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Monday, December 27, 2010

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--DON’T THROW AWAY THOSE SCRAPS OF FABRICS!

Waste not, want not. That’s what my great-aunt Penelope Periwinkle used to say, and now that I’m counting every penny, I realize how right she was. But even before pauperdom walloped me upside the head, I always saved all the fabric scraps from my sewing projects. If you’ve ever had to buy an 1/8 of a yd. of fabric because you needed one 3” x 12” strip, you know how right I am. I keep all my scraps of fabric in a plastic storage bin, and it’s amazing how often I find myself rooting through that bin to find exactly what I need. However, sometimes the storage bin gets to overflowing. When that happens, I have lots of project ideas stored away for using up some of that overflow. Here are a few I’ll share with you today.

*Make sachet bags to drape over your clothes hangers or place in dresser drawers.

*Create drawstring gift bags for odd-shaped or any-size presents. You will be giving the recipient two gifts in one because afterwards the gift bag can be used to hold jewelry, lingerie, toiletries, or just about anything else. Decorate the bags with smaller scraps of fabric and scraps of ribbon and lace.

*Make a crazy quilt fabric-covered picture frame. Embellish the frame with ribbon, lace, buttons, and beads.

*Cut out small simple shapes, such as hearts. Sew two together and stuff for ornaments or gift package decorations. Glue them to pin backs or barrettes for soft-sculpture jewelry.

*Glue or fuse fabric to heavy paper and use as appliqués for hand-made greeting cards and gift tags.

*Cut fabrics of different textures, patterns, and colors into 3”, 4”, or 5” squares. Sew six squares of the sme size together to form a cube, then stuff. These make wonderful, tactile soft blocks for babies and toddlers.

More ideas to come in the future. For now, why not tell us how you use up your scraps of fabric.
 Post a comment to be entered in the drawing for a special crafty giveaway from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP


4 comments:

lollitams said...

With my scraps of fabric I always make pom pom style hair clips for my daughters and friends...the great thing about it is its just the colour combinations you need to get right as they can be any size and you simply glue them to a snap clip!

ANASTASIA POLLACK said...

Great idea, lollitams! Thanks for stopping by.

Janet said...

There is always a pillow back to be made, with the left over satin from my daughter's wedding dress, I covered the mat for a picture I was framing. Really made the picture stand out. I cut strips and teach the grandkids to braid and make coasters. Never throw away scrap material!

ANASTASIA POLLACK said...

Love the braided coaster idea, Janet! Thanks for stopping by.