Is It Useful or Just Hoarding ???…
If you’re anything like me; we’re constantly trying to apply the recycling principles. Reduce; Reuse; Recycle. But at what point does the ‘saving’ turn into hoarding? So we all know that you can never have too many glass jars with a good lid or plastic buckets. Something is always going to happen turning some of your store into trash. Can a person ever have too many elastics? Well, you get the picture. Most recently I was pondering this thought while observing my stack of feed bags. Outside of using them as trash bags or more creatively turning them into a nifty purse 😉 , is there really a use for them? A quick look over at Pinterest generates a resounding yes. If that application is actually useful to you. Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t need a feed bag purse or a feedbag Christmas stocking. However, they come in handy as grow bags for the potatoes, trash bags and storage bags. But today I’m going to show you a few of the ideas that I ‘did’ find useful for all of those leftover bags. Now while these ideas do require the use of a sewing machine, don’t let that scare you off. Pretty basic sewing ‘skills’ are required here.
Table Cloth: No, I wasn’t thinking for the Thanksgiving table. But perfect for the picnic table. Instead of trying to clean the table before setting the food down just throw one of these down. Just sew several of them together and there you go. Or, keep sewing until you have a nice size tarp.
Kill Apron: This one is very basic and very handy. FYI, they can be used in the greenhouse/garden too if you like to keep the dirt in the pots and not on your clothes. The thing about this is feed bags are waterproof. When you’re done just hose it off and hang it up. Done. Just a footnote about this project. I almost didn’t include it in the post because it did not go exactly as I had imagined. But then I thought the point of this was and is about being resourceful. The satisfaction is not in fulfilling the task to perfection; but in taking something that was headed for the dump and creating something useful. So if you are not a skilled seamstress; don’t let that deter you. Give it a go. You might surprise yourself. And finally; does it have to be perfect to be useful??? I think not.
Recycling Bags: I LOVE this one. You can buy these grommets at several different stores; even some $ stores carry them. This project is dead easy. Unpick the bottom and square it off. With right sides together sew it up securely. A quick turn of the top and zigzag. I installed three grommets to the back side so the bags can hang nice and sturdy on the wall. This one in the picture is hanging in hubby’s shop and they work great in the greenhouse as well.
Outdoor Cushions: Okay so I made these in a box cushion style which requires a little more fuss. But seriously just cut to squares sewing right sides together. Turn inside out, stuff and finish up sewing the opening and you’re done and dusted. These are great for the hard (cold or wet) picnic table, the campfire stumps and in the boat/canoe.
Just a few parting words about working with feedbags. When you cut them open, give them a wipe with a damp cloth to get rid of residual dust. Materials needed: a sturdier needle in the sewing machine; yardstick; sturdy scissors; clothes pins and paperclips for ‘pinning’ and a pencil or pen for marking. Feedbags are NOT fabric. They ARE plastic coated and therefor very slippery. When attempting a pivot, ensure the needle is in the down position. And finally; if you mess up don’t worry. There are likely plenty more bags where that one came from.