Clever Sewing Hacks for Old Sweaters, Shirts, & More

How to Make Mittens from Sweaters by Mary Mulari

Clever Sewing Hacks for Old Sweaters, Shirts, & More

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How to Make Mittens from Sweaters by Mary Mulari

By Mary Mulari, Nancy Zieman’s guest blogger

Learn how to make mittens from sweaters and turn old shirts and linens into new, useful, and smart projects you’ll be pleased to give as gifts. If there’s nothing interesting in your closets, check out thrift shops or use new fabrics. Give yourself the interesting challenge of restyling, repurposing, and reusing a textile that could use a makeover. Check your closets for potential “fabric” for Sew Green MakeoversSew Green Makeovers1

Mittens

Sew mittens for everyone in the family with the multi-size patterns included in Sew Green Makeovers. Mittens are easy to sew from two layers of felted wool. On the green wool sample, you’ll see that one of the mittens has been stitched and with the pattern in place to sew the second mitten, you have a guide to stitch around. When the mittens are cut out and turned right side out, a little bit of steam pressing will flatten the seams and the mittens are ready to wear on either hand.

1 Mittens MaryMulari SewGreen

Doggone Great Green Makeovers to Sew - Recycled Sewing Projects by Mary Mulari | Nancy Zieman | Sewing With NancyCoffee Mug Cover up

Here’s a great way to keep a mug of coffee or tea hot if you’re a slow sipper! Use two layers of felted wool from old sweaters and add a tab at the top. When you cover up the beverage with a woolen cap, you’ll be able to enjoy a hot beverage for a longer time thanks to the woolen insulation. It’s a terrific use for wool and wool-blend sweaters. Check the pattern instructions for tips in “The Adventure of Felting (Shrinking).” 

Coffee MaryMulari SewGreen

Doggone Cute

Can you think of a better way to use men’s shirt collars than these dress-up neck trims for dogs? Lucas sports a collar with a portion
of the short end of a necktie sewn to the collar stand.  Sophie’s pretty in peach with her collar and a soft silk bow. We just couldn’t resist
featuring the family dogs with their personalized neckwear. Lucas even has his name stitched on the back of the collar with Baby Lock’s Sashiko machine. Watch for more parts of the Lucas collar shirt to appear on other projects.
Doggone Great Green Makeovers to Sew - Recycled Sewing Projects by Mary Mulari | Nancy Zieman | Sewing With Nancy.Lucas Dog Collar and Tie recycled using Sew Green Pattern by Mary Mulari.

Doggone Great Green Makeovers to Sew - Recycled Sewing Projects by Mary Mulari | Nancy Zieman | Sewing With Nancy
Hobo Bag

It’s a smart habit to bring your own shopping bag to carry home your purchases. Make this clever, compact tote from a rectangular or square scarf. It folds up to take very little space when it’s stored in a larger handbag or tote. Only two seams required. The Sew Green Makeovers pattern will show you how.

Hobo MaryMulari SewGreen.Hobo MaryMulari SewGreen2Dinner Scarf

If you’d prefer to wear something more stylish and sophisticated than a terrycloth bib at the dinner table, make this clothing protector from two scarves, or two pieces of soft, thin fabric.

Scarf MaryMulari SewGreen

The special feature at the bottom is a ponytail elastic (You know I couldn’t resist adding one of these somewhere in this collection of projects!), which makes it easy to fold or roll up the scarf to store for the next dinner engagement.

Scarf MaryMulari SewGreen2

Casserole Transporter

Use a piece of a vintage tablecloth or curtain for this project and add a liner of Quilted Teflon, or Insul-Brite with an additional layer of fabric. The handles of this hotdish holder are cut from a woven belt I found at the thrift shop. Maybe you have one in your closet? This transporter is easy to make, compact to store, and it works with round, square, and rectangular pans you carry to the neighborhood potluck.

