Green Options

Sewing Green (STC Craft | Melanie Falick Books) will be released March, 2009.

Here’s a sneak preview and a little bit more about the author.
White is not new to the craft scene.  Her first book, Warm Fuzzies — 30 Sweet Felted Projects was published in 2007.  Betz has a passion for wool felting and walks us step-by-step (patterns included in the back of book) on how to transform second-hand sweaters into some unique craft items.  Projects include a bonbon journal, messenger bag, scarves, a hand-puppet, and some delicious felted cupcake pin cushions.
White’s newest book, Sewing Green — 25 Projects Made With Repurposed & Organic Materials , is all about taking an existing item (think cashmere sweater found in a thrift-shop, or a dress shirt that’s been hanging in the back of a closet forever) and turning it into something ‘new’ and functional.  White will show us twenty-five projects that all start with re-purposed materials.  Cashmere sweaters are deconstructed, then re-constructed to become a warm and cozy blanket.  Men’s dress shirts are transformed into an apron AND a wallet.

In a world of high tech gadgetry everywhere you look (iPods, flat-screen computer monitors, mp3 players, personal DVD players and the like) I sometimes yearn for the good old days when a coloring book and some crayons made me a pretty happy camper.  While we can’t change the past, we can (and should) change the future.

I’m not going to prevent my two boys from 21st century technology, but I’m also (carefully) squeezing in some old fashioned extra-curricular activities too.  Family craft time is one of those low-tech fun times that can be fairly simple yet memorable.

I confess:  I am a craftaholic.  Yes.  It’s true.  [Just ask my wife and she'll tell you ALL about it.]  The strange thing is, I don’t limit myself to just one ‘craft’ or medium.  I run the whole gamut.  From fabric to fiber to paint to rubber stamps to card-making … the list goes on and on.
On the bright side, I’m very proud of the fact that instead of running out to my local craft store to buy my supplies, I scour the local thrift shops and Goodwill stores to find items that I can buy (for next to nothing) and convert them into something with new life.  Example:  a pillowcase, in good condition, can be turned into a tote bag, a pencil case, a crochet hook keeper or a travel-size tissue holder.

Did you realize that while you’re trying to make your family’s clothes snuggly-soft and static-free you may be doing more harm than good?
It’s true:  many commercial dryer sheets are loaded with chemicals and fragrances that can be absorbed into the skin and have nasty side effects.

You won’t find a list of ‘ingredients’ on the package of most dryer sheets; but, according to SixWise.com, here are some chemicals that have been found in dryer sheets and mainstream fabric softeners:

Benzyl Acetate:  Linked to pancreatic cancer
Benzly Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
Ethanol: Can cause central nervous system damage
A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems and central nervous system damage
Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
Linalool: Narcotic that casues central nervous system disorders
Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

There are lots of great items you can make using organic cotton yarn.  These washcloths are just one option.  Other items include dishcloths, makeup removers, pots-and-pan scrubbers (a great alternative to sponges) and coasters (to keep your coffee table dry).

My aunt is a crafty gal, and she gifted my wife and I some organic cotton dishcloths last year.  We love them.  They are sturdy and good looking too.  You just throw them in the washer and dryer and they come out looking like new.

Think twice before you put your recyclable items out for pick-up.  You may find that many plastic or glass containers can have multiple uses.  I’ve found several crafty ways to use some:

Individual serving sized yogurt containers make great paint pots for the kids.  They can be used to hold water or paint.

Peel off the label of a pickle jar.  Wash, rinse and allow it to dry.  Now, fill it up will all those stray buttons you have.  Jars also make great containers for glue sticks, embroidery floss, ribbon and craft sticks (recycled frozen treat sticks).  They can also be used as a way to keep your paintbrushes, colored pencils and other tools neat and tidy.