Crafting a Green World

The one thing I have always wanted to learn how to do, but have never gotten around to it, is sewing. Sure I can do the basics like stitch a seam back together or sew a button back on but when it comes to using a sewing machine…I am totally intimidated. I don’t even know where to start.

I don’t want my daughter’s creativity to be thwarted like mine. Not being able to sew has limited my crafty creations. I design a lot of things, many which never come in being because I can’t sew.

The book Sew with Sara: PJs, Pillows, Bags & More–Fun Stuff to Keep, Give, SELL! is a great way to get my daughter interested in sewing.

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Got a closet full of clothes that just need a little love? Or maybe you’re thrifting-obsessed and just need some motivation to turn your finds into something really special! Either way, Wardrobe Refashion might be just the thing you need!

So what is Wardrobe Refashion?
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The nice thing about sewing for kids is that their clothes take so little fabric. A shirt or pair of pants for a five-year-old, a dress for a three-year-old, matching bloomers for both–you could sew any of these things using less than a yard of fabric.

For that reason, kids’ clothes are very well-suited for sewing with recycled materials. I’ve sewed smocked sundresses for my girls out of pillowcases, a pants and kimono shirt outfit for a newborn out of one blouse, two sturdy diaper covers out of a felted wool sweater.

I was afraid of sewing from a pattern when I was a novice seamster, ironically, but now that I sew well, I enjoy using patterns to create more complicated clothing with attractive detailing and sophisticated elements. And so, although they’re pricey, I do buy some of the children’s clothing patterns from Oliver + S each season. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you been thinking more about crafting with organics this season? A few of the talented folks over at etsy sure have, and are now offering some fresh hot handmade organic sun-dresses. Here are some new organic handmade highlights on etsy:

This “driftwood dress” is simple yet stunning for a day by the sea:

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Oh Joy! was a curator on etsy recently for their Storque feature. I loved the items she curated so much that I simply must share her gorgeously displayed handmade exhibit:

Shown above is a necklace made of wood and thread by neawear:

tinctory’s smocked necklaces inspired by historic textiles are works of art, honoring handmade traditions.

This custom dress above by Makool is one of my favorite items featured. So flowing and natural, like a watercolor cloud, with a silk ribon sash wrapping it up.

Joy also shares these delicately cut metal nervoussystem pendants:

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These Heidi & Seek designs are adorable. Her dresses shown above are made from unused factory remnants, and reinvented vintage clothing, but they are reworked into new, creative, and comfortable styles.

The designer writes us sharing: “I’m a young mother who designs and sews edgy, one-off women’s clothing from reclaimed materials for my label, Heidi & Seek. I aim to raise awareness and provide an alternative to mass-produced, sweatshop made clothing that pollutes and damages the environment through the use of new resources. “  Her outfits are currently found on Etsy at http://heidiandseek.etsy.com.

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Check out Elven Forest Creations on Etsy.

All the products are made from recycled, reclaimed or organic fabrics.  On the top above “the feathers for the wings are from someone who had gathered fallen feathers from their farm” and“the feathers would have gone to the landfill had they not started selling them.”

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Over the Summer on our sister site Feel Good Style, we shared the book Simply Green Parties by Danny Seo, and now for the winter holidays I’m pleased to present his classic book on green gift wrap.

Pictured here is the cover of Simply Green Giving: Create Beautiful Gift Wrapping, Tags and Handmade Treasures from Everyday Materials. The how-to manual on eco gift wrap includes:

“clever ways to recycle ribbon, cards and paper from presents people give you. Last, but not least, there are gorgeous last-minute gift ideas that don’t look like an afterthought and are gifts people will actually love.

A few highlights:

* Use an old cardboard globe as a gift basket
* Use colorful wood cigar boxes as handsome gift boxes for homebaked treats
* Recycle old books into a ring boxs

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Continuing on our tour of how to mend your clothes (which is both good of your wallet and for the environment) this week I am covering how to fix an under wire bra.

For all the ladies out there, I’m sure you’ve had this problem. You find a bra that fits so perfectly and is so comfortable, that you wear it until one day the wire starts poking out. Well don’t fret because a simple stitch will have you back in your favorite underthing lickity split.

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Continuing our short series on how to extend the life of your clothes. Here is a quick tutorial on reattaching a button. You can read about how to fix a hole in a side seem in Part 1.

Knowing how to reattached a button is a great skill to learn, especially because a loose button is not only inevitable, but you can find great deals at stores. I once scored a particularly lovely wool coat when it was on the sale rack, missing several of its buttons. The extra ones were still attached along the tag and by pointing out the missing buttons at the register, I was able to get another 10% off the already discounted coat, all the while thinking that the buttons were such an easy and quick fix! So onto the how-to:

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