Whenever I get a quilt back from my quilter, she gives me these neatly folded bundles of leftover fabric and batting.
So here is my question: do you have a good use for the scraps, especially the batting? Or maybe you know of a charity that could use it?
The best suggestion will win a free copy of the Spring 2013 Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. (My quilt is on page 18!)
To enter, comment here with you suggestions for using up those long skinny scraps by Friday March 8 at 11:59 pm EST.
AND.... Don't forget to join me and Pat Sloan on the radio today at 4 pm EST!
I usually use batting scraps as stuffing. I make stuff like doll pillows, or mattresses. I have alot of little girls in my family.
ReplyDeleteI have used those leftover strips for mug rugs, coasters, table runners, zippered accessory bags, anything smallish that requires a layer of batting. I hate to throw anything like that away too!
ReplyDeleteMGM
Ah, Mary Grace, we are "two peas in a pod". LOL! No wonder we have followed each other all these blogging years. ;-)
DeleteI don't toss any batting.... or scraps either. LOL! I save almost everything! I use my small strips of batting for a couple things.......if it's cotton batting, I use the small pieces when making pincushions or small notebook covers. I have stitched lengths of batting together to use in pillows. And if it's polyester batting, here's the link to my favorite way to use fluffy batting.........http://christmasislove.blogspot.com/2009/01/fluffy-snowman.html
ReplyDeleteHad almost forgotten about these little guys but this mornings snow and your blog post reminded me of them. I needed a project for a kids class and that's how the snowmen were born. :-) Will be listening to you on Pat's show this afternoon. Might even be laying out the quilt project with your Happy Town fabric as I listen! Good Monday to you!
Really great idea for the polyester batting, Sandi! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteI'm a grandma who also sews for her granddaughters' AG dolls, so every scrap counts.
ReplyDeleteWith scrap fabrics I make mini quilts or cut out dolls. I like to sew the pieces together and then I use a template to cut out a shape like a kitty or dog, makes fun crazy quilt style animals. With batting it depends on the size. I usually use the small pieces for pillow stitcheries. I place the batting behind the piece as I stitch to give it depth and hide my stitches, then I can make it into a pillow or quilt. I have wanted to try some batting ornaments, something for a future project. You can also cut the small pieces of batting into bits and use them as stuffing.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Those cut off strips can easily be used into blocks, borders, scrappy bindings and mini projects. The batt is used in mug rugs, mini mats, candle mats, stitched together for a 12" mini for my hanger, make kittie cat=nip toys, etc....
ReplyDeleteThose would be perfect for small ornaments - either for a Christmas or any holiday tree.... (Those Valentine's and Egg trees are adorable!) They also would be good for quilt postcards.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a charity that is looking for a fundraiser that is different from all the rest would love those pieces to make something fun to sell.
I have been using my scraps of batting to stuff pin cushions. Our small group has a pin cushion exchange so I've used lots of this. Some of them I used only batting stuffed really tight and others mixed sand and batting. For practice I always keep small pieces around to sandwhich together from the scraps of the project I'm ready to machine quilt.
ReplyDeletePiece them together to make quilted pot holders? :) ha ha I'm out of my element here!!!
ReplyDeleteI make baby bibs!
ReplyDeleteI zig zag the batting together. Then I take the strips of fabric
and flip and sew on the batting. Then I cut out the bib and
and also piece the back with out batting. I put the right sides
together of the fabric and sew around and leave an opening, turn it inside out.
Press it, topstitch it and put either velcro or a snap at the neck.
I have been giving them away as gifts and everyone love them!
Uso para almofadas para pinos e coisas pequenas como colchas para bonecas.
ReplyDeleteMas tenho certeza que quem ficaria feliz da vida com isso e a VITÓRIA FINDLAY WOLFE ou BONNIE HUNTER.Também o projeto LINUS.Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com
I like to use the long strips for my quilted bag handles. Usually anything from 4 inches up makes a nice size handle. Fold the two long edges to the center and then fold together once more for a really nice padded handle. Great for carrying on your shoulder as it doesn't dig in. Charlene
ReplyDeleteI use the batting pieces for dusting. Squares to use in my hand or cut to size and used as a replacement cloth on Swiffer-type floor sweepers.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of that, Lisa Marie! great idea.
