Eco-Crafting Tutorial: How to Make a Wreath Using a Queen Size Sheet

Supplies: One wire wreath form (or any wreath form), one queen size sheet, one pair of scissors

Time: 1-2 hrs for a large wreath

You can reuse or upcycle with any fabric. I found the perfect color sheet at the local thrift store to match the color of my little girls room for only $3.00. There weren’t any stains on it but even if there were some minor staining you could still use it for this project. Solids or prints, both would work fine. If I had found a chocolate brown and ivory sheet that day I would probably have used all 3 and alternated the colors in the wreath. You can also use fabric scraps from old t-shirts or any fabric remnants that you have. Just be sure you have a LOT of scraps. I used the entire queen size sheet for a large wreath form. Total cost: Less than $5.00

Directions:

-Cut the fabric into equal sized strips. Our strips were approximately 1-1.5″ wide and 6-9″ long. Be sure to cut the strips to about the same size or you’ll end up with an uneven looking wreath.

-Tie each strip onto the wreath form with a simple knot. I only tied a single knot but a double knot would prevent them from coming undone later. It’s not a piece that will get handled a lot so a single knot is fine for my purposes.

-Continue tying strips to the wire wreath form working to fill in as much space as possible. The entire process took me a little more than an hour to complete (after the kids were in bed). It’s a good project to do while watching television of chatting with family and friends.

-Embellish. You can add any additional embellishments if you like. Painted wooden or cardboard lettering would be cute hanging in the middle of your wreath with a coordinating ribbon.

-Hang up and Enjoy! I used a simple over the door wreath hanger. You could even add a ribbon if you want it to hang lower.

For more eco-crafting tutorials and tips check out my archives where I completed this project using old t-shirts on a much smaller scale. Have you completed a project seen here? Share it with me on Facebook. I’d love to see your pictures!

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Yes, I am addicted to Pinterest!  You can read more about how my addiction developed with my Pinterest Addiction Explained post.  I think it’s interesting to find out what my friends find exciting enough to pin.  Here are a look at some of the boards that I’ve created:

Upcycling Crafts – I wish I could spend more time actually creating these craft projects myself instead of just pinning them.  I have started a few and you’ll be able to follow some of my tutorials in the future.

Upcycle Garden Ideas – While I don’t exactly have a green thumb my parents are enjoying growing their own vegetables in a rather unique and small space.  I love sharing some of these pins with them to give them inspiration.

DIY I Love – some may be upcycling while others are just creative art projects that I admire.

For the Home – Ahhh…I love these spaces and wish we could incorporate some of these ideas into our own living space.  I think I’m dying for a unique swing these days.  I found one I like at Pier One but it’s never gone on sale…I may just have to break down and get it full price unless I find a DIY project that will do the trick.

Dream Room Ideas – Boys – My poor kids suffer from too much clutter and not enough storage!  Oh, and I’m a pack rat!  One day I will get around to redecorating both of their living spaces.  Dream Room Ideas – Girls

Cloth Diapers – How could I resist!  Take a peek at that adorable black and white photo of kids in cloth a very long time ago.

Dream Vacations – Don’t let anyone tell you that I don’t have an ocean spirit and dream a LOT about the ocean.  Why do you think we moved to Florida.  Maybe one day these dream vacations will become dream homes.

I keep adding pins and boards as I find new things to search for.  What do you pin?  What are your favorite boards?

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2. Trash to Treasure Halloween Wreath – Inspired by Pinterest A few weeks ago I shared with you a pin-spiration...
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Day 12 – Baby dolls need cloth diapers too!

Starting last December (2009) I’ve been slowly growing confidence behind my sewing machine and sewing up some cute projects around the home.  Lil’ B has recently fallen in love with baby dolls and now has three of them.  All of which have bare bums – no diapers included.  I decided last night to look around online and see what I could find for doll cloth diapers.  Thanks to @taprilcrosier and @mrsob1 for leading me to Etsy where I actually bought a few items that I’ll share with you once they arrive.

