Haven't stopped over here for a long time but I found this and wanted to share it.

[Skidmore]

What an excellent idea for recycling old pillow cases.

http://growmama.blogspot.com/2010/10/take-vintage-pillowcase.html

[cbayer]

1. That's pretty cool and looks really easy.

The only problem for me is that I use them until they are really unusable - holes, drool stains or very thin.

[Skidmore]

2. I'll bet you could pick up some for very little money at the Salvation Army store.

Or Goodwill.

[cbayer]

4. Excellent point.

Last year I bought some material an patterns for making shopping bags. They are so freaking complicated that I just gave up on them.

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. Mine are pretty well shot before I discard them also.

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Actually, I cut them up and use them for rags to clean grease off my hands (I'm a retired mechanic, but work on my own stuff).

I'll soak them in a bucket with laundry soap to clean out the major grease/oil until they literally fall apart.

Do it by hand, dry them on a clothesline. Washwater gets spread thinly around the yard, nothing has died yet.

If they are REALLY greasy, go directly to the garbage.

Do the same with old clothes, cut em up;

use 'em for rags.

CC

[cbayer]

10. We use them as rags as well.

Lots of engine work going on around here at times, lol.

[ConcernedCanuk]

11. One of my younger brothers has a few boats

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One has 2 400 CID Chrysler engines it.

Believe me, he needs rags!

CC

[cbayer]

12. Boat engines! Don't even get me started.

And outboards? Generators?

One thing you can count on if you have a boat - at least three things are always broken.

[ConcernedCanuk]

13. Well cbayer - ya might wanna keep in touch.

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I helped my brother fix one of those engines on-line.

He's a pretty good handyman, but I'm a licenced automotive and truck mechanic with over 40 years experience.

I directed him how to change a cylinder head, make appropriate repairs through FaceBook and e-mails - he would email me a picture of the engine as he disassembled it, I would advise - from 500 miles away.

He was running on one engine the beginning of the summer, now he's on two - He's a happy man now!

CC

[cbayer]

14. We just had our engine entirely rebuilt, so it's working for now.

And we removed the 25 year old westerbeke diesel generator.

But I will definitely keep you in my address book.

Finding a mechanic, and specifically a good marine mechanic, can be really tough.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I absolutely love this!

They are charging so much these days for cheap, low-quality reusable bags. I think that I might try using the cut out corners to reinforce the bottom. The only problem I can see is that once I get rid of sheets and pillowcases, they are usually pretty thin....I might have to use two, one inside of the other to give more support.

Thanks for stopping by----we don't have nearly enough traffic.

[juajen]

5. Hey, great to hear from you. Thanks for dropping by with a great idea.

Stay a while.

[Little Star]

6. Great idea!

[IrishAyes]

7. Here's one

One of my favorite uses for old pillowcases is to make bedwarmers for winter since electric blankets, even top brands, have been known to catch fire.

Fill the pillowcase (twin size) only about half full of rice. Then fold the open edge over a couple times (each fold narrow) and stitch by hand with long running stitches. You want the bag to be very flexible when 'filled'.

Place the bag in a microwave oven on low, with a turntable or stop and give it quarter turns yourself every minute or so. Occasionally remove the bag and turn it upside down, back and forth, to redistribute the contents so you gauge the true heat. After enough practice you'll know the routine to use with your own equipment w/o constantly testing.

[laundry_queen]

8. Great idea!

I have zero old pillowcases laying around, but I'll be on the lookout for some next time I go to goodwill or value village. I sew and these look very easy. I've been looking for some bags that are washable - a lot of the ones you get from stores made from recycled pop bottles fall apart when you wash them. I get a lot of those kind for free from my university (they had better give you some reusable bags for the insane amounts they charge for textbooks!) and they don't wash well at all. The higher quality ones that wash well are pricey. This is a good solution and easier than making them from fabric and a pattern (the next thing I was considering).