How can I reuse or recycle a fleece jacket?
We’ve had an email from “BustyBee” (hehe, great nickname) asking:
What are the reuses for an old fleece jacket? My DH has some that are too small but I don’t want to just throw them away.
If it’s just a case of them being too small then it’s probably best to pass them on to someone who can still use them as jackets – a charity/thrift/op shop or shelter would probably welcome them with open arms at the moment given it’s becoming more wintery by the minute.
If they’re too old or tatty for such a donation, you could salvage the bits of fabric that are still in good condition to use for various crafts and the like – I’d imagine cut into strips or small pieces, it would make bouncy stuffing or larger pieces could be sewn together to make a snuggly, patchwork quilt. Any other suggestions?
What about non-craft uses? I have a half a memory of people using old (synthetic) fleeces as an insulator for frost-sensitive plants in the garden or related to that, I guess they could be refashioned into a kneeling pad for leaning on when out pulling weeds and the like. Other ideas?
A friend of mine uses fleece to make hot water bottle covers as it makes them snuggly and is easy to cut and sew. Don’t use fleece to make rice/wheat bags though as the fabric sweats when you put it in the microwave and you end up with a soggy wheat bag! I have also used fleece offcuts to make softies in the past. If you don’t know anyone who would like a softie then try the Toy Society (great fun to do!) or make a toy for Softies for Mirabel.
http://thetoysociety.blogspot.com/
http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/2009/09/softies-for-mirabel-2009-crafting-for.html
They are wonderful for rag rugs
If the backs are still good they could be refashioned into doggie beds, or blankets.
Don’t forget to unpick and salvage the zips, toggles and other fittings from things like this too if you’re going to cut up an old bit of clothing.
A jacket zip would be long enough for a cushion cover or a bag, maybe to replace a broken one so you don’t have to throw something else away too.
Maybe you could try re-lining some old slippers – or making them from scratch?
I had an old fleece with a company logo that they didn’t want when I finished working for them. I couldn’t donate it because it might have been used to impersonate an employee (I worked with children). So I cannibalised it for parts (zip, pockets and elastic) and used what was left to make cute little bean bags – I used this tutorial – http://whimsy-girl.blogspot.com/2009/01/beanbag-tutorial.html. The company logo even got made into a bean bag!
I use fleece squares about 20cm square instead of baby wipes. You could also use fleece cut into squares as cleaning cloths/dusters.
I think they are perfect for kids blanket or something they can sit on while playing on the floor. Just find a nice pattern textile to sew on top.
Fleece can be made into comfy car seat covers.