What To Do With Knit Scraps or That Old Stained Tunic - Swiffer It!

I had to start with something cheerful and totally random. That's the birthday cake I made for a girlfriend for her 50th birthday party with an epic birthday cake candle!

I can't believe February is almost over, and today is the opening day of the sewing expo in Puyallup. My first sewing project for 2015 flopped.  (Aww. I have documented it, it's not too bad, but I didn't want my first post for the year to be a negative one, so I'm saving it for another day.)  

My sewing energy has been slow mostly due to the fact that there has been a few house projects that kept me busy. (i. e. stuff kept on breaking) As a result I'm rather cranky, not having enough time or inspiration to start a new sewing project. And then, there was the Super Bowl. (I live in Seattle....)

Well, but I don't want to stay in a funk forever. So, here's something easy and fun.

Some of you might have already guessed that I'm from Japan.  One of Japan's best inventions, I think, is this cleaning tool. Swiffer, as we know it here in US. Its original Japanese name is "Kuikkuru" (play on word, "quick"). Anyway it's great on non carpeted floors. But the refill paper cloth thingie you have to purchase is rather wasteful and can get expensive.

So my ah ha! moment came when I had my beloved but badly stained Banana Republic light weight knit long-sleeve top in beyond Goodwill-able condition. (I forgot to take the "before" photo!) 

Anyway I just cut it up.  Any light weight thin knit fabric will work.

The Swiffer base is about 10" wide so I cut it about 10 to 11 inches wide.

And it's about 4.1/2" across, so I make it about 7" because it needs to wrap

around the base.

Here, it's just the right size. It stretches anyway so it's very forgiving. It doesn't need to be the exact size.

Just be sure the fabric is stretched straight on the surface that touches the floor.

Okay, I tested it on a seemingly clean floor. Ran it once, for less than one minute.

Eek. Really? Was the floor that dirty?  You can lightly brush the dust off into the trash and use it some more, and toss it when it's 'dirty'. That's what I do.  If you are a real hard-core recycler, I guess you can wash them for reuse.

One tunic yielded 10 Swiffer "sheets" and a leftover piece which I can use for dusting or for any cleaning purposes.

Obviously you can do the same with some leftover light weight knit fabric you may have.

I recently heard that fashion/sewing industry is one of the most wasteful industries. (Yeah, all that scraps that we can't really make anything with, and all that RTW consumerism.)  So I'd like to do what I can. I love finding ways to minimize waste, making useful things from useless things.

Ok, I'm off to the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup in the morning! (Unfortunately, the only day I can go this year. So, I'll make the best of it!) 

Happy sewing and creating! 

"Our Fabric Stash" Spring Purge Consignment Sale -- Seattle May 31 & June 1

Attention, my fellow Seattlites, Sleepless and Sewing in Seattle.  I received an email announcement from a quilter friend. (<-- You may have met her on my blog.)  When I opened it up and read it, I said, uh oh. 

Apparently, you can consign and/or shop. They have a huge spring sale event coming up on May 31 & June 1. No way I can avoid going to this. I won't be consigning, but I will be shopping, well, at least window shopping.

I went to check on their website. It is called Our Fabric Stash. 
It says;

FINALLY... A Place for STASH-aHOLics!
Be sure to visit our flagship location today

Our Fabric Stash, an innovative, eco-friendly fabric consignment shop, designed for TODAY's STASH-aHOLic. Stir your creative juices, organize, share, and grow your fabric stash. Experience the "art of consigning fabrics, notions, and textile-related supplies "turning your accumulated stash into cash".  

That flagship location is in Seattle's International District. (A Fab place to get lunch/dinner. I mean, really.)  They also have a facebook page.  I don't know much about it, but here is their "how it works" page.  Sounds like a fabulous idea. Putting your 'sleeping' stash to work by offering to others who may find it a precious bargain, and turning your stash to cash. 

I wonder if there are other chapters of this OurFabricStash in other cities/states.  Perhaps you may start something like this in your city.............  I totally support it! This is true Urban Recycling!

Happy Tax Day, everyone.  If you are receiving a refund, treat yourself to, well, a fabric shopping trip.  If you are working hard to finish yours, reward yourself with a fabric shopping when you are done! Either that or a new vintage sewing machine. yup.

*Seattle area bloggers -- feel free to link to my blog and spread the word.  Maybe we will somewhat organize a meet-up? I'll work on that! ; )  

Happy Holidays with Happy Recycling!

If you are like me, you may have a stash of fabrics in variety of sizes and colors. Many are too small to be made into a garment, or not even to a bag, yet we can't just toss them. Right?

So I decided to make a reusable gift wrap at the last minute. Cut a random but pretty fabric, large enough to wrap a gift. This one, about 9 x 13. Serged three sides. 

Made two quasi buttonholes. (Awg, don't pay close attention.  Was just trying to get to know my Rocketeer. )

Sew the top ribbon casing. 

It's basically done. 

Found just the right length pretty pink ribbon in my ribbon stash. Threaded it. Well, in retrospect, I could have done it with just one buttonhole. 

This ceramic microwaveable container is going inside the sack. It's filled with chocolate dipped homemade shortbread. My son chose the container. It's for a music lover. 

It's for someone who can't eat wheat, so I made it with almond meal and rice flour. Turned out pretty yummy. Half of them are Matcha (Japanese green tea powder) flavored. Here is the top layer. Just a little tease. 

That was quick and easy. I shall make more in the future. The recipient can reuse it to wrap a gift and give it away, or keep it and use it as a knitting bag, as a lunch sack, or whatever. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!