Question:
Sometimes the textile items we sell can be reused for 'new' stuff. Generally it's a good way to use items with problems like edge fraying, dead elastic, funky interfacing, shrinking... Major problems for the original item, but unimportant to the new one. Maybe even a design feature in the new item. Think 'fraying edges' or 'shrinkage/felted wool items'
If we could suggest new ideas to our customers we might increase sales.
When I spend some time writing copy for items incorporating suggestions on use, it does seem to help my sales of not-quite-perfect items. Although I haven't done any of that in the past year or so.
So...
Do you have ideas?
Have you done some of this yourself?
Have you seen examples?
Let's see 'em!
Answer:
Here's the item that inspired this thread today:
http://craftzine.com/01/quick_wallet/
A wallet made from underwear!
Craft is a new magazine for edgy crafts with some 'geek' qualities, according to the blurb...
And here's the info they give potential advertisers:
CRAFT will reach creative, free-spirited DIY enthusiasts, tech-savvy makers and crafters, students (of all ages), teachers, the intellectually curious, artistically inclined, and environmentally aware. Today's crafters derive an innate sense of pleasure in finding unexpected ways to repurpose, remake, and reuse materials, art, technology, and devices in their daily lives. Makers and modern crafters are typically:
* Very well educated
* Intellectually curious
* Exceptionally influential
* Top-10% household income Those sound like our (potential) best customers...
Answer:
I think I'll pass on the undie wallet.
When I first started quilting I was very much into scrap quilts so I would hit the second hand stores for bag sales and build my fabric stash that way. Stains weren't a problem, just cut them out.
I have done a couple of quilts out of old jeans. Very warm and heavy. I looked for unusual colors, patterns or pockets.
I also took and old cutter quilt, cut it up and used it as a background in framing old family photos.
I also recycle other non-textile stuff. An old beat up music cabinet was reworked and now keeps my sewing machine out of site, and I have a couple of floor lamps made out of bits and pieces of other lamps, candlesticks, etc.
I love doing stuff like this, being creative and keeping stuff out of the landfill.
Answer:
I would love to see photos of that music cabinet conversion! And the floor lamps. And info about how you did them.
I combined a sweatshirt and sweater to make a top for my sister several years ago. They were her colors, not mine. The two original pieces matched exactly. It was amazing!
Answer:
This web site http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php has different sections on "reconstructed" craft items. Lots are pretty amateurish but some are pretty neat. The site is interesting in general.
I did make tote bags out of Christmas placemats as small gifts this year but that doesn't really fit your question about reusing older items no longer good for their original purpose.
I've reused neckties and sweaters to make purses but I can't imagine listing a ratty wool sweater for sale and mentioning that if you're as nutty as me you might want to make this into a purse!
I often look at the tote bags and purses listed on ebay that are made out of vintage linens. Some of the sellers do a fantastic job though I do hope they're not cutting up linens in good condition.
I have been known to buy clothing or household items at Goodwill just for the fabric. I made a cute pillow a couple years ago out of a red-checked curtain I bought at Goodwill.
I've always liked the idea of "repurposing" stuff which definitely feeds my pack rat tendencies!
Answer:
Originally Posted by mapledr ...but I can't imagine listing a ratty wool sweater for sale and mentioning that if you're as nutty as me you might want to make this into a purse!
Yeah, there does seem to be some line over which you shouldn't cross. Not sure where it is though.
Maybe you should do the felting of that sweater first before you list it! Or not.
So that does bring up a good topic for conversation:
Should we be trying to keep up with the trends (or whatever it takes) and make finished products for sale to be purchased by "the ladies who buy crafts" or the younger generation version of those ladies?
Or is there a market amongst the artists and craftpersons for the stuff we scavenge?
Answer:
Years ago I made tote bags out of old jeans.
I used old crochet dolies on quilt blocks.
I don't have any of these items to post pics.
I like to save the buttons off old clothes to use in craft projects.
Answer:
My problem is that I don't feel as though I keep up on trends enough to sell products that I make. Not to mention...by the time I get it made it's out of style...or I'm so sick of it I can't bring myself to market it.
And I can't stand mass-producing stuff. (Well, I'll do 10 of something easy for Christmas gifts, but might never make another one of them again in my lifetime. I admire people who can do production sewing.
But the result of NOT mass-producing is that everything takes ten times longer to make because I'm developing the pattern and ideas and finishing touches on the fly. Fun, but time consuming.
That's why I was trying to figure out ways to market the raw (vintage) materials and the ideas of what to do with those materials.
Answer:
Originally Posted by mapledr I did make tote bags out of Christmas placemats as small gifts this year but that doesn't really fit your question about reusing older items no longer good for their original purpose. I think I might have worded that question too narrowly.
You definitely used something in a way not originally intended. Whether or not it was older or used.
Answer:
One of my favorite uses for old pillowcases is hanger/shoulder covers. You would be surprised at how much dust they keep off seldom worn garments and they are so simple to make. The idea came from eBay's textile board several years ago.