Sewing With What We Have On Hand

The last couple of days, I have been sewing between doing other projects. I hemmed a few pairs of jeans from my daughter who is a little taller than me but wears tall heels. I also made some bulk food bags from t-shirts I haven't worn for years & wouldn't be missed. (I still have tons more to wear for working around the farm). Here is a pic of the t-shirts I used. Every one with a memory of something fun we did. This is a project that saves that memory from going in a rag bag.
Here is what I did. This shirt is the stretchy jersey-type material. Just cut off the top of the shirt, turn inside out & sew a bottom hem.

To make the draw string top, simply fold over a 1/2 to one inch hem (depending on the size of the tie material) and sew leaving a small opening for fishing the tie through. Here is how to use a safety pin to guide the shoe string through. I had some old shoe strings on hand but you can use ribbon, string or sew your own tie. You can also make your hem for the tie minus the opening & using very sharp scissors or thread cutter, cut a slit in the hem area at the front of the bag & fish the tie through. That way the tie will be centered & on the outside of the bag like this...Here are a few of the bags I finished. Old buttons were sewn on the ends of the ties to keep the tie from getting lost in the hem. You could also tie big knots too if you don't have any buttons to use. Oh, and the scrap fabric left over, can be used as rags with your non-toxic cleaners. No waste.

There is a great food co-op in Wisconsin by the farm that has a lot of bulk food. I just couldn't stand the thought of using plastic bags to buy the bulk items any more. These will be easy to throw in the wash & re-use again & again. The smaller one I made for the raw nuts we bring for lunch everyday at work. They are a staple in our vegetarian diet. I am also planning on making some bags lined with nylon-type material from a couple of old windbreakers we have laying around. Who knew that saving old clothes would pay off in such a good way.

Lavender

Lavender is a great antibacterial. There are many uses for it. Here are a few to try.

Use lavender (or any other essential oil you might like) as an air freshener. Just take a small spray bottle, fill it almost full of water (avoid tap water if possible, especially if your water is chlorinated or contains fluride), add about 10 drops of lavender. That's it! Save money & keep the nasty chemicals out of your home.

Ever use those pre-packaged wipes or baby wipes for travel? Here is what you need to make your own.

Container that seals

Either cut up material (old t-shirts work great) or use paper towels cut in half

Pure water (enough only to moisten the wipes)

Lavender essential oil

Pour water into container, add the lavender (about 2 drops per the number of cloths you are using). Mix well.

Put your wipe material in the bottom of the container to absorb the liquid.

Now you have a great antibacterial wipe to use anytime. Put them in a small container & put them in your glove compartment. Take them on the plane with you. Personally, I'd rather use them than wash my hands with the airplane water :-).

Another item made with lavender that you can use when you will be in crowds or on a plane.

Take Q-tips with a few drops of lavender on them & swab your nasal cavity with it before you go out or fly.

There are so many uses for lavender & other essential oils. Replace the expensive products you use now & save money & the planet at the same time.

Giving Homemade Gifts

Pencil holder

Handpainted wood ornamentsDishcloths

We always enjoy getting & giving homemade gifts. This year we wanted to make all of our gifts but ran out of time. It's hard juggling a business along with being gone on weekends to the farm to get everything done as it is. It was wishful thinking that we could do it all. We still did get some gifts made though. The kids made gifts for us too. It means so much to us to know that they spent the time thinking about what to give & then the time to make them. Pictured are a few things we made for them. We also made apple & grape jellies & spiced pear jam. I think I will start on next year's gifts now...