|
Using Your Fabric Scraps
by Nikki Willhite
2006 Nikki Willhite
Fabric and textiles surround us, from our clothing to our carpets.
Color, pattern, texture and design affect both our mood and our
pocketbooks. Everyone has fabric scraps. They are in clothes that
no longer fit, or draperies that are being replaced. As a frugal
homemaker you can take these scraps and make items of value. I
have seen numerous old drapery panels sell for large amounts of money on
eBay. They are either being used to decorate homes with a retro or
shabby chic design, or are being cut down for pillows. There are
many, many ways to use fabric. Here are some ideas to recycle fabric,
and 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,
like a quilt.
-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 under cupboards. There is plenty of
scent left for those enclosed areas. You can make sachets 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 by
using ribbons and other decorative 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/
-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.
-Fabric scraps can be used for wrapping presents. Use your fabric like
paper, or use it to make 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 them 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 given as 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. Dolls make great
display items, gifts, and can even be sold on ebay.
-Use them to make stuffed toys. Patterns for stuffed animals abound at
thrift stores.
-You can make darling aprons with appliques, 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 craft cardboard boxes, 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 office accessories with
bits of fabric. Some things you might cover - mouse pads, pencil and
tool holders, storage containers, and Kleenex boxes. Fabric always
softens a room, and is a major plus if you are trying to achieve a home
office with a bit of femininity.
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. Put them in the attic and
save them for your children.
Several years ago my mother sent me some fabric she had saved from my
childhood. It was quite a shock, as my mother was not a sewer. Even more
surprising was the tide of emotion I felt just
looking at that fabric. It was really special.
Think ahead- and save those scraps. Turn your fabric scraps into Fabric
Assets!
About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of three, and an
Interior Design Graduate, is the editor of The Pennypincher
E- zine and Tightwad Tidbits Daily. Visit her at
|