How do I use leftover fabrics?

Recycling fabrics

Recycling textiles and fabrics is known as the method through which we can benefit from old clothes, other textiles, and leftover fabrics by reusing them or reusing their materials, and it includes several steps for this, which are: donation, collection, manufacturing, processing, and then transfer to users, Recycling has many benefits for the environment; The pressure on landfills is reduced, and the treated textiles are made of synthetic fibers that do not decompose. Therefore, toxic substances are not produced, such as the process of decomposition of natural fibers, and pollution resulting from increased waste is avoided, and the demand for clothing dyes is reduced.

Tissue recycling is the most beneficial type of recycling, as it does not end up in a landfill. There are many companies that specialize in recycling leftover fabrics, worn and old clothes, and there are also sites specialized in that on the Internet. For example, there are efforts being made in the United Kingdom. Through companies specializing in fabric recycling, there is also great interest in this topic in India, and the Recycling Council estimates that there is approximately 5% of the waste in landfills, which is textiles of various types, such as cloth remnants, worn clothes, towels, And sheets, noting that the most important thing to take into consideration is that the fabric must be clean and dry when recycled; This is because wet pieces may rot and lead to damage to the rest of the pieces in the storage box.

Examples of organizations whose mission is to send fabric and leftover fabric to companies, such as the GrowNYC organization, can sew them again and reuse them. There are also many arts organizations that give these pieces to people who need them in their artistic projects. There are some charitable organizations that benefit from the remaining pieces of cloth to make dolls and quilts, and donate them to children in need. There are many ideas that can be used to make use of pieces of cloth and excess scraps.

Some ways to make use of leftover fabrics

Below are some ways to benefit from leftover fabrics:

• Use scraps of excess fabric to make a simple rug to use under the sink in the kitchen, or under the sink in the bathroom.
• Covering books with leftover fabric scraps is a good idea to decorate books, or to cover up cracks and defects in the cover.
• Place the scented materials in the remaining small pieces of cloth, close them, and throw them in the clothes drawers.
• Decorating the empty wall, by bringing circular hoops that have a lock to attach the excess pieces of fabric to, closing them, and decorating the wall with them.
• Hair ties are made in different shapes from small pieces of cloth, and then secured with bobby pins.
• Manufacture of reusable cloth bags, which are often used for shopping; It can be rewashed every time it is used, and it replaces grocery bags.
• Make a wreath to decorate the door. This is done by bringing a circular wreath and attaching pieces of cloth to it, using longitudinal pieces of different colors, and stacking them next to each other.
• Making letters of the alphabet from excess pieces of cloth, placing magnets in them, and hanging them on the refrigerator. This is a good project for children. It helps them learn letters.
• Create a rug that can be used in bedrooms under beds.
• Decorating parties using old pieces of cloth so that the colors can be coordinated, placed on a string next to each other, and hung on the wall.
• Decorating pots and pottery used to grow ornamental plants with pieces of excess fabric. This gives it an aesthetic appearance.
• Making a case for mobile speakers.
• Manufacture of charger cases.
• Hair bands are made in different shapes and colors.
• Use extra fabric to warm your feet in winter, or cool your head when you have a headache.
• Use some necklace making supplies; Pieces of cloth with beautiful colors and good quality can be used to make jewelry.
• Making apron for children.
• Use pieces of cloth to cover mobile phone cases, so that they can be replaced according to the mood, and another one can be placed in several colors and shapes.
• Use the remaining large scraps of fabric to make pillows, or use the small pieces to decorate the edges of the pillow and give it a beautiful shape.
• It is a good idea to make flowers from leftover pieces of fabric, use them to make hair accessories, or use them as decoration.
• Pincushion making.
• Gather the remaining fabric scraps in a way that matches the colors of the clothes and make a scarf or shawl.
• Make a decorative mat for cutlery, which can be made larger and used to sit on on trips.
• Making dolls in the shape of animals, or other shapes, as toys for children.
• Adding ruffles as a form of decoration to clothes, tablecloths, and curtains.
• The remaining pieces of fabric can be used to patch quilts and clothes, by choosing the appropriate colors and sewing them in a cosmetic way.

Sources of recycled fabric

There are two sources of all types of textiles that are used in recycling:

• Textiles and post-consumer products, which are what we obtain after they are consumed, whether they are clothes, household appliances, or other materials.
• Pre-consumer products, meaning textiles and parts that become a secondary product and are produced as leftovers from the textile industries.

These remains are collected and donated, and are supervised by non-profit organizations, in addition to many specialized programs set up by companies, such as the Nike and Patagonia programs.