Sew Green- Recycled Soda Can Fabric Postcard

Zero Calories Fabric Postcard - Finally an addiction that is actually good for you...Fabric Postcards.  I guarantee that you can't make just one of them, but not to worry these fabric postcards have no calories, no fat, no carbs.

This fabric postcard was made from a Diet Rite Soda can, batik bubble fabric (thought it looked like carbonation) vintage buttons and scrap of fancy yarn for that little extra pizzazz.

This was super easy to make.  All you need are some recycled materials, fast-2-fuse, soda can, buttons, threads and sewing machine (but you can hand sew if you like.)

How to recycle old towels - Sew Green Project

Ever wonder what to do with the older towels in your bathroom.  You hate to throw them away just because they are not a plush, have some worn areas and may even have a few holes or bleach stains. Here are a few ways to breathe some new life into an old towel.

If the towel is not "damaged" just old looking, consider trying the following:

Serge all four sides of the towel with decorative threads.

Sew a fabric border across the bottom of the towel.

Add machine embroidery designs.

If you really just do not want it any more donate it to charity or your local SPCA  or animal shelter they always need towels and old blankets for dog beds.

Use a dye such as rite and dye the towel a new color that might match your new theme better.

If the towel is damaged, consider trying the following:

Cut the towel into hand towels or face cloths.  Then you can add embellishments suggested above.

Cut the towel and make rags to clean your home or car.

Cut into long strips, braid, and knot to make puppy chew toys.

Make baby or adult bibs.

Make a door mat for your dog, so when it rains you can dry off their paws.

Make a portable baby changing pad for to make diaper changes in public places.

Sew Green - Where to buy Eco-Friendly Fabrics and Notions

Want to sew green but not sure where to get supplies?  Many of our local Texas fabric stores like Joann and Hancock Fabrics had organic fabrics, but I have not seen them available in store for some time now.  Below is a resource list for organic and natural fabric and notions suppliers.  Hope this helps you sew green.  If you have any that you shop at not on this list, please post a comment so others will be able to use them as an additional resource.

Earth Friendly Goods

877-447-1521

www.earthfriendlygoods.com

The sell hemp and hemp/blend fabric.

Eel River Marketing

812-939-2423

www.eelrivermarketing.com

Fantastic resource for hand-dyed, soy thread that is formaldehyde free.

Furnature

800-326-4895

www.furnature.com

Resource for organic cotton home dec. fabrics.

GreenSage

www.greensage.com

Resource for organic cotton, hemp, hemp blend and other natural fiber home dec fabrics.

Harmony Art

www.harmonyart.com

They sell the most beautiful prints on organic fabrics.  A must see if you want a fun modern designed fabric.

Heart of Vermont

(802) 476-3098

www.heartofvermont.com

Resource for several types of organic fabrics.

Michael Miller

www.michaelmiller.com

They sell:

- Felt/cashmere

- Organic Gingham Fabric

- Organic Sheeting Fabric

- Organic Sherpa Fabric

- Organic Fleece Fabric

- Organic Bias Trim

- Organic Ruffly Rick Rack

Mountain Mist

513-326-3912

www.mountainmistlp.com

You can buy EcoCraft.  EcoCraft is a "stuffing/batting" manmade from corn.

NearSea Naturals

877-573-2913

www.nearseanaturals.com

Sells organic cotton fabric, organic wool, hemp/wool blend fabrics and organic notions (thread)

On The Surface

www.onthesurface.com

***Organic Cotton Plus ****

I have been buying from them for several years.  Great service and wonderful fabrics and threads!

806-428-3345

www.organiccottonplus.com

Provides a fantastic selection of organic fabrics.  Many prints and colors available.

Robert Kauffman

www.robertkaufman.com/green/

They have a line of eco-friendly fabrics.

- Ultima-Eco or Ultima Fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles.

- Cotton/Bamboo Fabrics

- Linen

- Sea-Tiva: Seaweed and Cotton Blend fabric

The Bamboo Fabric Store

732-835-9326

www.bamboofabricstore.com

They sell bamboo fabric.  Bamboo fabric is naturally very strong, extremely soft and has an anti-bacterial properties.  I made sheets and pillowcases from bamboo and wow you would think they were $500.00 fancy store bought sheets.

***The Warm Company ***

I LOVE their quilt batting and use it all the time! The local Joann Fabrics sells it here in Texas.

425-248-2424

www.warmcompany.com/warmsafe

They sell a really great batting called Warm & Safe Environmentally Friendly Naturally Fire Retardant Quilt Batting - it made from a sustainable tree and manufactured in a green facility.

Wildrose Farm Organics

218-562-4864

www.wildrosefarm.com

This innovative company sells organic cotton fabric and fleece fabric made from recycled plastic soda bottles.

Winter Sun Eco Buttons

540-745-7880

www.wintersuninc.net

They sell buttons made from Tagua nuts.

For more information about organic cotton visit www.aboutorganiccotton.org

Sew Green - Fabric Sandwich and Snack Wraps

I made these snack wraps for my family to use. They are each a different size and one is a different shape (square & is quilted). Each wrap was made from scrap fabric. They are super easy to make, mine are made from two layers of fabric. I have seen other people make these with vinyl, but I am trying to use fabrics and supplies that I have on hand. Also, from what I've read online the vinyl may not be food safe.

Vintage Valentines Fabric Cards

Vintage Valentines Day Cards

Made 100% from vintage fabrics. The little pink envelopes were made from scraps of pink fur fabric that came from an estate sale a few years ago. The fabric on the cards came from that estate sale and from ties from salvation army.

Bottle Cap Pin Cushions

These are the three bottle cap pincushions I made to exchange. They were super easy and fun to make.

SewStylish Gifts to Make Magazine, Holiday 2007, http://www.besewstylish.com/ had an awesome article called Pretty Pincushions that illustrated step by step how to make the bottle cap pincushions.

The cushions make great gifts and can be embellished till your hearts content! You make the pincushions from recycled bottle caps, scraps of fabric or felt, scraps of fiberfill.