DeleteExtra padding in hot pads with a layer of insulbrite, stitched together for small projects, little runners, mug mats, etc. I use my leftover batting for almost every little project I make. And if you zigzag them together you have enough for bigger projects. :-) Love your quilt! Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteI use scraps in mugrugs, placemats, bags etc The strips of wadding I use in bag handles!
ReplyDeleteSo many things to use scraps for I don't have anything new to add to the wonderful lists above...but agree I also use my scraps for lots of little projects. Mug rugs, wall hangings, pincushions...etc etc
ReplyDeleteI use leftover batting strips for the occasional rag quilt I make. I hate to cut into big pieces of batting just for rag quilts! After I make a several regular quilts, I usually have enough strips for all my squares and it makes me feel very frugal to use them up.:)
ReplyDeleteI've used them to add width or length to my batting for a quilt, I've also used them for mug rugs, cell phone holders, purses, etc.
ReplyDeleteOur prayer quilt ministry at church will sew the strips together with a zig zag stitch to make a big enough batting for a quilt. I know some people who will use a small piece of batting to clean their vintage sewing machines (hand cranks and treadles), but I don't do that since batting is so expensive.
I do sewing for babies and give a lot of stuff away to the needy so I cut my scraps into 1 1/2 inch squares to make 9-patch blocks.These I alternate with squares to make the quilts. I also use fabric strips to make Log Cabin baby quilts. The batting can be zig-zagged together to make bigger pieces.These can be used in bottle covers, bibs, burp cloths,etc. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you.
ReplyDeleteI'd made a baby quilt with all that goodness!
ReplyDeleteI use leftover batting for quilt as you go blocks. I've also used them for my Swiffer dust mop.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have never done quilt as you go blocks. Will give that a try some day. Some day.....
DeleteWe have wood floors in our house, so I use leftover cotton batting scraps to make 'swiffer' rags (about 9" x 13") - they work MUCH better than the thinner, purchased variety. For smaller scraps of batting, I keep a stack by my sewing maching and longarm to put small scraps of fabric and thread as I sew - once it is 'full', then I feel I have gotten my money's worth and can toss them. These smaller size batting scraps also work great to keep by my chair when I am hand-stitching binding etc. Finally, the smaller pieces work great when I oil my longarm to wipe up any drops of oil off my machine.
ReplyDeleteI piece my off cuts of batting to use in table runners and little wall quilts. They are also handy for making those shaggy quilts.
ReplyDeleteI know here in Iowa you can donate them to women's shelters who are abused so they can make things...Maybe if you have scraps of material to put in with the batting and sewing thread and needle and let them make something at night... We have given crochet kits to them to make scarves and they love making something like that...Or assistant living places for the elderly who can't afford to buy things and they can make coasters...Again you can make kits. just some thoughts... Lisa
ReplyDeleteI process all of those pieces into 1.5, 2 & 2.5" strips and use them for everything....string quilts, mug rugs, crosscut and made into 4 patches or 9 patches. There are a million uses for that extra fabric. And the batting? I use the small pieces in mug rugs and sew together the other strips for use in wall hangings, placemats, etc. There's a lot of value left in those 'leftovers'.
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm a new follower! Like you i dislike throwing away fabric even tiny little piece! so i use it as stuffing for my sock monkey or other plush. Usully cut in smaller piece they are perfect and save me to buy stuffing material!
ReplyDeletethank's for the chance to win those magazine look amazing! in canada we don,t have a great quilt magazine...
have a nice day
Whooo hoooo! Me loves scraps! :)
ReplyDeleteI would use the fabric portions for strips and make placemats and potholders....the batting scraps I always put together with my handy dandy Heat press batting together (love that stuff) and voila! Large pieces for said mats and potholders and mugrugs and....
I use them to make bookmarks for all my bookworms! They always seem to go missing around here so I just keep making more. Not to mention they make great little gifts for grandmas and teachers!
