MAKE: Eco-tip of the week with Iris B ~ “Futzel’ - your new, magic eco-craft word

Every interior design store I know, finds it a real drag to dispose of the many last season pattern and swatch books of textiles and wallpapers. So, I encourage you to go to your local outlet and ask if you can take some off their hands. I literally got my hands on a carload from my nearest interior design store, only too happy to not have to take them to the dump. (Big thanks to Marge and her team!) 

 

 

I am now at a point where the interior design shops know what I do with their leftovers, as I make the effort to pop by once in a while and show them the goodies or send them pictures by email. So they already save the nicest sample books for me and other materials like curtain rings and fringe samples (which I use on my vintage-style bags). I make sure I make a special Christmas card for them from the materials they donated. It’s a good feeling to ‘pay-it-forward’, a philosophy I am a big fan of. Also, it is really heart warming to see the local support so I do recommend keeping your suppliers in the loop in terms of what you make from their materials and show them the fruits of your creative adventures once in a while. 

 

So now that you have your hands on some of those wonderful fabric and wallpaper books – think ‘Futzel’ - you can start a whole ‘green’ gift line and mix & match to your hearts content. For me it started initially as a hobby for friends birthday gifts and Christmas decorations, but I had so many requests soon, that it has developed into a full ‘eco-craft’ line for me. Best of all, each piece is unique.

 

 

 

Most of the swatches have a frame that is glued on paper. Don’t discard those paper backed sections as they are ideal for making toppers for cards and scrap-booking shapes. You can even put together a whole ‘eco-scrap’ kit, already pre-cut (I use pinking-scissors) and sell it at car-boot sales or to friends who love crafting. Here are a few card samples I made from such ‘Futzels’.       

 

 

Another much loved past time of mine utilising every “Futzel” in sight is making hand-sewn bags from remnant swatches and old belts or old bag leftovers. Second-hand shops are my treasure trove for this. I don’t use a sewing machine but stitch them by hand with a heavy-duty thread that is used for sails, super strong and durable. The opportunities are endless, you can make storage sacks for toys, nice little handbags for that romantic night out or design one to go with that new coat, pencil cases, make-up bags etc ... They also make lovely little gift-pouches to spoil your friends and family with.

 

 

I found a use for those really small cut-offs by turning them into some bag-charms, decorated with ribbon remnants and other left over beads and jewellery components from my studio. If you get your hands on some textile or puff paint, you could even personalise them as a special gift item. The shapes also make unique gift-tags, Christmas tree or lovely wall hangers and I always like a decorative item that has more than one use. Be ensured that they are keepsakes people will treasure for life.

 

 

“Futzels” can make wonderful material for door-stoppers and draft excluders. One of my favorite lines I create is ‘Monty’, the horse door stopper (filled with organic, fair trade beans). I recommend that you experiment with shapes or animals and draw an outline first on paper and hold it against the door to see the proportions. Always allow a bit more length for the filling as you want it to ‘sit’ properly and not topple over. Part of the 'Monty' range sales goes to the HorseWorld charity for abandoned animals and there is even a "real" Monty, an ex-police horse I adopted as a mascot for this new eco-line. 

 

My idea for Christmas gifts this year is, to use the rest of the swatch book fabric I have for a complete 'Noah’s Arc' series of door-stoppers. Imagine going round the house and finding a lovely animal at your feet. That will cheer anybody up on a cold and grey winters day. 

 

 

Rummaging through a pound-shop the other week, I found some very sturdy but not very ‘stylish’ coasters and thought: “I can re-design those!”. So, with all the left over “Futzels” I make them into lovely party or house-warming gifts. (Don’t forget a bottle of wine to go with it!) 

 

 

It takes very little to make your own craft endeavors a bit more ethical and greener and do let people know about it. Enjoy all the great new ideas you will encounter on the way. Dare to experiment and don’t be shy to ask those interior shop managers, you are on a ‘Futzel’ mission to save the planet!

 

All designs featured are © Iris von Brandstatter / Iris B. design.