What do you do with your leftover pieces?

16 years ago

So what do you do with the material that's left over after cutting out your pattern?

If it's cotton, I can see saving it for quilting.

But other fabric types, I just don't know what I'd use them for.

What does one do with those 6"semi-circular-3"wide-by-5"triangular-with-2&1/2"tails- pieces that result?

Does anyone else feel guilty with throwing them out?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Cathy

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Comments (10)

zone_8grandma
16 years ago
I have the same problem. Here's what I do
100% cotton goes into a "quilt scrap" box.

But I also do a lot of knit garments (for mom and granddaughter). When cutting them out, I throw some into a basket near the serger to use for test sewing. The small scraps I throw in the trash. The rest I save.

I have a pile of lightweight knit leftovers from tee shirts I've made. I plan to see if I can make some tank tops for next summer - some coordinate, so I can piece them. Some make nice accent pieces (ribbing, piping, etc). If the leftovers are big enough, they go into a box for donation to the thrift store. If not, out they go.
donnar57
16 years ago
When my daughters were little, I made doll clothes. No granddaughters yet (thankfully), so for now, I just collect the bigger scraps and toss the smaller ones away. As with other posters, 100% cotton scraps are saved for my mom, who quilts. (I tried quilting, but the geometry involved ... well, I hated HS geometry class!!!!)

DonnaR/CA
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Scrumbling!! Also known as Freeform knitting and crochet. You can make wearables out of it or throws or tea cozies or dolls... it's artistic, and you can't go wrong because you make it up as you go. Basically, you take an armload of yarn bits that sortof go together and do a few rows of stitches, then add a color and do something else, add a color and try some lace or bobbles, add a color, turn it sideways and do some rows of crochet. Add a color, turn it again, and try one of those funky crochet flowers, etc. Add a bead or two. It looks REALLY cool, especially with the different textures of yarn and all the colors. Plus you can try a bit of edging or a leaf or two from Knitting on the Edge, or whatever you've been dying to try and haven't figured out a whole project to do it in yet. If you're like me, you end up with a lot of the same complementary colors, so for once, having a bunch of scraps and half skeins is great. Here is a book on it: Freeform Knitting and Crochet by Jenny Dowde I got the book at my library, and it has really great color pictures in it of all the projects: scarf, a couple of little handbags, attached collar for a coat, a neato vest. In the back there are instructions and suggestions for different elements to make to add to the 'scrumble' - a fan, different little flowers, a leaf or two, attached strips. There's crochet stitches too - tassels, bobbles, and lots of ideas. It's kinda fun to NOT know where you're going with it, and just play with shapes and colors and textures and see where you end up. Test and idea. There's no wrong size, no 'what row am I on?'. And if there isn't a "wrong", you don't have to rip it! Here is a link that might be useful: Scrumbling
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Funny you posted this. A few weeks ago the store had whole chickens for 99 cents a pound so we got two of them. Yesterday, I put one in the crockpot (without any liquid added). We had it carved last night and this morning I cut all the rest of it up and now I have 3 bags of diced chicken in the freezer, marked so I know what I want to use them for. One is for chicken salad and has dark and white meat. Another is for chicken and wild rice soup (2 meals plus a lunch) and the third for chicken and noodles, which will be at least two meals, maybe more. So as I figured it, the meat I use in each meal will cost about 35 cents per serving. I just love saving money and hate wasting food. Plus I have all that lovely broth and also made extra by putting all the bones, skin and scraps in a pot to make more broth. We have no problem having the same meal two nights in a row. Harry's the easiest person in the world to cook for. I like your idea for the fries, too, Sue. In restaurants I've asked them not to give me so many fries, but they come premeasured. I usually just leave them, but I'll bring them home from now on. Bet there's a lot of things to do with them--like make them like Wendy's chili cheese fries!!
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loganhogan
16 years ago
I use them for applique in machine embroidery projects. I've also used them for deconstructed jeans.
Susan
ruthieg__tx
16 years ago
It only gets thrown away if it is too tiny for a barbie top...every thing else gets saved for doll clothes.
lynnencfan
16 years ago
Crazy quilts - you can stabelize any of the stretchy fabrics and still use them in the quilts - doll clothes - fabric ornaments. If there are any sections (flowers or designs) that can be cut out and heat and bonded on other fabric or used to decoupage on projects. I never throw any fabric away no matter how small - there is always some way I can use it. Very small pieces I will cut into circles and make yo-yo's of all sizes and use them in crafts or sell packages of them on E-bay or at crafts shows.......

Lynne
kitchenredo2
16 years ago
I keep them to make clothing for my DD stuffed animals. I also use them for appliques for her clothes. My non-sewing use is to keep them for my craft projects (I use the fabric on cards etc.) and for the kids to use for their craft projects.

Below is a link with some ideas for using those scraps:

Here is a link that might be useful: apartment therapy
teresa_nc7
16 years ago
Can we form a support group?

Hi, my name's Teresa and I feel so guilty when I throw out scraps - any kind of scraps! I tell myself that I might need a scrap to "mend a tear" - yeah right! Like that's going to happen! I never tear my clothes and even my two boys growing up didn't tear their clothes - stain yes, but tear, no.

If you could see my sewing room, you would know....I NEED HELP!
auntiegeek
16 years ago
Anything that is too small to be an applique, quilt square or test patch goes into a box to be used for ragdoll stuffing...this way I don't have to feel guilty about throwing away anything!

I also save old nylons for stuffing, but my kitty has discovered the nylon basket and decided they are now HER toys to "hunt". She plays with them then drags them around the house to present to us as a proud trophy.
birdtalker
15 years ago
i never throw any piece away. With some leftovers I make bias tape, just for the fun of it. Some I use for patches, or to add pockets to some teeshirts. I make drawstring bags also, they are good for storing things or 'wrapping' presents. And one day I hope to use leftover flannel to make "coat of many colors" pajamas. And always remember you can make things and donate them to Goodwill shops or places like that. My first sewing teacher made little girl dresses and donated them to an orphanage. I try to follow in her example in a small way..
budster
15 years ago
I watched a sewing show that featured a lady who made wonderful landscape wallhangings from the smallest bits and pieces. I believe the book she wrote was called "Snippet Sensations" by Cindy Walters. Might be worth having a look for it at the library.

What do you do with your leftover pieces?

Comments (10)

zone_8grandma

donnar57

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