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Using Fabric Scraps
by Nikki Willhite - Willhite@aol.com
Description: Tips for using fabric scraps to make quilts, sachets, pillows, toys, home accessories, and more.
I've made no secret that my weakness is fabric. It is what I
collect! I also have spent the last year cutting out quilt
squares, putting them in color coordinated sets, and selling them
on eBay. I don't have time to do as much as I would like, but
it's a good home business.
Fabric and textiles surround us, from clothing to carpet. Color,
pattern, and design affect both our moods and our pocketbooks.
Everyone has fabric scraps. They are in clothes that no longer
fit, or draperies that you are taking down. As a frugal
homemaker, you can take these scraps and make items of value. If
have seen numerous old drapery panels sell for large amounts on
eBay. Why? I don't know! I guess it's to get the shabby chic
look.
Here are some ideas to turn fabric scraps into fabric assets!
* Making quilts is the number one use for old scraps of fabric.
See: http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/quilts.htm for the many uses
of quilts.
* You can make pillows. If your scraps are small, they can be
pieced.
* Potpourri Sachets. For very utilitarian sachets, I just take my
old potpourri, and wrap it up in a scrap of fabric and tie it
with a ribbon. Then I place it in drawers or below cupboards.
There is plenty of scent left for those enclosed areas.
You can make these with fresh potpourri, and give them as gifts.
Make them as decorative as you desire by seaming the sides and
adding lace around the edges, or ribbons accents.
* If you are good with a crochet hook, you can make rag rugs.
There are other techniques also, such as just tying bits of
fabric into a piece of rug canvas. Here is a URL with some
pictures of these: http://www.ruglady.net/.
And here is a URL with some good information, including the
history of rag rugs, and tips on making them. You can find
patterns in the store.
http://www.netw.com/~rafter4/article.htm
* Scraps can be made into linens for the kitchen/dining room. You
can make potholders, napkins, place mats, table runners, and even
tablecloths, piecing when necessary.
* You can use fabric for both fabric art and decoupage. If you
stiffen the fabric with Modge Podge before you cut it, the ends
will not ravel. Books on fabric art can be purchased at the
store or rented from the library. I have one on the website at:
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com.
* Fabric scraps can be used for wrapping presents. Use it like
paper, or make into gift bags. You can make a more formal,
structured gift bag, or simply make a drawstring bag. Or, cut
out shapes from the design of the fabric, and use to decorate
gifts wrapped in plain brown paper. You can also tear the fabric
into strips, and use it as ribbon.
* Fabric scraps can be used in crafts for home accessories. Make
everything from picture frames, checkbooks, album covers,
eyeglass cases, and book covers, to bowls and Christmas
Ornaments. All these can also be gifts.
* Lay pieces of fabric on the bottom of gift baskets and picnic
baskets to make them more decorative.
* Use your fabric scraps to make dolls and doll clothes. That is
another enterprise I was involved in for a time. I made dolls
and sold them on the Internet...and that was before eBay.
* Use them to make stuffed toys. You will find many patterns at
Goodwill type stores.
* You can make darling aprons with appliqués, and give them as
presents. You can also make hair accessories like scrunchies.
* Heavier fabrics can be used for small upholstery projects, such
as covering chair seats.
* Use your scraps to cover the craft cardboard boxes you purchase
at stores like JoAnns, and to line the inside. Or use shoe boxes.
These decorated boxes are great for open storage areas.
* Make duffel bags for your children's laundry. Help your
children learn to sort their clothing by making different colored
bags for how you want your wash sorted.
* Make protective dust covers for toasters, sewing machines, and
other small appliances, again, a gift idea.
* Warm up your home office/work rooms by covering accessories with
bits of fabric. Some things you might cover- mouse pads, pencil
and tool holders, storage containers, Kleenex boxes- all will
soften up a home office.
Imagine how it would be to have a 6x6" piece of fabric from all
the clothes you wore when you were a little child. Would that be
of value to you now? Even if you can't use them now, save your
scraps. Put them in a box, and set them aside. You may be very
glad someday.
Reprinted with permission from:
The Pennypincher
An E-zine for the Frugally Minded
