Scraps of fabric: it's overflowing!

As you increase the number of sewing projects, you also accumulate leftover fabric... which you conscientiously store at home, because you don't know what to do with it. We give you a few tips on how to get rid of these textile scraps, which end up becoming cumbersome!

Reuse instead of throwing away

First of all, think about reusing them for one of your creations. For example, you could make a doll's garment, decorate one of your creations, or even decorate a cushion (you could even use them to fill a cushion). is preparing a short article on this subject ;) ).

No inspiration? Instead of throwing them in the trash, recycle them!

Textile recycling bins all over France 

There are many associations or organizations (more than 500 in all!) that collect used textiles in containers all over France. Keep your eyes open, you must have a container near you (the map is HERE) ! Some of them recover scraps of tissue, from a certain size.

• This is the case for the Relaisa leading French operator in the collection and recovery of TLC (textiles, household linen, shoes) with more than 20,000 containers throughout the country. "We collect scraps of tissue if they measure at least 30cmx30cm. In this case, they feed our recycling network. Depending on their material, they can for example be transformed into isolant Métisse”explains Xavier Herrero, Development Officer at the Relais. This thermal and acoustic insulation for the building, made entirely of recycled cotton, protects against cold, heat and noise.
  

• In Lyon, the association Our Lady of the Homeless also accepts falls. "We have partnerships with sewing workshops in the field of rehabilitation, who come to our workshop looking for material"explains Tiang Girard of the Communications and Collection Department.

Please do not hesitate to contact directly the organization that manages the nearest dumpster to verify that your scraps of tissue will be welcome.

To give, there are a few rules to be respected: the fabrics must be clean and dry and placed in well-sealed bags of 50 litres maximum.

Companies inupcycling : making new out of old

Another way to give a second life to your tissue remains: the companies ofupcyclingwhose currency could be "nothing is lost, everything is transformed" !

In Lyon, for example, the zero-waste product brand Kufu revalorizes certain scraps of fabric, recovered from individuals or companies, for its creations. "We reuse patterned fabrics, of a minimum of 50cm x 50cm. People who wish to make a donation send their scraps to the workshop".But even so, she still collects more than 300 kilos of fabric every month!

There are more and more upcycling companies all over France. A small Google search should be enough to find one near you!

Reuse, recycling, upcycling companies... instead of piling up your fabric scraps at home, or feeding our overflowing garbage cans, don't hesitate to donate them. An easy ecological and solidarity gesture, and space freed up for you to start new sewing projects!

Anouchka C.

Many thanks to Anouchka Collette, eco-responsible journalist and couture addict, for her insight into recycling. If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to contact her at [email protected].

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