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| Newly Mended Towel |
Back in August, 2021, I mended a small hand towel that had frayed, by sewing a binding around it.
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| Towel Mending: August 2021 |
Fast forward to 2025 and the same towel was starting to tear, again, this time, where the binding had been sewn:
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| The Towel Frays, Again |
The towel is a little more worn out now, getting a bit thin in places, but, it is still useful for mopping up some spilled water, for wiping out the bathroom sink, for drying my feet after I wash them, etc. I didn't want to toss it in the trash, yet, as it still had some useful life in it, in my opinion. So, I decided to mend it, yet again. I cut off the earlier binding, trimmed the edges of the towel, cut some bias binding from a piece of fabric I had in my fabric stash, and sewed a new binding. The result is a mended towel that can be used a few more times.
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| Torn Bed Sheet |
Then, there is this floral patterned flannel bed sheet that tore in the wash, last week. It is a sheet that I had bought for my mother and after her death in 2006, my daughter started to use it. Tt was worn out beyond being patched and mended:
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| Quite Worn Out |
What to do with it? Should I toss it? Could I reuse it? It was beyond being mended, but, could I do something else with it? If so, what? Cut it up and make cleaning cloths with it? Maybe I could use it to put on the bottom of Dancer's carrier - I usually put a folded towel to cushion him and to absorb anything he might throw up, etc. Maybe I could make a little carrier pad for him.
I folded it in such a way that the torn parts of the sheet were inside and sewed the edges:
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| Padded Mat for Dancer's Carrier |
It looked like a little pillow. But, I wasn't sure how well it would survive being washed. My friend suggested covering it with another fabric and that's what I did! I had some leftover flannel from sewing a nightdress several years ago (in March, 2015). I needed to "piece out the fabric" as they say, sewing several pieces together to make the fabric wide enough, but, Dancer now has a new pillow/padded mat for his carrier:
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| Dancer's New Padded Mat |
The whole thing can be washed in the machine and it wouldn't matter if the sheet inside shreds even more because the outer cover will keep everything in place. Another household item that could have been tossed, but, was recycled and reused. I am very pleased with my efforts to reduce waste. Plus, I had fun sewing.
What do you think?
Oh well done. It is so satisfying to be able to recycle and reuse like these. Im sure Dancer loves the comfy pad too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. It is certainly satisfying to be able to recycle and reuse, to extend the life of something that might otherwise be thrown, isn't it?
DeleteDancer will really appreciate the soft fabric around his new pad and that was a great way to use the sheet that was just too thin to repair. Your towel mends are so pretty. When I have a towel fraying, I just do a close zig-zig stitch around the edges. I stops the fraying, but it's not nearly as pretty as your fixes.
ReplyDeleteDancer gave his seal of approval of the new pad this morning. :)
DeleteThank you; I didn't think to sew a zig-zag around the towel! Maybe I'll do that the next time a towel frays.
Great mending. That towel will still be useful for mopping up. Dancer's carrier pad looks cosy for him.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. Dancer took a nap on his new pad (I had kept it on the sofa); I think he approves!
DeleteDancer has quite a luxurious pad now ! Most of my towels are getting thread bare. I plan to buy some new ones, and cut these up for rags, tho I have a lot of rags already . The humane society might take old towels and blankets.
ReplyDeleteDancer likes his new pad; he took a nap on it, this morning. I think the animal shelter, too, will take old towels and blankets. Enjoy your new towels when you get them. :)
DeleteWhat a great use of the sheet. And I'm sure Dancer will appreciate his new pillow.
ReplyDeleteApologies for the lack of comments recently, but I've been enjoying a lovely catch-up this morning.
I love the skirt you made for your daughter, and the fabric is really cute. And I chuckled at your 'patchwork' socks. I think it's great that you make things last so long, but I also think your new pink socks are fabulous!
I think I would find the swarm of bees rather scary, but it sounds like you're quite used to seeing them. I like your pragmatic approach.
I hope you're keeping well, Bless. Have a lovely day. Xx
No need for apologies, Jules. I know you are having a busy time in your life. But, thank you for taking the time to read and catch-up and comment. Dancer is happy with his new pillow/pad and daughter is happy with her new skirt. I think my patched socks have to go - I noticed a new hole in a pair I've already patched a couple of times! The bees have moved on and I hope they found a good new home. I've read that they are generally not aggressive when migrating - as long as you leave them alone.
DeleteI'm keeping well, Jules, thank you. Hope all is well with you, too. :)
What a creative use for something someone else would have thrown away!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. Although, if I had been really wanting to declutter, I should have just tossed it! But, Dancer will get to enjoy a new pad for his carrier and if it tears in the future, I won't feel bad about tossing it!
DeleteGreat re-use of the sheet and leftover flannel. I was glad to see Dancer liked his gift (next post). The towel is very pretty with the new border too. I don't think I have ever had a towel that frayed around the edge like that. In fact, my last set of towels was about 20 years old and, despite a few pulls from rings etc., just refusing to wear out! In the end I replaced them anyway (got a new set for Christmas). I've kept the old ones as spares, or for mopping spills or whatever, and am enjoying the new ones (even if they are creating pink dust around the bedroom and bathroom!)
ReplyDeleteElla
Thank you, Lady Ella. Yes, Dancer likes his new pad. :)
DeleteI think you have better quality towels than I do! I can't remember when I bought this particular set of red towels, but, it was several years ago. My most recent bath towels were bought 10 years ago. Enjoy your new towels; I'm glad you kept your old ones for spares. Hope the pink dust will be a temporary situation!