My Top 10+ Things to do with Leftover Fabric PiecesI have been sewing since my Aunt Harriet taught me how to make an apron at the age of seven. She let me choose what I wanted from her special stash of fabric and I was off and running. She taught me how to purchase and read patterns, and how to cut corners. I was taught to purchase my fabric at the same time I purchased my .75 cent pattern. At least that's what Aunt Harriet would tell me to do!
When I found a pattern that I liked and that fit well, I would reuse it. Once I made a pattern and knew the yardage required I could buy something I liked on impulse. When I spotted a bargain or some calico that would make a great peasant blouse I would buy it. But what if I changed my mind and wanted to make a dress or a matching bag? I'd always add just a bit more yardage while watching the salesperson at the cutting table, of course the rest is history.
I tried to keep up with my stash, but it would just keep growing. Once in awhile someone would be downsizing or organizing their fabric, of course the plastic bags or pillow cases of material would end up in my car. Granted, I've seen stashes worse than mine and I will not WIN by dying with the most fabric, but I am a fabric junkie. The only down side for me is: what I once loved and could not live without sometimes no longer inspires me.
Unfortunately a large fabric stash is not my only guilty pleasure. I save scraps of all kinds, threads, buttons that come with new garments in those plastic bags, teeny tiny fabric scraps from cut patterns, and the leftover hems that have been cut off from pants, dresses and skirts. My scraps are in one of those set of plastic drawers separated by color. I'm talking about those big drawers that are the size of unpainted furniture highboys.
What to do with it all?One of our Tweets asked what to do with scraps rather than quilts...
Here are a few ideas:
Below I refer to remnants as under one yard, scraps are odd shaped or small pieces.
FOR REMNANTS:
Handbags of all shapes and sizes or
Linings for bags and vests
Scarves are also a nice way to use remnant
add a trim or sew odd pieces together.
Whether for school books or journals
add a personal touch to your books
More ideas:Bean Bags, Ice Bags
Flags and streamers for party decorations
Wrap cans and waxed cartons to create vases
Cover lamp shades
FOR SCRAPS:
Small bags of all kinds, change purse,
makeup bag, ipod holder...
Greeting cards
Pin Cushions
Ornaments
Covered buttons
Liven up an old pair of sandals
More ideas:Applique designs on solid fabrics or t-shirts, design a scene or new fabric!
Extend the life of pant legs the kids have grown too tall for or give cropped pants an extra flair.
Make your own bias tape
Headbands
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Striped Fabric
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Fabric StoreLabels: cotton fabrics, craft ideas, eco-friendly, economical, fabric remnant, novelty fabric
In the 1939 American musical fantasy film
The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is accompan
ied by a heartless scarecrow, a brainless tin man and a cowardly lion on her way to the Emerald City in search of the magical remedy that would fill the self perceived voids within her and her new friends, and transport her back home where a loving and protective family awaited her.
Each character believed that what they desired to obtain most for themselves, could onl
y be granted and given to them by another. When in truth, each individual was whole and complete within themselves….if only they believed.
The Wizard of Oz became one of the most beloved films of all times, with the movies’ theme song, Over the Rainbow, becoming a memorable song of inspiration and hope for the dreams and aspirations of Americans around the country
.
And now this wonderfully symbolic and culturally significant work of art can be yours to fashion and recreate with the same imagination that spirited this wonderful movie, as only you can.
The Wizard of Oz has history and tells a story, encouraging a strong mind, a giving heart and a
courageous nature respectively.
What story does the fabric you have on hand tell about you?
And how does it symbolically reflect various aspects of your spirit and personality?
Stay tuned .......
To find out where this path leads, just follow the yellow brick road.
What your favorite selections say about you may be deeper than you know.
In the meantime, you don’t have to wait on a fairy princess and ruby reds to make your fabric wish come true, with the click of a button you can check out all the magical fabric we have to offer right here at J&O.
Labels: cotton fabric, cotton fabrics, Fabric, fabrics, licensed fabric, novelty fabric, quilt fabric, quilting fabrics, wizard of oz, Wizard of oz fabric
The New York Giant’s thrilling win over the New England Patriots this past Sunday went down in history as the most watched Super Bowl ever. With 97.5 million viewers watching sofa side, and thousands more cheering on from the University of Phoenix Stadium itself, you’d swear it was Super Tuesday instead. Some watched for the awesome plays, some watched for the sexy players, while others just wanted a laugh or two off the funny and creative commercials in between.
One thing everyone bore witness to was one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. New York shattered New England’s unbeaten season 17-14 as Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left. It was the Giant’s 11th straight victory on the road and the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year. And now the 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop another bottle of champaign in celebration of their undefeated run still intact, the only perfect season in the Super Bowl era.
Whether you were partying in the comfort of your own home or taking it all in with friends and strangers under the sunny sidelines, one thing is for sure….everywhere you looked, you saw the red, white and blue colors of both the Patriots and Giants .
Fans young and old sported cotton headwear, shirts, pants, flags and a host of other creative crafts for their #1 team. Home party spreads laid on top NFL table dressings and up in the hometowns of both the reigning champs and their opponents, fleece throws and outwear were rep’d from borough to borough.
Now I didn’t do any extensive research, but judging on the number of calls and orders we received
before and
after the big game, something tells me that the majority of those die hard fans got their sought after licensed NFL fabrics right here from J&O. After all, we are the #1 source for all your
NFL, NBA and
College Team material. But don’t take our word for it, if you haven’t checked out our inventory yet, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon.
And if you weren’t a Giants fan before, what are you waiting for?
Labels: cotton fabric, cotton fabrics, Fabric, fabrics, Football fabric, New York Giants Fabric, NFL Licensed Fabric, NFL-Fabric, NFL-Fabrics, superbowl, Superbowl fabric