I’m 74 and have revamped clothes for years.(since I was 7 or 8). Made clothes for three daughters and their dolls. Word got out and developed into quite a hobby. My shopping adventures were heading to my local thrift store. I learned types and weights for everything from hats to French bonnets. The beautiful French bonnets were my specialty. I have a disabled daughter and most of my time is caring for her needs now. Sewing and creating things has been a wonderful therapy for me. I love seeing the joy of those who receive my gifts from my heart. Love this video!💕

@k3n.clothtales

2 ай бұрын

Thank you and much love to you and your daughter ♥️

@dar4835

Ай бұрын

Love for your daughter ❤️ Love for a fun hobby

@auntnan9121

Ай бұрын

I so wish that I could find someone to pass on some of these beautiful fabrics, notions and patterns. I mentioned that I had three daughters. One was born with Rett syndrome and micro-encephalopathy. My youngest Daughter passed suddenly in 2012. She enjoyed sewing also. My oldest Daughter is quite busy and has more than enough fabrics and projects of her own. A bit bewildered now. I’ll keep searching comments looking for suggestions. God bless!♥️

@k3n.clothtales

Ай бұрын

I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. ❤️

I knew an elderly lady who used to do this for making quilts for charity. People would drop off bags of clothes on her doorstep and she would turn them into the most beautiful quilts. Sadly, she is gone, but she lived a long life (age 104).

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

She sounds wonderful 😊

@SisterShirley

3 ай бұрын

God rest her soul. Amen.

@silviak.s.8236

3 ай бұрын

Sooo lovely! Yes, thank you for sharing that with us. I will bring this idea to my mother in law. She needs a project for her time now 🥰

@meman6964

3 ай бұрын

My grandmother made Colonial Rag Rugs on looms in the kitchen, 1907-1950. Neighbors left bags of old clothes. Another creative use of tired or stained textiles

@mariehud7382

3 ай бұрын

I love that her memory lives on

Selvages and seams make strong twine for tying up plants in the garden.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Yes it's a good idea but I like to be sure that both cloth and thread are natural materials in case they get lost into the environment ❤️

I am new to sewing and to practice I buy from the 1 pound rail in the charity shops, wash them and remake them into something I would wear. So there, new clothes, more sewing practice and being thrifty and it's great for the environment.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Absolutely! Where I used to live in England, I could see a particular charity shop out of my upstairs living room window, they regularly had a £1 sale and when I saw the poster go up, I would get myself over there. 😁❤️

Here I thought I was being brilliant and no one else does this. Where I live, a store isn’t right here for supplies, so I take out zippers, pockets, Velcro, elastic on garments that can’t be repaired and cut out the biggest swaths of fabric I can for different uses. I have had several tops that got stained on the belly (from cooking I guess) so I tie them up and tie-dye bleach them and voila, the stain is gone.😂. In the old days women would cut these pieces into squares and make quilts. The older I get, the less I like to waste things.

@dar4835

Ай бұрын

I now wear a lined apron, I found it that way every time I cook because I got really tired of trying to get grease and stains out of my clothes. It makes me much happier. I live in an apartment, so there is no place to tie dye 😢

Nothing like a good cloth-surgery with my morning coffee! I just heard on the radio that most of the returned online bought clothes are actually being burned because it is cheaper than to try to actually sell them again. Can you imagine that waste? So yes, definitely operate on and reuse all cloth for beautiful art!🍀💖

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Yes textile waste is horrific, best to reuse whenever we can 😊

@UrsulaThomas-sf7fn

3 ай бұрын

That is criminal😡

@BarbaraUK927

3 ай бұрын

That is so upsetting. I get so fed up with constant daily feed of fashion in the media which encourages endless supplies of clothes to purchase.

@kittys.2870

3 ай бұрын

I have been hauling lots of fabrics from thrift stores! I'm going to be making a Regency dress from the most lovely former curtains with embroidered butterflies.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

@@kittys.2870 that sounds wonderful ☺️

My mom grew up during the depression. I'm 70 now. And she taught me to sew clothes, as she sewed a lot of ours. She told me once that during her sewing class in high school, they were going to sew a skirt. She had no money for fabric and her teacher told her to find a skirt no one wanted and she would teach her a wonderful lesson. My mom said she brought in an old wool skirt of my grandma's. Her teacher taught her how to deconstruct it for the fabric and she made a beautiful new wool skirt. My mom was so happy to learn that skill and used it over and over on all kinds of things!

