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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Dot FabricSee all
Gingham FabricSee all
Striped Fabric
Posts by J&O
Fabric StoreLabels: cotton fabrics, craft ideas, eco-friendly, economical, fabric remnant, novelty fabric
My son read an artical to me this morning regarding bananas that I found quite interesting. In the artical, the author spoke about how the banana 'fruit' was scientifically classified as a herbaceous plant (bush) of the Musacea family. In laments terms, this commonly called fruit that we eat is actually a flowering herb and a member of the lily family. Banana's do NOT grow on trees in the true sense, since the banana plants have no wood fiber and not only that, scientists actually classify the banana as a berry based on the fact that berries are identified as being 'many seeded' with a 'fleshy inner layer'; just like bananas.
As one of my favorite 'fruits', I knew about the nutritional properties and various culinary uses of the banana, but this little tid bit of info really surprised me to the point that I felt compelled to share my new found knowledge with anyone willing to read it; even if they did already know.
Since I am also a seamstress and a big fan of fabric textiles, I thought I'd ad a little pictorial tribute to highlight our sweet starch of substance, the Yellow Orchid Herb. After all, a banana a day keeps low potassium away.
artistic expression.... orchid family......
i love them...... they love them.....
my favorite color..... tropical home......
For your favorite food fabrics, check out J&O Fabric Store
You are sure to find what you are looking for and a whole lot more!
Labels: banana, banana-fabric, berry, conservative, cotton-fabric, economical, frugal, fruit-fabric, novelty-fabrics
Have you ever been to a clothing swap? If you haven't you are really missing out on not only some great fun, but some great finds.
I was invited to my first one from a girlfriend of mine who shops at a private design boutique called
Simply Netfah. It is a specialty boutique that carries beautiful wholistic clothing and accessories for women and every spring they hold a gathering at their place where invited clients gather among good food and good company, to exchange old and unwanted articles of clothing from their closets for new ones. It is the boutique owner's way of giving back to Mother Earth through the encouragement of clothing recycling and sustaining her community through barter exchange.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and when my girlfriend and I got there, it was packed! Women from around the city had come to not only discover hidden treasures on the racks of wore-only-once and what-was-i-thinking fashions, but to unload their haute couture filled closets to make room for more. It was a smorgasbord of 'oooh's' and 'aaahs' as we both hung our once trendy give aways up for interested viewers.
By the end of the afternoon, I had found a beautiful white Ashro convertible Goddess Dress, a pair of Steve Madden beaded leather flip flops and three Simply Netfah designer's cut originals, all for the price of, well, you guessed it...
FREE! One woman's trash really IS another woman's treasure. By recycling old clothing I saved time from having to shop all over town which reduced the cost of gas fare on my pocket and fuel pollution in the air, I reduced the need for manufacturers to use up more natural resources to make new garments, and I saved a whole lot of money too. Who would have thought helping to save the planet would be so much fun!
So, gather your friends and family and hold your own clothing exchange, or hop on the world wide web to see how you can play your part in making the place we call home a healthier and more sustainable place for all Earth's creatures. I guarantee it will be worth it.
Check out our selection of organic Bermuda bamboo fabric here!Check out our selection of soft kona cotton here!Check out our selection of new sea-tiva fabric here!Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: eco-friendly, eco-friendly-fabric, economical, frugal, kona-cotton, organic-cotton, organic-fabric, organic-materials, recycled goods, seacell, seacell-fabric, unconventional