Eco-Friendly Sewing

These days, I'm trying SO HARD to reduce, reuse and recycle, even with my personal sewing. For a fabric addict like me, that's a tall order but it's also immensely satisfying to crank out a brand new outfit made almost 100% from things I have on hand, so I am having some success.

This week I sat gazing at the mountain of fabric in my sewing room and thinking, "Amy, you really need to get a handle on this situation," so I pulled out this adorable pink skull and crossbones cotton print I'd bought for a client who later changed her mind. I had one yard to play with so here's what I did:

1. I used 3/4 of a yard to make a bandana. That's easy as pie. You just cut out a 25" square and give it a 5/8" hem all the way around.
2. I then decided to pair the leftover fabric with some coordinating prints from my scrap basket to make a skirt for my youngest daughter. A Simplicity pattern, #2994, fit the bill nicely, as it called for four small pieces of fabric. (One was about 1/2 yard long and the others were much smaller.)
3. I needed a shirt to match and I didn't have much fabric left, so I found a plain black t-shirt in my daughter's closet that was only slightly worn. I glammed it up a bit with some grommets, fabric and ribbon and I had one very cute, fairly eco-friendly outfit. You don't need a pattern for the shirt. Just install a row of 8 grommets about an inch and a half from each side seam (on both sides). Space them about one inch apart. Thread ribbon through the grommets and tie in a bow at the bottom. Next, stitch a square of fabric across the front of the shirt. You can fuse it if you prefer, with a product like Heat N Bond. I just stitched back and forth in a random pattern to give it a sort of quilted look. Finally, I made bias tape from one of my cotton materials and framed the square to give it a more finished look. You can purchase bias tape or use ribbon for this step if you don't know how to make your own bias tape. Or leave the edges raw and let them fray naturally for a more ragged look. The only thing I actually went out to buy was the pink ribbon. In the old days, I would have bought black grommets too because I thought they'd look nicer than the silver, but I decided to just go with what I had on hand and it turned out fine.

If you don't have bulging shelves of fabric, or an overflowing scrap basket that's okay. You can still be a thrifty stitcher. Start in your own closet. Maybe you have an item you never wear but you've been hanging onto it because of the fabulous fabric. Cut it up sista' and turn it into something new. When you've exhausted your own supplies, go to friends and family. Most of them have things they'd be glad to get rid of. Thrift stores are a wonderful resource for yard goods, notions and alterable clothing.

What the Heck is Plarn?!?

Waste not, want not... 

Great words of wisdom we should heed in times of plenty as well as in times of  need. America has a long way to go before we can declare ourselves a truly "green" nation, but the movement is underway. Just consider plarn... it's yarn made from plastic grocery bags. The little suckers won't break down in landfills, so we need to do something with them. Why not knit them up into cute hats, bags, bracelets and other stuff. The Recycled Jeans Company gives plarn two thumbs up!

If you want to get knitting with plarn, you can make your own. There's a great tutorial at well as many patterns for using plarn at www.myrecycledbags.com. If you'd rather buy some ready-made plarn, there are several Etsy shops selling it, including yarndeb.etsy.com and jesspins.etsy.com. 

You may be asking yourself, "Stuff made from plastic grocery bags - how great can that be?" That's what I thought when I first heard about plarn. But I've got to tell you, you can make some pretty amazing things out of Target bags. 

I shopped around on Etsy and here are a few of my favorite finds:

1. The Cloudy Day Ruffle Plarn Cuff from The Green Sea Queen

2. Recycled Plastic Nesting Baskets from reVisionDesign

3. Remarkably Colorful Creation from Arnym

I've been having a wonderful time trying to guess where the bags came from. There are tons of other great items made from plarn on Etsy, so get on over there and check it out for yourself. Or better yet, make your own. But remember to take reusable shopping bags to the store with you whenever feasible. It's better to reduce than reuse. 

