A few days ago, I turned a $1 opshopped flannelette pillowcase (all cotton) into four kitchen cloths. I was inspired by our electrician Daniel, who mentioned that he’d been making them out of his daughters’ old pyjamas. It was a fun project using 100% rescued materials, including vintage sewing machine thread and embroidery floss from an old craft kit.
I subsequently learnt that this style of cleaning cloth is common in Japan, where it’s known as “zokin”. Google turned up this interesting article about them, and I loved this quote…”the Japanese used to say that we should keep using the fabric until the fabric dissolves in the water.”
Serendipitously, that evening, my friend Carol gave me her old flannelette sheets. I used them to make her and Kevin a set of zokin, and embroidered them with some of the phrases that bring instant laughter after nearly 40 years of friendship.
Each one has a story, but this one – “test of friendship” – is a particular favourite. When we were 21, Kevin and I were at university together. He lived in Stanmore, I lived in Strathfield, both stations on the same train line. After lectures, we’d sit chatting on the platform and an express train (stopping at Redfern – Ashfield – Strathfield) would arrive.
“No no no, wait for the all stations train with me!”, Kevin would say. I’d object that it would take me an extra 45 minutes to get home, and he’d ALWAYS say.. “test of friendship!” So I’d wait, get on the train, and after four stops, Kevin would get off…and I’d ride another seven stops to Strathfield. This happened almost every day. It’s a memory that never fails to make me laugh.
And it was totally worth it, because I’ve been able to tell this story at countless dinner parties for 35 years. I was smiling a great deal when I embroidered it on his dishcloth. When I presented it to him, he grinned and said “we were always in deep conversation, and I don’t think you ever complained!” Even at 21, I knew we would be lifelong friends, and that his company was a gift.
If you’d like to have a go at making these dishcloths, they’re a very easy and forgiving project. Cut up any old, absorbent fabric into 25cm/10″ squares and sew them together. I machine stitched around three edges with the right sides of the fabric together, then turned them out and stitched the opening closed. Old embroidery thread can be used to hand sew running or decorative stitches to hold the two sides together. I picked this bundle up for $3 at The Sewing Basket in Balmain.
Then…use them constantly until the fabric dissolves in the water. I toss them into the washing machine with my tea towels and they launder perfectly. It’s an end of life use for these precious materials, and one which simultaneously reduces the need for disposable cleaning cloths or paper towels! 🌿💚♻️
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
How lovely to hear from you! seriously, even i it is dishcloths :) Great post, thank you!!
Hahaha! Thanks Susan! Hope you’re well! x
Great post, Celia. It’s always heartening to see material being repurposed and kept out of landfill. Kitchen cloths are so handy, and especially in this wet weather with everything so damp!
Thanks Denise, this rain has been bonkers!
What a great story :)
😘
How funny to hear from you today as I was thinking about you this morning as I made a sourdough loaf with your recipe after not making one for about 18 months as I don’t have an oven now. It worked out perfectly, albeit with a few tweaks, in my air fryer!
Brilliant! My friends with air fryers will be delighted to know it can work!
I would love to know your instructions for cooking your sourdough in the air fryer. What temp, how long, in a tin…?
Lovely to hear (see) from you again Celia!! It’s been too too long. :) :)
Thank you! 🥰
lovely to have some Celia inspiration again! Thank you. I can get those kids pj’s out that I have stored away, holes and all for at least 15 years.
Thank you! Yes, this is a perfect use for old pjs! And I’m really enjoying stitching them wildly while watching tv! 😉
I repurpose old flannelette pyjamas as wee wipes – I’ll never go back to paper!
Hahaha ok, I haven’t got to that point yet, but it does sound lovely and soft! 😉
We’ve installed a bidet hand spray beside the toilet and I haven’t used toilet paper since The Rona began! (except outside the home). I repurpose old flannel pyjamas cut into squares and overlocked all round – once you’ve sprayed thoroughly, the wipe down is fine and I hot-launder them. We’ve even bought a battery operated spray to take with us on holiday. TP just doesn’t feel clean any more…
Yours is such a lovely repurposing and environment-friendly idea! Thanks for sharing.
We should really use materials as long as they dissolve because it takes so many resources to make them.
I had cut up old cotton shirts to make dust clothes, also used around the kitchen sink to wipe water and spillage. But they’re nothing as fancy as yours :)
Judith, I don’t know if you sew, but I often run rags through the overlocker (serger) so that I can throw them in the washing machine. It’s amazing how many times they can survive a wash!
I can sew but don’t have any machines in the flat. They survived thus far without hemming – I might try to hand hem when I have some time :)
I’m glad it’s working for you – hand hemming seems a big ask for dust cloths! 😉
Indeed! That’s why I haven’t done so far . They still survived washing without much fraying.
I might do while watching tv at some point :)
What a great post and inspirational repurposing too. Just yesterday on tv I learned that it takes 7500 litres of water to make one pair of jeans. Yet another reason to keep on wearing our clothes or using fabrics until they ‘dissolve in the water’.
Karen, jeans are sooo water intensive! I think a lot of companies are working on it – Levis has a new range which uses 90% less water to produce, I think. But you’re absolutely right – we should used everything until it disappears!
So much care for a cleaning cloth! But why not?
I tear up old tea towels when they start to wear thin, because I don’t patch them like you do, and use them as (having read that article) fukins.
Hahaha it is a lot of work for a cleaning cloth, but sewing them up and finished the edges makes them machine washable! Hope you’re well, hon! xx
Happy to hear from you!
Thank you! 🙂
Welcome back. I love your story
This reminds me a bit of my favourite tea towel that got a few holes in it when it accidentally landed too near the burner. I patched it with some quilting fabric on both sides of the holes, and now I think I love the look of that towel even more. I’m so glad to see I’m not the only one who appreciates mended items, and sees the beauty in the preservation!
I love that you posted about sewing as it is very timely with me and my projects. This week I’ve made four tote bags using old tshirts, bed sheets and scrap fabric I had around. I also hemmed a few pants for some loved ones. It’s great to repurpose and give second life to these materials.
Celia, this is really beautiful <3
I'm so happy to see a post from you – I take such inspiration from your sustainability endeavours!
Hope your retirement is proving to be all the good things!
Great idea and your brother certainly knew how to keep you there with him. Love the sayings on each one yoo.
I’m delighted to see that you’re well, and thriving, and enjoying life’s projects. I was going through some old recipes, and came across your lemonade scones. Thought I’d check if you’re still around, and yes, there you are. Stay well, Celia.
Nice post. But I thought years ago you made them from a Waffle Bedspread – I had a few from an odd waffle tea towel and have since lived in hope of finding something else to repurpose – work really well as scrubbers!
We have a great resource centre for women at ‘The Nest’ in Northside Brisbane selling all things haberdashery and run entirely by volunteers. Last year we rescued and resold over 10,000mtrs of fabrics, wool, threads and accessories. Love your blog and if you are ever in Brisbane pop in and see us. Peggy