Casserole MaryMulari SewGreen

Scarlet O’Hara Laundry Bag

Here’s another curtain project. (Get it? Remember Scarlet and the drapes?) Add extras to the curtain to make a stylish bag with special features. The large outer pocket is made from a dinner napkin with interfacing added for extra strength when a bottle of laundry detergent is stored inside. The drawstrings are shoelaces and the casing for the drawstrings is a ribbon belt. Make it convenient to carry the bag to the laundry room with a shoulder strap made from a necktie. This distinctive bag is also practical and a “green” project as well.

2 Laundry MaryMulari SewGreen
1 Laundry MaryMulari SewGreenShirttail Laundry Bag

We don’t have to limit the uses of this bag made from the shirt back. It’s also a nifty gift or shoe bag. The extra pocket sewn on one side holds a gym card, keys, or you name it. The purple version of this project features a Sensuede appliqué and shirt front pocket cut out and added to the bag.

Shirttail MaryMulari SewGreen2

The chambray denim bag’s pocket is from the same shirt used for the Lucas dog collar.

Shirttail MaryMulari SewGreenShirt Sleeve Gift Bag

They’ll call you clever when you arrive with a gift in this unique bag. Make a bag handle from another piece of the shirt, or use a shirt collar for the handle. (Thanks to my sister Becky for that collar idea!) The rust colored bag handle is a piece of the shirt placket, again from the Lucas dog collar shirt.

SleeveBags MaryMulari SewGreenKids at Play Apron

Combine parts of two shirts for this child size apron included in Sew Green Makeovers. The handy front pocket is the cuff and a portion of a shirt sleeve. The back of this reversible apron features fabric with a Boy Scout theme. The peach apron ties are grosgrain ribbon and the Lucas dog collar shirt appears again, this time with the shirt cuff and sleeve for the front pocket. Kids love to have their own aprons and for these aprons to be memory gifts, the shirts of special adults are terrific sources of fabric.

2 Apron MaryMulari SewGreen.1 Apron MaryMulari SewGreen

3 Apron MaryMulari SewGreen

.4 Apron MaryMulari SewGreen

With gift season around the corner, I hope you’ve spotted a project or two that sparked ideas for certain people on your gift list. Check out the 17 projects in the Sew Green Makeovers pattern and stitch your own doggone great green makeovers.

MaryMulari SewGreen CollageThank you so much for sharing these innovative green projects, Mary!

Bye for now,

Nancy Zieman The Blog

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154 Comments

  • Leslie B Mink
    November 8, 2016

    We have 2 Scotties who we rescued 3 years ago tomorrow. They are brother and sister, and this year their birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day. They will be 10 years old.

    My first green project will be to make them neck wear so they will have a special look on their very special day !

    I know Grace and Baxter will look spiffy for rtf their party.

  • Laura
    November 8, 2016

    I have just started the process of making various projects from fabric sources on hand. This is a great pattern!! The first thing I would make from this pattern collection would be the dinner bibs as well as the children aprons.

  • Lorna
    November 8, 2016

    Living in upstate NY I would have to say the mittens would be my first project!!

  • Joan Gamsky
    November 8, 2016

    I would have to do the mittens.

  • Martha Marchand
    November 8, 2016

    Love the shirt sleeve gift bag, and the mittens

  • Rita
    November 8, 2016

    There are so my ideas going through my head it’s difficult to choose which one will be first! We live in such a “throw-away-world” today that anything we do to reuse/recylcle today, will help make the world a better place for all of us. Using shirt sleeves as gift bags, or wine totes, would be my first project from the “Sew-Green Pattern”.

  • Rebecca Kelso
    November 8, 2016

    I would love to make the mittens. We live out in the country and when the city kids come to visit they never have mittens or gloves!

  • Donna Telley
    November 8, 2016

    The gift bags and the doggie collars. So original and cute.

  • Valerie Crescenz
    November 8, 2016

    I love these! I am always looking for ways to “reuse, reduce, recycle” as us Green people say!

  • Melissa Carlson
    November 8, 2016

    It’s a toss-up between the gift bag and the scarf project!

  • Gise Jaimes
    November 8, 2016

    Definitely the Dinner Bib!!

