Make Clothing Throw Pillows

I know a lot of us keep a bag of donate-able clothes in our closet or in a box, and take them to the nearest clothing charity whenever we find the time. But sometimes, there’s that pair of jeans or old shirt that is just no longer wearable.

Instead of tossing them to very slowly deteriorate in a landfill, why not take the items that are the most absorbent and cut them into rags you can use to clean with.

Even better, if there are some that are tattered beyond being wearable, get out the old sewing machine, sew up all the arm, leg, and head holes (except one), and fill it up with a bunch of other non-wearable outcasts. Sew up the final hole, and you have yourself a lounging pillow – something that sits in the corner until you feel like lounging in front of the boob tube, and want something squishy to lay your weary head on.

If you’re REAL adventurous, you could cut the clothing into squares, and fashion yourself a clothing quilt.   Use it for yourself, or for your dog’s bed.  But I’ll admit, that’s even too much for me.

Sent me your ideas! And make a clothing pillow… just cuz it’s better than filling up a landfill.

Turn An Old T-Shirt Into A Grocery Bag

I cannot recall where I saw this – I’m thinking either Martha Stewart or Rosie O’Donnell. In either case, it’s a great way to reuse old t-shirts. Turn them into grocery sacks!

Here’s how to do it…

1. Cut off the short sleeves, cutting along the seam of the t-shirt.
2. Fold the bottom of the t-shirt up about an inch.
3. Stitch the folded up portion with some strong thread (this will be the bottom of your shopping bag).
4. Put your new t-shirt bag in your car, and carry it into the store with you when doing light shopping (thus, alleviating the need for paper AND plastic!).

The opening for your head becomes the opening to the bag. The “shoulders” of the shirt become the handles. To make the bag even stronger, you can double up the t-shirts.

An easy and convenient way to save a little bit of paper and plastic… just cuz.

You Can Buy New Pants

In the back of my closet as well as in many of my dresser drawers are pants and shirts and whatnot that doesn’t fit. In the back of my mind I seem to “know” that once I lose the weight I’ll be able to wear them again. In reality, I’ve been saying that for a year. It’s time to purge.

Go in the back of your closet and in your dresser drawers and drag those shirts and pants and skirts and blouses out. Put them in a bag. Take them to the nearest clothing donation shop, or your local place of worship.

You will gain some much needed space in your closets and drawers, and you’ll be helping someone out. You can decide what the better reason is. Oh, and you just may be able to deduct your contribution from your federal taxes.

DISCLAIMER: I’m no tax expert, so it’s best to check with the IRS. Or you can check out this ARTICLE for more information on tax-deduction.

There! Now you have three reasons to pick from as the basis of why you do this.

Reason #4: Just cuz.