Frugal Fabrics

I try to make a point of donating used items, especially clothes, to the needy. However, sometimes Donnie and I wear our clothes until they're too faded, stained, or torn to be of much use to anyone.

Since we're trying to live both frugally and sustainably, we use the fabric from these unwearable clothes in a variety of ways. Here are some of my favorites.

• Make shorts or a skirt from an old pair of pants.


• Use mismatched socks to make beanbag toys.


• If you're feeling ambitious, make a hooked rug or quilt from scraps of fabric.


• Make a cute purse from an old pair of jeans.


• Use an old T-shirt to strain homemade broth.


• Tightly braid strips of old cloth to create a dog toy.


• Use large pieces of worn clothing as dust rags or washcloths.


• Make a heating pad from an old sock (without holes!).

How do you make use of clothing that's beyond repair?