Being sassily thrifty!

Do you know that our clothes embark on a unique journey of their own?

What starts off as an exciting purchase reserved for kitty parties and ‘special events’ is then then tossed away in our cupboards for a year (or two if you’re extremely miserly) when we get bored of, until it is: a) passed on to a loved one b) donated c) sold d) re-purposed by ammi to make a cleaning rag The cycle repeats itself when it comes to the donated bunch or even rags, until the clothes finally find their way to the slums where they are dexterously patched up by our women, reunited with their abandoned fellows and take the form of tents and shelter in slums. This cycle ensures that fabric wastage is minimized, increasing the life cycle of each garment. Find out about the centuries old art of recycling in our post “Re-use, Re-cycle, Re-invent!” https://www.instagram.com/p/BorGB-2A4Iw/ Waste is so last season and so, we share 6 other ways to repurpose old clothes and fabrics lying around:

1. Use them as gift wrapping materials

Furoshiki is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used for wrapping just about anything from gifts to snacks- no string or tape involved. It’s a great way to make your gift memorable and to encourage others to be thrifty too. All you need is a square of fabric slightly larger than the object you’re packing. This is how you can do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ85imxKmiU

2. Use them to make pouches for storage

This should remind you of your sughar nani and daadi. These pouches work for storage as well as gifts and party favours(yes, bookmark this for your friend’s wedding or even your own) This tutorial should help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKo6TTzqn_Q

3. Use them as trims to reinvent solid kurtas or to make details e.g. tassels and flowers

You may see them as waste but what if you use them as trims and embellishment materials? Take out your old basic kurta(s) and shake things up a bit. Here are some looks to give you ideas:

1. Dare to flare by adding some panels and using your fabric for piping in between.

2. Create a print-blocked look by juxtaposing your waste fabrics onto some printed pieces 3. Use leftover borders or even running prints to make patterns on a printed or solid ensemble.

4. Mount them on wooden frames to make wall hangings or pin-up boards

When it comes to home design, fabric is surprisingly the most versatile of materials. It can be used in so many ways, and it's often an inexpensive, splashy way to add color, pattern, and texture to a space. Why do we think of fabric only in terms of of curtains, linens, pillows, or upholstery? There are plenty of DIY ways to turn a basic piece of fabric into fabulous wall art, all under a budget and additionally, by engaging the entire family. Here’s how you can create magic in your favourite nook of the house: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr4MqkTFYNg

5. Use them to make rag rugs

If you always found it therapeutic to see the elders knotting or weaving, this project will surely excite you. It allows you to rip clothes apart and even better, make something supremely beautiful out of them. Start collecting strips of fabrics and get down to making a colourful, comfy rag rug for your room. Here’s how to go about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YADYD28wIWU

6. Use them to make DIY necklaces

So what if your favourite outfits are old and dilapidated? You can still make them a part of your ensemble by turning them into fabric necklaces! Get some fabric strips, needles, beads and let’s get going. This video offers you a variety of designs to make: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYHo7Wl-JH0 Which of these will you trying out? Do you have our “it” bag made of out of leftover fabric? Grab one at your nearest GENERATION store and bring it with each purchase- about time we got eco-friendly!