A Mystery in the Making

I'm really pleased with how my latest project is turning out. The only problem is... I have NO IDEA what it's going to end up being. 

I've thought maybe a purse, a pillow, a backpack, but I don't know... It started with the center applique. I purchased a really cool set from BunnyCup Designs and wanted to try it out, so I dug through my scrap basket, picked out a few small pieces and stuck them on a piece of old denim.

Well, hello! For several weeks I had a square of black denim with a peace symbol applique sitting on my cutting table, mocking me. "I'm so pretty! Finish me," it seemed to be saying. Then today I was working with the rockin' zebra print and when I saw it next to my old peace square, I had a Eureka moment. So I did a little cutting and sewing and now I have a 13" x 7.5" rectangle that will probably haunt me for a bit longer. I have some black corduroy that will surely make it into the mix and a lovely solid red moire that's represented in the applique. Beyond that, it's a mystery. 

Do YOU have any thoughts on my mystery project? What would you do with it? And am I the only person who just starts sewing with no particular destination in mind? Please tell me I'm not the only one...

Drinks Are on Us!

Come on over to 1000 Markets and see our latest product offering - drink coasters. These indispensable delicacies are a fun, inexpensive way to jazz up your home decor and protect your pricey furniture at the same time.

We have several styles to fit any personality: there's the prim/country Stars N Stripes; the edgier, indie Raspberry Zebras; and the elegant Floral Fantasy. New colors and styles are being added every week.

We had a lot of fun delving into the scrap basket, sorting through our stash of old clothes and coordinating new fabrics for this new project. So let the Recycled Jeans Company show you how recycled and discarded fabrics can be turned into something fabulous, something amazing, a little something we like to call "Eco-Chic!"

What's New?

I love, love, love our latest design - The BackSack. In fact, the next one I make is going to be for myself. :-) Fairly small at only 13" wide by 15" tall, it packs a lot of punch style-wise. It's reminiscent of My Favorite Bag, with it's extra-large grommets and tie-front pocket. It sports one deep side pocket, but the other side has a handy strap from which you can hang your keys (snap included) and your sunshades. The inside has a nice, big pocket too. It's super easy to close. Just loosely knot the cords for a fun, funky look without a lot of fuss. One of the nicest features for me is the fact you can throw it in the washer and dryer.




This bag retails for $45 and is currently only available as a special order, so please email me or send me an Etsy convo if you're interested in having one for your very own. (The bag in the pictures sold already but I have more of this fabric available as well as many, MANY other great choices.)

We will be developing a PDF pattern for this bag within the next few weeks, which will incorporate a lot of tips for sewing with recycled and/or thrifted fabrics. If you're an eco-conscious seamstress, be on the lookout for that. Thanks for visiting!

Save $$ without Compromising on Style

Let's face it - the economy isn't as robust as it once was so we all have to make tough choices these days. I don't know about you, but my family isn't eating out as often; we're opting to stay at home and watch movies on pay-per-view instead of going to the theatre; and we're taking fewer vacations.

One thing we are NOT doing is letting our money escape out the windows and doors. We are using draft stoppers. And it's making a difference in our utility costs. I knew when I saw daylight peeking underneath the front door that I needed to do something to plug up the problem, so to speak. So, I tried a rolled-up towel in the beginning. Ugh! It was ugly and it was too lightweight to stay in place. 

Finally, an Etsy friend, GEEKDETAILS (fabulous geekery, you MUST check her out!) put in a special request for draft stoppers and they turned out so well I knew I had to make some for myself too. Soon, not only did my foyer look FABULOUS, but draft stoppers were my number one seller.

If you know how to sew, you can quickly and easily stitch up your own money-saving door and window guards. Or, if you don't have the time or inclination to make your own, you can pop over to The Recycled Jeans Company's Etsy store where we've got a nice selection to choose from. You can choose a pre-made stopper, or you can custom order your own fabric and size.

Whether your style is basic or bold and beautiful, The Recycled Jeans Company has got a draft stopper for you. 

