January 21, 2008 - Recycled Threads
As a New Year kickstart to my craft I set myself a challenge from January 1st. Until my birthday on February 21st I could only sew with things I already had in my stash - the only allowance I gave myself was to buy cushion inserts if needed.
Over the last couple of years I've enjoyed scouring second-hand stores for pre-loved clothing, not to wear (though I have found some!), but for the fabrics and notions! Mostly I have found little girls dresses the best - such gorgeous textures and designs for the material, but also the large yardage used in the gathered skirts.
So, with my recycled threads challenge in mind, I focused first of all on using these pre-worn fabrics and displaying them to their best advantage in a new guise. Something I never counted on though was the beautiful nostalgic feel of these garmets, the softened texture that comes from a beloved dress being worn over and again by a child until they can no longer get it over their head. I have seen many times the disappointment on my own younger daughter's face when a favourite dress, skirt, or blouse no longer fits. With tears she has mourned the loss, then after a time been able to parcel it up for a younger freind or the Goodwill shop. I wish I had been a quilter years ago - so many things would have found new homes in my designs. But...perhaps some other woman saw their promise and rebirthed them into cuddly quilts for her family? I hope so.
These are two lap quilts that I have made in the last couple of weeks, complete with matching pillows. Aren't the fabrics beautiful!? They feel so 'loving' to lay across your knees on a cool night.
I had the heart embroideries lying around in a draw for the last 18 months - I did them for another project then changed my mind so they have been waiting patiently to begin life in a project completed.
The pink lap quilt has some lovely strips of embroidery along the edges. These were across the front of a little child's worn through blouse - though the blouse had holes, the embroidery strips were surprisingly pristine.
Both lap quilts have polar fleece backing - a pretty pink for the pink floral one, and cream, red and green roses for the green heart quilt.
Now - what do you have lying around in your home that you can recycle into a lovely something? Please let me know if you make it - I'd love to see!