ReplyDeleteI take my bigger batting pieces & piece it into a larger batting pieces, usually great for baby quilts. I use a stretch zig-zag stitch which lays nice & flat. For smaller pieces, they are great in Christmas stockings, table runners etc. It is so tough to throw batting away, it is so expensive!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas above for my swiffer, I am going to give that a try!!! :-) I love quilters.
I give it to my dear hubby to use as shipping material for some of the fragile stuff he ships... He loves it...
ReplyDeleteDidn't think of that either....
DeleteI think go Hi-tech! Those scraps would make beautiful, quilted computer cases or Ipad and Kindle covers. They'd sell like hotcakes!
ReplyDeleteI use mine for quilt as you go projects, mug rugs, and stuffing for pincushions, animals, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou can piece the batting strips together and make pot holders or place mats. And all kinds of small items too, like zipper bags and Kindle cases. Roll a tight spiral and use it for a pincushion!
ReplyDeleteBatting can be pieced together until it is large enough for whatever project you might want to make. There are tapes available for this purpose or it can be zigzagged together.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of fusible tape. Easy!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI save every bit of batting, great when you need a extra piece. They would also be perfect for making a patchwork teddy bear, I have found when making toys if they are padded a bit they hold together better.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
I use scraps batting to fill pincushions,cuahiona and make small items.
ReplyDeleteI use my left over batting for small projects and if the fabric scraps are big enough they can be used in small projects as well.
ReplyDeleteThe batting strips would work nicely in stitch and flip quilt-as-you-go projects. I have made Christmas stockings this way, but you could also make table runners, table toppers, or even small quilts this way. You cold also but two pieces together and, using a wide zigag, create bigger pieces of batting. The bigger pieces could be used for placemats or other smaller projects.
ReplyDeleteI use my left over batting for small projects, coasters, table runners, mug rugs. I also piece batting together as it is so expensive. Would love to add the magazine to my library.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
Could you not piece the batting together and make what ever size you needed? You could use the long strips for string quits, cut up of course.
ReplyDeleteI could, Dortha, if I weren't so lazy...... ha ha
DeleteMy longarm quilter says that she zig zags them together and then use them as batting for a quilt when she has enough.. Lots of work but I suppose you'd save a lot of money too!.. :)
ReplyDeleteyou could send them to me i can use them up for you
ReplyDeleteI have used scrap batting for a few things, I've used it as stuffing; I've used it for small items; now I give it to a lady in our guild that used it to make dog/cat beds for animal shelters. She takes all the fabric scraps and batting scraps and stuffs the beds for the animals. Goes to a great cause. I'm sure someone in your area does the same. You could probably check with the local shelters.
ReplyDeleteI have used those long narrow strips of batting for making purse straps as it makes them sturdier and provides a bit of cushion. I think would work in the handles on recyclable grocery bags.
ReplyDeleteCoasters. I make lots of coasters and five inch pieces are all you need. Connie c.teasley@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI use the left over batting for my wall quilts. I butt the batting together and use the fusible tape to hold it together. Works like a charm!
ReplyDeletescrap batting with fabric attached: coasters, coin purses, needle books; cut squares, use wide bias tapes [as quag] sew squares together for place mats, doll blankies. mug rugs.
ReplyDeletebatting strips: stuffing for pincushions, toys, use batting tape to make bigger pieces for table mats, place mats, or book covers, ipad envelops. pot holders, hot pads. lots of uses for little pieces!
I am sure my suggestions are already listed here somewhere, but I can't resist the chance to win that cool magazine! I use my batting strips around my cutting area to wipe down the area after a cutting session. They are great for cleaning and restoring the mat, and they pick up dust and tiny specks of fabric like magic! I also dust around my sewing machine with them. The larger pieces I use for small projects like billfolds or luggage tags or thread catchers. As for the strips of fabric, they are like pure gold! Of course I use them for strip blocks, but they also make great package ribbons. And a friend of mine uses strips to make fabric rope baskets and rugs - they're gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThey would be fantastic as quilted Christmas ornaments. There are Quilt as you go projects that require small pieces, oooh that would be fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOne of the girls at guild has a daughter in Girl Scouts. They asked for the batting scraps to make "snowballs" to have an indoor snowball fight! Sounded like fun to me! :)
ReplyDeleteYou could also use them to stuff doggie beds. I have a friend that does that.
