1. Make a quilt using whatever stuffing is inside the old sleeping bag. If the inside or outside of the old bag is in good condition, you could use it for the back of your new quilt.

2. Make a scarf, ear warmers, hat, or gloves. Who says these have to be made of yarn? For these, I would probably use new material for the outside and fill it with the old sleeping bag fill. Nice and warm!

3. Make slippers or booties using whatever stuffing is inside the old sleeping bag.

4. Make a dog bed. There are two ways to do this that would be easy. First, decide what shape you want the dog bed to be. Using the old sleeping bag, fold it into any shape you like (a square or rectangle would be easiest), and then use strong quilting yarn to quilt or tie down the bed. After that, cut wide strips for each side of the dog bed, fold each edge over and sew. This will create a nice border. The second way is basically the same as the first, but cover the outside with new material before quilting or tying the bed (the wide strips are not needed on this one).

5. Seat cushions made. A used bag probably won’t make a good sofa cushion, but for a wooden chair or bench it would be excellent.

6. Make a rag rug. Cut the sleeping bag into strips and make your mat. I’ve never done it myself, but there are plenty of sites online that can tell you exactly how to do it. My mother-in-law has made many of these and says they are very easy for anyone to make.

7. Make a decorative pillow. Again, with this option, you would probably use new material or perhaps a nice piece of clothing that is no longer needed for the outdoors. However, if it’s the right material, the inside or outside of the old sleeping bag could use and beautify. Use old buttons or ribbons, sparkles, prints, or anything else to dress it up.

8. Make pants or shirts for little boys using the stuffing from the old sleeping bag. Why do we only see hoodies or sweatshirts to keep you warm inside and out? I’m not talking about snow pants or snow shirts here. Just enough padding to keep the cold out.

9. Make doll clothes or Barbie doll clothes, quilts, rugs, etc. This occurred to me while writing this article. The padding, as well as the materials, could be used for this purpose.

10. Make wall art. Lately I have seen the DIY TV network using wallpaper samples for wall art. Well, if it’s the right material and/or if you embellish or dye it, why not use your old sleeping bag this way? It can be fantastic!

11. Make a sleep mask. Use the down from the old sleeping bag to fill the material of your choice… how soft and pleasant.

12. Donate your used sleeping bag. There are several different places to donate them. How about the animal shelter, homeless shelter, or any youth program that does things outside? Also Passages Northwest is the website of an organization to help girls and women discover their leadership skills through outdoor exploration.

13. Ask the manufacturer of the sleeping bag if they accept their old sleeping bags for research, recycling or reuse.