However, I’m very impatient and my super mom complex kicked in tonight so I decided to make my own baby doll cloth diapers.  I actually started out making a baby doll sling so Lil’ B could wear her baby doll just like I once wore her.  That project took an entire 5 minutes to make (seriously it was that easy) so I found a pattern for doll cloth diapers on Skip to my Lou – a fabulous craft blog that I read almost daily.

Here is how my project ended up (complete with pictures):

Step 1: Skip to my Lou has a printable pattern that I used as a guide.  I cut out the pattern using a Gerber pre-fold that I had sitting around the house (because I never actually use them for diapering).

Step 2: I cut out the same size pattern using a fancy fabric remnant I had from a project I made over the summer.

Step 3: I sewed the two pieces together (right sides facing each other) leaving a small seam allowance.  I left about 2-3 inches open in the back so I could turn it right-side out.

Step 4: After I flipped the fabric around and sewed the seam shut I then added Velcro to the front (similar to how a bumGenius looks in the front).  There are many different ways you could close your diaper but this was the easiest option for me (a complete novice).

Step 5: Then I added the other side of the Velcro to the tabs.  When I make my next one I will sew this Velcro strip on BEFORE I sew the two pieces together so that you don’t see the stitching on the front of the diaper.

Step 6: Ta-Da! It’s all done!  It took me about 20 minutes max to complete the entire diaper.  Not too bad for my first attempt!

Step 7: Sneak into sleeping tots bedroom and steal borrow her baby doll to see if it fits!  Then post pictures on Twitter, Facebook, and Blog to show off your new found talent.

Step 8: Use the rest of the scrap fabric to make a matching dress!

Step 9: Try to hide the diaper and dress from the tot until her 2nd birthday next week!  This may be the hardest part of the entire project.

Have you attempted to sew your own baby doll diapers? It was so easy that I’m sure I could figure out how to make a full-sized cloth diaper from some t-shirts I’ve been saving to upcycle.  I’ve been too afraid to try making a real diaper – until now!

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Please enjoy my Oldies But Goodies while I take a break from the computer and enjoy my family and other things that I’m THANKFUL for this year.  New content will return next week!

I usually save these posts for Thursdays but I had to share my latest project with you today.  My sewing machine has been quite busy lately but I’ve put myself on a fabric buying ban!  Seems that I get a little carried away at the fabric store with all the pretty prints.  If you remember my last Trash to Treasure Thursday (tie-dyed ruffle skirt) I still had parts of that the tie-dyed t-shirt in my fabric box.  My sweet (mischievous) pug decided recently to attack (and destroy) his pet bed – or should I say he redecorated the house with stuffing!  I decided it was time for him to have a new bed – but I refuse to buy him a new one!  Afterall it will only be a matter of weeks before it’s used to redecorate the house too.

For this project I measured the size of the crate to determine the dimensions of the doggy bed.  From that I cut the t-shirt into the outer dimensions (plus a few extra inches for seam allowance).  Since the t-shirt wasn’t quite large enough for the entire bed I cut two smaller pieces (front and back of t-shirt) so that they would add up to the final dimensions I needed.  Just for asthetics – I cut them again in half so they would form the checker board pattern you see in the final pictures.  Essentially – I had 8 pieces the same size when I began. 

I simply sewed the pieces together in the pattern of my choosing and then sewed the fronts and backs together (right sides facing) -leaving a few inches open on one end.  I then turned the fabric so the right sides were out and began stuffing.  I used polyfill but I also added some fabric scraps to the inside as well.  You could reuse the stuffing from old pillows or old doggy beds if you have them. 

After the pillow was stuffed I simply sewed up the remaining hole and gave it to Champ!  He’s carrying it around with him all day today so I’m pretty sure he likes it.  But then again – he tries to steal the sofa pillows too.  *UPDATED TO ADD: This cute little pillow last about 3 months before he found a whole and ripped out all the stuffing! Guess I need to make him another one for Christmas.

What have you made this week?  Any fun upcycling projects?  Leave me a link below in the comments and I’ll come check it out.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JULY 2010.