@k3n.clothtales

2 ай бұрын

That's a wonderful skill to have. I really want to get better at making and remaking clothing. ♥️

So satisfying to see someone else take time to deconstruct clothes. I saw an exhibition of slow stitching on shirt cuffs and collars and have started a collection of my own. I only keep my husband’s shirts that are very worn in that area so they are good for that purpose. In the 1950’s my mum bought all our clothes from jumble sales. She made sure she was at the front of the queue to get the good stuff. I hated wearing other people’s clothes as a child. However when I was a teenager in the 60’s I went to them with her and as I was very slim and it was the era of the mini skirt, I was able to deconstruct clothes and make new clothes on a tight budget. Buying new cloth was out of reach for me. All through my married life when money was tight I repurposed whenever I could. One winter I made a wonderful dressing gown out of a candlewick bedspread.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Love the sound of your candlewick dressing gown ❤️

@user-iq3mp5zo8z

3 ай бұрын

My mother was a brilliant seamstress, took after her paternal grandfather who was a gentleman 's tailor. She made many of my clothes - sparkly satin dress for my school Xmas do, a duffel coat for me in early teens, a kilt ( we had no Scottish connection, (she said the fabric lent itself to a kilt!) , she made most of her winter coats in llama faced cloth. All new fabric, not repurposed, and all bought in the sales, when she passed away all items went to a charity, anything they couldn't use in any way , such as having some moth holes, was sold for recycling, made into carpet backing and underlay. . We even "hooked" our own bedroom rugs with rag strips, either folded in and neat, or left shaggy. E♥️

@sandramyer7081

2 ай бұрын

I’m so glad you make new reconnect clothes - wish I had learn that as a teenager in the 60’s-you had the tools to do this! Such a wonderful learning tools

I've been doing this for 60 years.I'm70 now. My mother made quilts out of old too small clothing that she'd made for us, or we donated them to the Navajo In the (1960's)

Years ago, I bought a coat for my son at a rummage sale. I replaced all the pockets. It was a gorgeous coat. I used scraps of thrifted clothing to make doll clothing and accessories. I'm wearing second hand clothing as I watch you. Near O'Hare airport. Tina, Al's wife

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Hello Tina, I love second hand clothes, much more comfy than new ones, someone else has worn them in for you. 😁❤️

As the oldest daughter of 7 kids my Mom used a lot of materials from hand-me-downs to great new clothes for me.

I have made many handbags n patchworks using leftover pieces from dressmakers n remnants from shops. A good hobby to indulge in without spending much

CUTTING YOUR COAT ACCORDING TO YOUR CLOTH. This takes me back just over 40 years, children were born in 1980 and 1983, a time of not much money in my family as I had given up work . . Adult Trousers, jeans. Skirts, dresses, lots of other things. from jumble sales when most items were only 10p or 20p. All deconstructed and made into trousers, dungarees, shorts for the children. Unused pieces were kept for patching, for making hand puppets, toiletry bags to give as Xmas and birthday gifts complete with some bought hand creams, perfumed soaps. . Bedding could line flimsy curtains, or make inner covers for cushion pads, or be cut down for pram and cot bedding, and bumper pads, and mobiles over the cot, sometimes patchwork items . All tape, ribbon, lace, buttons and zips and other fastenings were kept. My laddered tights became plant ties - suitably stretchy but didn't cut into the stems. . Any jumble sale clothes that were good enough to launder and wear were passed on to the toddler and playgroup 10p table, or a charity shop, when we had finished with them. Some years ago I couldn't afford evening wear for a dinner dance - 3 charity shops yielded skirt, top and evening jacket, all matching velvet, tops embellished with bugle beads and glitter. All made the one outfit. All for £7.50 total. . I never throw anything away - even the unwearable and unrecyclable can now go for waste material which will add a little income to charities that take it. Buttons - my family had a huge button tin, full. When we played cards we would " bet" with buttons.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing that wonderful story that really resonates with me and I am sure many others here too. It's important to recognise and note that reusing and recycling is not a new fad. It's what all those of us of a certain age grew up doing. We need to encourage more to do it too, even if it's not necessary financially but for the sake of our planet. ❤️

@user-iq3mp5zo8z

3 ай бұрын

@@k3n.clothtales Thank you for responding - I hadn't realised just how long my comment was! I was born in 1944, so about 18 months before the war ended - it was a time of scarcity of just about everything, from food (meat was the last food item to come off ration, in 1954) to materials, items made of metal (all metal plus people's and public gates, metal fencing, everything - all taken to make munitions, planes, land machines, tanks etc) and so on - it was just frugality all round, so it was ingrained in me to make every penny work for me, to never waste even a halfpenny or a farthing (one quarter of a penny). When we visited relatives and had tea we'd take a quarter lb of loose tea, a packet of butter, perhaps some tinned luncheon meat, plus some biscuits to share with our cuppa . To this day I still try to take a "treat gift" when going to family and friends - all good training for when I became a stay at home mum, so lost my salary, and for now when the cost of living has soared. Happy repurposing! And happy Easter to you and yours. E❤️.

