How much FUN is this moustache pillow from Loop Loft ?

No wax required

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

By cutting strips and rolling the fabric you can create a trendy new necklace to wear to work or out on the town tonight.  All you need is a t-shirt you don’t mind cutting into strips, and a pair of scissors. Oh, and a little inspiration would be good too.

Greenwala says: Basically, this project requires no expertise — just careful cutting skills.

All you need to do is cut full 1 inch strips off the bottom of your desired t-shirt (after you remove the hem).

Then pull each strip as illustrated above so that the jersey material curls in on itself — this will make the strip much shorter in length.

Repeat the process multiple times so that you end up creating as many strands as you like — the key is to graduate the length of each piece depending on the look that you want to achieve.

Here’s where it gets a lot more fun. Pull out your beads, sequins, charms, buttons…basically any old adornments you have tucked away in your closet and sew the pieces on in whatever manner floats your boat.

Thanks for the great idea Greenwala. RecycleChicken‘s intern will definitely be trying this one out.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Do you have some old tank tops that aren’t really worn out but you just don’t wear them anymore?  RecycleChicken has your solution.  With a sewing machine and some scissors you can turn those tops into handy totes for everyday use.

Tank Top Tote with 6 Pockets

You will need:

• tank top
• straight pins
• water-erasable fabric marker
• sewing machine and thread
• fabric scissors
• seam ripper
• sewing gauge or ruler

Here’s how to do it:

1. Cut off any tags with a seam ripper or scissors.

2. Turn the tank top inside out.

3. If the shirt has a bra liner like the one above, cut the elastic off the bottom of it.

4. Fold the shirt so that the straps lie on top of each other as shown in the picture.

5. Fold the bottom of the tank over itself. This will later become the pockets of your tote.

6. Pin in place, making sure the seams line up. Mark where you want the seams in between each pocket with pins or an erasable fabric marker.

7. Using a stitch that stretches with knit fabric, such as the triple straight stitch, sew the seams that divide each pocket. Make sure the bra liner is lying flat before sewing. Back-stitch to lock the seams.

8. Sew the bottom together about 1/4 inch from the edge. Back-stitch to lock the seam.

9. Turn the tote bag inside out so the pockets will be on the inside—or you can leave it as is if you would like the pockets on the outside of the tote.

Now onto the Gathered Tank Top Tote.

You will need:

• tank top
• straight pins
• water-erasable fabric marker
• sewing machine and thread
• fabric scissors
• seam ripper
• sewing gauge or ruler
• flower pin

Now all you have to do is put it together.

1. Cut off any and all tags with a seam ripper or scissors.

3. Fold so that the straps lie on top of each other as you can see in the picture above. Then, measure and mark where you want the seam to be. This example has placed it five inches from the bottom of the tank top.

4. Baste two rows (about 1/4 inch apart) along the line you marked. Do not back-stitch. Then pull the bobbin threads tight as you slide the fabric inward to gather it. Then use a straight stitch with a shorter stitch length and sew between the two basted seams. Back-stitch to lock the seam. Pull out the basted seams.

5. Cut off the excess fabric about 1/2 inch past the seam.

6. Turn the tote bag right-side out and you have a lovely new tote.

These great ideas, pictures, and instructions  have been provided by Craftynest.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Wooly Bison bags are made from wool suiting as well as other wool clothing.  The bags are lined with cotton and straps and closures are aslo made form found or reclaimed items. 

These bags are all hand made in Seattle, WA and look really cool. 

Wooly Bison bags range in price from $14 to $145 and are available for sale online at their Etsy store.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Cotton Monsters are made from 100% recycled clothing and linens to create one of a kind monsters. There are no patterns used so every monster is a little different. 

Some are quite creepy but the craftmanship is amazing. 

Jennifer Strunge is making these great monsters in her house in Maryland and they can be purchased from her shop at Etsy.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Re-Knicks are made from carefully selected new and used pants – in both men’s and women’s sizes, each is a one-of-a-kind. They are separated into 3 different categories.

