Betz White Q&A and Book Giveaway

sewinggreencover

Today True Up welcomes Betz White, author of the new book Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials (STC Craft), on her blog tour.

Betz is the queen of crafting with felted (or fulled, if you’re a stickler for terminology) thrift-store sweaters — her first book was Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects (North Light Books, 2007). It was natural for her to start crafting with other reclaimed and repurposed textiles. Sewing Green features more projects using recycled wool … as well as vintage bed linens, men’s shirts, old jeans, juice pouches, and Tyvex envelopes.

betz-aprons

But Sewing Green is not just about finding and using the materials already around you — there are also several projects that will help you reduce your impact on the environment (and save your money, too): a lunch tote and water bottle cozy, reusable produce and shopping bags, napkins. My favorite? A door draft buster shaped like a log, complete with woodgrain stitching.

betz-log

Sewing Green also features wonderful little profiles of leaders in the repurposed/organic textile world: Harmony Art Organic Design, Alabama Chanin, Crispina ffrench, Morsbags, and Swap-o-rama-rama.

For this stop of the blog tour, I focused on the raw materials: repurposed and organic fabric. Sewing Green will help expand your world view of what “fabric” is — but it’s one thing to have an open mind and another to find the inspiration to incorporate these things into our daily lives. So I asked Betz how she did it …

Why should people seek out organic fabric?
Great question! Organic fibers are healthier for the environment and for you, the end user of the product. Conventionally grown cotton is responsible for 25% of the world’s pesticide use. Organically grown fiber uses no toxic chemicals. By purchasing sustainable and environmentally conscious fabrics, you are essentially voting with your dollars. By choosing organics we send a message to textile manufacturers that we care about the earth. This leads to creating a stronger demand and ultimately more organic fabric production and options to enjoy!

betz-fabrictypes

In Sewing Green you cover different types of organic fibers — have you had a chance to work with them all? What are some of of your favorites beyond cotton?

I’ve really not ventured too much beyond cotton as far as sewing with organics goes. I touch on a few other organic and sustainable fibers in the book. The industry is evolving so rapidly that I felt it best to approach it in general terms, exposing readers to some of the options available. It’s an educational process and also an ethical one.

For some sewists so accustomed to thinking “I need fabric, so I need to go to the fabric shop,” it’s hard to make that mental leap to thinking of things already around us as fabric sources. How did you make that leap? Or have you had that mindset all along?

I think all sewers struggle to use their own stash before buying new. New often means exciting! The trick is to try to uncover the “newness” in materials you may already have whether it’s piece goods or other items that can be repurposed. I keep an ongoing donation box in my closet of my family’s outgrown/out of style/worn out items. Fortunately, I don’t have my act together enough to toss the box in the car on my way to the thrift store, because I often end up dipping into it for materials! Sometimes I’ll be working on a project that needs a simple lining, for example, and that old T-shirt or blouse might just fit the bill.

There is a big simplifying/decluttering movement going on these days that goes hand-in-hand with environmentalism. Crafters (including myself!) seem especially prone to craft-supply clutter, so collecting old shirts, sweaters, juice boxes, etc. to repurpose can get out-of-hand fast! What do you personally do to find the balance — or are you a happy hoarder? What do you recommend for others?

I guess I am a hoarder and luckily for me, I live with hoarders, so this behavior is perfectly acceptable in our household. Everyone has their own style of organization. I tend to have things loosely grouped by like items in the hopes that I’ll be able to locate what I need when the project mood strikes.

The projects in Sewing Green are not only about using organic and re-used/repurposed materials, but about making re-usable items (napkins, produce bags) to replace disposables. What do you say to creatures of habit who want to be more eco-conscious but have a hard time letting go of some of these everyday conveniences?

I’m certainly not perfect in this department. I suggest choosing your battles and try incorporating one change at a time. I love using cloth napkins. Each member in our family has their own special napkin ring. Using cloth napkins makes the meal feel more special somehow. I still have paper napkins on hand for certain instances, but we as a family are weaning ourselves off of them. I think back to the time of my parents and grandparents. They didn’t have the convenience of disposables. They used everyday dishes, silverware, cloth napkins and tablecloths, etc. Afterward they washed them (by hand!) and put them away for the next use. There’s something to be said about the frugality, sensibility and even the ritual of caring for our possessions in that way. Convenience doesn’t necessarily mean better.

betz-wrapskirt

How did you get into vintage fabrics? What is your stash like? What is your favorite design era?

