I've determined that alterations will be counted as cheating.
Deconstruction and reconstruction into something else will count as repurposing.
Also, I do not plan on doing alterations or deconstruction on anything that I currently own because that would defeat the purpose of this whole year. But If I am at a thrift store and see something divine, I will be allowed to create something from it.
Things that are not okay:
- Magically turning a pair of jeans into shorts by chopping the legs off
- Creating a designer muscle-shirt by hacking the sleeves off of a t-shirt
- Bringing new life into an old t-shirt by cutting off the bottom and making a belly-shirt... well, that's not okay for many reasons
- Taking the seams in on anything to create a 'skinny' look... also not okay for other reasons
Things that are okay:
- Turning the item into something else completely by deconstructing and reconstructing (like using the fabric, seams, and zippers from a pair of jeans to make a jacket)
- Using the fabric from one item to create a similar item (like using the fabric from an old t-shirt for a new shirt pattern, but not cutting out all the seams and then making the same t-shirt)
- Cannibalizing felted sweaters from the thrift store for socks and mittens... but not underpants!
- Cannibalizing old soft cotton t-shirts for sporty bloomers (underpants!)
Also, you can repurpose the word 'cannibalize' to mean 'reuse' instead of 'eat other people'.
What items are you able to cannibalize for different projects? (doesn't have to be sewing or knitting... thinking outside the box is for everyone!)
(Skinny jeans are wonderful for riding a bicycle though!) I find if easiest to repurpose paper products. As long as they're not dirty with food or juice, they can be reused for wrapping, cushioning, cutting up and gluing into note cards, collages, or simply writing on. Even the small pieces I can often use for something.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I do still recycle a good amount of junk mail. That's the one thing that gets me!
I'd be willing to bet a google search will open our eyes to the things that can be done with junk mail. I usually just recycle it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I saw a tutorial before Christmas on how to turn old newspapers into gift bags, which is a neat new take on wrapping your gifts in the funny papers!
(My calves don't fit into skinny jeans... they are much too robust.)