Recycle Fabrics: using thrift shops to make recycled textile baskets

Reycling fabrics for crafting is a real passion of mine - not just because it's better for the environment than buying new, but it gives me an excuse to go thrifting. Any excuse will do.

If you’re like me and you love a visit to your local thrift store (we call them op-shops in Australia), you’d agree that you get such a kick from a good scrummage. There’s something about discovering a unique item I can I use in my craft (or wear if I’m feeling stylish!) that really makes my day.

When it’s workshop time you’ll often find me at my local op shop, dashing from rack to rack, looking at colour palettes, and thinking of all the upcycled creations we are going to get to make in my recycled basket workshops. When I am on tour with my Craft School Oz van I pass loads of regional op shops along the way. I always make a quick detour just to make sure I don't miss out on something special.

A lot of people I meet in my workshops are keen op shoppers like me. And they LOVE that they now have another excuse to go thrifting – because recycled textile baskets can be made from pretty much any fabric you can think of! In each creative workshop, we talk about fabric colour, texture, and how to decide on a design before you get started.

Today’s amazing recycled fabrics were discovered by yours truly at Lilydale Vinnies in Victoria. I spotted so many amazing colours that it was hard for me not to leave without half the store. I even kept a yellow and black checkered shirt for myself that I couldn’t bring myself to cut up; although it is men's shirt I loved the loose fit (and the bold colours). It's my prize for such a great find.

After a good rummage I have a little process I go through to prepare for my recycled basket workshops - I’m going to share this process with you. It makes choosing colours really simple and it also saves you time later on. You can use this method for your own crafting purposes as it’s a good way to keep your fabrics before you start any basket or slow stitching project in my opinion.

Step 1:

Select a range of garments in a variety of colours from a thrift, charity or op-shop. Block colours and bold patterns work well. I also look for textured fabric as this will come through in your work and create more interest. look out for upholstery fabric scraps these can be a real gem. I tend to avoid white as it stands out too much in your basket. Play with the colours you like and give it a go!

Step 2:

Cut the garments into strips approx 2cm wide and and roughly 40 - 60cm in length, leaving the pockets and zips for use in pieces of bright fabric to highlight a colour, bright pink or something metallic. This can be very effective. Continue to save fabrics of all colours and patterns.

Step 3.

Sort the colours into broad colour pallets so you can access the colours you want easily - It also makes it easier to find the colour you want. I made the bags to store them in from recycled fabric too.

Step 4.

Try and recourse recycled; this can come in many forms from electrical wire, left over macrame rope, plastic bags, denim seams (this is great as you can use the same jeans you are using for the fabric).

Baling twine is a great resource and there is so much around - this can be found from someone who keeps horses or even the Stock feeds where the sell hay. Go and visit them and ask if the have any.

Now you are ready to start your textile basket. We have a few YouTube videos to start you off or you can enrol in our Textile Basket Workshop

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Reducing textile waste. Reusing beautiful fabrics. Recycling clothes to make stunning recycled baskets.

Simple!

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