  • Peggy S
    November 8, 2016

    They all look fun. So hard to decide.

  • Dorothy Urberg
    November 8, 2016

    The first thing I would make is the mittens for my grandkids followed by the casserole transporter.

  • Lynda M
    November 8, 2016

    Shirt sleeve gift bag. I have been wanting to make something like this for a while. I do a lot of upcycling so now I have something to make out of sleeves.

  • Zohra S Arastu
    November 8, 2016

    It will have to be hats and mittens for my grandchildren from the lovely sweaters I have.

  • Elizabeth Boone
    November 8, 2016

    Love all these projects!! I would probably start with some of your mittens since I have lots of old sweaters!! My grandchildren would love these!!

  • Susan Spiers
    November 8, 2016

    The Mittens-what a great idea!

  • Suzanne. Tetreault
    November 8, 2016

    I love the idea of making mitts out of old sweaters !

  • Kitty
    November 8, 2016

    They all look great. I have old sweaters and men’s shirts that I could use right away! Thank you for the information on this pattern.

  • Pat M
    November 8, 2016

    Hard to pick, but the shirt sleeve gift bags really caught my eye! Very clever!

  • Chris
    November 8, 2016

    With all the retired shirts from my husband and boys, I would make the aprons for our grandchildren and for the church fair as aprons are always looked for in all sizes.

  • Amy
    November 8, 2016

    Such great ideas! Going to try the laundry bag and the dog collar FIRST and SECOND!!!!

    🙂

    THANKS!!!

  • Kim Wilkins
    November 8, 2016

    For my love of dogs, I’ll make the dog collars first!

  • Diane C
    November 8, 2016

    This book would help to get me to clean out some closets and drawers.

  • Kathy
    November 8, 2016

    Such great ideas! I would definitely make the sleeves of a Christmas shirt into gift bags. A few years ago I made a shirt into an apron, thus salvaging the hours of embroidering on the yoke.

  • Robyne
    November 8, 2016

    Would LOVE to make aprons from old shirts!!!!!

  • Doris Pedersen
    November 8, 2016

    I think the shirt apron is a great idea!

  • Linda weinberger
    November 8, 2016

    I would love to make the mittens. My husband lost feeling in some fingers and gloves are hard to get on. He’s been looking for mittens.

  • Linda Guza
    November 8, 2016

    I would start with making mittens.

  • Julie Kill
    November 8, 2016

    I would LOVE this book!
    This book would help me get ideas for upcycling EVERYTHING!
    I would like to start a business using recycled items and upcycle them into other, useful items.
    I’ve used some of your upcycing ideas for jeans and added my own: I’ve made several handbags and wristlets out of one pair of jeans.
    I want to make the casserole cover for gifts for family.
    THANK YOU for sharing these ideas!

  • Roslyn Gardner
    November 8, 2016

    The dinner scarf is where I would start…clumsy me.

  • Julie Kill
    November 8, 2016

    I forgot to type in: I would make the mittens for the kids and extras for school. Kids just forget mittens when going out in the winter. If the school had some extras, they could let them use them during the day.
    Also want to make the gift sleeves! What a great idea!

  • Erin Dumont
    November 8, 2016

    The shirt sleeve gift bags would work perfectly for so many gifts! But every project in the book looks to be very useful and easy!

  • Marge Hubacek
    November 8, 2016

    I have several of Mary’s book and I’m amazed at creativity. The mittens are a great idea but my favorite is the dinner bib!! I can definitely use it.

  • Jane Davis
    November 8, 2016

    I have some wool sweaters that I have been saving for the right project. I will start with mittens for the grandchildren for Christmas.

  • Brenda Ackerman
    November 8, 2016

    I would make the Casserole carrier definitely. Yet, each and every one of these projects would make excellent gifts and several would be great for community donations this holiday season! Thank you for sharing and the opportunity to win!

  • Eleanor C
    November 8, 2016

    Love the doggie collars! Or maybe the felted wool mittens would be first.

