement, you too can make a conscious choice to reduce waste and chain store consumerism.

When you purchase a My Aunt Debbie product you are getting a unique item that has been lovingly handmade for you. It makes me happy to make you happy!

I Want to Rock and Roll all Night Reconstructed T Shirt

The Interview:

How did you get your start?

When I was about 10 or 11 years old I would go set up with my Nana at the firehouse craft shows. She made doll clothes etc.. I had my own card table and made strange little animals out of burrs and nuts and clothes pins; and I painted little pictures. I was just delighted that people bought them! I was hooked after my first sale.

What specifically do you do that is “green” in your business?

I create all of my clothing and accessories out of items that have already “had a life” so to speak. I love finding an interesting, forgotten object and giving it a second chance at usefulness.

Why have you decided to use these green practices or make these products?

Being 46 I consider myself an “old school” crafter. When I started forming my business back in the late 1980’s creating with green materials began as a necessity rather than a conscious decision. Being a self employed artist I often had to figure out how to make something out of nothing with a very limited budget! Reusing old jewelry and vintage clothing, and finding supplies at thrift shops became a mainstay of my business. I was green before it was cool!

Do you have one tip for people to incorporate being green into their everyday life?

One of the simplest things to do is not to use paper napkins. Cloth napkins are much prettier. They are a great simple sewing project, or you can always find them at your local thrift shop. You save $ and trees.

(Note from Kim: Tuesday I will be featuring a Tutorial to make your own cloth napkins!)

Where do you draw your inspiration?

My inspiration usually comes from the objects themselves. I look at some quirky trinket or odd piece of vintage clothing and brainstorm on what I can do with it.

Debbie also has a shop filled with quirky kitschy pop-culture jewelry.

(Audrey Hepburn is my favorite!)

Where to find My Aunt Debbie:

http://www.myauntdebbie.com/
http://www.myauntdebbie.etsy.com/

The exclusive My Aunt Debbie boutique is located inside Mommalicious and Smilin' Gal at 310 North Queen St. Lancaster PA 17603. Our phone number is 717-299-0827, open 7 days a week!

What I am working on

Crafting 365 2/365, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

I started to cut out little rag dolls. I am making them out of old t-shirts and jeans. I have to cut out their heads, hair and arms. Of course, they will also be given some cool jewlery, too.