@user-iq3mp5zo8z

3 ай бұрын

@@k3n.clothtales A little more - I had a friend who would bin a jumper if it had a hole in it! I persuaded her to give me her discards, Swiss darned the damage, put it in the clothing to go abroad for victims of natural disasters. I just really hate waste! Salvation army here (Hampshire) welcomes clothing for the homeless. Local council and housing association landlords welcome clothing and household items which can be passed on to people who have left bad relationships. Or had fires or floods and lost everything. E♥️

@janetjennings7324

2 ай бұрын

Thank u so much for sharing all this!

@user-iq3mp5zo8z

2 ай бұрын

@@janetjennings7324 " Necessity is the mother of invention". Learning new skills is a by-product of the make do and mend times. All her life my mother made her warm winter top coats, made all her dresses, made lots of my clothing until I got to 14 and got a job in woolworths in Clapham junction, London, as a Saturday Girl and school holiday temp to cover for mums who took time off to be with their families. I thought I was rich - I could buy my own shoes and other more "fashionable" clothing.! Apr'24. UK. E ♥️

I find disassembling clothing to be fun.

I just discovered your channel. It is so resfreshing to find others who do not want to fill up the landfills.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you and welcome 🤗

Wow! You blessed me in just the first 2 minutes! I never gave it any thought that scissors blades would "blunt" if I used them on non-natural fabrics.

@glendamcdaniel9894

3 ай бұрын

As someone who sews all time time I didn't know know that either, but then again I see mainly with cotton fabrics. One rule about scissors when cutting fabric, you never let anyone use your scissors!!! Mainly family members who want to use them for cutting paper, rubber bands, tape, etc. 😆😆😆😆

@glendamcdaniel9894

3 ай бұрын

sew, not see. My tablet likes to replace my words 😩😩

@Violet_Lotus_

3 ай бұрын

I recently had a houseguest who went into my sewing box and used my embroidery scissors for cutting up herbs for the salad !! I must have had quite the look on my face, according to the look on his face, LOL.

@RebeccaTreeseed

3 ай бұрын

I didn't know that either, I only buy natural fabrics, mostly used, so I didn't blunt my scissors.

@user-iq3mp5zo8z

2 ай бұрын

@@glendamcdaniel9894 My children were brought up to never, ever, use my sewing scissors. I bought them their own scissors, good ones, for use if they were doing anything with fabrics, and equally good ones for any craft work, - we had a houseful of scissors, plus quite a few gadgets for sharpening scissor blades.

Repurposed cloth has so much more interest for me. I can't even imagine toiling over a project using new fabric, especially those packs of coordinated colours so many quilters use. You have encouraged me and inspired me to us natural dying.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

I agree with you, those little coordinated packs though are useful in the beginning for people who are not sure about putting colours and patterns together, hopefully they can grow in confidence and go on to use repurposed cloth. ❤️

i HAVE AN OLD DRESS i CANNOT WEAR ANY MORE. i NEVER THOUGHT OF CUTTING IT UP. WHAT A NEAT IDEA. THANKS.

Never harvested cloth before and I can’t believe how much fabric you got from the 3 items, such a useful video, so thank you Kathryn. Loved listening to the cloth being cut ❤

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Pleased you found it useful Carol ♥️

So nice to see someone else into deconstructing garments to use the fabric and interesting bits and pieces! I find the process very meditative 😊

Watching you is like meditation, it relaxes the soul. Both instructive and relaxing, thank you❤

Yes, there is already do much stock to the point of literally overflowing in op shops/thrift shops that harvesting fabric from your own clothes or buying from op ships for the purpose of cutting up for sewing is perfectly fine. Either eay the fabruc is being saved from landfill and the money being spent goes to charity. Always enjoy your videos and chats ❤ Australia

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you Nicole 😊

I have always harvested clothes as my grandmother and mother saved all the useful bits and pieces which were used for other projects especially the buttons.........so different as in the charity shops in the 1970's they were so cheap and so many buttons were made of glass and hand made.

Thanks so much. I now work in a charity shop. As a keen sticher, I feel that I'm helping the community and also working in a stitchery gold mine😅

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

And you get first dibs on the good stuff 😁♥️

@lesleynitschke4858

3 ай бұрын

Me too and l keep saying "l have way too much" but l keep on buying lol

@Kat-Knows

3 ай бұрын

I'm in NE Tx & i have had the opportunity in the last several yrs to go to thirft stores who were have sales on their clothing for 10 cents or 25 cents each & u could pick thru the 100s & 100s of pieces of clothing for what u wanted. i filled 10 large trash bags with my findings. So many colors & prints & lovely fabric & jeans too. It will be quite the stash for my on going yrs.