Contest Winner

We have a winner in our "Give My Hamster a Voice" contest! It was hard to chose, but Genevieve is a HUGE Def Leppard fan so in the end we decided on ButterflyDesign1's quote "Pour some sugar on me..."

Thanks to you all who participated. Just for fun, I thought I'd tell you how the decision process played out. I chose the top three answers, then my 12 year old daughter, the actual hamster owner picked the final winner.

Our top three answers were:

1. Pour some sugar on me...
2. One hamster or two? - by Lissa
3. I is not a sugarcube! - by AmyJosCreations 10 year old daughter

As promised, our winner will be receiving a $25 gift certificate from The Recycled Jeans Company. Thank you all again so much for participating. We'll have another fun and exciting contest coming up soon, so stay tuned.

Amy

New Contest - Give My Hamster a Voice

Anyone can see this is a witty hamster. If only she could speak, there would already be something funny and/or profound in that bubble. Since she can't, I'm asking for your help. Tell me what YOU think she's saying. The person with the best answer (as chosen by me) will win a $25 gift certificate from the Recycled Jeans Company. Entries will be accepted from November 1 - 30th. I'll announce the winner on December 1st.

Please... no profanity. Although my hamster does have a political affiliation, she doesn't wish to make it public, nor does she wish to offend any of the misguided souls who don't agree with her, so no political statements either.

Don't forget to include an email address or Etsy shop where you can be reached if you're the winner.

The winning entry will become the property of The Recycled Jeans Company and may be used in future products and/or advertising. No further compensation will be paid.

Boo-ti-ful Halloween Treats!

Hot off the sewing machine... Rummaging through my stash I found several super-cool Halloween prints that got my creative juices flowing. Combining these with a few new cottons, I created what I think you'll agree is a whacky, wonderful line of Halloween goodies. I've just listed several trick or treat bags, which are actually my travel pillowcases done up in spooktacular style. They'll make great loot bags now and can be used as pillowcases or laundry bags later. I also have drink cozies, and a scrappy little mini tote, so hop on over to my store to check them out.

BTW, if you're a fan of the kitty cat fabric, I have more drink cozies and mini wallets coming soon in that pattern, and I have lots more of the Flintstones fabric if you have any special requests.

Etsy Treasury

For those unfamiliar with Etsy, members are allowed to curate a collection of 12 photographs of fellow Etsians' work. Each list is added to the treasury for 2 or 3 days. Many of the lists are stunning pieces of art in and of themselves. Here are my latest efforts.

Milkshakes - To Drink or Not to Drink

BLATANT ADVERTISEMENT! Ya’ know what… it’s not PC to drink milkshakes anymore, especially when you’ve got an ass like mine. I know I need to lose a few pounds, but I shouldn’t feel like I’m going to get arrested for having a little dairy treat every now and then, know what I mean! With the current climate of hyper-health consciousness, I feel slightly guilty every time I walk away from the Baskin Robbins counter. So I’ve hit upon the perfect solution! I cover up my occasional snack with a coffee cozy from The Recycled Jeans Company, fooling the masses into believing I’m having a frappuccino. And that’s great because coffee is totally cool – even the blended frozen ones you suck through a straw – which, I mean, come on – really aren’t that different from a milkshake now are they?


So, if you too have a milkshake habit you can’t kick, don’t fight it. Just get yourself a full-sized drink cozy from The Recycled Jeans Company. As an added bonus, the cozy keeps your hands warm without melting your shake. When you think about it, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain – including a couple of pounds. But that’s YOUR business.

I'm a Dorcas

I love to sew. I love everything about it, from designing the project, to choosing the colors and fabrics, to putting it all together. But one of the things I love best is the silent time I have to myself to sit and think.