I’m not a huge vintage fabric junkie, but I do like to collect colorfully printed sheets and pillowcases. I love florals from the 60’s and 70’s.

What are your favorite sources for vintage fabrics? Organic fabrics?

For vintage finds, I prefer thrift stores, flea markets, and sometimes eBay. For organics, I love Harmony Art Organic Textiles. I am also currently collaborating with a few other eco-friendly designers. We are developing a line of prints on organic cotton for the quilting and home sewing market. So stay tuned!

–

Thanks, Betz! You can follow Betz on her blog. Keep up with the blog tour for lots more inspiration, information, and projects, and many more chances to win your very own copy of Sewing Green.

For my giveaway today, confess an un-green habit in your own household that you’d like to change. Comments will close and winners will be chosen Friday around noon central U.S. time and announced on my Twitter.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

04/06/2009 | Fabric People, Giveaways | Comments

121 Responses to “Betz White Q&A and Book Giveaway”

  1. Posted by: Cicada Studio - 04/06/2009 - 1

    Wonderful interview!

  2. Posted by: Ginger - 04/06/2009 - 2

    I am bad about drinking bottled water- trying to stop, though!

  3. Posted by: Courtney - 04/06/2009 - 3

    Great interview! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book.

    Un-green habit: (ack! this is a big one!) … our city doesn’t recycle glass, so I don’t always make the extra effort to get ours to a recycling center.

  4. Posted by: Michelle - 04/06/2009 - 4

    I relaly need to make some napkins – I’m a big napkin user (or even if I don’t need one, I like having one on my lap while I eat)… I hate throwing them away, it’s so terrible!

  5. Posted by: Jamie - 04/06/2009 - 5

    We water the lawn in the summer…but this year I am thinking of getting a rain barrel to collect the water to use in the yard.

  6. Posted by: Rachel - 04/06/2009 - 6

    Wonderful interview-thanks!
    We don’t compost. I know we should but we just haven’t set up a compost system yet.

  7. Posted by: Sarah - 04/06/2009 - 7

    Awesome interview! I have been looking forward to this book for what seems like ages.

    My ungreen (red?) confession: I cannot break my household’s extreme overuse of paper towels. We use cloth napkins and I try to keep sufficient clean dishtowels on hand. But when something spills, miles and miles of paper towels reel off so conveniently from that dispenser of doom.

  8. Posted by: orata - 04/06/2009 - 8

    We are addicted to soda water in our household and I feel terrible about the plastic bottles. My boyfriend thinks it’s better than buying a metal seltzer bottle and having to throw away/recycle the metal cartridges, but I’m not convinced.

  9. Posted by: Kat - 04/06/2009 - 9

    I’m a disposable razor user. I never want to fork over the cash for a permanent one:(

  10. Posted by: julie - 04/06/2009 - 10

    Great interview!

    I wish I would have started with cloth diapers when my daughter was an infant. I don’t think she’d ever let me try them now. I’m hoping that I will feel less guilty after she’s potty trained.

  11. Posted by: Betty Ann - 04/06/2009 - 11

    I use the dryer too often.
    I have a clothes line and love the smell of clothes dried outdoors.

  12. Posted by: Shiela - 04/06/2009 - 12

    Our un-green habit? Plastic garbage bags. I need to find a better option!!

  13. Posted by: mama TAVE - 04/06/2009 - 13

    I concur with two previous comments–paper towels and diapers. I use recycled content paper towels, so I don’t feel as guilty, but still… And to think of all the disposable diapers my daughter went through in two and a half years… I plan to try cloth with baby #2, whenever that will be. ;-)

  14. Posted by: Nova - 04/06/2009 - 14

    Not turning off lights sometimes when I go to another part of the house.

  15. Posted by: Gina - 04/06/2009 - 15

    Hurrah another great book to help us reduce-reuse-recycle. I can’t wait to read it and get making!
    Our worst habit is probably a general one – consuming too much. We’re trying to think before we buy more – not just about what we buy and whether it’s the greenest option, but whether we ‘need’ it at all.

