When I seen these pillow cases I had to have them! it was during a 50 off sale at Value Village so they were a whopping $2 for both!
Sometimes I know how I will up-cycle things, other times I know in time I will figure it out.
I want to make a skirt out of a vintage bed sheet, but am afraid of my sewing skills!
This time I looked at the cases and knew I could get 2 throw pillows for our games room and a shopping bag out of these for sure, the extra bag I made was an added bonus.
In order to get 2 pillows out of one pillow case I would have to use a solid coloured fabric for the backs, light weight blue canvas fabric from the same sale to the rescue.
The stuffing for the pillows was up-cycled from bed pillows we swapped out in our home, the stuffing in them still great enough for stuffing craft projects, I never toss them, I just give them a wash then pull the stuffing out and keep it in a garbage bag.
I used one pillow case for this big bag and the cuffs from both for the handles, simply by cutting them off then opening them up and ironing them flat, then sewing them into handles.
Then the scraps from both were used to make a smaller bag, the handles were from a small piece of red fabric I had in my stash, just enough for the inside and the handles.
I keep these smaller bags on me at all times, 1 to 2 fit in my messenger bag, my purse is a denim messenger bag from the Gap that I purchased at a yard sale for $5, nearly brand new!
For the shopping bags you can read my tutorial HERE to make your own bags
Remember using up textiles that already exist and giving them new life is the best way to go plastic free, economically and environmentally ( when new textiles are produced it isn’t as environmental as if you use fabric that had another purpose already)
I challenge you to check out the textile sections of thrift stores, not only the fabric section, my favourite is bed sheets and curtains, many found in nearly new condition, and of course it is were I find my vintage bed sheets that have become bags in the past.
“It makes a big difference to recycle. It makes a big difference to use recycled products. It makes a big difference to reuse things, to not use the paper cup – and each time you do, that’s a victory.”
Emily Deschanel
SHARED AT THESE LINK PARTIES
DANDELION BOUQUETS 
That material would make a great koozie for bee- I mean , um, a great koozie for a nice Pepsi. Ha.
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Haha my beer never has a cozy! I find them odd.
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Hahaha. Mine usually doesn’t either. Cheers to that! We don’t need no stinkin’ koozies!!
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🙂
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Love the fabric, they looked so cute as bags. Better to reuse bags then to keep plastic in the environment. You did a great job too.
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I was watching a show on how fabric bags arent the answer if they are made cheaply and dont last and if made “new” i chuckled and said to myself…guess using thrifted fabric is now hip and the best way to make bags…thanks world for joining me in using up already existant fabrics!
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I know, you are right. They made things to last back in the day. I have also noticed that thrift shops are raising their prices like crazy.
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They definitely are going up..supply and demand I suppose. I search for the good deals and hit up the sales. I buy new fabric too of course..all about balance..im far from.perfect but every bit helps i hope
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Very cute! I just read your post about depression on Instagram, and went to your blog from there and read “Lady in White.” I know the Lord saved you and your boy for a special purpose. I just want you to know that your creations are awesome, and I’m going to pray for your depression every time I think about it. #littlecottagelinkparty
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Thank you for the sweet words
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As a Diet Pepsi fan and lover of bright colors, your picture piqued my interest. My mom was first generation Polish raised during the Depression and married to a man who did not produce a regular paycheck.. I remember her buying a red and white polka dot skirt for .10 at a rummage sale and making 2 pillowcases. We had colored bedlinens LONG before it was COOL! After she died, I found worn sheets that she had turned outer edges to the middle! I love making lumbar, i.e. small, narrow pillows, from placemats’ they often look like tapestry.Thrift stores are one of my favorite sources of material–linens and clothing to upcycle. Enjoyed your post.
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Thank you for popping in. I just found some fabric that reminds me of a 70s couch type fabric.i made floral bags last year from simular textured fabric. Cant wait to turn this into bags and much more as i purchased at least 4 yards if not more.for $4
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Your bags are so cute! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
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WOW!!! What a great price and great find!! The cushion and bag look great. Love when something old becomes something new!
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Thank you…my dad was the king of upcycling when I was a kid..I apprciate the craft now as to oppose to thinking he was cheap and a little coocoo as a kid
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