Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials (Paperback)

~ (Author), John Gruen (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

By its nature, do-it-yourself sewing is environmentally friendly. In Sewing Green, Betz White takes stitching to an even higher level of sustainability, presenting 25 projects made from "repurposed" thrift-store and back-of-the-closet finds and organic fabrics.

 

White’s whimsical yet practical designs include an apron constructed from men’s dress shirts (and a wallet from the shirts’ cuffs!), a soft blanket pieced from secondhand cashmere sweaters, and even a tote bag refashioned from used Tyvek envelopes. Along the way, White dispenses tips on everything from how to deconstruct old garments for reuse in new creations to how to wrap gifts with resusable fabric scraps instead of paper.

 

Inspiring profiles about well-known leaders in the eco-stitching movement are sprinkled throughout, and a complete resources section helps crafters make eco-smart choices. With Sewing Green, today’s sewers will be fashioning handmade heirlooms and sustaining traditions for generations to come.

About the Author

Betz White is a renowned felter and green crafter whose work is sold online and in boutiques around the world. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart’s TV show and in numerous magazines. Her first book, Warm Fuzzies, was published in 2007. She lives in North Potomac, MD.

---

Product Details Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (April 1, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 1584797584 ISBN-13: 978-1584797586 Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,311 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #42 in  Books > Outdoors & Nature > Environment > Conservation #47 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Sewing

---

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Betz White Page

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	62% buy the item featured on this page: Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials 4.8 out of 5 stars (13) $16.47
	14% buy Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) $14.93
	10% buy Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects 4.6 out of 5 stars (31) $15.63
	7% buy Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs 4.1 out of 5 stars (12) $11.53

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.  crafts(7) organic(5) sewing(5) felt(4) sewing book(4) sewing projects(4) needlework(3) sewing books(3) wool(3) eco friendly(2) green(1) See all 18 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

---

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

---

 