  • Karen McDonner
    November 8, 2016

    So many smart ideas! Can’t wait to try a few.

  • Linda Ashley
    November 8, 2016

    I would start with the casserole tote for Christmas gifts to all my neighbors. We all get together for the Texans games and bring food. This would be appreciated and a perfect Christmas gift for All the get togethers we have during the year. I can see using clothing rather than finding a place to give them away and save on my pocketbook.

  • Carol Burns
    November 8, 2016

    I hate to throw away any kind of fabric, so this book would be wonderful to have. I can see lots of gift ideas for Christmas and birthdays. I upcycle clothes into other clothes for the grandkids, use in scrap quilts, try to make into other useful items. What is to worn out to use or the seams (like from denim pants) that you can’t always use, goes into a bag and I take to the school and we restuff the beanbags that are in the classrooms and library. Those plastic pellet things they put in them go flat fast, but the used fabric works great, just make sure you remove all zippers buttons and metal studs if they have them.

  • Marie Adams
    November 8, 2016

    the purses definitely. I have lots of teenage grand daughters and they love to have lots of purses in all the colors and patterns to match their outfits.

  • Joyce
    November 8, 2016

    Looks like there is a wonderful group of projects to make.

  • Linda Sheets
    November 8, 2016

    wow what great idea’s for recycling, things we just don’t think about and what a way to create memories from a loved one

  • Debra Waldrop
    November 8, 2016

    So many wonderful ideas!!!!! Can’t wait to try them ALL! Thanks, Nancy

  • Peg G
    November 8, 2016

    I have a three year old grandson who loves to help Grandma (me!) cook, so turning old shirts into aprons for us would be the first projects I would choose to do.

  • Jan Swanson
    November 8, 2016

    The dog collar idea would be my first project.

  • Kathleen Johnson
    November 8, 2016

    Mittens for all my grandchildren!! What wonderful ideas on upcycling!!

  • Mary S
    November 8, 2016

    My first would be the sleeve bag, they certainly would be “talk-about.”

  • Livia
    November 8, 2016

    I LOVE the mittens! What a great gift idea!

  • Beverley Hancox
    November 8, 2016

    Wow, so many ideas to choose from, I would like to try them all. I’m always looking for green projects. Mittens seem like a good place to start.

  • Peggy Schenk
    November 8, 2016

    It has to be the mittens that I’d make first. It will save me hours of knitting time. Love your blog, love your show. You are among the people who inspire me most, and I have great admiration for you. I think of you often, especially when I visit my late son’s home in Saukville. I hope you are well.

  • S Kipp
    November 8, 2016

    Have been looking for a few of these patterns!

  • Jade
    November 8, 2016

    A friend just gave me a box of shirts from her husband who recently passed away…I think she would love an apron made from one or two of those shirts!

  • Annette
    November 8, 2016

    These are the perfect projects to get kids interested in sewing. They are quick to finish and great results. You can get them to sew with some of their favorite clothes they can’t wear anymore, but may be attached to emotionally. Also great for our church’s summer kids program, where we try to teach them skills that not only help themselves, but others also. And you absolutely can’t beat the lessons of recycling and making the best use out of things otherwise tossed aside. Living green can be fashionable and fun!

  • Yvonne
    November 8, 2016

    An apron made out of my late husbands shirts will be the perfect gift for our grown children. What an amazing way to use the shirts we just could not part with. He’ll have his arms around them again!

  • Dot Clark
    November 8, 2016

    I love these ideas! I think I’ll start with the mittens. Fall is starting to get kinda crispy here in WI, so I might need them soon. I would love to win the book, to share with a friend of mine. Thank you for the opportunity.

  • Laura M
    November 8, 2016

    I LOVE the mittens, have the perfect old sweater
    ready for it!

  • Tina
    November 8, 2016

    Not only great green ideas but just in time for Christmas gifts. Thank you. I would love to make the casserole carrier.

  • Gwen Martin
    November 8, 2016

    I want to make the mittens for the homeless. I plan on shopping the thrift stores for wool sweaters to make as many as possible.

