tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post4317734594079277825..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Scraps: Waste Not, Want Not?Gertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-65568001649503811442012-12-15T10:03:46.652-05:002012-12-15T10:03:46.652-05:00I attend Parsons so I donate all my scraps to scho...I attend Parsons so I donate all my scraps to school so other students can use them. I do the same with magazines/newspapers so students can make Moodboards as well.<br /><br />Before school I used Freecycle.org to donate or leave it on my stoop and they are gone pretty fast.<br /><br />Another place to donate is Materials for the Arts, a great place to get bolts of fabrics as well as donate your own scraps. Trunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-78941170946040246062012-09-10T07:20:47.442-04:002012-09-10T07:20:47.442-04:00I grade my scraps by size and and potential use (I...I grade my scraps by size and and potential use (I'm a bit nerdy). Anything under a certain size gets thrown out. The smallest I'd consider is patchwork size (about 4x4"). Otherwise its useless.M'ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02697943030492173302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-74916609976499278852011-06-09T10:40:28.840-04:002011-06-09T10:40:28.840-04:00I save ALL of my scraps. I use the small scraps th...I save ALL of my scraps. I use the small scraps that are no good for sewing as stuffing. If you do this though, don't stuff anything white with colored scraps, alot of times you can see through the white fabric. I've done a lot of things with scraps, I have made yo yos and flowers to embellish clothing, flowers for hair clips or embellishments on bags. I recently made a checkbook cover, change purse and phone holder from scraps as well.Saranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-46706510648560528072010-03-11T22:44:17.995-05:002010-03-11T22:44:17.995-05:00I know this is an old post but you could use scrap...I know this is an old post but you could use scraps to create custom-shaped weights for copying patterns and for rag ties for setting curls.Overseas Callshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01672393420473938608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-89866912566384158612010-02-15T15:07:57.522-05:002010-02-15T15:07:57.522-05:00Use use scraps for stuffing. I live in a an apartm...Use use scraps for stuffing. I live in a an apartment that was built in 1884 and we need lots of things to block drafts.<br /><br />I also like the idea of making pet beds. My husband works at a vet.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855413111142257771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-87344763995119869852010-01-16T19:28:34.463-05:002010-01-16T19:28:34.463-05:00With the leftovers from my sewing, first I made sh...With the leftovers from my sewing, first I made shorts or shortie pajama bottoms. Then anything else usually makes bags and totes from the larger pieces and you can go pretty small with bags. small bags of corduroy or velvet make good jewelry bags for each individual necklace or bracelet. Gift bags also. pajama flannel for small toys. Or small bags can hold toiletries to pack in the car for use with small children. I always have a few in my diaper changing bag or the bag I carry with dishes and spoons for meals out at restaurants.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-41205554171923976582009-12-16T02:32:32.108-05:002009-12-16T02:32:32.108-05:00Oh, scraps, how I love thee! I can't believe p...Oh, scraps, how I love thee! I can't believe people could just throw them away! Horrifying!<br />Over the course of my lifetime, I've made good use of even very itty-bitty fabric scraps. When I was 6, I made a quilt for my Barbies; when I had a cat, I used up yarn scraps to crochet her a cat toy and stuffed it with catnip and fabric scraps; when I made myself a dorky/adorable/warm hooded vest, I appliqued a stripe on the hood with a long, skinny scrap. Sometimes when I spin yarn, I shred tiny bits of fabric and spin the fibers in. I also do a lot of writing, and I like to buy those cheap-and-ugly blank books from surplus/job lot places and just collage scraps of fabric and paper onto the covers.<br /><br />Here are a few other ideas I might get around to trying someday:<br /><br />-skinny, colorful borders for plain white hankies<br /><br />-eco-friendly attic insulation<br /><br />-heck, just stringing them up like miniature prayer flagsmeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680517897415790140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-10249697200847273142009-11-11T02:37:18.925-05:002009-11-11T02:37:18.925-05:00I save the bigger ones. And right now, because I&...I save the bigger ones. And right now, because I'm going to be making a doll-sized quilt for my niece in the next few months, are at least 1.5 X 1.5. Small, I know, but I can make a doll sized nine patch out of that size easily for Evie's dolly cradle.