  16. Posted by: Tori - 04/06/2009 - 16

    My household’s biggest un-green habit – plastic food storage containers and zipper bags! We were raised with way too much Tupperware!

  17. Posted by: ldp - 04/06/2009 - 17

    Failing to recycle plastics. The collection company offers lazy person’s recycling, but those tubs of various sizes are great for repurposing. I think we make up for it by using the psuedo Mason jars the fancy pre-cut fruit comes in for drinking glasses.

    I’m eager to read the ideas in this book!

  18. Posted by: MegVS - 04/06/2009 - 18

    Paper towels for sure. They are just so convenient for wiping up those messy little faces and all the spills those sweet little cherubs make. ;0p

  19. Posted by: Paula - 04/06/2009 - 19

    Our worst un-green habit is definitely using lots of paper towels. I sure want to change that!

  20. Posted by: Christine C. - 04/06/2009 - 20

    My worst habit is not composting. I am working on creating a compost bin in my backyard, but until it is ready I feel horribly guilty about throwing away all those coffee grinds and orange peels!

  21. Posted by: Lori - 04/06/2009 - 21

    Still haven’t begun using alternative grocery shopping bags. I want to… it’s not an I’m-being-stubborn thing. Just haven’t made it a priority, but I know I should!

  22. Posted by: Anne - 04/06/2009 - 22

    Oh how I would love this book. Our family is guilty of not recycling empty coke bottles, water bottles and milk jugs. I hate admitting that we just toss these items but now I am seriously thinking we need to change our wasteful habits!! Thanks. a.haun@sbcglobal.net

  23. Posted by: JenniMac - 04/06/2009 - 23

    Our most ungreen habit is our use of disinfectant wipes and paper towels. My husband insists we can not live without them. I tried to go without for a few months and mixed a solution of bleach an water to spray down the counters with. I did quite well with it as long as I did all the tidying up. hmmmm.

  24. Posted by: Marilyn - 04/06/2009 - 24

    How ironic that I do ungreen things – like fertilizer, sprinklers, etc. – to enjoy a green lawn. Something to think about.

  25. Posted by: Sara R. - 04/06/2009 - 25

    I definitely use too many paper towels. Ugh.

  26. Posted by: AmyLeigh - 04/06/2009 - 26

    I must say I have been doing a good job with recycling everything I can, lots of reuse in my craft projects, doing a better job of keeping consumables use down… now, I am working on trying to notice other types of use that are not sustainable- where are things made, under what conditions, was it local, etc. I worry that maybe I drink too much coffee- gosh, I don’t want to give it up, but I wonder, it’s a perfect example, what is the impact of a big surge of consumer demand for a commodity like that.

  27. Posted by: Carrie in KC - 04/06/2009 - 27

    I’m definitely interested in making some cloth napkins. Thanks for a fun giveaway!

  28. Posted by: Carrie of Rhubarb Sky - 04/06/2009 - 28

    I’m eating red vines as I type this. . . That’s about as un-green as you can get. Someday I’ll be evolved enough to let go of ALL high fructose corn syrup!

  29. Posted by: Emily S - 04/06/2009 - 29

    I like to take really long showers. Definitely need to cut them in half.

  30. Posted by: Meg - 04/06/2009 - 30

    Great interview – so hope I win a book and can get crafting

    We don’t recycle as much as we should especially when it comes to plastics. I always say i’m going to get a can just for the plastic and put it right next to the trash but I continue to forget.

    Meg

    onourwayonline.com

  31. Posted by: Andrea - 04/06/2009 - 31

    I confess that I do not buy local as often as I would like to. Especially when it comes to produce. We have a new farmers’ market starting in just a couple weeks down the street and I am hoping it will be the motivation I need.

    Thanks for the great interview!

  32. Posted by: Alison - 04/06/2009 - 32

    Great post!

    Most ungreen habit, paper towel usage. And the worst part is I have tons of tea towels so really I have no excuses! I just need to break the habit.

  33. Posted by: Rachel - 04/06/2009 - 33

    LOVE THAT BOOK!

