Don't throw it out! Fix it!

I followed a link today that SwirlyArts put up on Twitter and it lead me to a site I have seen before but forgotten about, so thank you Swirly for reminding me of it. The site was Wardrobe Refashion and if you have never heard about it I urge you to go and take a look. It has been set up by Nichola Prested a fellow UK crafter that relocated to Australia in 2004. The basic idea is that people pledge to refrain from buying new clothes for a period of time. It can be one month, 2 months, 6 months or for life... whatever time scale you feel able to achieve. In that pledged time, instead of running off to the shops to buy new clothes when you need them you will either have to repair, repurpose or recycle clothes and fabrics into the garments you need.

I think it is a fantastic way to encourage people to be less wasteful and to encourage people to learn new skills. The site has lots of examples of what people have made and plenty of the people share how they made/repaired the items they are showcasing. Imagine just how much waste would be eliminated if we all jumped in and pledged to do this... So who is up for joining in and making the pledge?

These people are already recycling fabrics and fibers, so if you don't feel creative enough to do it yourself, then go to the handmade sites and type in "Recycled" into the search engines and find people that will do the crafting work for you.

Kaboogie has a shop full of recycled leather shoes and boots. I couldn't resist featuring these cute red suede Mary Janes.

Knit Nats had reclaimed this yarn from a merino wool sweater and then hand died it to get these pretty shades of red and pink. Now you can make whatever you need from it.

Taking a mixture of lovingly pre used sweaters and fitting them together in new ways is one of Spicy's talents. These arm warmers are a perfect example.

Are you looking for a hat to finish off that perfect outfit? Original Sample has just the thing for you. Again this hat is made from previously loved fabric and has vintage button embelishments.

Kenspeckle created this beautiful hoody by repurposing fabric from other clothing and then hand dyed it to get the beautiful shades of colour you now see.

All these people above have one thing in common. They are making a difference. They are not allowing perfectly good fabric to go to waste by reinventing them into other wonderfully useful items. More power to their elbow! I say lets all pledge to support them and rejoice in their recycling, upcycling, repurposing talented ways!

Another new kid on the block...

... Etsy has so many new sellers joining, it's hard to keep up. I stumbled upon this seller earlier today and was delighted with what I found in her shop, because not only is it all made from wood, a material I love, but all of the pieces are made from reclaimed materials. Huzzah! How could I not do a quick feature on LuckySustainables with all that going in her favour!

Just how gorgeous is the dark rich patina on this box made from reclaimed walnut? Even the bow on the top is made out of wood, beech wood strips bent to make the ribbon like flower. I just adore it!

This sleek box was once a discarded piece of furniture that this talented artisan has taken apart and reused. I like the tapered edges on the lid and the quirky little handle. It would be perfect as a stationary holder on a desk.

This one has a really rustic charm about it. It is made from re-claimed western red cedar, that was salvaged from an old Garage when it was being demolished. Thankfully this beautiful wood didn't go to waste. LuckySustainables has given it new life and a new purpose!

All in all I urge you to go to this ladies shop and see her fine craftswomanship. She proves that re-claimed/recycled/reused materials can be used to make outstandingly wonderful works of art!