Re-using Shirts as Cushions with Pockets
A video on YouTube (Credit Menudo Menurito) shows you how to cut up an old shirt to make a square (or oblong) cushion.
You have a straight edge to cut and a straight edge to seam. If you are sewing by hand and don't sew neatly or don't have matching cotton, sew a seam with the item inside out. Then turn it the right way around and the seam is hidden. Most shirt material is both strong and washable.
When the collar and cuffs are frayed, your item has a second use.
A smart white dress shirt can be turned into an elegant ladies' bag.
I have another thought. Great for cushions and pillow cases for men, students, sons, military, who don't like flowers. Pocket for pillows for an afternoon nap or bed time - paper tissues, phone with alarm, pencil and notebook, other vital but unmentionable items. Alternatively, use it as lining for a bucket bag which lacks a closure; or an old tote bag or shoulder bag which has an old fashioned size phone holder pocket too small for an iPhone or iPad.
Other uses for an improvised bag:
Bag for storing scarves in drawers at home, on a shelf, or in a suitcase for tidiness and quick finding when packing for holidays.
Bag for a man's handkerchiefs.
Bag for keeping or carrying a barmitzvah boy's or Jewish man's prayer shawl and skull cover cap.
Does he have two shirts in the same pattern, or same pattern and different colours? When the first shirt wears out, make it into a bag to match the other shirt.
Turning Cushions Into Handbags
Fold finished item in half along the button side with buttons at the top, sew on a ribbon as a shoulder strap, to make a beach bag or tote bag filler with two sides, one for beach shoes, the other for a drink of water or towel. Sew lower corners together, or attach with shorter ribbon to look neat but allow for expansion.
Use two or four safety pins inside to secure cut up bin liner or replaceable kitchen bin liner for waterproof lining. Or use as Dad's or Grandad's tote bag filler for baby's nappies on one side, baby food on the other side.
I also converted a wine coloured satin cushion into an evening bag to match a wine coloured skirt and jacket. I left it as a large square tote bag.
For an evening, if you are petite or want to look neat, fold cushion horizontally for a high or wide bag, with small ribbon for a pouch and long one for a shoulder bag, attached, or detachable using D rings from an old bag or bought from eBay sewing suppliers or Hobbycraft.
Cheap satin cushions, unfilled or filled, from supermarkets or department stores are often cheaper than evening bags or are just the colour you need. Many of them already have zips which saves your contents falling out and is some protection agains pickpockets.
All you need is a pair of scissors, a need and thread, and a running stitch.
If you don't have these, what can you do?
No knife?
If you don't have scissors, you can cut with:
a Stanley knife in an office, or from a tool kit, or a razor blade cutter, or a sharp knife, fold fabric in half along cutting line and cut away from you; or nail scissors, or sewing scissors, or large wallpaper cutting scissors. Best cutters are serrated pinking shears which help stop fabric from fraying.
Angela Lansbury, author of How To Get Out Of The Mess You're In. Buy from the author. Get a signed copy.
A video on YouTube (Credit Menudo Menurito) shows you how to cut up an old shirt to make a square (or oblong) cushion.
You have a straight edge to cut and a straight edge to seam. If you are sewing by hand and don't sew neatly or don't have matching cotton, sew a seam with the item inside out. Then turn it the right way around and the seam is hidden. Most shirt material is both strong and washable.
When the collar and cuffs are frayed, your item has a second use.
A smart white dress shirt can be turned into an elegant ladies' bag.
I have another thought. Great for cushions and pillow cases for men, students, sons, military, who don't like flowers. Pocket for pillows for an afternoon nap or bed time - paper tissues, phone with alarm, pencil and notebook, other vital but unmentionable items. Alternatively, use it as lining for a bucket bag which lacks a closure; or an old tote bag or shoulder bag which has an old fashioned size phone holder pocket too small for an iPhone or iPad.
Other uses for an improvised bag:
Bag for storing scarves in drawers at home, on a shelf, or in a suitcase for tidiness and quick finding when packing for holidays.
Bag for a man's handkerchiefs.
Bag for keeping or carrying a barmitzvah boy's or Jewish man's prayer shawl and skull cover cap.
Does he have two shirts in the same pattern, or same pattern and different colours? When the first shirt wears out, make it into a bag to match the other shirt.
Turning Cushions Into Handbags
Fold finished item in half along the button side with buttons at the top, sew on a ribbon as a shoulder strap, to make a beach bag or tote bag filler with two sides, one for beach shoes, the other for a drink of water or towel. Sew lower corners together, or attach with shorter ribbon to look neat but allow for expansion.
Use two or four safety pins inside to secure cut up bin liner or replaceable kitchen bin liner for waterproof lining. Or use as Dad's or Grandad's tote bag filler for baby's nappies on one side, baby food on the other side.
I also converted a wine coloured satin cushion into an evening bag to match a wine coloured skirt and jacket. I left it as a large square tote bag.
For an evening, if you are petite or want to look neat, fold cushion horizontally for a high or wide bag, with small ribbon for a pouch and long one for a shoulder bag, attached, or detachable using D rings from an old bag or bought from eBay sewing suppliers or Hobbycraft.
Cheap satin cushions, unfilled or filled, from supermarkets or department stores are often cheaper than evening bags or are just the colour you need. Many of them already have zips which saves your contents falling out and is some protection agains pickpockets.
All you need is a pair of scissors, a need and thread, and a running stitch.
If you don't have these, what can you do?
No knife?
If you don't have scissors, you can cut with:
a Stanley knife in an office, or from a tool kit, or a razor blade cutter, or a sharp knife, fold fabric in half along cutting line and cut away from you; or nail scissors, or sewing scissors, or large wallpaper cutting scissors. Best cutters are serrated pinking shears which help stop fabric from fraying.
Angela Lansbury, author of How To Get Out Of The Mess You're In. Buy from the author. Get a signed copy.