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07717835382469677601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-47289124882402579702009-10-19T19:13:04.130-04:002009-10-19T19:13:04.130-04:00I concur with the FreeCycle idea! I am an absolute...I concur with the FreeCycle idea! I am an absolute fabric hoarder. When I trim scraps to get rid of the tails, I have to stop myself from going back and picking them out of the waste basket. And since I've been sewing (and hoarding) for over 40 years I have accumulated a LOT of scraps. The last time I purged was about 20 years ago when we moved to this house. Our house has a *huge* amount of storage space, so my scraps accumulated beyond all reasonable belief. When Freecycle came to town, I decided I would give it a try, thinking that no one would want what I had since not much was cottons suitable for quilting. I immediately received a response and I wrote back to ask the person what kind of scraps she wanted because I had a lot and could sort them suitable for doll clothes etc. She said "I'll take all of them!" I wrote back "no, seriously, I have an insane amount of scraps" She told me she wanted all of it no matter how much. When I finally pulled them from here, there and everywhere (I put in some fabrics I knew I would never use in addition to the scraps). I ended up with 9+ trash bags!! After she picked them up, she emailed me back to say what fun she and her mother had sorting through the fabrics. She found lots of usable pieces, her Mom also enjoyed and took quite a lot of them, and then she shared the rest with her homeschool coop group. That is a group of parents that band together to share resources. Apparently they were doing a sewing unit with the high school aged students and many of the kids couldn't afford to purchase fabrics for that. I was very happy to know that the fabrics were used. So if anyone has a large volume of scraps, that is a great way to see them used up. I had a warm and fuzzy feeling for a long time after that!Connie M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-57127996285713950122009-10-04T01:11:18.466-04:002009-10-04T01:11:18.466-04:00Baby clothes! They don't have to be made of ki...Baby clothes! They don't have to be made of kiddie prints, you know.<br /><br />I'm primarily a quilter, so I hoard any 100% cotton scraps for scrap quilts. I have a bit more trouble figuring out what to do with the left-overs from garment sewing. Besides baby clothes, I suppose one could make dolls and doll clothes.Catholic Bibliophagisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10697706672495544901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-20065762903617277782009-10-01T12:29:48.849-04:002009-10-01T12:29:48.849-04:00I've only been sewing for a year, and I'm ...I've only been sewing for a year, and I'm quite overwhelmed by the amount of fabric scrap I have accumulated. I never even thought of throwing them out, because I remember my grandmother used to make bed covers by sewing little cercles together. I'd like to do the same, but I already have trouble finding time to sew stuff I like, I don't think I'll ever be able to find time for this, and when I do, I'll have so much scrap that I won't be able to enter my sewing room anymore!!! So after reading all the comments here, I have decided to find someplace to donate my scrap. Or I might use the unusable tiny pieces for stuffing, I have a lot of those!, which I keep separate from the larger pieces. I'm glad I found this blog, and read all those comments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-53369466255733668332009-09-29T16:47:02.232-04:002009-09-29T16:47:02.232-04:00I give a ton of little scraps away on Freecycle. Q...I give a ton of little scraps away on Freecycle. Quilters and arts-n-crafts teachers typically pick them up. I also use them for bias tape, and facings or other reinforcements. And in our drafty apartment, I've stuffed a couple of long skinny draft stopping things with teeny scraps too.Miss Fitzhttp://fitzfabulous.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54864123071146885392009-09-29T13:05:57.250-04:002009-09-29T13:05:57.250-04:00I only save them if they are large enough to be us...I only save them if they are large enough to be used for bias binding. I do a lot of hong kong binding, and will use my scraps for other garments. <br /><br />Larger remnants I keep and my niece and nephew use for their "projects." When they are actually identifiable, they are hand puppets, bags, and wrist bands. Sometimes, they are not so identifiable ;)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04873478695914665795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-60555226900267743152009-09-29T09:30:34.295-04:002009-09-29T09:30:34.295-04:00As a former Sunday school teacher, consider donati...As a former Sunday school teacher, consider donating them to any religious sanctuary you might go to... At my church, the kids craft pretty much every week.Kate in Belgradenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-82350385115549996092009-09-29T07:24:03.651-04:002009-09-29T07:24:03.651-04:00I like the idea of using scraps for making matchin...I like the idea of using scraps for making matching accessories, such as hair acccessories (these ones are so forties!), that's the reason why I keep mine. I mean to use them when I have more time, but well, I've got some half-finished hair curlers that are waiting in my sewing bag since last spring!Carlottanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-5459649364654506232009-09-28T21:40:05.168-04:002009-09-28T21:40:05.168-04:00Like several other commenters have suggested, I...Like several other commenters have suggested, I've been saving my larger pieces with the intention of listing them on Freecycle when I accumulate a large enough box.