    I must admit our most ungreen habit is using too much water! Long showers, leaving the faucet on while brushing or washing dishes…etc. Other than that we are doing pretty good, right down to the cloth diapers.

  34. Posted by: Sarah - 04/06/2009 - 34

    I have twins and I use disposable diapers.. I know its horrible. I am working on potty training them as early as I can! your book looks amazing

  35. Posted by: Barb - 04/06/2009 - 35

    Even though I have a compost, I don’t use it as much as I should. This year I am going to build a new one that is more user-friendly and hopefully I’ll be better at using it.

  36. Posted by: Jennie - 04/06/2009 - 36

    Probably paper towels and paper napkins. I try to use cloth as much as I can, but with two little ones and a dog I’ve found it next to impossible to go paper-free in my house right now.

  37. Posted by: stacy - 04/06/2009 - 37

    Disposable diapers. I’ve seriously given thought to the gDiapers – which are the ‘hybrid’ of diapers… the convenience of disposable (the liners are flushable) but earth friendly!

    BTW, I just checked out this book at the bookstore this weekend and loved the projects inside! Crossing my fingers on this one!

  38. Posted by: Jackie - 04/06/2009 - 38

    Our household is pretty green – we recycle all we can, compost, have a garden and belong to a CSA, do not drink bottled water, and judiciously use paper towels. What I would like to change is that we often take two cars to our kid’s sporting events. One parent takes the “player” who has to arrive early, and the other parent comes when the game starts.

  39. Posted by: gwensmom - 04/06/2009 - 39

    I drive a low mileage mini van because we need room for my daughter’s wheelchair. Also, I quit using paper towels long ago but gwensdad still buys them and uses them to keep food from splattering in the microwave. Drives me nuts!

  40. Posted by: Michelle - 04/06/2009 - 40

    We tend to take long showers in this house. We could work on that for sure.

  41. Posted by: Maranda - 04/06/2009 - 41

    Water bottles:

  42. Posted by: Tanya - 04/06/2009 - 42

    Hmm, I guess our biggest issues are disposable diapers but working on potty training now. Another would be the cleaners I use, they smell so strong and I know they can’t be good for us or the environment

  43. Posted by: Leigh - 04/06/2009 - 43

    I know I need to stop using paper towels, but I am having such a hard time giving this one up…

  44. Posted by: Jessica - 04/06/2009 - 44

    With 2 little boys I wipe up spills all day long, I’m starting to feel bad about my dependence on paper towels…I need to reach for my flour sack towels instead of the Bounty. I suppose that isn’t as bad as the stacks of plastic bottles that I always forget to take to the recycling bin (which by the way are very inconveniently located in my town!)…once the stack gets so big, it winds up in the garbage because I just can’t take it any more.

  45. Posted by: Jennifer - 04/06/2009 - 45

    Diapers. I tried to do cloth but the first time I pricked my baby with the pin, that was over. With the second kid I found plastic fasteners, but she just wiggles right out of them. I hope to have her potty trained by 2 yrs old.

  46. Posted by: katie - 04/06/2009 - 46

    Making too much trash! Disposable napkins and wipes, and all packaging that comes with toys!

  47. Posted by: Marcella - 04/06/2009 - 47

    I think our worst habit is being lazy and driving to places we are able to walk to. It would really help our waistlines too…. ^ ^

  48. Posted by: tia - 04/06/2009 - 48

    I would say using my dryer for every load of laundry. Our dryer has been broken for a couple days, but the clean clothes still need to dry. I have been using our clothes line again and the clothing actually dries in about the same time. We do live in Australia, so that makes it a bit warmer than the rest of the planet this time of year…

  49. Posted by: connie - 04/06/2009 - 49

    Using disposable napkins rather than cloth ones. It’s just laziness and a desire for convenience on my part…

  50. Posted by: charlotte - 04/06/2009 - 50

    My husband and I use paper towels a bit too much… he is the one that keeps buying them, but I need to sew up some cloth towels and make use of them!!!

  51. Posted by: Andrea - 04/06/2009 - 51

    I’ve been to a seminar on composting and need to just go ahead and get started. I think about it every time I throw away the scraps.