Sandy A
I sew them together and use for smaller quilted articles, pot holders, runners, perhaps a baby quilt. Reuse, recycle.
ReplyDeleteI use narrow strips of batting for tote bag handles; wider strips work for back-pack straps. Anything that's too small or narrow gets cut up and passed on to a quilt-guild buddy that uses them for stuffing "beds" for dogs and cats at our local animal shelter. Every donated bed is greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteSmaller pieces of batting can be used for stuffing fabric animals, or used in quilt as you go rows..even if only a narrow size. Sew Peacefully
ReplyDeleteI randomly sew the scraps together for a quilt top. I donate batting and some scraps to the physical rehab floor at our local hospital. After i was in a very serious accident, i was on the rehab floor for 3 months. There are a lot of people there who needs to use their hands after a stroke or other illness. babscorbitt@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI use the strips for bag handles and wider ones for coasters & mug rugs.
ReplyDeleteI zigzag the batting together until I get a large enough piece of batting to use in another quilt. Frankenstein batting works just like any other batting and I consider it "free" batting!
ReplyDeleteha ha Frankenstein... I get it...
DeleteI use the little pieces for little bags and wallets. Girls love it ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do not and cannot afford to throw anything sewing related away. That batting and the fabric are both terriably expensive. I take the pieces of batting and butt the edges up together then sew with a zig zag stitch to attach them to each other. So those long strips then become wide pieces. Great for small quilty projects and table runners. Also great to use as stuffing in pin cushions and such or pot holders or mug rugs. The fabric of course is re used in other quilty projects as well. You can piece those with others to make scrappy quilts or to help piece backings for your quilts. It is all useful and can allways find a home . I recycle everthing. I am currently recycleing pieces of chopped off pants legs from being hemmed shorter from my moms alterations shop to use in table runner projects I am working on. It takes soem time to rip and iron and piece but so worth it. And it saves a ton of money and keeps it out of the landfills. conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteso many great ideas here...i think that IF i ever used my strippy scraps i would use them to make appliques...elephants, boats, whales and butterflies come to mind (my grandkids favorite themes)!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not patient enough, nor have the time, to fool with small pieces. I chop them up and give them to a friend who uses all the tiny pieces to stuff pillows for cancer patients. Cottn makes a washable, soft pillow stuffing.
ReplyDeleteYou could use the scraps for potholders, especially the quilt batt. I use 3 layers of quilt batt in mine, and my son and his wife say they are the best. I have left my scraps with the quilt shop in the city. There is a lady who makes quilts for a charity and the shop gives these to her. The scraps are also great for grandkids to learn to sew with. I used to make doll clothes with my Mom's scraps. There are a lot of great ideas already listed here.
ReplyDeleteI use my long batting strips for flip and sew quilts - taking two 5" fabrics (front and back), 5" batting and sandwich together with the front and back fabrics face down on the batting and sew long length. Flip fabrics over batting and sew more strips to the open sides. Wonderful giveaway and thank you from Judy C in NC
ReplyDeleteI use these leftover batting strips for mug rugs, card holders, coin purses. Anything small. I have even been known to use the strips of batting on my floor swifter. They work great and much cheaper than having to buy replacements.
ReplyDeleteToss all your fabric scraps, threads and batting leftovers into an old pillow case. When almost full, sew across the top and donate to your local animal shelter. They make great pet beds and are washable. Plus, all that "stuff" stays out of the landfill!
ReplyDeleteSue in Florida
Love the idea of using an old pillow case- doesn't get any easier than that!
DeleteI use long leftover scraps to make coiled clothesline baskets, and I ziz zag leftover batting together and use it for small projects. Thanks for the giveaway, and congratulations for being in the magazine!
ReplyDeleteI haven't made anything with mine yet, but I have saved them to use in smaller projects such as mug rugs, coasters and potholders. I figured I could piece them together to make them bigger if needed for a project.
ReplyDeletei use the small pieces to test stitch balance and tension before I begin my project.
