Sunday, March 21, 2010

Labels Anyone?
A few weeks ago, I described the terrific auction lot of sewing notions that I won for next to nothing. Well, included in that stash was a little bag of more than 100 clothing labels. All had been carefully removed, and many were from men’s clothing.

Not knowing what I might be able to do with them, I threw them in the wastebasket.

Less than an hour later, I retrieved them. I thought, if someone had gone to all the bother to remove and save them, there must be a project there somewhere! So, I carefully washed and ironed the lot of them, and started thinking about projects. I wish I could talk to whoever was saving them, to know what she had in mind, because I’m at a bit of a loss.

I did come up with one really cute use – what a great embellishment for little doll jeans!

If you have some ideas about how the rest could be used, I'd love to hear them!

This must confirm my membership in the Hoarders Unite group - not only can I not get rid of any of my own stash, now it seems I can’t get rid of someone else’s stash either!



7 comments:

  1. Trudy - I'm laughing so hard, that there are tears in my eyes. You are indeed brave to add to your stash - I'm always afraid that I will be overwhelmed walking into my workroom - if I add anything else!

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  2. That is GREAT!! I often have a moment of pause when I remove a label, before I can throw it in the trash. It seems such a waste, and I KNOW there must be a way to use them. I like the way you embellished the jeans. I think they would be fun ways to adorn pencil bags or other little zipper bags. Maybe 2 or 3 (or more?) appliqued onto each item so there is no confusion or backlash from the original designer about the label being used and confused with something of their designing...

    I think it definitely lends possibility...keep us posted on what you decide. I'm sure somebody in the group would take them off your hands if you end up choosing not to use them.

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  3. i am SO happy you took them out of the wastebasket! ;>)
    i bought a half apron many years ago, and it was composed of vintage labels sewn on the fabric--it's great--they would be great sewn to fabric and made into a purse or tote bag, too---
    great auction find! ;>)
    marilyn g

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  4. I could picture them on a vest...

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  5. LOL!

    I was thinking of a small item - a clutch or wallet - made of them sewn together (or maybe sewn on to base fabric). They'd also be great on cards. :)

    Good luck!
    Julie

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  6. Thanks for all of the great ideas! Now I'm thinking I should start saving labels and add to the stash I already have ...

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  7. I sometimes save labels, too -- would definitely keep them! Depending on what they say could be used as accents on quilts or greeting cards or collage mixed media type of projects.

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