This article was published in the Prince George Free Press on February 24, 2011. Reprinted with permission

Tamara Good has turned her talent for sewing into a "green scheme."

Her homebased business, Sew North Gifts, uses gently worn garments, vintage cloth, old but good quality thread, and recycled fabrics from thrift stores to create unique items.

The busy mother of two has a built-in testament to her passion for collecting.

"I root through local thrift stores for unwearable items to cut up and I buy previously enjoyed fabrics and bags of once treasured thread spools," said Good. "I save every scrap - in fact, I think our basement might be worthy of getting on A and E's Hoarders show! "

Her mission began when Prince George lost its major fabric outlet.

"When the store closed, I turned elsewhere and challenged myself to become earth-friendly, right down to my thread. I delight in sewing and stitching with retro threads to make my new creations - with northern flavour, of course - they make great gifts for babies to older ladies."

Good, 37, makes custom memory quilts by taking apart a loved one's old clothing and working it into a blanket. She sews one of a kind aprons, bean bags, blankets, bibs, flags, children's craft kits, microwaveable heat/cold packs, party favours, heirloom gifts and custom creations.

"My business is homage to my 102-year-old Ukrainian grandmother (she passed away in September). At age four, I started admiring a rag carpet at the bottom of my Baba's stairs. Much of my work has the same ragged edges, the insides of the seams are on the outside of my work."

In her daily quest to keep plastic bags out of the landfill, she makes reusable cloth bags with drawstrings, children's totes, six sizes of rag bags including one for cell phones and iPods and two larger-sized ones.

She's also kept the younger set in mind when she's at her sewing machine.

"I use recycled pant legs, jeans, clothing and retro fabric to create fun, colourful themes to make unique, machine wash-and-wear bibs for keepsake baby gifts - a great conversation piece and a cleaner mealtime."

Blankets are made with fabric strips and material pieces to create gifts for babies, birthdays, Christmas, grads and other special occasions. Custom sizes are available.

Good also encourages children to use their own creativity. Her children's craft kits have most of the supplies needed and clear instructions on how to make keepsake crafts (to hang, frame, or give away as a gift).

Sew North Gifts items are available online and locally at The Zen Garden, The Green Sheep, The Railway Museum, Huble Homestead, Trendsetters and Gingerbread Toys.

For more information visit the website at www.sewnorthgifts.ca.

This article was published in the Prince George Free Press on February 24, 2011. Reprinted with permission