I might wish I had something astoundingly creative to show for my efforts the past couple of days, but my sewing / crafting has been much more utilitarian.
I love my swiffer sweeper, but the use and throw sweeper pads are really not in the budget nor particularly ecologically friendly. I have been contemplating ways to create some kind of reusable pad...via crochet or some other method. I found a variety of patterns, but in the end it just seemed a great deal of effort for something with which one wipes the floor. Then, while cleaning out last week, I ran across a package of pre-fold diapers that I had been given when older daughter was new...and the thought occured that half of one would make an ideal swiffer pad. So, I cut half of the 12 diapers in half and we (older daughter and I) sewed around the edges with a zigzag stitch...
I now have a dozen ideal swiffer pads, for no additional expense. They work wonderfully, but I am afraid that I don't care to show you the bottom of the pad and what all it has picked up! An additional benefit is the fact that Rosie Posie finds it highly amusing to swiffer the floors for me and it is keeping her well entertained...much to my delight and amusement!
Next up, some rather utilitarian bags. These are for a ministry that the churches in our area do each summer. The farms in the county draw a good number of migrant workers to do the field work each summer...and the churches put together bags with a towel, comb, soap, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. to give to the children for their use. I am told that these are quite appreciated and that the kids use the bags for their belongings, swimming things, and what-have-you after the fact.
Older daughter and I sewed up 32 of these bags over the past 2 days for our Church's use in this ministry.
So there you have it, 3 days of practical and utilitarian sewing. I snuck in one bit of embroidery, which I will have to show you...but not a bit of tatting I fear.
I am soooooo way stealing your diaper swiffer idea! that is so perfect~!!~
ReplyDeleteI hope you do, they are working out really well...my daughter just finished up edging the remainder of the diapers. I had her use prettier colors of threads and play with the "fancy" stitches on the sewing machine. They turned out prettier than the first bunch, but I hadn't thought to do that when we started. Definitely worth it!
DeleteVery creative using the diapers for your swiffer, and for trying to reduce, re-use and recycle! I have one of those where the cloths are removeable and washable, and I like being able to use my own cleaner of choice.
ReplyDeleteI have been converting to making a lot of my own cleaners. I like knowing what is in them, exactly. I don't like to throw away, so I just do so as I use up what is in the cupboard. I am trying to say, I think, that I too like to be able to use my choice of cleaner :-)
DeleteDo you put something on the cloth or just use as is? You are so clever! (We have hard wood floors and a dog so stiffer is my best friend.)
ReplyDeleteI use them both ways. To pick up the hair, they work dry, just like the dry swiffer throw aways. To clean, I use a spray bottle of hardwood floor cleaner and then go over the area I sprayed with the swiffer. We have three poochy pals...so yeah, absolutely my best friend! :-)
DeleteOh, and on the tile I just use a spray bottle of vinegar and water with a drop or two of dish soap in it.
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