Second Thoughts

 I've been doing some sample weaving with various scrap fabric. 

So far, texture has been a problem on the smaller pieces.  It wouldn't be an issue on say, a braided rug, but on a placemat or table runner it just looks shabby (without the chic).

At this point, I'm also conflicted about the use of any of this fabric, since I've been reading about the microplastics from old  fabrics, which seems to suggest higher shed as fabrics age.  It's discouraging to think that cutting these older fabrics (especially into thin strips to weave with them) might increase the amount of shed.

The next step, I suppose, would be to only weave with cast off natural fabrics. That feels like it defeats the purpose.

Anyway, with regard to cutting older clothing into strips:  I know too much clothing ends up in landfills in other nations.  I also know some of companies are recycling some of that fabric.

It also turns out that I'm not the only person who is thinking of weaving with old t-shirts, although this individual is working with thicker, chunkier weaves and making things like chair and pouf covers: The World Has Too May T-Shirts: These Artists Want to Help You Upcycle Them

Despite the number of people who said they would contribute old t-shirts to my project, no one has. Until I get a few samples made and washed to be sure I can make a good product with the looms and materials I have available, I can use the fabrics I've acquired so far.

Some of those fabrics, however, I'm torn about using, because they're my own long sleeve t-shirts that are too large after recent weight loss.  As a plus size woman who thrifts their clothing, I know that it's often extremely difficult to find quality clothing in plus sizes in thrift stores.  So here I have these brand name shirts I actually bought new out of season on clearance at a ridiculously low price, and do I donate them to a thrift store so other women could have access to the kind of quality brand name used clothing I look for in a thrift store, knowing if they don't sell they'll end up in a landfill, but also knowing at the same time that there's a shortage of plus size women's wear in these stores?

Is it more economically and environmentally responsible to donate them or recycle/upcycle the fabric?

It really wants to make me go back to weaving with natural fibers instead.  I am not sure I have the answers just yet...

to any of it.