Are you a “reduce, reuse” recycle” person? Do you have two or more trash containers–one for trash and others for paper, metal and glass? Have you had your shoes re-soled or a zipper replaced in a jacket rather than purchasing new shoes or jackets? Is your rice stored in a cleaned pasta sauce jar? Do you use cloth napkins? Do you have a donate box in your closet? If you answered yes to some of these questions, then this post is for you!
Mark has found a great way to “reuse” fabric that will no longer be used for its original purpose. Sheets that fade or are torn or are no longer needed and will probably end up in the trash are cut into 2 inch strips, joined together, and rolled into balls.
This set of strips was cut 2″ with a niffy tool called a Stripology. (Acrylic ruler with built-in slits that allows for precision cutting.)
He joins the long strips with a non-sew method and rolls them into a ball to be crocheted.
Mark enjoys creating his own patterns. His color choices are limited by what has been found at estate and garage sales, donated fabrics that were appreciated but probably would never find their way into a quilt and friends’ contributions.
The rugs are thick and used more fabric than one would suspect. I always think I have mailed him more fabric strips that he could possibly use, only to learn he made up all the fabric. The finished rugs, averaging 24-30 inches diameter, are heavy…too heavy to send back to Wichita via UPS or the US post. So when family travels to Texas, they bring back his current inventory.
Last year at the Quilts Etc Sale, we included his rugs with the other fiber projects. They sold well, so we will showcase more this fall!
Since I didn’t number the photos, these rugs are 1-5 going clockwise.
These rugs are 6-10.
These rugs are 11-15. I really like #15.
These rugs are 16-20. For those of you from FUMC, #20 is from the curtains in the children’s choir room in C Building.
and these are 21-27. #24 is blue and white, my new favorite color combo.
He has been busy!!! Most of these are $25 each.
Here is my review– I have received and used several over the years. They last forever, I I moved all I own to my current home and that was ten years ago. They look and feel just the same as they did ten years ago. I launder them in the my washer and hang them to dry over the deck rail. They don’t unravel (un-crochet?). The one by the deck door has enough texture that it is a great shoe sole cleaner before entering the house. They are comfortable to stand on when working at the sink or workbench due to their thickness
If you don’t like the shape, these rugs can be washed and “blocked” to reshape them a bit.
I doubt these rugs are for your formal living room or dining room..but they are great for a porch or deck, in your work shed, utility room, bathroom, bedroom, cabin or vacation home. These rugs would fit in a “rustic chic”, “prairie style”, “lodge” or “primitive decor” vibe.
These rugs are a wonderful example of “up cycling”– the process of transforming waste materials, old, or discarded items into new products of higher value, quality, or environmental utility. Up cycling uses less energy and materials than “recycling”does. And best of all, tons (well, not really tons but lots and lots) of fabric did not end up in a land fill.
Contact me at quiltersatfirst.com if you are interested in one.
Quilts, Etc. 