Sometimes my thoughts are of such mundane things as what to cook for dinner or how the light bulb in the hallway needs to be changed. Often, I plan my next sewing project. Occasionally my thoughts ramble down one random path after another until I get so lost in my head I can barely find my way out of my studio at the end of the day. But, once in a very rare while my cognitive process leads me in a more edifying direction. Yesterday I was mulling over a Bible passage I stumbled across about a year ago...

The story concerns a woman named Dorcas, a disciple "who was always doing good and helping the poor." Acts 9:36 By the time we meet her, the poor woman has become sick and died. As it so happened, Peter was in a neighboring town at the time and was summoned at once. Upon his arrival, "all the widows stood around him crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them." Acts 9:39 Can you feel the love, the pride, the grief in that one sentence?

There were several things about this short passage that resonated with me:

1. Dorcas loved the people around her
2. She showed her love by sewing for them
3. They accepted her gifts for what they were - an expression of her affection
4. They had an abiding love for Dorcas in return

Although I'm not always "doing good and helping the poor," I felt such a kinship with Dorcas at that moment I too mourned her passing. It made me think of my own grandmother who sewed a mountain of clothes for me throughout my childhood, and of my husband's grandmother who pieced the most beautiful quilt tops. I considered the love that must have gone into each and every stitch and I was humbled and honored. And I felt a sharp pang of longing to see them just one more time.

Further, it gave greater meaning and purpose to my craft. My sewing IS more than an artistic endeavor. It's an expression of my love for my family and friends. My hope is that they will feel that affection on some level, and that my stitching will create a legacy of love that will outlast me.

Your craft may not be sewing. And you might not be a Christian. But as an artist who is also a mother or daughter, sister or friend, I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about. When you create whatever you create, you're creating more than a tangible item. You're crafting love. You can read the entire short story of Dorcas in Acts 9:36-43. By the way, the story does have a happy ending.

If you're a Dorcas too, I'd like to hear how you became one and why. If you'll send me an email I'll share your story in a new monthly feature. And for my Etsy friends, leave a comment and I'll include you in my next treasury.

From the Scrap Basket

So, we recently moved into a house after living in our motorhome for a year. Upon receiving our household goods, I was shocked and dismayed to see the amount of fabric I not only had in storage, but also had accumulated over the past year. Piles and piles and piles of material. I'll NEVER use it all, not even if I sew 8 hours a day, every day until I reach 93 and a half years of age. Maybe, just possibly, if I live to 93 and three quarters...

I have three distinct categories:

1. yard goods
2. recycled clothing
3. scraps

My plan of action to tame this beast is:

1. pillowcase/laundry bags with the yard goods and
2. these adorable totes and mini totes with the scraps.

You can expect to see lots more of these products in my Etsy shop, http://www.recycledjeans.etsy.com/, in the next few weeks. If not, call 911. It means I've been buried alive under a mountain of cotton.

I know I'm not the only fabric-aholic out there. How big is your stash and what do you plan to do with it? Show us your pics...

The Immortal Utterances of Children

Every family has a cache of stories involving their children and the surprises that issue forth from their sweet little mouths. I was reminded of this the other day when my children got into an argument as they played in the pool. My oldest daughter was trying to grab hold of the little one who shouted, "Leave me alone. You know I have issues!" I could only shake my head and tell myself, "I've got to stop letting them watch Oprah."

Here's another story from my own childhood. It was Sunday afternoon. Church had let out and everyone including the preacher was gathered at my Mamaw Johnson's dinner table for a feast of fried chicken, roast beef and a truly impressive array of vegetables, breads, and pickles. My mother, being a good mom, was encouraging me to eat my English peas. And I, being a three-year-old, naturally didn't want them. The battle was on. I don't know how long we argued, but finally I had enough. All conversation halted when the angelic toddler in the sweet pink dress shouted, "I don't WANT any damn peas." I'm sure it was nothing worse than the reverend had encountered before, but I KNOW my grandparents and mother were mortified. The story got told and retold until it became a family legend.

I'm sure you have at least one good story to share, so let's hear it.