  • Paula
    November 8, 2016

    With a new grandbaby I’d love to make her tiny mittens, been making felted wool mittens for many grownups in the family. The “crumb catcher” scarf would be great too!

  • Margaret Higgins
    November 8, 2016

    Great ideas. I just pulled some old sweaters out of the giveaway bag to make mittens for the grandkids for the soon to be cold weather.
    I cannot wait to get started.

  • Francine
    November 8, 2016

    The mittens are so practical, I would try those first!

  • Sue B
    November 8, 2016

    I just have to make my grand kids aprons out of their grandpa’s shirts.

  • Jo Giarrusso
    November 8, 2016

    I like the sleeve bags

  • Florence Dupuis
    November 8, 2016

    I would so like to make the mittens, casserole carrier, the scarf and maybe even the dog neck tie for my husband’s favorite neighborhood dog.

  • Ellen R. in MN
    November 8, 2016

    There are so many good ideas here but the first one I would make is an apron for my grandson from his dad’s shirt.

  • Mary Heath
    November 8, 2016

    What wonderfully creative ways to recycle old clothing into useful items to donate to charities! Pick me! Pick me! 🙂

  • Sharyn Davis
    November 8, 2016

    The mittens would be my first project.

  • Sharon B
    November 8, 2016

    Love the mittens! What a great way to make good use of a sweater you just can’t part with!

  • Donna Swanson
    November 8, 2016

    Mittens and the doggy collars, neckties. I am now working on Marys wrap with felted wool sweater.

  • Starla
    November 8, 2016

    I love them all, but first …. I have a doggie friend who needs some formalwear!

  • Helen Koeckeritz
    November 8, 2016

    The Hobo Bag and the Shirt Sleeve Gift Bag look like projects my Sewing Club 4th and 5th graders could have fun making.

  • Claudette Leblanc
    November 8, 2016

    Love the mitten pattern. I would make them and leave them in a couple of trees in the city. With a note attached to them, “take me I’m free” For anyone that needs them.
    And the bibs for anyone I know that has babies.

  • Cecilia
    November 8, 2016

    This is my kind of book, I have been recycling clothes and tie, etc., for many years. I think of my grandparents and parents and how hard it was to keep us in clothes and fed, so this is also memories for me. I would definitely make use of this book. Thanks again for the chance to win this, hugs.

  • Kathryn E
    November 8, 2016

    I have been looking for a bib idea that doesn’t look like a bib. This is great.

  • Janice Cate
    November 8, 2016

    It will be hard to choose between the sleeve gift bags and the sweater mittens. Great ideas for recycled/upcycled fabric.

  • Patsy Philson
    November 8, 2016

    Such cute ideas. Hard to pick one to do forts, but I would make one of the aprons

  • Louise Johnson
    November 8, 2016

    The shirtsleeve gift bag will be my first project. I already have a thrift shop blouse in a delightful Christmas print out by the sewing machine for another project. This will be just the beginning!

  • Linda Rupe
    November 8, 2016

    Love the mittens and cup cozy! The tip to sew before cutting is priceless.

  • Joyce
    November 8, 2016

    I have wanted to make the mittens. There’s several other projects I would do after that.

  • Paulette J Bergman
    November 8, 2016

    Hi, Mary & Nancy! Thank you for this opportunity!!
    I am a thrift-store junkie, along with being a total Fiber Artist!
    I even send my DH (Quilter’s Hero) to thrift shops to bring home shirts, scrub tops, cotton fabric, yarn and all manner of other trinkets; he’s Really Good at it!! My collections of striped, plaid and Hawaiian shirts is a massive treasure trove. Then there is the yarn & old sweaters… I have an absolutely Grand Time!! Thank you!
    Forever in stitches,
    Paulette J Bergman from MN, now living in MO
    (How is Aurora doing, Mary? I’ve known you from Minnesota Quilters for many years. Aurora, MO is only 20 miles from here.) pj stitches!

  • Hannah Casey
    November 8, 2016

    I would make the laundry bags first. I could use some of my husband’s old shirts. My grandson also needs an apron. He loves to bake!

