Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Amy Barickman’s Vintage Inspired Modern Style Design Challenge

by

I have a big cool Design Challenge to tell you about today!


Amy Barickman has partnered with Singer and Coats & Clark, to bring you the

“Vintage-Inspired, Modern Style Design Challenge”

BurdaStyle.com will be hosting the challenge on their website (www.burdastyle.com/vintagemodern).

This challenge was created to celebrate the history of sewing by recognizing both SINGER® and Coats & Clark, who are both celebrating significant anniversaries this year (160th and 200th, respectively); as well as educate and inspire through the life and work of Mary Brooks Picken, the authority on fashion and dressmaking in the early and mid-1900s.

See Mary’s connection to both SINGER® and Coats & Clark in this video that explains the whole challenge and the fabulousness you can win!

Mary’s work is the basis for Amy’s book, Vintage Notions. Be sure to view the new Vintage Notions video on AmyBarickman.com. It shares Mary’s history & dives deeper into the projects, departments & materials you will find within its pages.

This challenge is an opportunity to encourage fashion enthusiasts to use their sewing skills and creativity to make a wearable fashion project.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 12th at 11:59 pm (EST). The winners will be announced Monday, March 26th.

Amy also asked me to share with you Craft Gossip readers the code VMCB for 20% off a one-time order at Indygo Junction. Just add items to your cart, enter the promo code VMCB and click update cart!!

Related Posts:

Have you read?

Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!