  52. Posted by: sharon - 04/06/2009 - 52

    take home boxes from restaurants. i keep meaning to bring my own tupperware, but i’ve only remembered twice :( i should just keep some in the car!

  53. Posted by: ikkinlala - 04/06/2009 - 53

    I usually take longer showers than I really need to.

  54. Posted by: Jenn - 04/06/2009 - 54

    I always use those plastic produce bags at the store… and forget to bring them back with me, so, it seems like a have an entire closet devoted to their housing, because i can’t bear to throw them out.

  55. Posted by: georgia - 04/06/2009 - 55

    Oh definitely plastic cups. Stupid city recycling doesn’t recycle them and I can’t seem to give them up in tough times!

  56. Posted by: karen - 04/06/2009 - 56

    Grocery bags, I have cloth reusable ones but I never seem to have them when I need them! I am going to keep them close at hand!

  57. Posted by: shortboots - 04/06/2009 - 57

    We’re doing okay here, I think, but just can’t get over that last hurdle to switch from TP to, ahem, “family cloth.”

  58. Posted by: Jean Fernandez - 04/07/2009 - 58

    I use plastic grocery bags

  59. Posted by: Kelley - 04/07/2009 - 59

    I hate to admit this…but I don’t recycle cat food cans or tuna fish cans. Washing out the stinky stuff inside grosses me out :-0 but, I am resolving to get over it and start getting those yucky cans in my recycling bin

  60. Posted by: Anna - 04/07/2009 - 60

    I still haven’t set up a compost bin – perhaps a good long weekend project?

  61. Posted by: Kelly O. - 04/07/2009 - 61

    HI there,
    I really want a copy of this book!
    I am pretty green around here but we do go through A LOT of papertowels! And I use plastic baggies to keep my cheese from drying out in the fridge. I really should put it in tupperware or something….convenience sometimes wins out. Too bad.
    thanks for the chance to win!
    Kelly O.

  62. Posted by: Diana - 04/07/2009 - 62

    I took the flow-reducer out of my shower head because I love high water pressure showers. :(

  63. Posted by: Heidi T - 04/07/2009 - 63

    I use clumping cat litter that I’m sure is filled with all sorts of toxic substances…I keep trying to find a natural product that works.

  64. Posted by: Martha - 04/07/2009 - 64

    I’m going to start making my own salad dressing in a reusable shaker bottle because I’m tired of seeing 2-3 glass bottles and plastic caps in my recycling bin every week.

  65. Posted by: kate - 04/07/2009 - 65

    Disposable diapers are my non-green thing. But, honestly I don’t feel guilty about it. I just try to do other things to make up for it.

    Kate

  66. Posted by: Harley - 04/07/2009 - 66

    I use paper towels.. a lot :( they’re just so handy, but I need to seek out recycled ones.

  67. Posted by: Crystal - 04/07/2009 - 67

    Great interview. I have a hard time letting go of the plastic produce bags. I take my own reusable bags to the store, except I always forget the produce bags.

  68. Posted by: Maryjane - 04/07/2009 - 68

    Ah, my worst un-green issue….getting plastic bags at the grocery store every week when I could just use fabric bags! I have them, and they sit in my trunk, and get forgotten every.single.week.
    I’d love to win this book, it looks fabulous!

  69. Posted by: Amie Plumley - 04/07/2009 - 69

    I think my worst issue is disposable diapers…I know, I know…..

  70. Posted by: Hyena In Petticoats - 04/07/2009 - 70

    Love the look of this book – thanks for the insight and the interview!

    Here in my state in Australia, we have just banned plastic bags in the supermarket, and I must confess, I have no idea what to do for bin liners now! I’m working on finding something biodegradable, but it’s made me realise how much plastic I have been throwing away every week…. ugh!

    Cheers,

    Leah xx

  71. Posted by: TheArtfulDogger - 04/07/2009 - 71

    We run the heater more than we probably need to (for Northern California) in the winter. I grew up in a desert, so I get cold easily. I’m trying to adapt.

    For those posters who need a green solution for trash bags, try BioBags. They are biodegradable and compostable. I kicked the plastic trash bag habit a couple years ago. BioBags are great, however, they aren’t so great if you put wet stuff in them. You’ll have to double-bag.