@lauriepowell3959

3 ай бұрын

I am happy to see what you are doing. I am retired, 71, and trying to declutter anything I am not/will not use. I kept trying to consolidate all my sewing things together, but the fabric seems to have spawned in the storage bins. I was thinking of getting more bins to hold the overflow but you just helped me have an “AH HA” moment. I realized I wasn’t ever going to use most of the fabrics so now I am passing most of it on to the community charity shop near me.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

@@lauriepowell3959 ah yes it does seem to multiply 😁 I am pleased you have found a way to manage it. ❤️

This is interesting! First time viewer. My mom and grandmothers quilted and never went and bought quilting fabric. They sewed also and had scraps and old fabric to use. They used sheets for backing. They hand quilted all of their quilts. What fun!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Welcome, I am all about the old ways of doing things, hope you enjoy my channel ♥️

@homesteaderskarlandkat1365

3 ай бұрын

This is such a great video, first timer here, mum was a dress maker, now she is gone, I can't seem throw away fabric now, the is always something I could it, tie plants, make twine, cover drawers etc

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

@@homesteaderskarlandkat1365 welcome 🤗

It was great to see someone else deconstruct old clothes into usable fabric besides myself.

@halinafarnfield2014

3 ай бұрын

Wwdsaqq

I never did this before, normally bring my old clothes to the salvation army but I will give it a try now.

One of the best ways to harvest fabric, I've been doing it since I have memory, doing dolls and all kinds of stuff when I was a girl, but you got me screaming, don't throw away the labels! 😆😅

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

😂 I know some people use them but I won't... Although you are right because you never know 😉❤️

@Judith-wq2jp

3 ай бұрын

I agree, I've used them to decorate my creature pincushions, I've even bought a shirt from the thrift store just because I wanted the label!

@brendaestes5555

3 ай бұрын

💟@@Judith-wq2jp

@sandramyer7081

2 ай бұрын

I agree!

Excellent video ❤️. Thank you for sharing. I do exactly the same thing. In fact, I shop at thrift stores for clothes to use as fabric for my slow stitch and quilting projects. And I also look for 100% wool to felt. ❤️

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

I’ve saved numerous zippers from many garments, trousers, jeans etc. as a matter of fact, I just labeled my zippers I& put them into a large empty & cleaned clear Plastic nut container. Then put a label on the front of the container, labeled some new & used zippers. With the color, size, cotton with metal, or synthetic fabric with plastic or synthetic zipper teeth. I even had a couple of hidden zippers . I only had about 20 all in all, but now so happy I measured each one.

i love harvesting fabric this way, and almost enjoy doing it, even more than i ever did creating clothes. Maybe the sewing of clothing is something that one enjoys and sees a lot of value in when younger. And I did. I absolutely love making fabric twine now, and envisioning new uses for textiles that are more art and art for art's sake. Enjoyed this very much

@k3n.clothtales

2 ай бұрын

I understand completely what you mean and I am so pleased you enjoyed it 😊

You may want to add a 28mm rotary cutter to your harvesting tools. I use it all the time. I also use a 10mm rotary cutter. You can hold it like a pencil and smooth cutting right down the seam. I keep all button and zipper strips in tact when I harvest. Intact button strips make great closures for pillow making. I usually keep at least a one half inch to an inch strip of fabric on each side of the strip. including shirt cuffs. I've used the side seams of pants to make rugs like rope products, baskets etc. Love harvesting but only do it when I need the fabric. I always prewash in Dawn dish soap and vinegar to rid the fabric of any odor or stain. Harvesting fabric is great for de stressing, also!!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, I have rotary cutters of every size and sometimes use them but wanted to show the process with what most people already have, rather than asking people to buy things. 😊

@user-iq3mp5zo8z

3 ай бұрын

Clear washing up liquid (dish soap) is really good at tackling grease stains. I've even used it to remove an unspecified, well set in, non greasy stain from a friends shirt. He'd laundered it many times and made no difference so I brought it home, hand washed it, used the washing up liquid and gentle rubbing to see if it would break up,. Rinse repeat many times until you couldn't see where it had been. He was thrilled (his shirts are tailored for him) and I was surprised, I expected it to be one of my fails. E

The “strings” I use to tie up staked vegetables like tomatoes in the garden. I do use 100% cotton from my quilting. The extras I can give to someone who makes dog beds from scraps for the humane society. I’m new to slow stitching but I am a gardener and quilter for many years.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

That's wonderful that you have found good uses for your scraps ❤️

Very useful vedio in harvesting the unused clothes, without any waste ❤ thank you 💕

Cloth archeology ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Such an inspiring video! I've recently cut up my husband's old linen shirt (he had "grown out of it" if you know what I mean 😂) but I threw out all the seams, because I didn't think of using them as a string. Thank you! Now I will cut one of my own shirts, which I wore when I was pregnant. That is so brilliant: turning something that is mostly a problem into piles of useful stuff that spark inspiration and bring joy ❤

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Oh yes, 'growing out of things ' know that feeling 😂

@lindalowe5592

3 ай бұрын

I get my husband’s t shirts which “shrank in the drawer”. As they are too big for me, I resize them to fit me and change the top part…to sleeveless sometimes, or change the neckline, etc., add trim. They look completely different and are oh so comfortable because they are now good looking t-shirts.