  • BJ Winstead
    November 8, 2016

    Recycle Upcycle is my Favorite! Thank You for bringing more attention to this. Many fun projects to awaiting in cycle arena. Shirt Sleeve Bag 1st project on your list, then on to the O’Hara Laundry Bag!

  • Margaret
    November 8, 2016

    So many clever projects; adore scarves, so the dinner scarf will be my first project.

  • ethelann wood
    November 8, 2016

    I love the scarf! So many scarves are bulky and this is a soft, trim look. I also think I would like the mittens & the sleeve bags. OK let’s face it, I love them all!

  • Jodi Bowlden
    November 8, 2016

    A casserole carrier is in my near future. But the book has so may wonderful ideas, I know I will do many of them.

  • Jen in northern Wis
    November 8, 2016

    Mittens as we all could use a extra pairs, esp if they are made out of old sweaters; cost is minimum, just out time is involved; along with a good pattern, so make a few to share for friends, family, the dog ( for their paw’s) also for the domestic abuse shelter, and even the home less shelters, as every one could use a gift.

  • Karen
    November 8, 2016

    I think I would try the mittens or the shirt sleeve gift bag first. Clever ideas.

  • Kim H
    November 8, 2016

    Well pick one to make first is really tough, because I have to make the dog collar for Petey, and the coffee warmer for the camper coffee pot, and the mittens from all of the felted wool in my stash…. Oh gee, do I have to choose just one??? Ok I guess Petey comes first!

  • LindaHi
    November 8, 2016

    Look forward to making the aprons and sleeve gift bags, and maybe a bit smaller version as purses. It is so nice to repurpose the items once used by family elders for the little ones to enjoy.

  • Linda
    November 8, 2016

    I would make the mittens from old sweaters I have and put them to good use through donating the finished product.

  • Char Nydegger
    November 8, 2016

    Since I already made remember aprons from all my mom’s button downs for her granddaughters, I would start with shirt sleeve bags….so clever for those hard to wrap items.

  • Nancy Cooper
    November 8, 2016

    I believe all projects are what I could use. However, I would like to make the apron for all my grandchildren. They all like to help me and their mothers cook & bake.
    Would make great stocking gifts for Christmas! Thanks for all the helpful ideas to use what we have to save money.

  • Rhonda D in KY
    November 8, 2016

    Well, let’s see, casserole carrier for all the potlucks, the shirt sleeve bags for the grandkids so they can take toys to the potlucks, and the list goes on!

  • Carol
    November 8, 2016

    I’ve been looking for a pattern for the scarf “bib”. Actually, never even thought about using scarves. I did make an apron from a man’s shirt a while ago, but I like the looks of the one in the book much better.

  • Nancy Pietrulewicz
    November 8, 2016

    Great ideas for re-purposing those articles which I no longer use. I think the first project I will try with these patterns is the child-size apron. One of my favorite things to re-use is a men’s dress shirt! There are endless possibilities. Making a child’s size apron seems like it would be great fun, too. I have a three year old grandson who would enjoy using it.

  • Cindy
    November 8, 2016

    I’d love to try the coffee cover up! I’m always having to reheat my coffee in the microwave when I read the paper in the morning. With the cover up, I won’t have to get out of my recliner!

  • Linda
    November 8, 2016

    I think I will make mittens for the grandchildren using their grandpa’s old sweaters. they will keep them warm with fond memories of him.

  • Pat B.
    November 8, 2016

    I would make the coffee mug coverup but use it as a teapot coverup. I am always tossing a dishtowel on top of my little teapot while it is steeping. I already have some felted sweaters.

  • Cay Long
    November 8, 2016

    Love to reuse clothes into something new. The sleeve bags and children’s apron look great. Can’t wait to make them

  • Cay Long
    November 8, 2016

    Love to reuse clothes into something new. The sleeve bags and children’s apron look great. Can’t wait to make them.