  72. Posted by: stacy d - 04/07/2009 - 72

    Both my husband and I have been making a conscious effort to make our household a eco-friendly environment. We’ve bought aluminum water bottles to replace the plastic ones. We have also made a rule that if we forget our shopping bag when we go to the store that we HAVE to buy a new one instead of using plastic, at this point we have more shopping bags than we need.
    I think the hardest un-green habit to break is the use of chemicals. We have been doing a lot of painting lately and every time one of us washes a brush I sorta cringe. I am hoping to get a lot of home improvement stuff done but our budget is really tight.

  73. Posted by: Kim - 04/07/2009 - 73

    I really hate plastic bags, but I keep getting them from the store every time I shop. I have reusable ones, but they never seem to make it to the car with me. Plus those plastic bags are oh-so-convenient for trash bin liners and used kitty litter receptacles. We recycle and compost, so I figure what little trash we do make can go into a tiny bag we are reusing instead of a big one that was manufactured for that purpose.

  74. Posted by: Panya - 04/07/2009 - 74

    Paper towels and napkins are my shame.

  75. Posted by: MzTallulah - 04/07/2009 - 75

    We’ve been trying pretty hard to do all that we can aroudn the house; one thing that I would like to improve is not leaving any appliance on standby – I’ve already managed to fit the laptop with a socket with an on/off switch, and intend to do the same with the TV, DVD player, Tivo, etc.

  76. Posted by: Lark - 04/07/2009 - 76

    I do lots of green things–easy to do in an area where there’s lots of awareness and municipal systems in place.

    Hardest non-green habit for me to break is running the water while handwashing just a few dishes. Gotta get better about breaking that habit in drought country! Am getting better about catching the gray water to use in the garden though.

  77. Posted by: Rachel B - 04/07/2009 - 77

    Great interview! I get coffee on the go, and don’t usually use a travel mug.

  78. Posted by: Katie - 04/07/2009 - 78

    I’ve been thinking we need to stop buying paper napkins – with two kids under 5 I’m addicted to their convenience.

  79. Posted by: Amy - 04/07/2009 - 79

    My non-green bad habit is using plastic baggies. My husband packs his lunch, and uses one or two almost every day, and I use them to store my daughter’s leftover snacks.

    But I remember seeing a tutorial on Betz’ blog for a reusable sandwich wrap, and I’m looking forward to making a few of those to help break my bad habit!

  80. Posted by: Victoria - 04/07/2009 - 80

    Oh man…foil. There it is. I really love foil-wrapped baked sweet potatoes, they just don’t cook the same without it! Then I have these syruppy covered foil scraps that I intent to wash and reuse (for more potatoes!) but I keep putting it off until my husband “takes care” of them (by getting rid of them).
    And I always seem to be one cloth bag short of the total grocery haul. Always one! I despise taking that extra bag at the store.

  81. Posted by: amy - 04/07/2009 - 81

    i’m terrible about plastic water bottles. i’ve tried other options, but i still go back to them every time! i’ve found that i NEED to have a sports type top on the bottle, or else i never drink enough water. plus it keeps it from spilling too much when my cat knocks it over! i can’t stand the taste of water in metal bottles, so i never use the metal one that i bought, and i can’t find a nalgene style bottle with a sports top, and every time i try to use the nalgene style bottle that i have, i spill water down my front (stupid wide mouth!).

    so i buy a new plastic bottle every month or so and reuse it and then eventually recycle it, but even so, that’s 12 bottles that i wouldn’t be using if i could just find a reusable bottle that i like!

  82. Posted by: Vicki - 04/07/2009 - 82

    We use a lot of paper towels and rarely use re-usable grocery bags. Both things I’d like to change.

  83. Posted by: Neza - 04/07/2009 - 83

    Plastic bags :( (
    I have some fabric ones, but I usually forget them at home.

  84. Posted by: Sarah - 04/07/2009 - 84

    I admit that I am guilty of using too much water. Leaving the tap running as I rinse dishes, long hot showers. I’m awful I know. Can’t wait to get my hand on this lovely book, great interview!