@joannakracher9507

3 ай бұрын

@@lindalowe5592 wish I could do that, but I know nothing about sewing

@gailturnerrickman8917

3 ай бұрын

⁠yep. Thought my dryer was shrinking my clothes. Turns out it’s the refrigerator 😂😂😂

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

@@gailturnerrickman8917 😂♥️

39:43 I currently knit more than fabric work, but your videos have inspired me to return to slow stitching. This video gave me an idea to ask our church quilt guild for scraps. I'm even walking about my house looking at my old mixed embroidery/slow stitch pieces and thinking about how to add to them. Love your work and the community comments.

Cutting up old clothes is so relaxing and satisfying. I used to keep only the larger pieces for doll clothes, but I'm starting to save the smaller bits for slow stitching. Thank you for the inspiration 💚

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure 😊

*Bereavement story. Trigger warning* Kathryn, this is just what I need. Just over a year ago, I suddenly lost the man who had been my husband/soul mate/best friend for 23 years. He had a massive stroke at home and died in front of me, in less than 2 minutes.The shock and heartbreak was/is profound. Eventually I sorted out his clothes and they were in the car ready to donate. But I wasn't ready to let them go. Then I found your channel and heard you talking about your Dad's shirts. So, after many months, Phil's clothes came back into the house and I am so relieved that I didn't let them go but I wasn't sure how to deal with them. Now, this is the nudge I need to start processing them into happy memories. I will be especially interested in the coming T shirt video as he had so many (battle scarred with welding holes and bleached out bits) that were bagged up for dusters and the tip but they will be perfect for twine. Your channel is many things to me - a life affirming inspiration, a refuge, a comfort and my happy place. Thank you Kathryn. P.S. Before we relocated to the Outer Hebrides, Phil was a Quarry and Landfill manager. I have seen the HUGE amounts of clothes...layer after layer...and that's just one landfill. If we all repurpose clothes it will make a difference. Mary x

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Hello Mary, thank you so much for sharing your story. A loved one's clothes are kind of imbued with their spirit. They were wrapped in them in their lives and it's lovely to find a way to wrap yourself in them when they have gone. ❤️

@healgrowlovecommunity8397

3 ай бұрын

@@k3n.clothtales So true. By making them into useful items I will be honouring his memory and keeping him close. I don't think I will ever get over losing him but I must learn to move forward. This year, I have to move to the mainland to release money and be nearer our grown up children. It must be a cottage and it must be near the sea. I'm already planning my craft room/area and my pojagi curtains. 💟

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

I hope you find somewhere wonderful Mary, a little cottage by the sea sounds beautiful. And maybe somewhere a little less windy? 😁♥️♥️♥️

@BarbaraUK927

3 ай бұрын

@healgrowlovecommunity8397 I can’t walk in your shoes as every loss is unique, my husband is very unwell at present so every item of clothing is precious as he continues not to be able to wear them. On the day he was unexpectedly admitted to hospital this week Kathyrn released her bundle book video and the words she chose triggered many emotions, He is still here but a changed person (dementia and health needs are changing him) . As someone who moved after the loss of a child although difficult I found his essence moved with me in an unexpected way as his bedroom furniture became the basis of my sewing room. I wish you all the best as you make such a life changing decision,

@RebeccaRuano

3 ай бұрын

I love harvesting unused clothes too. Thank you for your tips and expertise! ❤

Hats off to you! I throw away a lot more, starting with zippers. I will not say that I will save them, but I will save those that I find interesting from now on. Thank you!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊 I might never use them all but I keep them just in case 😉❤️

Yes as mentioned “with the precision of a surgeon “…….to live another day……thinking of Earth Day everyday……

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

🌍🌎🌏♥️♥️♥️

O boy! I'm now so chilled. You gifted me with a sense that there is enough space and time for whatever needs doing today. Thank you. So many useful titbits scattered throughout. I felt a pang when you talked about feeling responsible for the jeans pockets! I always save old clothes because they are from good cloth or well made, but since I don't quilt or craft, I just end up with huge bags of stuff. I am going to look into this quilting thing.....love love love this approach

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure, happy to chill you out. I hope you can find inspiration to stitch, maybe some of the little pieces in my weekly slowstitch project will appeal. ❤️

Love this idea.

