We're the first to yell spray paint! when it comes to making over a thrifted or vintage find that needs a little sprucing up. Although eco-friendly spray paint options exist, they aren't easy to come by, so when we were at the craft store last week, a new product caught our attention. Can you guess what it's made from?
Although more traditional felt is just as eco-friendly since it's made from wool, it doesn't come with this neato self-adhesive backing (which is non-toxic). Presto Felt from Eco-Fi is made from 100% post-consumer plastic from recycled bottles.
You can use felt to cover lamps, lampshades, tin cans for pencil/paint brush holders, add a bottom to a vase or figure that might scratch your tabletops and more. Presto Felt retails for roughly $1 per sheet, making it a green product as well as easy on the pocketbook.
What would you cover with felt if you had the chance? A notebooks? Puzzle blocks for children? Leave us your thoughts below.
(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)
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What about the sea of plastic packaging it comes in? That's not too eco-friendly, especially when you can buy wool felt off of a bolt and take it home in a reusable bag.
Speaking of crafts and toxins....
I've been trying to find a non-toxic fusible interfacing (you know, the kind used for applique, quick interfacing, etc.). I'm making some baby stuff and I've been doing all the applique by hand with just a muslin backer as a stabilizer because I don't know what that fusible interfacing stuff is made out of.
Anyone?
jk25 - Don't be so quick to judge, just because there's a wrapper. Sure it would be better if they sat on the shelf and didn't require the packaging, but since Eco-Fi is a highly responsible and well regarded company when it comes to the repurposing of waterbottles and plastics... we'd venture to guess the packaging is eco-friendly as well.
jessicaw - That's an excellent question, we'll do some research and post our findings!
The Eco-Fi felt in my local craft store (JoAnn's) doesn't have the sticky backing and sits right on the shelf, I've never seen it in those packages. I'm guessing the plastic bags are to keep people from "testing" the sticky part.
Having worked in retail for many years, I would assume they offer both types based on the layouts of the stores and the location of their product in the aisles. Good to know they're even more green when possible! Thanks diretornikki!
I'm sorry... but all that packaging (eco or not) is ridiculous. Even if the packaging is biodegradable or made from recycled plastic bottles... the energy is took to make and apply all the packaging cancels the eco-friendliness of the product for me. Aside from the fact that I think 'covering lamps' in swaths of felt is kind of a stupid idea, wouldn't you need far more than a $1.00 sheet to finish a project of any real substance? Why not cut down on packaging by selling them in larger packs? This is just really weird and proof that not all 'green' ideas are created equal.
@sarahrae Thanks, I'd like that!
Someone at a quilt shop suggested I use a kid's non-toxic glue stick to just hold my applique in place while I machine stitch it down. That said, I don't know what's in those either and at this stage, *everything* goes in that kid's mouth.
Kid's glue is a great resource, they make "green" alternatives, you can find them in the adhesive/glue section at your local craft and hobby stores, though white glue is non-toxic so you should be safe.
I see a hobby lobby sticker ^_^