  85. Posted by: Celina - 04/07/2009 - 85

    As a college student I find it easy to just throw things away. When moving out of the dorm I toss out clothing, shower hangers, toothbrush holders, shelving etc., rather than trying to donate or find new homes for things. This year I really want to work on green practices by repurposing items or donating them rather than essentially putting them in the landfill.

  86. Posted by: Niesz Vintage Home - 04/07/2009 - 86

    Great interview! I must find that book.
    My un-green confession…definitely paper towels and those pop-up disinfectant wipes.

    I do reuse, recycle, and compost quite a bit, but I’m going to try to give up my paper towel habit this year.

    Kimberly :)

  87. Posted by: E. Lindsey Hornkohl - 04/07/2009 - 87

    Well, I grew up in a city and a time when conservation was taught in schools. I truly believe that’s where we need to start educating on living green. So I know how to save energy, water, and do all the recycling I can, but when it comes to crafting, I am all BUT green. I try to be conservative, but there are times when I just can’t. I am going to try to repurpose and upcycle more of my craftiness, and it will be a stretch to do more, but it’s a responsibility that I must stop overlooking.

    Great interview by the way! I love Betz. She is just the greatest.

  88. Posted by: Heather - 04/07/2009 - 88

    I’m great about reusing, repurposing, remaking, fabric napkins, recycling bottles and all the stuff we can recycle, but I don’t compost. That’s what I want to work on this year — apartment composting, here I come!

  89. Posted by: Alyson Hill - 04/07/2009 - 89

    Holey clothes Batman! I know I should make use of the kids worn out clothes but my rag bag is overflowing, and they’re too far gone for sewing…so I just chuck them. It keeps me up at night. From time to time.

  90. Posted by: Emily Flippin Maruna - 04/07/2009 - 90

    My un-green (would that make it orange or purple) household secret is that we use cling wrap and zip lock bags. I want to make some oil cloth bags for sandwiches and snacks.

  91. Posted by: sherri s. - 04/07/2009 - 91

    Like many, I’m guilty of “can’t-be-bothered-to-wash-out-the-plastic-baggie” and also paper towel addiction. Sigh. There’s always tomorrow, right?

  92. Posted by: kelli - 04/07/2009 - 92

    My kids love the yummy yogurt that comes in single serving containers. I’m trying to break them of that habit, but it’s so convienient — for me and for them!

  93. Posted by: marnie - 04/07/2009 - 93

    we have reformed a lot of bad habits – but we need to recycle the paper we use – not the newspaper buy white computer paper, looseleaf, note paper… need some blue bins around the house

  94. Posted by: mylist - 04/07/2009 - 94

    I still buy produce that’s out of saeson and is shipped from far far away – just can’t resist it sometimes.

  95. Posted by: oona b - 04/07/2009 - 95

    I must confess that while we religiously recycle everything paper around the house, and all bottles/plastic, etc that pass thru the kitchen, I can’t ever remember to walk the empty toilet paper roll into the recycling pile in the kitchen. Must. Remember! Thanks.

  96. Posted by: Marissa - 04/07/2009 - 96

    Paper napkins, for sure.

  97. Posted by: MelodyJ - 04/07/2009 - 97

    I would like to stop throwing away so much paper. I need to recycle more.

  98. Posted by: Jen - 04/07/2009 - 98

    Great interview. Very insightful. I eat lots of yogurt on the go and have feel awful about the small containers. I need to start buying large containers and filling a reusable container each day- only draw back, large quantities of yogurt don’t have as many flavors… agghhh, to be green and full of flavor.

  99. Posted by: Nancy - 04/08/2009 - 99

    My worst un-green habit? Going to the grocery store without my reusable grocery bags. I have bought several but I seem to end up storing things in them or making impulse trips to the store without them and coming home with more of the plastic bags that pollute our landfills and waterways. Aacckk!!

  100. Posted by: Cheryl - 04/08/2009 - 100

    Water waste is probably the most ungreen habit here. I think it is hard to remind yourself to catch water to use for other things, when you’re trying to get hot water to the kitchen sink! Working on that one.
    By the way, great review of the book!

  101. Posted by: golden star - 04/08/2009 - 101

    My ungreen habit: I waste water when I wash dishes. It’s so easy to cure. So, I am just starting to do the right thing. I wash a bunch and then rinse all at once rather than leave the water running while mess around.