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Please enjoy my Oldies But Goodies while I take a break from the computer and enjoy my family and other things that I’m THANKFUL for this year.  New content will return next week!

I know you want to learn how to make this cute upcycled Christmas Tree from magazines and mail catalogs….

…but you’ll have to visit The Mommy Blog for complete directions.  I’m a featured guest blogger over there…thanks to the kind invitation from Cinella.  Please visit and leave comments both here and there about your ideas on turning trash into useful Holiday decorations. 

ORIGINALLY POSTED DECEMBER 2009.

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COUPON: Save 10% with my affiliate code GREEN-1848 when you shop at GreenSewn.

Do you love fashion?  Do you love scarves?  Do you wonder how to green your wardrobe?  It seems like the fashion industry in America becomes more disposable each year.  I try to stay on top of the trends but as a mom of two I tend to stick with a few basic pieces and lots of accessories.  It’s easier for me to update an outfit with modern accessories than it is to purchase new clothes.  I’m also a big fan of sharing – or should I say acquiring new items from my best friend.  Since I have a flexible job that allows me to work at home my wardrobe has shrunk and I don’t actually shop for clothes more than a few times a year.  My friend on the other hand knows the ladies at Dillard’s by name (or at least that’s what her husband thinks)!  When she cleans her closet she knows who to pass them along to – sometimes I think I should just pay her to shop for me! 

Anyways – the point of my story is that fashion all around the globe is disposable – not just here in America.  We need to be responsible in our purchases and in our disposal methods.  I had never given any thought to other cultures and their impact on the fashion industry and the environment.  In India for instance women typically wear silk saris - about 15 feet of silk fabric that they wrap around them.  

There is a company in Florida, GreenSewn, who decided to use some of the retired silk sari fabric and upcycle them into beautiful silk scarves – and no two scarves will ever be the same.  I was sent a turquoise multi scarf to review and I fell in love with it the second I opened the package.  I love silk fabrics and I’ve worn scarves on and off for years.  The turquoise colors are so vivid and work perfectly with my fashion basics (jeans and a black top) to create a fresh look.

Turquoise Multi

For every purchase made at GreenSewn a donation of 10 trees will be made to Trees for the Future - a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable forestry and education around the world.  

Five more ways you can green your wardrobe:

1.  Reuse - shop at consignment and thrift stores for your clothing.     

2.  Donate or Share – there are many people who either admire your clothing choices or are really in need of clothing.  Find an organization in your area that will supply your old business wardrobe to homeless or battered women who are trying to get back on their feet.  

3.  Upcycle - If you are really creative you can upcycle used clothing into fashionable and modern pieces like those seen at New Dress A Dayblog.  I’ve upcycled our t-shirts into fashionable baby clothes and scarves for myself.

4.  Sustainable fabrics – this one is a little harder but look for items that are made from organic or natural fibers.  It’s becoming easier every day to find these alternatives showing up in the major fashion lines.

5.  Go naked!  Ok so that one was a joke but we can really simplify our wardrobes quite a bit.  Do we really need to have 20 pairs of jeans or shoes in our closet?  Or do we just want them?  Simplify your wardrobe and stick with the basics that won’t go out of style next season.  I can’t tell you how many years I’ve worn the same ‘Little Black Dress’ to a party with fresh accessories. 

What steps have you taken to green your wardrobe? 

Disclosure:  I received a GreenSewn scarf for review and the opinions in this post are my own.

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In honor of Trash to Treasure Thursday, this week I’m super excited to bring you the latest and greatest news from TERRACYCLE!  In April, TerraCycle debuted Garbage Moguls on the National Geograpic Channel – a series of television shows that documented the zany antics of the TerraCycle crew as they develop new products from our garbage.

This Saturday, National Geographic will be airing the pilot along with three brand new episodes!  Set your DVR’s – plan a night in with friends – but don’t forget to watch Garbage Moguls this Saturday night.  The fun begins at 7pm ET as they replay the original pilot episode, followed at 8pm’s Pet Project, 9pm’s Fishy Business, and at 10pm pull an All-Nighter with the TerraCycle crew. 