  • Bonnye
    November 8, 2016

    I would sew the mittens. I have saved some beautiful sweaters that are over 30 years old. They would make lovely mittens.

  • Debby Gravunder
    November 8, 2016

    The mittens!

  • Olga
    November 8, 2016

    I just love all of useful projects. The first one that I would make is the bag made out of the sleeve and the the doggy collars!! Great ideas!!!

  • Olga
    November 8, 2016

    Great ideas. I would start with the adult scarve bib.

  • Peggy from MN
    November 8, 2016

    I would start with the mittens for the Grandkids and then shirt sleeve gift bag. Great ideas.

  • Janice
    November 8, 2016

    I liked the sleeve tote bags and the casserole carrier. I think I have some insulated fabric from another project.

  • Therese
    November 8, 2016

    I would make the sleeve gift bags and the aprons. They would take care of a few Christmas gifts. Thanks!

  • Sue Ostrander
    November 8, 2016

    I have a few of these projects on my to do list. A pattern like this getting them done would be much easier.

  • Sue O
    November 8, 2016

    I want to make the mittens first.

  • Carla J
    November 8, 2016

    First project would be the Kids at Play Apron need to make 7 for the grandkids, then some dinner scarfs for the local nursing home, and then the hobo bags for gifts for my cousins, and daughter-in-laws.

  • Jeni
    November 8, 2016

    Shirt sleeve gift bags as I have a bunch of old shirts taking up space in the closet, and this will be a good way for me to get them out of my closet.

  • Jan
    November 8, 2016

    I love the sleeve bag. Thinking of this for bags from the store.

  • Reta
    November 8, 2016

    I would like to see aprons made out of mens shirts.

  • PamB
    November 8, 2016

    I’m not sure what I would start with, but I have table cloths from mom and grandma that would be fun to sew up.
    Thanks!

  • Becky Canuteson
    November 8, 2016

    I would start with the casserole carrier followed by gift bags !!

  • Rochelle Summers
    November 8, 2016

    Thank you for such interesting “green ideas” which make great gifts and craft sale items.

  • Donna Cowan
    November 8, 2016

    I think th e sleeve bags first, then mittens if I can find a old wool sweater.

  • Rita Kryglik
    November 8, 2016

    I love the idea of making mittens and a hat from a previously loved sweater.

  • Arlene Burger
    November 8, 2016

    Shirt sleeve gift bags is my project……Christmas is coming soon and this is great for odd size gifts. You can also use batting inside to help protect fragile items.

  • Pat Scull
    November 8, 2016

    I love all of these projects…I have lots of things to use for making them. I do not know which is my favorite.

  • Cheryl Greenawalt
    November 8, 2016

    I would make something out of a shirt as my father passed away a year ago on the 16th and I have a few of his shirts to use.

  • TERRI GUILLOTE
    November 8, 2016

    Mittens first, then aprons for the little ones!

  • Jackie
    November 8, 2016

    I like the shirt sleeve gift bag idea and the sweater mittens.

  • Donna Wilson
    November 8, 2016

    I would sew the child apron first. That is so clever to use a shirt cuff as a pocket!

  • Becky Fierberg
    November 9, 2016

    Hobo bag! So many scarves, so little time!

  • Carol
    November 9, 2016

    I’m definitely making the mittens first. I can’t wait to try them.

  • Nancy
    November 9, 2016

    My first project will be either the mittens or shirt sleeve gift bags. Both projects will happen in the next few weeks!

  • Ann Knepper
    November 9, 2016

    I saw the mittens for sale at a craft show for $40 a pair and I have been looking for a pattern ever since. I will make the mittens first if I win this pattern.

  • Lynn Again
    November 9, 2016

    When I saw the scarf used as a bib cover up I knew I had to make it!! Thanks for the great ideas Mary!!

  • Sally
    November 9, 2016

    I love ALL of the projects, but I think I would have to start with the mittens!

  • Annette (Sweet Annie)
    November 9, 2016

    I love the shirt sleeve gift bag, the apron and shopping bags. I found out this summer that I have breast cancer and being on a fixed income, plan on doing quite a bit of seeing for gifts this Christmas. These projects give me the opportunity to use things that are in arms reach and shopping in thrift store is a great was to recycle, plus save myself money. I love all the ideas.