Creating a New Work Space

As I mentioned earlier, we recently moved to San Antonio and I'm in the process of setting up my studio. (I use this term loosely. It's really an extra bedroom.) I don't know about you, but I'm always interested in the work spaces of other artists and crafters, so I decided to document the process for you. As you can see, I have a LONG way to go before this is a well-functioning space.

As the work continues I'll be posting new photos. Stay tuned, because I have an exciting contest planned as well. View the "before" pictures.

Three Cheers for Etsy

My newest obsession, http://www.etsy.com/, is a virtual marketplace for all things handmade. Going into it's third year on the Internet, Etsy now has over 1 million listings, so you're SURE to find something you like.

There are many reasons to buy handmade:

1. You'll be getting a one-of-a-kind creation
2. In most cases, handmade products are of superior quality
3. You'll be supporting individuals, families, and the U.S. economy (there are other countries represented on Etsy, but the vast majority is U.S.-based.)
4. You won't have to fight the crowds at the mall

I enjoy selling in my Etsy shop, http://www.recycledjeans.etsy.com/, but I've also purchased some GREAT items. I highly encourage you to check it out.

Yeah, San Antonio!

Who's been to San Antonio? I just moved here, and IT ROCKS! Despite the 100-degree heat, I'm really enjoying it. Having spent the past year in El Paso, it's so refreshing to see trees and grass and flowers! The Riverwalk is beautiful. I was walking along it the other day and there was a little water snake swimming along. I was highly amused that no one besides my family noticed it. And the baby ducks... you would need a hard heart indeed not to be enchanted by baby ducks. Anyway... San Antonio is great and if you haven't been, you should definitely give it a try.

Inspired Design!

I'm so excited about our newest, original design - the Lunch Bag. This adaptation of our popular Pixie Pouch skips the drawstring closure in favor of two side ties that thread through grommets and make the bag expandable. Pull the handy wrist strap through the ring on the front of the bag to secure the contents quickly and easily.

We're calling it a lunch bag - and it IS great for that purpose, but it has many other uses. It's the perfect size for the "little lady" in your life. Kids love the petite proportions and colorful ties.

It's also handy for those of us who are more mature - in years if not in attitude - when we're traveling light! Just the right size for one of our mini wallets and a few other necessities.

As always, this product is made from at least 50% post-consumer materials!

Check it out at our Etsy storefront: http://www.recycledjeans.etsy.com/

Old Sorehead Trade Days

I can't tell you how much fun we had this past weekend at the Old Sorehead Trade Days in Stanton, Texas. Our next-booth-neighbors, Judy and Glenda of Juda's Creations based in Archer City, kept us laughing the entire weekend. (Thank you ladies. It was a rare pleasure.) I was tempted to spend my entire profit on their beautiful jewelry. I did spend a goodly portion on the scrumptious food at the fair. The deep-fried Twinkies intrigued me. Have any of you tried them? In the end I settled for homemade ice cream, which was delicious.

Our Raggedy Ann dolls, which sported dresses made of vintage fabrics, were a big hit. In fact we sold out. There was also a lot of interest in our coffee cozies. One nice lady opened up an entirely new marketing avenue for these handy items. She planned to use hers on her mixed drinks. And why not! They insulate from the cold just as well as the hot. She inspired me to try one on my Diet Coke bottle and it was great. No more cold hands while I'm enjoying the elixir of life! I had to ask myself, "Now why didn't I think of that?"

Java, Ahhhhh!

I never drank coffee until I was in my 30s (and that's all I'm prepared to say about my age!). Now, I do... a LOT! So you might say my latest product line came about through necessity.

It's (ta da...) the Coffee Cozy. I've seen others out there, but mine is a little different. It covers the whole cup for one thing, and it's made from at least 50% post-consumer materials. I sized it to fit a Starbucks Venti, but you can turn down the cuff to fit your beverage of choice - on most cozies.

The best part is, it keeps your coffee hot - and your fingers NOT!