Below is a clip from the 9pm Fishy Business episode where they Tom and Alby visit a plant in Ohio that turns 500 chip bags into a brand new trash can and pitch the idea to the Home Depot team in Atlanta. 

Be sure to join the TerraCycle preview party LIVE on Twitter from 8-11pm to win some great prizes.  Follow @TerraCycle and #GarbageMoguls to be a part of the live fun.  You can also follow along on Facebook and answer some trashy trivia questions.  www.facebook.com/terracycle

It’s my best friends birthday celebration so I may have to sneak onto my iPhone a few times to catch the action live – but shhhhh – don’t let her know!

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Giveaway alert! Two lucky readers will win one of the Generation T books by Megan Nicolay – details at the end of this post.  ECO-ngratulations Alanna & Shirtee.

As you know I’ve been better and better at actually completing eco-crafty projects each week for you. This week is the jackpot of all Trash to Treasure Thursdays with a collection of projects and a giveaway! I’ve been infatuated with finding ways to reuse or upcycle old t-shirts – I scour the blogosphere, YouTube, Etsy, and other crafty websites looking for innovative ways to use t-shirts. In one of my searches I came across Generation T and Megan Nicolay.

Who is Megan Nicolay? Much like myself Megan has had the crafty bug since she was a child – always looking for the next great project. We also share a common statement – “I could so do that!” My friends and family are always telling me – “You could do that!” when they see anything. Megan began her website www.Generation-T.com back in 2005 and by 2006 she published her first instructional book – “Generation T – 180 ways to transform a T-shirt.” In her first book she includes many punk inspired projects to transform that plain boring t-shirt into halter tops, bodices, skirts, leg warmers and more! My favorite is the Grand Finale – “Tying the Knot” – a wedding dress made from old t-shirts. I have a co-worker of mine who is getting married next year and this would be PERFECT for her – she’s a little bit of an eco-junkie like myself.

Megan’s second book – “Generation T – Beyond Fashion – 120 new ways to transform a T-shirt” – was published in 2009 and include projects for the home, kids, pets, and men! Having a tot running around the house my favorite chapter is Kid Rock and I can’t wait to make The Little Empress for my own little princess. There is literally a project for everything you could possibly need around the home.

While I have a list a mile long of projects I WANT to complete – here are pictures of projects I’ve already completed. I don’t follow directions well so many of them have been altered from Megan’s directions to fit my own style. That’s the great part of crafting – you are the designer – and you can decide what you like!

My husbands old Little League T-Shirt

My husbands old High School T-shirt

A collection of Counting Crows concert t-shirts

More on Generation-T and Megan -
Blog: www.generation-t.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Generation-T/95374461988
Twitter: http://twitter.com/generationtee

WIN IT! I have one copy of each of the Generation-T books to giveaway. I’m going to split the set and offer this giveaway to two (2) lucky readers – I pick which book you receive. To enter visit the Generation-T website and tell me two things – 1) what are you most excited to make, and 2) what t-shirt do you plan on cutting up first? Leave your comments below and be sure to leave your email address in the comments.

Extra Entries: Earn up to 5 extra entries each day until the close of the giveaway (August 15, 2010) – leave a comment for each task completed (along with a link if applicable).

1 – Follow @Generationtee, @TheEcoChic, and @EcoChicParties on Twitter – 1 entry for following all 3 combined.
2 – Like all three (3) on Facebook – 1 entry for Liking all 3 combined.
3 – Blog about your own Trash to Treasure project and include a link back to this giveaway. Leave your own link in the comments below. – 1 entry for each project.
4 – Tweet about this giveaway – include @Generationtee, @TheEcoChic, and a link back here in your tweet. – 1 entry for each tweet.

Rules: Winner will be randomly selected at the close of the giveaway period from all entrants over the age of 18 who are residents of the US & Canada – however Canadian residents will be asked to pay shipping if selected. Giveaway ends midnight (ET) on August 15, 2010.

