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Tutorial: recycle your old fleece as reusable towelettes
Is your fleece damaged? Don't throw it away, recycle it as washable towelettes or reusable makeup remover wipes!
Has the time come to say goodbye to the fleece that so often kept you warm on your hikes? Don't be sad, take a look at our tutorial on how to give it a new lease of life, by turning it into washable towelettes!
No more make-up remover wipes or disposable towelettes… Not only are you reducing your waste, but your newly transformed fleece will still be coming with you on all your excursions!
Equipment
· Your used fleece
· A sewing machine and thread (or needle and thread if sewing by hand)
· Fabric scissors
· A measuring tape (or ruler)
· Paper and pencil
· A fabric pencil or chalk
· Pins
Steps
Ready to recycle? Let's go!
1. MAKE THE PATTERN
Cut the paper into a rectangle the size of the towelettes you want to make.
For example, we suggest 9 x 11 cm for makeup remover wipes, or 15 x 11 cm for towelettes.
2. DRAW THE TEMPLATE
Put the pattern on a corner of your fleece and draw the outline with a fabric pencil or a stick of chalk.
Tip
Draw dotted lines for one of the edges; Then repeat the process, drawing the pattern a second time next to the dotted edge. This will allow you to avoid a seam!
Extend the edge of the towelette by drawing another 3cm rectangle, which you then divide into 3 x 1 cm sections.
Repeat the process to make as many towelettes as you need.
Time to start cutting...
3. CUT OUT THE TOWELETTE
Cut along the lines (do not cut along the dotted line).
For the three strips at the end, cut along the two inside lines, but without going right to the end, leaving about 1 cm (to make the fringes).
Then cut along the third line right to the end, to separate the three strips from the towelette.
What is the fringe for?
4. HOW TO MAKE THE TOWELETTE LOOP
Once you've using your towelette on a hike or while camping, you can dry it en route by attaching it to your rucksack ;)
To make the loop, attach the “fringe” (to a cushion, your jeans or a corner of the fleece etc.) using a pin.
Plait the three strips, then fold the plait in half and hold the two ends together with a pin.
Ready to sew?
5. FINAL STEP: SEWING
Fold the two parts of the towelette along the dotted line and pin them together. Then sew the edges of the towelette using a sewing machine (don't forget the finishing-off stitches) or by hand. When you finish the seam, stop about 5 cm from the edge to leave a part that is not sewn, so you can turn the towelette inside out to hide the seams and sew on the loop to close the towelette.
Your fleece can start its new life as eco-friendly washable and reusable towelettes. And off it goes again on new hikes...
Do you have any material left? See our tutorial for making a toilet bag or a case for keeping things separate in your rucksack.
At Quechua, to limit the impact of our equipment, we have chosen to use recycled materials for essential hiking gear such as fleeces.
You have other ideas for recycling your fleece? Share them in the comments!
Margaux
HIKING ADVICE EDITOR