ReplyDeleteI always use my batting scraps for the small projects - fabric postcards, Christmas ornaments, notebook covers and mug rugs. I love to use them as a stabilizer on my machine embroidery to give the piece dimension. The really small pieces I use to clean and oil my machine parts.
ReplyDeletehmm.. I have use scraps to make hair accessories recently :D
ReplyDeleteI have joined scraps together and used them, but mostly I have made pillow forms out of them. I make a pillow the size I need out of muslin and then shoved them in there good and tight, and it works quite nicely!
ReplyDeleteLots of good ideas here. Deborah, love your blog. I have not been quilting long enough to have come up with ideas for scrap batting, but will use some of these eventually I'm sure. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt depends on how small a scrap is...but practice for FMQ uses up a lot.
ReplyDeleteI used to separate the batting from the fabric and then use it for small ornament such like zipper pull, crochet amigurami projects such like doll head, flowers etc. For the fabric I will use for other quilting project. I love creating from scraps...
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh ... there are so many things to do with leftover scraps!! Mostly everything has been covered here, but my favorite is to make small, quilt-as-you-go doll quilts. But if your strips are long enough, you can quilt them and join them and have a decent sized baby or lap quilt--great for comfy quilts for NICU or for retirement/veteran's homes!! Coasters are another favorite of mine because both my girls use the heck out of 'em. For some reason, I find batting especially precious and am loathe to give it up!
ReplyDeleteLast summer I made my favorite-quilt-of-all-time using "strings." I used 10" muslin squares and stitched various width narrow strips across them, then squared them up to 9 1/2". The quilt is is big, and heavy, I quilted it without a back. Not to piggyback on your blog, but a photo of the quilt is here: http://www.52quilts.com/2012/07/sunday-summer-scraps.html
ReplyDeleteI love your Tutti-Frutti quilt, I think that will be my sumemr project for 2013!
I've started cutting up my smaller pieces of batting and little tiny scraps of fabric and saving them to make a floor cushion for my dog! I use to throw little bits away, but since I started saving them I have enough for a cushion...... I hate wasting anything. My husband has also used some long strips for lagging the cold water pipes in the cellar to stop them freezing in the winter!! Linda.
ReplyDeleteI use the for placemats and coasters. Coasters are easy and make great things to give away.
ReplyDeleteI like strip-pieced bags and totes of all sizes and shapes (with linings of bigger leftovers or muslin.) You can never have too many! Or you could donate the scraps to an animal shelter, where they use them to fill bags or pillowcases for the rescued animals to lie on.
ReplyDeleteI always try to find ways to use my scraps of fabric and batting. As I have been going to therapy for my hand and wrist for the last two months, my therapist asked me if I had any scraps that she could have for her patients. I gave her a whole bag of scraps and different weights of batting. She cuts the scraps and the batting into squares and makes a little package for her patients who have difficulty with the sense of feeling. So my cotton, polyester, wool, felt, flannel and upholstery scraps have gone to help people who are learning to regain the feeling in their fingers.
ReplyDeletei make pot holders out of them , every one that i know have been married a while and have wore theirs out
ReplyDeleteI keep ALL my wadding scraps. I make 1" x 1" Zakka style magnets, the long bits are used inside the straps of bags for bag making, I will sew strips together to get a wide enough peice for a layer within potholders and long bits can usually be used inside journal covers too if I don't have fusible. The super skinny pieces that are un useable/too small can all go as stuffing into dog beds as well! I never throw anything away if it can have a purpose :)
ReplyDeleteYou could use them for astrip quilt and quilt as you go. Also use it for cup cozies or pouches, mug rugs, needle books... so many options! I also save the small scraps for when I make bags and they call for magnetic closures, the directions say to put a piece of batting on the back becore you close the prongs.
ReplyDeleteThey would make some cute stuffed animals!
ReplyDeleteI would think string blocks would use up most of them.
ReplyDeleteScraps of batting 4-5" wide make great dusters, especially on a Swiffer!
ReplyDeleteI make string blocks from my fabric strips. I use the batting on my Swiffer duster if it is wide enough. I use the skinny strips for dusting tables etc. Bigger pieces of batting get used in mug rugs and other small projects.
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