Disclosure: Thank you to Megan Nicolay for sending my copies of each of her books for review (and inspiration). Megan also supplied the copies for the giveaway. Images in this post are original creations by The Eco Chic and vary from the actual projects featured in Generation – T slightly.

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I have been sewing lots lately and decided to use the fabrics that I have on hand instead of going back to the store to buy brand new, fancy fabrics.  Most of my on-hand fabrics are old, retired t-shirts.  I’ve seen many different varieties of a t-shirt scarf and here is my own version.

Supplies:  2 adult t-shirts, a sewing machine, pins, needle, thread, and scissors

Directions:

-Decide how wide you want your scarf to be.  I used a scarf I had on hand as a guide.
-Cut strips from your shirts.  I cut about 8″ wide strips starting from the bottom of the shirt (cute through both sides).  Remove arms and neck pieces.
-After I cut the width strips I cut those strips into 12″ lengths (approx. size only – all sizes can vary).
-Decide on a pattern and color scheme by laying the strips out the way you would like them on your scarf.
-Pin the front sides of two (2) pieces – continue this process all the way down the length of your scarf.  My length was about five (5) pieces – well over 6 ft total.
-Repeat these steps for the back side of scarf.  *My version has two (2) sides and at the end will look like a tube before it’s turned to the right side.
-Begin sewing where your pins are leaving about 1/4-1/2″ seam allowance.
-After you have the desired lengths sewn then you can begin sewing the front and back sides together.
-I sewed down one long side, one short side, and the other long side – leaving the final short side open – right sides facing (inside out).
-On the final short side sew 2/3 of the way across (still with right sides facing).
-Turn your scarf so right sides are facing out.  You may choose to iron the back side before flipping to allow the seams to lay nicely.
-Hand stitch the remaining hole closed using a blind stitch (which I’m not sure I’ve really learned or mastered but it looks good to me).
-You are now ready to wear your scarf!

The wilder the print on the t-shirt the more unique your scarf will be.  As you can see in the pictures above mine were pretty simple – but depending on how you wrap your scarf you can see different parts of the pattern.  I have plans to make a smaller version for my tot to use in her dress up box since she apparently likes mine.  I also have plans to make one for this falls football season to match our teams colors!

Did you make anything this week?  Add your link in the comments and I’ll come check it out!

Want me to make you a scarf using your favorite t-shirts?  Send me an email and we can coordinate the details.  I’m thinking of opening an Etsy store with some of my sewing projects – am I crazy?

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This is the first year that I’ve actually tried not to buy new gift wrap, ribbons, and tags for our holiday gift wrapping.  We still have several rolls of wrapping paper (I doubt we will ever run out!) but I really wanted to make some of our wrappings a little more eco-friendly in nature. 

One of our gifts to wrap was a cute little tutu (3 actually) for some of Big B’s girlfriends.  How on earth do you wrap a tutu anyways?  I decided to take use some old t-shirts for the wrapping and tie them with tulle that was left over from the tutus (yes, I made the tutus as well).  For the tags I cut out shapes from food boxes that were in our recycling box and tied them on.  I’m sure if I had taken my time I could have made them even prettier but those who know me know that my time is limited these days!  Here is the final product…not too bad!

And remember all those magazinesI told you I received in the mail?  I decided to make some upcycled ribbons from them.  I found a simple tutorial here and made them my own.  Here is how I made mine:

Step 1:  Retrieve all those old magazines and sale flyers from your recycle bin.

Step 2:  Cut strips of varying lengths and widths depending on how large or uniform you want your ribbons to be.

Step 3:  Fold and tape each strip into a figure 8 (as shown below).  You could also sew or staple the stips to hold them. 

Step 4:  Arrange your strips to form a layer of ribbon.  Staple (sew or tape) each layer together.

Step 5:  Stack the layers to form one large ribbon.  Don’t forget to add a small piece in the center and a tail.

Step 6:  Attach to your package!

Step 7:  Recycle after the holidays!!

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