Not exactly about food, but still pretty great.
I am a compulsive recycler. If something can possibly be used again, by god, I have to at least try — and if it keeps me from having to buy something new, I am equally delighted by my ingenuity and my single-handed environment-savingness.
At the same time, I also really love a good household purge. When you live with another adult and a kid (as well as three cats) in less than 650 square feet, there is really no room for anything you not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
So, what happens when you have something still beautiful but not useful? For example, what to do with a shirt that shrunk in the wash just enough to be too small on my husband while still too big for me?
Recycle it and make it into something beautiful, like so:
More photos and details behind the jump…
This dress (based on this tutorial) is so much easier than it looks, largely because all the fiddly bits — buttons, buttonholes, even the pocket — are already on the shirt, and all you’re doing is cutting around them, then sewing some of the edges back together again.
I should admit, I’m not an accomplished seamstress by any means. In fact, this is the first time I’ve made something without using a pre-printed pattern, because I suffer from severe can’t-make-things-without-a-pattern-because-omg-what-if-I-screw-it-up perfectionism. So, basically, if I can make this, you totally can — and then you too can feel super self-satisfied at having made something new out of something old.
18 Comments
Cheryl
I will totally have to try that with an old shirt.
Also, these are more environmentally friendly than Post-its and inherently recyclable!
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Jessica
That’s just great! I came by via StumbleUpon.
Lesley
This is a fantastic idea! Old shirts have been used and washed enough times that the fabric is soft and won’t do anymore shrinking. I can’t wait to try this one!
winnie
That is really cute! My granddaughter will love it.
Lyndie
I am going to make myself one out of one of my husbands old shirts. A new shirt for me in the making!
Caitlin
Very cute! Stumbled-upon this also.
Aaron
I’m giving this idea a try, but how did you do the strap part?
Kristen
Aaron: Getting the straps right was the most time-consuming (and annoying) part of this dress. Once I got the body finished, I had my kid try the dress on while I pinned the straps to it in a couple different ways until I found one that I liked, then sewed them on.
I don’t know if that answers your question or not; let me know if I can help you out any further.
Maureclaire
Adorable … the dress and her !!!