Destashification 3-Generation Quilt
Being an environmental engineer in my other life, I have decided we needlartists are an environmentally sensitive group…
- Reduce – We only buy only what we need! (can’t even say that with a straight face!)
- Reuse – In a word – Quilts. (But we also tend reuse our favorite patterns time and time again!)
- Recycle – We have all used buttons from an old blouse on a new blouse! (..and have you ever seen a fabric garage sale!!!)
(If “buy only what we need” was true, there would be no Destashification Project.)
I am not a tree hugger – I live in Arizona, we have cactus – with thorns – that minimize any such hugging desires – but each year I do try to create something to do my part environmentally.
Destashification Market Bags
In 2011, it was the Destashification Market Bags. As they are washable, they are still in use!
Backpack d-Resistance
In 2012, a purse was remade into a backpack.
In 2013 and 2014, beautiful and washable Huck Towels replaced all those disposable paper towels!
Cotton Napkins
In 2015, we will be returning to cloth napkins.
Not very exciting, I know….
But, simple to make, add a touch of color to the dinner table – and as I am determined to master fancy napkin folding – they will be fun to use!
I think I could do this fold!
These napkins were sewn from cotton toweling. The cut ends were zig-zag stitched under to hem…and done!
SOOOO Soft!
These soft 100% cotton napkins are nothing like the harsh polyester cloth napkins in restaurants – and they will continue to soften with each washing!
This fold will be perfect for Easter!
The Destashification Project 
Very impressive sewing. I am glad that people (mainly we sewers) look to reuse – but isn’t that what our forefathers would have done in the days before mass consumption. It makes so much sense I don’t understand why more people haven’t worked it out.
I can only hope to reuse near to what my Grandmother did. Very little was ever disposed of – there was always something “it could be used for.”
I still have some of her saved fabric scraps, buttons, and even hooks and eyes (marked 10 cents).
That generation had cloth handkerchiefs rather than tissues, reused flour sacks to sew clothing, canned food grown in their own garden…. we might be better off to emulate them a bit more (of course, we would be a great deal more tired, as well!)
I am regarded as a bit odd amongst my friends as I use cotton handkerchiefs. I also have button tins given by friends going back decades! I think I may be a dinosaur😉
I applaud your use of cotton handkerchiefs, but I absolutely ENVY your buttons tins – especially those going back decades!!! My aunt has quite a collection she has been given.
You are not a dinosaur!!! Your friends knew you would use such treasures in a positive manner – that is why they passed them to you!
Crazy Quilting, garment sewing, purses…those buttons will be beautiful in whatever you decide to use them for!
I can’t help cutting off buttons and zippers from old clothes. I even cut the hardware off a worn out purse and used it for a new purse.
Purse (and old backpack) hardware recycling is another positive step we needleartists do – I have also used old belt buckles and leather for projects!
Usually I liked the belt because the hardware was unusual and “spoke to me.” It is fun to get to use something I liked again!
I love cloth napkins. I started making them years ago. They make great gifts too. Looking forward to seeing what you create.