Get green and glam with second-hand style

Sewing Green by Betz White helps transform thrifted duds into eco-friendly wares

By Emily Anderson
Published: April 1st, 2009 | 12:00am

Six months ago I took it upon myself to learn how to sew, thinking it would be better for the environment and my wallet. I thought I'd feel more comfortable if my clothing didn't come from dubious origins halfway across the world. But sewing my own stuff wasn't as budget friendly as I anticipated. Several trips to a local craft store quickly revealed that unless I was picking over drastically reduced remnant fabric, price-wise I'd be better off selecting something from a department store clearance rack. This was a disappointing discovery. I had also been cruising the Internet for great retro-inspired prints, but the ones I was really lusting after were even pricier than the craft store. I quickly lost steam, but nonetheless I was very excited when I saw Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed and Organic Materials by Betz White.

White combines my desire to DIY it up with another chief love of mine: sourcing things secondhand. This book is everything an eco-conscious aspiring seamstress could ask for. The projects are suitable for all skill levels but are, for the most part, ideal for the "advanced beginner." The book begins with some easy staples: cute aprons made from men's dress shirts, cloth napkins from repurposed fabric, and felted wool trivets and coasters for your tea set. Sewing Green is brimming over with easy-peasy skirt patterns, utilitarian totes, and everything you might need to totally eliminate all waste created when you brown bag your lunch!

Particularly awesome: the "Felted Foliage Scarf" as seen on the cover, the "BYOB Water Bottle Sling" for the physically fit and purse-impaired, and a luxe "Cashmere Lap Throw" for recycling all those way too expensive but worn out sweaters. The book even includes a few adorable and shamelessly easy garments and toys to make for babies and toddlers. Aside from the 25 projects there are also short helpful chapters on what to avoid at the thrift store, how to deconstruct your materials, a tutorial on eco-friendly fabrics, and an uber-helpful chapter on the necessary tools and stitching techniques necessary to make your crafting attempts successful. Sewing Green has all the elements to help you make the daily grind chic and easy on the earth.

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed and Organic Materials by Betz White

Photographs by John Gruen

Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book