  • Cyndy from The Funny Farm
    November 9, 2016

    What great inspiration to clean out the closet of old sweaters I don’t wear or don’t fit into any more. I may just be felting up some old sweaters this weekend and see where inspiration takes me!

  • Debra Buchanan
    November 9, 2016

    My first project will be the mittens!

  • Lynda Adair
    November 9, 2016

    I have always loved Mary Mulari’s creative ideas and projects. I, too, love to recycle old items into something useful. I will have to try the Scarlet O’Hara Laundry Bag and a shirt tail apron.

  • Brenda
    November 10, 2016

    I think the scarf/ bib will be a hit at my mom’s retirement home!

  • Annette Canonica
    November 10, 2016

    Love them all but would make the shirt sleeve gift bags for holiday gifts. Thanks.

  • Donna Fecteau
    November 10, 2016

    I think the mittens will be first.

  • Joanne Balliet
    November 11, 2016

    I’ve seen the aprons made from shirts. very clever. I would make the mittens first.

  • Martha Hood
    November 12, 2016

    Think I would start with the Casserole Transporter- looking for other items to go with the Potato Sacks making- Do enjoy making things that can be used and look great in the kitchen also- thanks for all the ideas.

  • Karen Payton
    November 12, 2016

    The cup cozy is such a good idea, I often take hot tea or coffee when I’m sewing but i get busy and then it gets cold! Thanks I would definitely start with that pattern.

  • Dottie
    November 13, 2016

    I will make the casserole carrier first. So many cooks on my list can use these.

  • iris
    November 13, 2016

    The shirt sleeve would also make a great plastic grocery bag dispenser. Just create an elastic opening along the cut edge.

  • Susan
    November 14, 2016

    I would try the hat. Them try to make matching mittens if sweater was large enough. Might add a little leather to palms of mittens.

  • Diane Anderson
    November 14, 2016

    The HOBO Bag is just the right project for using some scarves given to me. My 12 year old neighbor wants me to teach her this project.

  • Mary Bosker
    November 15, 2016

    I would love to try them all but think the first would be the mittens..everyone needs extra mittens!

  • Mary
    November 17, 2016

    I would make the mittens first. So many great ideas and I don’t have to go to the thrift store to find my supplies.

  • Geri
    November 19, 2016

    I would definitely make the dinner scarf first. Being older and living in a senior community, these would also make great gifts for some friends. And the apron from a shirt project would be next. My friend recently said she wanted to do that with her husbands shirts.

  • Cindy
    November 25, 2016

    I found the shirt sleeve gift bag to be my first choice to make. Just think how many times that gift bag could be “gifted.” Thank you for the great ideas!

  • Noreen
    November 26, 2016

    Love the scarf bib idea! I need to get an old sweater so I can try those mittens!

  • Dian Hoffman
    November 27, 2016

    This pattern is full of ideas for repurposing all things fabric. I would love to do several dinner scarves as gifts for friends in assisted living. It would be so attractive and useful to. Very clever idea and a good use for the scarves taking up dresser drawer space. Thanks for the giveaway and Merry Christmas!

  • Sandy Davis
    November 29, 2016

    These projects are great! Now, if I can get my husband to give up his favorite wool sweater, I’ll make some mittens. And, I have one of my late dad’s shirts that I’d like to make into an apron to add to my 150+ apron collection.

  • ALICIA SNYDER
    February 7, 2017

    I have been stashing away a number of perfectly good sweaters albeit a little out of style or no longer my taste to wear that I would like to make mittens from. I also have an assortment of “sweater bodies” from back in the day I would like to put to good use. Hoping to win a book!

  • Barb
    February 11, 2017

    These projects would be great for making with my granddaughter. When I started sewing with my grandmother about 55 years ago, I used shirt sleeves for making doll clothes. Let’s keep textiles out of our landfills.

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