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews 5 star:  (12) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 21 of 23 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Another beautiful book from Betz White, March 31, 2009 By  S. R. macdonald (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book Feels good in my hands, feeds my hungrylittlecrafty-eyes, and is also nice to READ. Betz dicussses fabrics and thrift stores. The projects are: aprons mades from men's shirts (cute!), coasters from wool, (cute and different than other things I have seen), vintage napkins and rings from ruined old tablecloths,lounge pants from old cute sheets, pillows, an adorable draft-buster that looks like a branch, sweater-slippers, a wallet made from a shirt-cuff,a reversible wrap skirt,lunch tote, reusable sandwich wraps,more bags, a pillowcase skirt and MORE! I haven't sewn anything from this book yet, but have "walked" through a couple of the projects and the instructions seem solid. The patterns need to be enlarged, so I need to go to my copy center to get that done. This is a beautiful book that inspires me each time I look at it--I just like having it near! If you like to sew, you will probably find a few projects, at least, that you will want to make right away! 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Different from the rest of your craft books, June 4, 2009 By  Kimberly F. Fraser (Chapel Hill, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I was lucky enough to be able to attend a Betz White workshop recently where I picked up a copy of Sewing Green. My craft and sewing bookshelf is quite full, I assure you, but Betz' newest book is unlike any of the titles I already have and is a welcome addition. There are a number of projects I've bookmarked to make--the little girl's pillowcase dress (actually in progress on my sewing table right now!), the felted cashmere throw blanket (I've begun scoring and felting thrift shop cashmere sweaters and don't know why I didn't think to use them before!), and the baby quilt and coordinating "washies" and stuffed dog projects (for a friend's baby due in the fall). I found the project instructions and accompanying photos very clear, and think they would be very easy even for the beginning sewer. I also appreciate the very thorough explanations of how to treat recycled and vintage materials before beginning your projects. But one of my very favorite things about this book is the collection of essays sprinkled throughout the chapters on "eco-innovators." This makes the book perfect for my evening habit of perusing sewing books on the sofa while my husband watches the news. How many craft books out there provide both plenty of inspiration and good reading? Only this one, on my shelf! I recommend Sewing Green highly to anyone interested in finding new sewing inspiration from old materials! 11 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Betz White should change her last name to Green., April 12, 2009 By  XOSonja "XO-Sonja" (Northern CA USA) - See all my reviews Betz is an inpiration to me and she kept the bar high on this, her latest book. She continually comes up with cheerful creations that make you want to run to a thrift shop in search of goods to revamp. Like delicious ripe fruit her latest book is fresh without being fake sugar sweet. Items you really want to use or give as gifts rather than something you labor over and then put in the closet. You will be look at old materials in a whole new way.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely adore this book I absolutely adore this gorgeous and inspiring book. Beautifully photographed, designed and written ~ easy to follow, even for someone relatively new to sewing ~ every time I... Read more Published 2 months ago by Marisa Haedike 5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding choice for any eco-conscious library SEWING GREEN: 25 PROJECTS MADE WITH REPURPOSED AND ORGANIC MATERIALS tells how to design and sew fine modern projects from sustainable and 'repurposed' materials - the latter such... Read more Published 2 months ago by Midwest Book Review 5.0 out of 5 stars sewing green is great This book is great ad has plenty of sewing patterns to use. Those patterns come in handy, especially when you are inspired by all the beautiful pictures! Published 3 months ago by Jeanine Magana 5.0 out of 5 stars Mindful and clever I love how Betz combines her crafty cleverness with her earnest interest in eco-friendly materials. This book gives you lots of options from reusing readily available materials... Read more Published 5 months ago by M. Canonica 5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely the best book on my shelves! This book is just plain beautiful, in every sense of the word. The images are beautiful, the projects are beautiful, and the whole spirit of making new from old, breathing life... Read more Published 5 months ago by Alison V 5.0 out of 5 stars Sewing Green is a fantastic addtion to any craft book library Betz White's new book, Sewing Green, is a great addition to anyone's craft book library. It is full of fresh and charming projects with the emphasis on organic and re-purposed... Read more Published 5 months ago by Erin Harris 5.0 out of 5 stars sewing green is so ... wonderful ! chock full of sunny pictures and easy-to-follow steps, I love this book. It's crafty about re-using fabric items in a smart, stylish way that accenuates their... Read more Published 5 months ago by Elissa Brown Barbieri 5.0 out of 5 stars Save the planet, one stitch at a time I loved this book--the eco-friendly projects are chic and modern (no cereal-box wallets for sure!) and so wonderfully rendered, with gorgeous photographs, a warm instructive... Read more Published 5 months ago by Jasmin Chua 3.0 out of 5 stars crafty reuse of old items There are a couple of projects in this book that are really GREAT! Some look a little too crafty for me, personally. Published 5 months ago by Angi Wang 5.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas I enjoyed every page of this wonderful book. Lots of great ideas for everyone! Published 6 months ago by E. Croley Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

This product's forum Discussion Replies Latest Post No discussions yet Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   Guidelines Active discussions in related forums Discussion Replies Latest Post parenting Parenting Troubled or Difficult Teens 0 1 hour ago parenting For Dan - Bible Spanking Discussion 17 2 hours ago sewing Recommendations for Scissors for Arthritic Hands 8 6 hours ago sewing do I need a serger 20 7 hours ago crafts Thanksgiving boredom and remedies 1 7 hours ago crafts Do you have a crafty website? Please share! 129 1 day ago organic Organic Gardening 10 1 day ago Search Customer Discussions Search all Amazon discussions

The Arts & Crafts community Latest activity 1 hour ago 4,670 customers have contributed 4,908 products, 109 discussions and more... › Explore the community The Sewing community Latest activity 1 hour ago 2,537 customers have contributed 1,813 products, 29 discussions and more... › Explore the community The Organic community Latest activity 2 hours ago 4,012 customers have contributed 3,090 products, 249 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums crafts (109 discussions) organic (7 discussions) parenting (253 discussions) sewing (29 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Listmania!