I call this process “unsewing” and it’s one of my favourite things to do!

@k3n.clothtales

11 күн бұрын

Mine too, it's very satisfying 😁❤️

I made a crazy quilt using satin blouses from a second hand store.embroidered.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

That sounds beautiful ❤️

I have a large fabric stash from doing this. I just made an apron for a grandaughter from a pair of old jeans, very satisfying.

Because of you, I now shop at the local thrift shop. There is a .99 cent color of the week, so I head to the X large men's shirt aisle and look for cotton or silk shirts. I've made a patchwork skirt and a wallet pouch. I've crocheted a purse using cotton twine and leftover wool from knitting socks and used the shirt material to line it. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure truly ❤️

Thank you for making this video Kathryn. When you said about cloth archeology it rang some bells. I've reused and rebuilt garments from the age of eight. There is a joy is thinking about a garments as having separate elements as repurposing them. It's probably more Engineering than Archeology. Thank you for your time and care. Xx

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure. I enjoy the process so much 😊

After experimenting with natural dyes and visiting charity shops and rummaging through our closets, I don’t see why I ever need to buy a new piece of fabric again in my life. There is so much waste, and so many donated clothes end up on a beach or lining gutters in underdeveloped countries. Save some garments from your charity shop and make old new again ❤

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Exactly! 😊♥️

We in America also refer to where your bottom goes as the seat of your pants. I’m new to slow stitching and found this very informative. Thanks so much!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Welcome I hope you enjoy my channel ❤️

Hello from another harvester love the natural fabrics especially the older ones. Congratulations Kathryn over Thirty Thousand Subscribers now. x 💐

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊 people are so kind ❤️

Stumbled on your channel and was immediately engaged. I did this for years and thought I was nuts. I subscribed!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Welcome, we are all slightly nutty here so you will fit right in 😁❤️

Cloth pouch of denim with pocket. Oh yes!!💖

Some prints have flowers or something you can cut out the shape and use for an applique.There is also revearse applique. You can Google how to do that.

That was very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

I really enjoyed this video, and your soft voice. Thanks for sharing.

I find it really relaxing and satisfying to cut old clothes up been doing it for years, I cut the spare button off new clothes as soon as I get them to add to my button tin (tins) lol

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Yes me too! If I have to replace a button on a shirt, I use a mismatched one. Visible mending 😁♥️

@martaaldama6419

3 ай бұрын

@@k3n.clothtalesgreat idea!

@martaaldama6419

3 ай бұрын

@teresac366 I have little tins that I love and didn’t know how to use. I will keep buttons there. ❤

@Judith-wq2jp

3 ай бұрын

My collected fabrics go right into the washer and dryer, I want to know how the fabric is going to behave before I include it in a project. Then I dissect.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

@@Judith-wq2jp good idea 😁 these were our own clothes which have been washed and dried many times..if I buy things in a charity shop to cut up, of course I wash them first. 😂

I keep good parts of used clothing and use the very worn parts for rags.

I love doing this! Perfect for slow stitch projects. Thanks for sharing. 😊

This is so amazing to me - I had no idea how MUCH material is actually in skirts!! WOW!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

It is amazing once you start taking things apart how much good, useable stuff you get. 😊♥️

If you open the waistband on the jeans youll find its a beautiful piece of fabric that almost looks tie-dyed. I have used them a lot to make bags ❤

Thank you Kathryn for your video. Excellent timing. I will be tackling the wardrobe soon and although there will be items going to the charity shop I was dreading the waste pile that will inevitably appear in the not good enough range. This will give things a new lease of life and some needed fabric for this new hobby.

Thanks for saving cloth and bits and bobs!! I do this a lot! I am often amazed at how much less room "deconstructed" (rather than "trashed") clothing takes up!

I spent this afternoon deconstructing a shirt I picked up in my local charity shop a couple of weeks ago. I started unpicking the seams because I find it quite relaxing, but I ended up cutting and tearing, which is therapeutic in a different way. I have a couple more shirts, a couple of skirts and a pair of old jeans to do.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Some seams come apart more easily than others so it depends on the garment and my mood . 😉 Enjoy your cloth harvesting 😁❤️

I’m a harvester as well. Love linen and jeans and gingham and flannel and old tablecloths. It’s all old. The older the better! And if it doesn’t look old enough I tea dye. lol ❤

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

No arguments from me, completely agree 😁♥️

@karenkaren9526

3 ай бұрын

I thought I was strange for enjoying disassembling clothing. Apparently I am not alone

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

@@karenkaren9526 I always love discovering that I am not the only one who enjoys things that people around me deem weird ❤️

You can use the pocket pieces for backing a mending job.

