Do you hoard all the small fabric scraps which are leftover from sewing projects for that day when you would do something with them? And now that you have time, you are wondering what to do with them. You can create completely unique and original fabric with your fabric scraps. Here are the simple ways to make use of fabric scraps to make interesting looking fabric you can use to make other sewing projects.
Most sewing projects will leave a lot of fabric scraps. If you are not in the habit of storing at least some of them, start. And then sort in color schemes of your choice and start making your own fabric with your brand of creativity
Make your own Rag Textile
Patchwork – Join Fabric pieces together
This is the obvious choice when you have big remnants from your sewing projects.
For patchwork, you need fabric pieces that have shrunk to their original size, devoid of sizing etc. The sizing which is present in most store bought fabric will wash away and leave your seams puckered. Prewash to remove all these extras; press and keep.
Decide on the dimension of the fabric you want.
Mark the fabric you have in the shape of your choice. I have cut long strips of fabric. Do add about 1/4 inch on either side as seam allowance. Read the post on Patchwork here.
Do you know that in India, women used to hoard all their old sarees and then sew up the pieces together, layer many sarees and then quilt them together very prettily with running stitches (Kantha work) to form blankets. It used to keep the cold away for the whole family.
Join small Fabric pieces with insertion stitches
Gather all those fabric scraps together in a color scheme you want. Take some pins as well.
Cut pieces of fabric with straight edges – they need not be square or of any exact shape. They need not be of the same size – but they should have a synchronization – the colors should go well with each other.
The arrangement should not have gaps showing the base fabric through.
Take a base fabric – any prewashed cotton fabric would do. Arrange the fabric pieces on top, with the small pieces overlapping over each other.
If you like the arrangement, pin them there or baste stitch. One way is to arrange the fabric pieces on top of an interfacing piece with the glue side up. Iron in place after arranging the whole mosaic. This will adhere the fabric pieces on the interfacing. Or use paper glue stick to keep them in place.
Now you can start sewing the fabric pieces. Use a zig zag stitch foot and a satin stitch to do this. You can also use any of the decorative stitches or a simple wide zig zag stitch to join the edges of the fabric pieces. You can use a suitable colored thread to sew this stitch.
Remember that there will be stitches visible at the back, so choose bobbin thread matching the base fabric, if you do not want it to stand out.
Use the Smallest fabric Scraps
Arrange small pieces of fabric pieces on a base fabric – you can add small ribbon and yarn on top for an interesting effect in between. You can line them up and sew them one by one, side by side and add extra layers as you want.
Use decorative stitches on your sewing machine to stitch the fabric pieces on to the base fabric.
Here is a coaster made with this fabric.
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Waste not, want not ! Great ideas. Thanks.
That’s great idea which I couldn’t know. It”s amazing! Thanks.