Home » Home & Style » Fiber Arts » EARTH DAY II: More eco fabric projects, pillows and rugs

EARTH DAY II: More eco fabric projects, pillows and rugs

© Lili Pintea-Reed

Here are some more eco projects for you. Many evolved from my eight year-old son's request for items for his room which were recycled, but not *girl stuff.* By this I think he meant the frilly quilted pillows I usually make to recycle good quality rags. Here are some suggestions for recycled fabric projects which are gender neutral (smile).

Jean Top Pillow

Materials:
top section from crotch up of blue jeans
pillow stuffing (waste wool, rag bits, old bed pillows, etc.)
section of cloth big enough for pillow casing (can be pieced)

Directions:
When cropping jeans for rag projects save the top sections whole. In other words, just cut off the legs saving top section.

Seam bottom of jean top. Measure or use for pattern; cut two pieces to be the undercase for the the stuffing. Stitch undercase together leaving small opening for stuffing. Stuff undercase. Stitch shut.

Place undercase inside partially stitched jean top. Hand stitch top shut with sturdy thread.

Voila! You have a very avant garde sturdy, non-girly pillow. My son loves his.

Sewn Rag Strip Rug

Materials:
Heavy rags cut or torn into 3 inch wide strips
Rug Back of heavy duck or denim (recycle some more old pants)
washable marker for design

Directions:
Cut backing to size, adding two inches to both length and width for binding. Turn under and stitch all around to bind raw edges.

Draw simple pattern on backing for rug design, if desired.

Start to sew rag strips to piece by placing the middle of the strip where desired, and sewing up the middle. Fold up and hand press off to the side. Place next strip centered off to the side and repeat. Do this until the pattern area is filled.

Proceed with these directions for whole rug until pattern is complete. This is a great way to use up stained but otherwise good cloth.

Coat with rug backing if going to be used on slippery floor.

The raw ends that protrude up will fray and give a nice chenille look to the rug after a few washings.

Here are a few more sites for the Eco-Friendly:

Veggie Starter Kit
World Wildlife Fund - free Action Kit
Environmental Defense Fund - free calendar

[center] [a href="http://mail.suite101.com/jump/http://www..."] [/a][/center