Thank you ❤

Ohh, good tip about where not to use your good scissors. Thanks, this is the first video of this channel I've seen and look forward to more.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Welcome I hope you like it here ❤️

Hoi K3n! Love to see you harvesting! I buy almost all the clothes for me and my children second hand, already teaching them to keep the waste to a minimum. I use the waistbands of jeans to make fanny packs. The button closes them up nicely.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Good idea, yes my children were 'secondhand Roses' too 😁❤️

I agree Marion is exceptionally brilliant ❤ Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Now that’s one thing I can say I’m expert in, I cannot bring myself to throw any garment without checking it over and seeing what can be made from it first, I’ve had some great homemade projects from “dustbin cloth”

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

It's an important skill Jean ♥️

Very interesting to see what other approaches are to salvaging fabric from thrifted finds. I had just finished cutting up a Laura Ashley girl's dress when this video popped up. The fabric is a beautiful 100% cotton floral and there are 6 (!) adorable little buttons on it. I'm working on a version of Vintage Blend Studio's drawstring project bag and the fabric will be perfect for the lining. I'm not sure how I'll use the smocking from the dress but it's bound to make nice trim on a slow stitch piece. Thanks for the time you invest in your videos and for sharing your country life and fabric skills with us.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure, your Laura Ashley bag sounds gorgeous 🥰

My mother, in the 50s Ireland, would ‘turn’ tweed fabric of old coats into nice warm coats for us children. Usually could hear from my bed the singer sewing machine humming as the bread for tomorrow baked.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

I can almost hear the humming and smell the bread, what a lovely memory ❤️

Thank you for sharing this video, I have a skirt and jacket that I’m going to disassemble and you have given me a lot of good ideas . Thanks again 🪡🧵♥️

@user-iq3mp5zo8z

3 ай бұрын

Ask youtube for videis on repurposing/upcycling / collars, cuffs, ask about anything you want to know - it will often give you what you want. E♥️

Thank you, Kathryn. I am still a stitching beginner, so I find myself saying “but I don’t yet know what I might use it for.” And then a small nudge reminded me that there are 9 months to go of the slow stitching project, so I’ll probably learn if I am only patient! (Patience is not one of my strengths 😂). Thank you for all your time and teaching. I am learning a great deal! 🪡🧵

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

I have carried little scraps around for years and eventually they find their place in something 😉❤️

Recently I acquired two pairs of old jeans from my son, now I have a much better idea of how to deconstruct them thanks to this video Kathryn. I really like all the different tones of colour in the denim pieces, like the zip cover, that you opened up. So interesting for a stitching project

Just found your channel and find it inspiring. Thank you for sharing this. 👌👍

@k3n.clothtales

2 ай бұрын

Welcome 🤗

Razor blades work well for some seams. You can get a razor handle at the hardware store to protect your hand. I also have some taller a third hard which clips to the table and the garment. It allows you to put tension and more easily take seams apart.

Excellent, informative video. Cathy Martin, Catbirdquilts taught me about breaking down men’s shirts for lovely fabric stash. It takes courage to cut into lovely old clothing!

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, it does and I used to resist cutting things that were still wearable but there is so much of it in the world so we might as well use it, 😁♥️

I like saving pockets, zips, tabs, & waistbands, but never thought of saving the seams themselves. Good idea. This was very satisfying to watch.😊

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you Jill glad you liked it ♥️♥️♥️

@Judith-wq2jp

3 ай бұрын

I used the seams from a plaid nylon shirt to create papyrus plants in an Egyptian art quilt. When I was working on it, it was pinned up on my design wall, and my next-door neighbors stopped by freshly home from their vacation in Hawaii. I had cat-sitted their two cats, and they brought me some Hawaiian fabric they'd bought as a thank you gift. Jana said, Oh look, papyrus! I was thrilled that she recognized it, and she added, We saw it growing on Maui...

Nice , I have a few thrifted men’s shirts which I’m planning to dismember this weekend. Find it very rewarding using clothing for my slow stitching 🧵

Love this! I will become more discerning about what little bits I keep. Now I just need ideas for what to do with collars and cuffs.

@evocationart8370

3 ай бұрын

There are lots of things to make with them just look for the videos! 😊

@Judith-wq2jp

3 ай бұрын

Those collars are the PERFECT size for the wraparound section that connects the front and back sections of creature pincushions. Since the ends are angled, the pincushions, when completed, can stand up vertically. Decorate the fronts and backs, add faces and sometimes ears, sew on the base and fill with crushed walnut shells. Whip stitch closed. SO CUTE!

