I just hate throwing fabric scraps away, don’t you? And paper scraps, and ribbon scraps, and… you get the idea. Reader Erin asked on the DSC Facebook Page:
What can I do with scraps of fabric?! I despise wasting anything so when I cut out circles for hair flowers I end up with square like pieces of scraps and I just..can’t..throw.. them..away…..lol. but it’s becoming a pile so I need an idea. I primarily use military fabrics for the hair flowers so I’d like to find something somewhat military related to use the scraps for, maybe some kind of memory keeper.
My favorite use of fabric scraps is a Ticker Tape Quilt! They are so cute! I’m sure the odd shapes of fabric would be trickier to sew around, though. So, readers, I turn it over to you:
10 Comments
J
if you have enough, you could sew a military-ish quilt for a child or two whose military parent(s) is/are deployed (or killed….). or a patchwork stuffed animal. There are organizations who accept them and distribute them, and the children and parents appreciate them.
Jenny
I save all my scraps in a ziplock back and then pull them out when I need an extra embellishment. I usually just mod podge them onto wooden things I’m decorating.
I’ve had an idea that maybe fabric scraps could be used to make paper the same way you would make it with paper scraps, but I haven’t ever tested the theory.
Shannon
I am saving scraps of fabric to use as stuffing.
Sherry
Jenny, you can use 100% cotton fabric to make paper, but it takes some effort. Instructions are probably online. Synthetics not so much. (Maybe a small amount as “decoration”?)
Lots of quilt projects can use small fabric scraps. Iron-on tape can fake it if you don’t want to sew, but not sure how it would hold up.
Jan
I’d consider making jewelry components with them! Roll them into fabric beads, sealed with mod podge or some other laquer to make them resistent to the oils and moisture from skin. Or embellish them with other scraps, beads, threads, yarns, paint, etc, to make mixed media collage pendants for necklaces. Cut it for a bezel pendant, add some glitter or beads and fill it with resin. There are lots of jewelry possibilities with this! More ideas? Incorporate them into something handknit or crocheted, as support for buttons or beads. Paint-stamp it with an image and use it as an applique on just about anything. Paint-pen your name or trademark on it and sew it onto your handmades (knit, crocheted, sewn) as your ‘brand’ label. With paint or fabric marker, make a face on one and sew it to another, stuff it, and you have a little stuffy toy! Spray it with catnip essense, tie the centre tight with yarn and donate it to the SPCA.
Now I want to go through my scraps. haha!
Tee
Whew, Jan just covered my jewelry ideas :)
Adding to her label idea, if you do craft shows, use your scraps as business cards. Print your info onto something like muslin then use your cammo as the backing. If you wanna get fancy, add a layer of batting in between. Safety pin each biz card to your products.
Glad your making hair bows because the 1st idea I had was to use the scraps for button covers/embellishments. WalMart and Hobby Lobby carry button cover kits for around $2.00. The kit comes with the tool !! Hobby Lobby has more sizes to choose from but WalMart is 25 to 50 cents cheaper.
Good luck!
Patricia
Decoupage!!!!!!! Scrapbook pages for your portfolio or family. I used scraps in my mother-in-law’s memory book…she was a seamstress and tatter by trade!!
Jane
You could try making your own fabric. choose complementary colors from your scraps and shape them into near size squares and triangles. Draw lines across muslin equal distances apart,(or your base fabric)then line up your shapes and sew across each line. The scraps would be held by the stitching through the middle but would have a ruffle appearance. Would make a cute pillow top or front of a shirt. I might try it myself! I’ve seen sheer high-end fabric manufactured this way.
Andi S
I have a drawer full of random scraps! One of my favorite ways to use them is mod podging them onto a canvas and making a scrappy art. I have an assortment of these throughout my house. It’s fun too because you can use almost any shape of fabric and all sorts of designs to mix and match into a design to suit your style.
KatieL
Kristin at Craft Leftovers (http://www.craftleftovers.com/littlewoods/crochet_nesting_heart/) turned me onto the Kaotic Krafter and her Nesting Ball/Heart idea. http://www.craftleftovers.com/littlewoods/crochet_nesting_heart/