<br /><br />I love the idea of making a quilt from scraps--especially scraps saved over a longer period of time from favorite articles of clothing--but doubt I'll ever get around to it.Marionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766207940110570115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-80191808581838747562009-09-28T20:54:15.621-04:002009-09-28T20:54:15.621-04:00I throw some away and save some. My cousin quilts...I throw some away and save some. My cousin quilts and uses teeny scraps to make doll quilts and such. I have started a bag of scraps to send to her!Kathihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11152942097072530468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-27847581665040761412009-09-28T20:51:38.657-04:002009-09-28T20:51:38.657-04:00BOY do I have a lot of scrap fabric. I try to make...BOY do I have a lot of scrap fabric. I try to make bags, book covers and other items. If the fabric is cotton or a natural fabric I will try to cut them up into 3.5 and 1.5 inch squares, 3.5 inches triangles. When I have time I'll make quilt blocks. But there are times when I have to throw them out because I have way too much and I will never use them all. But then the process start over. Reading the other comments have given me some ideas. I really hate to throw scraps out.KARIMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15016716965565229162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-2308129625625914722009-09-28T20:26:24.613-04:002009-09-28T20:26:24.613-04:00Well, the local school art teacher would love to h...Well, the local school art teacher would love to have your scraps as would the local Girl Scout office. I save my scraps because I am a quilter, too. I have several baskets of scraps in my sewing room. I hope you won't have the same experience as I did. You see my kitty loves me and when I leave for a vacation, she lets me know just how '-issed off' she is by not using her litter box. Sometimes she uses the plant containers, the corner of the living room rug, etc. The last time I left for an extended vacation, she left her disapproval marks in my scrap baskets! Needless to say I now have fewer baskets of scraps and the door to my sewing room is forever closed at all times!PaTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-78740452068761502472009-09-28T19:18:29.619-04:002009-09-28T19:18:29.619-04:00Of course it's awful to see your fabric scraps...Of course it's awful to see your fabric scraps in the trash with all the grody food scraps...those food scraps are supposed to be in your compost bin/bucket. ;-)<br /><br />Actually, you can compost natural fiber fabrics pretty easily, too. Another reason not to sew with synthetics, I suppose.<br /><br />But for the record, I mostly throw mine out, pretty much for the same reasons Erin gave above, and because my elderly in-laws are packrats. I do not want to leave a huge house (and garage and shed and storage units) full of...well, it's basically crap...for my kids to dispose of (as I anticipate we will have to do when they're gone).Christinehttp://knitsewwhat.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-61217383453384907012009-09-28T19:08:05.236-04:002009-09-28T19:08:05.236-04:00If you're not interested in using it, then don...If you're not interested in using it, then don't feel bad about not keeping it. Give it away. Obviously, others have mentioned good ideas of who to give it to. I bet there are plenty of crafty folks in New York trying to make it through the recession who would love your scraps.<br /><br />Also, particularly fun fabrics could make great surprising pocket linings and bias tape, if you have enough.Gaidighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11137796009019992269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-19876829532008592352009-09-28T17:41:47.839-04:002009-09-28T17:41:47.839-04:00I only keep scraps of fabric that I really like. ...I only keep scraps of fabric that I really like. I know that sounds odd but after living and working with some fabric, I'm just so over it I can't look at it anymore. <br /><br />But, I LOVE the idea of giving the scraps away to kids. That never even occurred to me and I know kids that would enjoy craft projects with it.jenna!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16754411566357685542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-88611826380197005582009-09-28T17:20:06.134-04:002009-09-28T17:20:06.134-04:00I throw them out. I'd love to be so organized ...I throw them out. I'd love to be so organized as to tuck them away neatly somewhere (and later remember both that I have them AND where they are), but the reality is that my sewing space consists of the kitchen table with about half a closet to store all of my supplies. So I say NO! to scraps. Sorry.<br /><br />Another idea is to design your clothing so you don't have any scraps:<br /><br />http://zerofabricwastefashion.blogspot.com/2009/09/sam-formos-zero-waste-jacket.htmlMz. Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16795252523182627852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-21034832855690807562009-09-28T16:48:49.032-04:002009-09-28T16:48:49.032-04:00I have been in the same pickle jar. I usually save...I have been in the same pickle jar. I usually save larger pieces for doll clothes for my dd, who is 6. But when the bin is full, we truck off what we don't like to a group of ladies that make quilts for charity or send them to the local thrift store. As much as I would like to make a couple of scrap quilts, my sewing time is just as precious and I prefer to make garments.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984385864865301366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-88471622319546931202009-09-28T16:48:13.681-04:002009-09-28T16:48:13.681-04:00i too used to save every scrap, but had to come to...i too used to save every scrap, but had to come to terms with the fact that it's just not practical. now i only save scraps that are of decent size and shape. i make sunhats with them and various other projects. and they are handy to have around for gifts (sachets, pincushions, applique t-shirts)!<br />you might also see if a local quilting group would take them...hodge podgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15414156316565619626noreply@blogger.com