You ended up with a great haul of reclaimed fabric! Love the colours in the red/pink skirt, really pretty. I have a number of pairs of jeans to cut up, family donations with requests for bags and pouches. I believe the leather Levis label is popular to save and reuse over here and they would come from cotton (no synthetics) denim jeans or jackets circa 1960/70. 😊. Thanks for sharing your deconstruction methods Kathryn.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure, yes love the old pure cotton Levis but I hardly find them anymore, hopefully because everyone is recycling them 😊♥️

Thank you for showing how to parts of skirts and denim- Denim in jeans are strong and know, I can use them- Ty

I'd like to see something you made out of some harvested fabric

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Hello Peggy, most of what I make is from harvested cloth. I haven't used any of these particular items yet though, I need to tea dye some of the skirts. ❤️

When you open up the waistband you will get some interesting lined denim. I have used it in a denim quilt, it’s unique.

Loved your video thank you,and giggled at your fantastic terminology of "cloth archeology"..I hope you don't mind but I will think of that every time I deconstruct cloth ! Yes it's just like retrieving treasure ! you're just so lovely...xx

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

I don't mind at all 😁❤️

Very informative. Thanks. I love Marion and her videos too and have made two jeans aprons. Very satisfying.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for reminding me, I meant to put a link to Marion's apron tutorial, I have added it now 😉❤️

Hiya Kathryn, this was the very first video of yours I ever watched! Im watching it again because I have some thrifted clothing to cut up. 😎👍🏼

@k3n.clothtales

2 ай бұрын

Have fun Noni 😁♥️

Love this!❤

I really enjoy your channel. Thank you for sharing all your cloth tales ❤❤❤😊

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure thank you for being here ❤️

Congratulations on 30k+ subs 🎉🎉🎉. I harvested cloth from my old clothes last year. They were old worn favourites that weren’t suitable for donation. I made a queen sized patchwork quilt cover with all of the cloth. I used an old quilt for the batting and a cotton sheet for the backing. The quilt was store bought and made 35+ years ago, falling apart and much loved by my cats when it was on the bed. I’m now in the process of knotting the 3 layers together. I’ve got another batch of clothes to harvest and will pay more attention to the structure of each piece as I harvest this time. I enjoyed watching your process.

@martaaldama6419

3 ай бұрын

What a great idea. I have an old quilt that can be used as batting (wadding). Keep up the nice slow stitching 🧵

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Lovely to give new life to an old quilt ☺️

Thank you for sharing. Without really knowing how to harvest fabric from worn clothing, I was happy to see that instinctively did something similar to your process. I am new to this. However, I really found it useful to hear your thoughts regarding future use when harvesting. In terms of cutting or donating to charity I will donate if I think it would be useful to someone. Yet having said that, I feel that if I like it and want to use it, I will definitely harvest no matter! After all, I did buy it and it’s my prerogative.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Exactly, and like I said, there is so much in the world. 😊❤️

Honey applaud your effort. I do this too. Waste not , want not. However, you need a better pair of scissors for this job and sewing in general.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, at the beginning of the video I showed my good fabric shears and explained why I wasn't using them due to elastane in the cloth. 😉

@ruthmiller5588

3 ай бұрын

@@k3n.clothtales The only materials I don't use my sewing shears on is paper goods. You can sharpen your not so good scissors with a wet stone. I've done it and it works like a charm!

First time viewer. Great video, informative & relaxing. Thanks for sharing.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure and welcome 🤗

The problem with clothes today is they are not made of 100% cotton, unless you can make your own clothes. I am one that can't make my own clothes i couldn't get into it like my mum and sister. I love this video and gave me some ideas.

Hello, Kathryn, so soothing to watch you work. I started harvesting buttons from thrifted clothes for my hand-knit sweaters and have simply put the de-buttoned items into my grandmother's old ragbag. But now I'm inspired to deconstruct those items. Do you also knit? The beautiful sweater you're wearing catches my eye.

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Hello yes I do knit, and made the sweater I am wearing. Thank you so much 😊♥️

@sandramyer7081

2 ай бұрын

Me too- your sweaters catch my eye too- so beautiful and I would love to make thoses angora or mohair sweaters( jackets)

Very interesting. Thank you for the information

I used the front fly zipper and button assembly on a rice-type bag, using it to close an internal pocket. The pocket was made by the space between the inner and outer fabric of the bag. It made a relatively secure pocket b/c it was not easy to reach into when the bag was standing open. And it was sort of cute.

@k3n.clothtales

2 ай бұрын

That's genius ❤️

Just discovered your channel and ❤ the very informative and fun video....now going to binge watch more I have liked and subscribed to show support for your channel....hugs from Scotland 🤗

@k3n.clothtales

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, hope you enjoy 😁♥️