  102. Posted by: Deborah - 04/08/2009 - 102

    I take long, hot showers as often as I can get away with it. I know, it’s BAD, and I’m a big water use snob–but it feels so warm and soothing, and the rest of the day is so hectic! Maybe I should start using a timer??

    Loved the interview, looking forward to seeing the book!

  103. Posted by: Anna - Three Sneaky Bugs - 04/08/2009 - 103

    Confessions – I love it.
    What I’d like to change is how much “stuff” I buy. I don’t need it, my kids don’t need it, the landfills ultimately don’t need it.

  104. Posted by: Some Giveaways I’ve Found!! « The Stitchin’ Chicken - 04/08/2009 - 104

    [...] over at True-Up – She is giving away a copy of the new Betz White Book “Sewing Green”.  All you have [...]

  105. Posted by: Alessia - 04/09/2009 - 105

    I’d like to drink less or none mineral water! Too many plastic bottles… I recycle them but it’ll be a great chance buying less!!

  106. Posted by: ~Heather - 04/09/2009 - 106

    The evil that is our minivan! If only I could ride my bike everywhere… ~H

  107. Posted by: Stephanie - 04/09/2009 - 107

    Mostly out of convenience, we continue to use plastic grocery bags and have a mountain of them piling up in our pantry. I want to find a way to use them without them ending up in a landfill.

  108. Posted by: Alli C - 04/09/2009 - 108

    Beautiful book!
    I confess I use paper towels. They’re quick and easy and hard to resist!

  109. Posted by: edina - 04/09/2009 - 109

    One of the worst things we do is throw out yogurt and ricotta cheese plastic containers. We collect them for awhile hoping to recycle them somewhere but unfortunately, our city doesn’t take them so we end up throwing them all away when they start to take up too much space. It’s so terrible!

  110. Posted by: Catherine - 04/09/2009 - 110

    I must confess that I am great about bringing reusable bags to the grocery store but still end up putting my produce and meats in plastic bags! I need to make some of those produce bags…Thanks for the giveaway!

  111. Posted by: Sherri I - 04/09/2009 - 111

    My family uses way to many paper towels!

  112. Posted by: Melissa - 04/09/2009 - 112

    As the mom of a kid in (disposable) diapers, I have a lot more waste at home than I’d like. Hopefully we’ll be potty training soon!

  113. Posted by: betsy - 04/09/2009 - 113

    I echo many of the post-ers above on the paper towels and paper napkins. Sometimes the convenience factor just takes over!

  114. Posted by: Sarah C. :) - 04/09/2009 - 114

    This book looks SO WONDERFUL!! I can’t wait to get it and see all of the ideas inside. Thinking about projects that are reusing what I have or that will help me do a better job at going green really gets me excited!

    My shameful habits that I would like to change include consuming too many bottled drinks – even though we do recycle – and forgetting to bring a tote to the grocery store, thus having to get plastic bags.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

  115. Posted by: billie - 04/09/2009 - 115

    ziplock bags – use way too many

  116. Posted by: Lulu - 04/09/2009 - 116

    I guess it would be fabric. I’ve never deliberately looked for thrifted fabric, although I have been given quite a bit.

  117. Posted by: Nathalie - 04/10/2009 - 117

    For us, certainly plastic bottles. Thank you so much!

  118. Posted by: Dawn - 04/10/2009 - 118

    I have had a slight toilet leak for several months. It kills me every time I hear the water running.
    I do try to recycle as much as I can and I don’t waste anything if I can help it.
    I would love a copy of that book by the way!
    Thanks.

  119. Posted by: Wendy - 04/10/2009 - 119

    An un-green habit at our house is to run the dishwasher even if it’s not full.

    I’d love to win the book.

  120. Posted by: Sharon - 04/11/2009 - 120

    I wish I opted to walk, bike or use public transit more often

  121. Posted by: Betz White blog tour | linkfeedr - 04/12/2009 - 121

    [...] 3 April – The Purl Bee – Review and signing announcement Monday 6 April – True Up – Q&A, book giveaway Tuesday 7 April – U-Handbag – Review, book giveaway Wednesday 8 April – [...]

Comments are closed for this entry.