for the future farmgirl: A list by jek-a-go-go "a whirlwind of style"   Crafty Repurposing -- Making old stuff new again: A list by K. Taylor "writer and crafty gal"   Books Our Family is Reading: A list by Holly White-Wolfe "Sono-Ma" Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts
• Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Sewing
• Books > Outdoors & Nature > Environment > Conservation
• Books > Parenting & Families

---

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:
Conservation of the environment
Needlework & fabric crafts
Clothing and dress - Remaking
Crafts & Hobbies
Crafts / Hobbies
Family / Parenting / Childbirth
Hobbies/Crafts
Crafts & Hobbies / General
Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing
Environmental Conservation & Protection - General
General
Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection
Sewing
Sustainable Living
Clothing and dress
Recycling (Waste, etc.)
Remaking
Handicrafts, Arts & Crafts


i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Ad feedback

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

› View and edit your browsing history

Get to Know Us Careers Investor Relations Press Releases Amazon and Our Planet Make Money with Us Sell on Amazon Join Associates Self-publish with Us › See all Let Us Help You Shipping Rates & Policies Amazon Prime Returns Help

Canada | China | France | Germany | Japan | United Kingdom  And don't forget: Amazon Windowshop | AmazonWireless | Askville | Audible | DPReview | Endless | IMDb | Shopbop | SoundUnwound | Warehouse Deals by Amazon | Zappos Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584797584
• ISBN-13: 978-1584797586
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,311 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #42 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Environment > Conservation
  #47 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Sewing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another beautiful book from Betz White, March 31, 2009

By	S. R. macdonald (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book Feels good in my hands, feeds my hungrylittlecrafty-eyes, and is also nice to READ. Betz dicussses fabrics and thrift stores. The projects are: aprons mades from men's shirts (cute!), coasters from wool, (cute and different than other things I have seen), vintage napkins and rings from ruined old tablecloths,lounge pants from old cute sheets, pillows, an adorable draft-buster that looks like a branch, sweater-slippers, a wallet made from a shirt-cuff,a reversible wrap skirt,lunch tote, reusable sandwich wraps,more bags, a pillowcase skirt and MORE! I haven't sewn anything from this book yet, but have "walked" through a couple of the projects and the instructions seem solid. The patterns need to be enlarged, so I need to go to my copy center to get that done.
This is a beautiful book that inspires me each time I look at it--I just like having it near! If you like to sew, you will probably find a few projects, at least, that you will want to make right away!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Different from the rest of your craft books, June 4, 2009

By	Kimberly F. Fraser (Chapel Hill, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was lucky enough to be able to attend a Betz White workshop recently where I picked up a copy of Sewing Green. My craft and sewing bookshelf is quite full, I assure you, but Betz' newest book is unlike any of the titles I already have and is a welcome addition. There are a number of projects I've bookmarked to make--the little girl's pillowcase dress (actually in progress on my sewing table right now!), the felted cashmere throw blanket (I've begun scoring and felting thrift shop cashmere sweaters and don't know why I didn't think to use them before!), and the baby quilt and coordinating "washies" and stuffed dog projects (for a friend's baby due in the fall). I found the project instructions and accompanying photos very clear, and think they would be very easy even for the beginning sewer. I also appreciate the very thorough explanations of how to treat recycled and vintage materials before beginning your projects. But one of my very favorite things about this book is the collection of essays sprinkled throughout the chapters on "eco-innovators." This makes the book perfect for my evening habit of perusing sewing books on the sofa while my husband watches the news. How many craft books out there provide both plenty of inspiration and good reading? Only this one, on my shelf! I recommend Sewing Green highly to anyone interested in finding new sewing inspiration from old materials!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Betz White should change her last name to Green., April 12, 2009

By	XOSonja "XO-Sonja" (Northern CA USA) - See all my reviews

Betz is an inpiration to me and she kept the bar high on this, her latest book. She continually comes up with cheerful creations that make you want to run to a thrift shop in search of goods to revamp. Like delicious ripe fruit her latest book is fresh without being fake sugar sweet. Items you really want to use or give as gifts rather than something you labor over and then put in the closet. You will be look at old materials in a whole new way.