Old dupattas, suits, tees, bedcovers, pagdis, bedspreads… the ‘old’ list is endless. Giving away to helps or anyone needy is the best option but if you still have the problem of aplenty, don’t just throw them away. Repair. Re-use. Re-cycle. Be kind to Mother Earth! I spoke some on this in an earlier column.
Dupattas: The salwar-kameez or leggings (more popular today) fade faster. Give the dupatta to your local tailor to make a crop top, kurti or kurta out of it. Don’t wish to wear the same thing again? Use it as a stole or simply cut out arm-holes and hey you have a shrug! Be it silk or cotton, insert a matching or contrasting lining and belt, and craft a wraparound straight skirt. Looks chic! Not keen on any of these? Again, give it to the darji to make cushion covers, runners, placemats (if you mix and match two dupattas), and if not anything, then tear into squares to make kitchen napkins. Want an eclectic touch? Add a froth of soft lace and beads on the edges or just a trim. They make excellent bread/ roti wraps. Same goes for faded pagdis or turbans.
Bed covers/sheets: Old bedcovers and sheets apart from making excellent dust-sheets when you are travelling, can be folded and stitched, some 5-6 together, to make excellent cushions for your pets or call the local cobbler and get heaps joined together to make mouldable floor cushions.
Simple doable steps but believe you me, you will be re-pairing, re-cycling, re-using and even creating some work for the have-me-nots. All it takes is one step at a time!
Like always, I look forward to hearing from you.
