Butcher Alice - Sew Fabulous Fabric

www.mycraftivity.com

Recycling has become a buzzword in the last few years, but previous generations have been saving fabrics, clothing, furnishings, buttons and trimmings for centuries. Nothing was ever wasted: worn-out shirts and dresses were cut up and made into patchwork quilts or wall hangings, and fabric scraps were used to make rag rugs. Many of you may remember the excitement of rummaging through your grandmothers button boxes for the prettiest buttons that had been snipped off old dresses, shirts and jackets to be used again.

Our own personal love affair with recycled fabrics started in earnest when we began working together in around 2001. Having both been passionate collectors of fabrics and notions for many years, this collaboration inspired us to push our ideas and creativity even further.

Sew Fabulous Fabric is a beautiful book, full of colour and inspiration and practical, achievable projects. Whether you are an experienced sewer or just love fabrics and are itching to start creating with them, then this book is for you. Some of the projects are perfect for an adult and child to work through and make together, so, whatever your skill level, you can share our approach, techniques and ideas of using collected and recycled fabrics to transform your surroundings.

Taking our own daily lives as inspiration, we offer you 20 exciting projects with the aim of giving you the confidence and know-how to enter into your own personal adventure with fabric. We have divided our projects into four themed sections.

Home Making features projects to bring homemade charm to your everyday surroundings. Add warmth and colour to your home with some gorgeous patchwork draught excluders (pages 3639), or revitalize an interior with stylish curtains complete with appliqud motifs (pages 4045). Liven up the daily chores of cooking and laundry with the baking day aprons (pages 2631) and the pretty peg bag (pages 3235).

Out and About concentrates on transforming your favourite scraps of fabric and old clothing into glamorous and practical accessories. Show off your sewing skills and creativity wherever you go! The rucksacks (pages 5257) are ideal for throwing in everything you need to set off for a country walk. Liven up every outfit you own by creating complementary corsages (pages 6669), or make a beautiful matching handbag (pages 6265).

Lets Celebrate is all about making original pieces to celebrate special times. The handmade cards (pages 8487) and scented decorations (pages 8891) make simple but beautiful gifts for any time of year. The treat bags (pages 8083) can be made for specific holidays such as Halloween and Easter. The party table linen (pages 7679) will turn any mealtime into an occasion, while the festive flags (pages 7275) will add atmosphere wherever you hang them.

Lasting Memories is dedicated to more precious projects that might over time become family heirlooms. Preserve your childs artwork by using it as the inspiration for a special cushion (pages 98101). Create a height chart out of recycled fabrics to keep a record of your children growing up (pages 106109). Finally, celebrate Christmas every year by making personalized stockings for every member of the family (pages 9497).

So start your own fabric journey and have lots of fun on the way!

Apart from the ecological implications, recycling fabrics can be great fun! Recycled fabrics come in a variety of exciting, colourful and original patterns and textures and have a pleasing time-worn softness. Hunting through thrift shops or jumble sales is very satisfying, especially when you find a real gem. You can derive great pleasure from creating something from nothing!

Whether it is vintage or six months old, an old woollen coat, a pair of curtains or an item of sentimental value, you will discover how to look for the possibilities and inspiration in any piece of fabric. We suggest ways of incorporating your finds into the projects, but remember that your creation, because it uses reclaimed fabrics, will be totally unique.