• Standard ReKnicks are lightly used mostly cottons twills – $50/pair, includes USPS Priority shipping
• DeLuxe ReKnicks are new or totally like new cotton twill and wool blends. $55/pair, includes USPS Priority shipping.
• Premium ReKnicks are wool, silk, linen, or other exceptional pants. $60/pair, USPS Priority shipping.
  Please add $5.00 for international shipping.

Their most excellent seamstress, Mary Bergman, shortens them, sews darts into the knee to articulate it, and using the extra leg material she constructs the fully-lined three button band, and makes a cell phone pocket for the right leg. An extra swatch of fabric goes into the rear pocket in case you crash and need a patch. Mary also embroiders our Hell Yes logo on the left hem.

Each is unique, so Re-Knicks says to order yours by our stock number.

Here is a list of their current inventory.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Tired Ol’ Belts, LLC is the brainchild of the hand crafter himself, Matthew Meyer. Tired of his pants falling down while he biked around the city, and even more tired of the boring old belts in his drawer he decided to take matters into his own hands, literally. He’d seen a few belts on the Internet that were similar, but not anything he was looking for. So, after much toiling around in the garage Tired Ol’ Belts was born. All belts are unique and hand crafted. They are made from 100% recycled (and sometimes irregular)bicycle parts, and are 100% vegan. You can also send Tired Ol’ Belts  a favorite tire and they can make it into your new favorite belt.

The only question you have left to ask yourself is, “What’s holding up your pants?”

Tired Ol’ Belts wll also trade you a belt for your metal, or even pay you.

Here is a list of parts they are looking for:

• cranksets that have removable allen-wrench style chainring bolts
• allen-wrench style chainring bolts by themselves
• discarded chain (can be greasy but not rusty)
• discarded cassettes and/or 11t-15t individual cogs and discarded spokes.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Indosole is making really cool flip flops out of salvaged motorcycle tires. These are great shoes and they’re even cooler because you can still see the pattern of the tire treads on the bottom of the shoes.

IndoSole says that their sandals are made by people, not machines. They use materials which have been salvaged and re-born. Their goal is to save old motorbike tires and other trash from Indonesian landfills.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Wenona Napolitano has many great ideas for reusing and repurposing old t-shirts.  RecycleChicken thinks that these crafts would be great for a teenager’s room or college dorm room.

Make a throw pillow

• Savvy Seams has a tutorial to turn a t-shirt into a zip off pillow cover to put over a form.

• Maiden Jane has a fancier tutorial for creating a pillow with the t-shirt and other fabric.

Create a Quilt

• Goosetracks offers free DIY t-shirt quilt instructions and if you’re a non-sewer they offer quilt making services as well.

Make a Scarf

Click Picture for link to instructions.

Decorate Your Walls

Click picture for link to instructions.

This would be really great for a dorm room or college apartment.

So, now that you have a little inspiration. Start digging around in that t-shirt drawer and get to work.

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook

Top Drawer Exchange in Traverse City is the place for young adults to find cool gently-used clothing from top name brands including:

• Abercrombie & Fitch
• Hollister Co.
• Gap
• Aeropostale
• Many More!

Find everything from jeans and skirts, to tops and shoes, as well as cool accessories, all at a great price.

But that’s not all.  At Top Drawer Exchange they will buy your “just like new” clothes! We are looking for name brands and junior styles.

Tips For Turning Your Clothes Into Cash:

• Make sure your clothes are freshly laundered, smoke-free and wrinkle-free.
• Check for stains, tears and missing buttons
• Keep clothes on hangers when possible

Top Drawer Exchange is open: Mon-Sat 11 am – 7 pm & Sunday 12 – 4 pm

Top Drawer Clothier also buys and sells Women’s and Men’s styles in-season at for a fraction of what you would pay in a retail store.

All items must be:

• Of current style
• Seasonal styles only
• Freshly laundered
• On hangers if possible

Up to 10 Items per day. Call ahead for more details at (231) 929-3121.

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm,  Saturday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm, & Sunday 12 – 4 pm

To add your business or location to RecycleChicken’s recycling/reuse directory, use this easy “Get Listed” form.

Share on Facebook