What I have an inner conflict with is when we take perfectly good items that either no longer fit us, or are no longer our style, and cut them up or tear them apart to make something we may use once or twice, or more likely, we may never use. And frankly make things we don't really need.
All over the craft sites, blogs, and Pinterest there are tutorials on how to take a sweater and make a purse or pillow cover; how to cut a t-shirt into a yarn and make a necklace or scarf, how to make (yet another) bag out of legs of jeans or trousers. {Although, IMHO, I can never have enough bags!}
And for full disclosure, I have taken Mr H's worn out trousers and a shirt and made little pants and a shirt for our grandson when he was born. I think they turned out super cute. So I do understand and again, am a proponent of recycling and up-cycling items. I have taken old computer parts and made items, and am even working on making a lamp base out of old CDs (it's going to be a very cool addition to Mr H's office). Recycling and up-cycling are fantastic ways to "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
But please, before you cut into anything that is otherwise in usable/wearable shape… know that there is someone who has a whole lot less than you do and would LOVE to have that item to wear.
Here in North America we have been hit like a runaway bulldozer with fall/early winter storms and extreme cold. It's to be a particularly cold winter this year throughout our continent. Sweaters, sweatshirts, flannel shirts, trousers, jeans, all these things would be so welcomed by those who struggle to just get by. Even in places that are typically warm and mild, the night temps are dipping down into the 30's, 20's and even teens. Here in Georgia we have had overnight temps into the high teens already. WHAT?
If you don't know where to take your still-wearable-but-no-longer-what-you-wear clothes, call the local woman's shelter, call a church, check with your friends to see what they know. I have a local acquaintance who does awesome work with an organization in Appalachia that takes donated clothes and other household items and immediately makes sure they get to families in need - all volunteers, no middle man, no over-paid executive staff. Although I don't get the tax write-off for donating, it is so very worth it.
So please do continue your handcrafted goodness and share those items with people who will love and cherish the time and effort put into them. Do recycle and up-cycle those items that can no longer be used otherwise. But please, before you do, DO think about how that perfectly good sweater, sweatshirt, pair of jeans, or T-shirt may be worn by someone who doesn't have means. Your heart will thank you for it.
Cheers!
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