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-   -   Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these? (http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/community/showthread.php?t=394705)

WildOlive 01-28-2011 03:50 PM

Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
A year ago a friend gave me a TON of baby/toddler clothing her son had outgrown. The stuff that looked decent I took over to the orphanage, but there is still a boxful of stuff that is rather stained and/or just plain ugly. The thrift store doesn't want this stuff, trust me. I HAVE to get it out of my house like 6 months ago. I feel guilty throwing it out :bag but since it's baby sizes, the pieces aren't really big enough to use as patchwork or strips for a rug or anything. *Is* there anything crafty I can do with it?

Part of the reason I feel guilty dumping it is b/c she expected me to donate it ALL to the orphanage. I felt like I couldn't tell her the stuff was too nasty.

Is there anything I can make with it besides rags?

Kiara.I 01-28-2011 04:40 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
If you do applique you could probably find non-stained pieces that were big enough to use. Or pieces for patchwork-type stuffed animals? Or pieces to make quiet books out of (though that's the same as applique, mostly.) And you could donate those to the orphanage, if you wanted.

HOWEVER. If you will not likely use it for those purposes, or if they'll become a "oh, I really should get to that..." project that will cause you guilt, then DUMP IT!

Heather Micaela 01-28-2011 04:43 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
Could you not donate them anyway? Let the orphanage know these are stained and great for days when kids want to play and get real dirty? Then let THEM toss them if they want :shrug3

blessedwithboys 01-28-2011 04:54 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
I would take them to your local non-profit thrift store. Ours gets paid by the pound for clothing that they sell to be made into rags. :yes Do not feel guilty. It would be ridiculous to pay to haul rag-quality clothing all the way to Africa when there is plenty of good clothing that people will donate to take if you go again.

Heather Micaela 01-28-2011 04:56 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by blessedwithboys (Post 3642957)
I would take them to your local non-profit thrift store. Ours gets paid by the pound for clothing that they sell to be made into rags. :yes Do not feel guilty. It would be ridiculous to pay to haul rag-quality clothing all the way to Africa when there is plenty of good clothing that people will donate to take if you go again.

I must have missed something the orphanage sounded local to me

WildOlive 01-28-2011 05:50 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
No, it was the orphanage in Ethiopia, last year when we went to pick up Isaiah. I'm a firm believer in giving high quality donations, and we maxed out our luggage allotment with high quality donations, so I kept back the worst stuff. It was really important to me to take nice things over for the kids, they have so little, it was one way to let them know someone cares and thinks they are special.

Our thrift store has repeatedly posted announcements in the paper asking people not to give them un-sale-able items, so I don't think they collect them for rags.

Heather Micaela 01-28-2011 06:10 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
OK I understand now. You know, you may want to donate them to a preschool as spare clothes or just to a friend or church for that reason. Sometimes I appreciate having stained clothes to go for when I know the day will be messy. Or if there are parts that are cleaner and you have the skill a small quilt might be nice. However I would feel NO guilt just turning them into rags.

expatmom 01-28-2011 06:58 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
If you have any animal rescue type places, they will often take things that are in poorer condition as bedding.

Also, I seem to recall you are Mennonite. :think Do you have an active MCC nearby? They might do things like rag rugs or whatnot. It might be worth calling them (not the thrift store but the charity).

JustMandy 01-28-2011 07:17 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
If they are really junky, just dump them. It is okay to throw things away that really are trash.

Marsha 01-28-2011 07:27 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
I'd dump 'em. That's my vote. :-)

Autumn 01-28-2011 08:51 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by JustMandy (Post 3643326)
If they are really junky, just dump them. It is okay to throw things away that really are trash.

:yes :hug

Starfox 01-28-2011 09:11 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
Call the recycling center before you trash them. Our recycling center just announced that they now take fabric for recycling.

But yeah, get rid of it. I always think of the show "hoarders" and how the people are saving things for "future projects". (That always helps me dump stuff!)

Marielle 01-30-2011 12:50 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
I would go the bedding for animals or recycling route. although my kids had a beanbag that was going on in age so in order to revive it I added the old socks and shredded white undershirts from our family's laundry that were too old/stained for any other use. Definitely heavier than foam beans but still useful.

WanderingJuniper 01-30-2011 12:57 PM

Re: Should I dump without guilt, or is there something crafty I can do w/ these?
 
Things we've done with stained torn outgrown clothes include:
bean bags/hacky sacks/ juggling balls
goodie bags for kids parties
doll blankets
doll slings
family cloth
I also tried a rag rug but it didn't turn out as I had hoped.
drawstring bags for my son's marble collection
busy bags for the car
sensory bags (my kids loved these. You fill them with different feeling sounding or smelling items)


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