scraps giveaway
- On the floor, on my right side, I keep 2 items - a small basket for the tiniest scraps such as you get when you trim a block and a box that I drop other pieces in. I then give them to church ladies when I have a big bunch. Sooner or later, they will show up in the yearly raffle quilt. As for the really thin pieces that are not usable for sewing, I place them out on my patio in the spring for the birds. They like the bright colors and take them for building nests. So all gets used except for the tiny threads that end up on my slacks or the rug.
- —Guest cheryl
lisa love's quilting
- You can save the selvage edges to tie up tomato plants in your garden.
- —Guest Lisa Kline
Frugal Tips
- A lot of my scraps are too small for a whole quilt and too big for scraps so I bought several large plastic tins at the dollar store and labeled "prints", "solids", checks and stripes, etc. Now I know just where to look
- —Guest Helen P
Frugal tips
- I'm a new kid on the block with quilting..2 yrs..started at the age of 65..love it...not over spending is like with clothing, don't buy everything u see..use up the older fabrics..I spent a lot at the beginning too..Now, I don't pick up everytime I go shopping..I LOOK..or leave it, u won't remember a wk. from then, what it was u liked so well..quilters use what u have, be frugal wise..
- —Guest Miriam
Scrappy Cards
- I save all my really small pieces and make cards.I make designs out of scraps and glue them on card stock and use my leftover miscelleous envelopes also. The cards can be made any size and used for any occasion.
- —Guest PamB
frugal quilting
- i use small pieces of all fabrics and foundation "crazy quilt style" to fabric squares - you would be amazed how fun they are and easy to do! just flip and sew to the foundation and use in lots of projects! mary
- —Guest marybeard
Waste Not - Merry
- I sure wish our local animal shelter was as willing to accept your pillowcase/scrap beds. I tried doing that and was told "we don't accept old pillows." I tried to explain that they were clean pillowcases filled with scraps of fabric for beds AND that they were washable. Again, I was told they didn't accept things like that. I was sooooo disappointed as I had several made and was SO sure they'd be delighted to have them. Their loss is my gain - our dogs LOVE them. Nita in Ocala, FL
- —NitaM39
my quilts for projectlinus
- love to make quilts for needy children. I have done this now over 6 years. Alot of different patterns, some hard, some easy.
- —Guest Jean
Use every scrap
- Every scrap is valuable, even very small ones. I piece all sizes together in a crazy patch fashion, trim into squares, any size, usually 6 or 8 inches. Then I have fun figuring out different ways to set them together to make a pretty top. The scraps trimmed are saved, too, because I also sew the tinest scraps onto used dryer sheets for stabilizer that doesn't have to be removed (like paper) I start in the center with a very small piece, and just keep adding until it covers the dryer sheet. Or, sew more than one sheet if you want a bigger block, but I like the smaller size best for the small scraps. You can use these in any pattern you like. I also use these for scrap borders. Most of my quilts are bright and scrap-happy and colorful. I, too, use scrap bindings on scrap quilts. 'Way more fun to make something pretty with what you have on hand than to go out and buy a kit of new material like all the others who will make that one - scrap quilts are unique to the person making them!
- —CarolMLeak
Scrap Batting
- I like to use cotton batting for most of my quilts, and I save the scraps. I then recut the scraps, butting the straight edges together and using a large zig-zag stitch, stitch them together. I then use the pieced batting for wall quilts and small to medium size baby quilts and lap quilts. I found that using the zig-zag stitch created a stronger, flat seam and is much faster than basting by hand. I save money and help the environment as well.
- —Guest MargeD
Thrift Store Finds...don't forget the
- Buttons! And zippers etc. Many of these items can be re-used...and very often they are much cheaper than new bought. You can often find very unusual buttons/closures to really make something *pop*.While looking for sheets etc remember to check out the purse section also, different fabrics there that are not always found in the clothing section. I LOVE the 2nd hand stores LOL Sherri
- —Sherrisews
Frugal Creative ideas for kids
- My granddaughters have made their quilts from my scraps but their brother was too young so i let him glue the scraps onto a wooden board. He loved it, and got a feel for fabric, and has a hanging quilt.
- —jekpoppy
Dryer Sheets
- I always carry with me used dryer sheets to every quilt retreat or gathering. I collect pieces that would normally get throrwn away and sew them into a 'crazy quilt block' using the dryer sheet as the foundation. It not only uses scraps, but used dryer sheets too that would normally be thrown. People are more than happy to give me their scraps, as they are excited to see part of their work in my next CRAZY QUILT. I've got some beautiful blocks - and very colorful too - No cost to me (just time). And I'll have a really interesting quilt full of quilt retreat memories!
- —Sewwhatnow
Frugal Scrapping
- I save all scraps and make hair scrunchies, Barbie & Ken clothing, doll clothing and blankets for my grandaughters, pillows, etc., there is so many possibilies for scraps, I can't throw any out! One of our local thrift shops offers a free clothing rack every Saturday and a 50c rack everyday. I have been saving material for a denim jeans quilt this way. I just dismantle whatever garment I chose, saving as much as possible. Pockets can be used for inside pockets for purses, or organizers for a bedroom. I also go to thrift stores for flat sheets for backing fabric. Rummage sales are also a great place to find fabric, and patterns. I also make templates from margarine lids.
- —Guest Karen Dunlop
Never waste batting!
- I save absolutely all batting scraps that are left over from trimming my quilts. If they are big enough I cut them into squares to use for rag quilts and the little bitty stuff I use to make stuffing for a pillow.
- —latterbe1
