Using cotton fabric scraps?

[RuthieSews]

I have quite a lot of fabric scraps, cotton fabrics which could be made into something like a quilt.
I'm not a quilter though, so don't want to do anything really complex.
Suggestions?

I like the idea of a simple quilt, or a duvet cover for a single bed sized duvet.
Shopping bags and drawstring bags also appeal.
Any good links?

[ejvc]

Ruthie, I just made a really simple quilt out of cotton squares, put together more or less at random.  If your fabrics work together, it's very nice.  Otherwise, simple 9-patch blocks (made from two fabrics each, still squares) can allow you to be more thoughtful about where you put the fabrics.

But, if you don't need a blanket, call a local library or school to see if you can donate them.  They will be good for dolly clothes and crafts.

Elizabeth

[BeeBee]

I started quilting with a French Braid design.  It requires a minimum of cutting and piecing and goes fast.  Or a split rail?  Both are easy but give a "complicated" result.  Here are some of the links I used when I started:
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/PatternPage/EasyBeginnersRailFence/EasyBeginnersRailFence.htm
http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/quilt-tutorials-.html Very good tutorials with a more modern flair. I just made her "Wonky Nine Patch" which was great because it starts out wonky so you can't go wrong.
And the French braid - http://www.quilterscache.com/B/BraidBlock.html
And one I still want to try is patternless:  a simple strip quilt where you take all your scraps, cut them into 2.5" strips (sorry, before coffee - can't do conversion) and just sew them together  in size you want. 
I didn't think I'd like quilting but I was quite wrong.  I find it restful and a bit zen.  It's fun to work with the colors, piecing is very calming for me, and it never doesn't fit.  Enjoy.
A 1/4" edging foot is very useful but not a requirement. 
JUST DO IT! 

[Pina]

Hi RuthieK,if you have a lot of cotton scraps you may like the Hodgepodge Quilt.You can find more free quilting patterns in this SG topic.

[andib]

I made a scrap quilt(like a crazy  quilt) and gave it to a homeless shelter.  Lap quilts are nice for Nursing home residents. How about a quilt for someone in a hospice home?

Also, bags for walkers for elderly people can also be useful.

[Pina]

Also, bags for walkers for elderly people can also be useful.

Great idea andib.Here is a Buckets Gone Wild walker tote pattern I want to male.Instead of the 1/2 yard 54 inch wide home decorator fabric quilted fabric scraps can be used too.

[LauraTS]

String quilts can be really fun too. Heartstrings Quilt Project has a lot of links to string quilt variations - they can be more or less scrappy depending on how you choose the colors. Maryquilts.com also has a lot of easy, scrap-suitable patterns.

[cynthia_in_ca]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned making little coin purses or wallets? It's something I like to do with bits and pieces of leftover cotton.

[Femme1]

A duvet cover is a great idea, Ruthie...there are tons of sites that show how to do it.  http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/03/sewing-101-making-a-duvet-cover.html

Here's a tutorial on making a simple little clutch...I've also added a strap to it to make it a "wristlet."  I've made many of these for friends, and they seem to be well appreciated.  http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html

Have fun with your scraps!  I just started back into quilting, so scraps are a precious commodity to me.

Deb

[RuthieSews]

Thanks Deb, those little clutches are very cute
:-)

[Ann]

Ruthie, you can make a duvet cover by looking at what was done here http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/ELProjects/Simpleproduct_ELP.aspx?productid=PR1468

Or you can make a purse organizer. http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/ELProjects/Simpleproduct_ELP.aspx?productid=PR1028 You can add embroidery if you want or use a print cotton if you don't want to embroider. Look through the projects and choose ones you like. You don't have to buy the designs which is the beauty of it.

Bags of all kinds can be found at http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.msg1837265#msg1837265 and http://tipnut.com/35-reusable-grocery-bags-totes-free-patterns/ with this one being neat as you can zipper it up into the size of a wallet http://whipup.net/2007/09/01/wallet-sized-fold-up-re-usable-shopping-bag/ This one is really nice too http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/2010/05/market-tote-tutorial.html

Hope this helps.

[RuthieSews]

Thank you Ann, loads of great ideas!

[Ann]

Here is one bag I made using the pattern from craftser.org. I put the embroidery on last week and it took me about 2.5 hours to make this morning. I made the pattern 4 years ago using a plastic shopping bag from Walmart. If you like to take your own bags shopping like we do, this is a good one. I also make another one that we use too and I will have to put instructions on how to make it on my blog.

Ann

[Em]

*

[Pina]

My friend in Oregon makes cat cage comforters/mats for several animal shelters in her area.This morning she sent me a neat blog link with pictures and instructions on how to make rag - shag rugs with double knit fabrics.

[susandf]

It is nice to know that others have scraps waiting to be made into projects.

I too found myself with cotton fabric scraps - some from my grandmother!  (My Stash is multi-generational!) So, the projects I used them for had to have some permanence to them.

I really enjoyed making a New York Beauty Quilt.  It is foundation pieced, so quite easy, and the scraps used ranged from 12" to as small as 1/2".  
(click image for blog post) contains a pic of one 12" square.   It was made for a specific spot on a wall that is visible from most anywhere in the house, and I can't wait for the Long Arm Quilter to to let me know she has completed it so I can mount it there!

I also needed a portable project, so a hand stitched Postage Stamp Quilt is also underway.  Obviously, a looonnnnngggg term project. (click image for blog post)  It is great for lap work while watching TV in the evening.

Larger pieces also made great Market Bags and Carry-On Luggage...(click image for blog post)

Great Fun Projects!

eta: images as names of links & notes that images are clickable 

[susandf]

OK...so I need to know how to upload pictures.  The behind-the-scenes-helpers have been very helpful (how do they do that?)

Are there instructions?

Thanks.

[Lisa]

OK...so I need to know how to upload pictures.  The behind-the-scenes-helpers have been very helpful (how do they do that?)

Are there instructions?

Thanks.

You're welcome.

You'll find instructions for photo-posting here: "Forum Decorum & Handbook (FAQ)--Photo Posting"  You'll want to use method #2 in those instructions.  Please give it a try in the "Sandbox," so we can give you a hand if it doesn't work quite right

In the same instruction thread, you'll find instructions for various other things.  (BTW, I not only posted the photos, I used the photos as names of the links to your blog.)

Hope to see you in the Sandbox soon!

Lisa

[RuthieSews]

One set of the 'scraps' was a strip about 20" wide cut off the bottom of some cream curtains I shortened. So as each curtain used two widths of fabric I had 4, 20" x 60" pieces.
I managed to use this to make 4, 16" buttoned cusion covers and 2 shaped end cushions.
I'll use these to add interest to an old red sofa my parents are giving me to put in my new rental (20th May).

Mum also raided a few items from the scraps - some blue cotton which is part way through being made into a summer jacket and some blue printed fabric which made a bag for some board game pieces.

Once my stored items arrive on 20th May and I'm in the new house I am looking forward to getting out some old sample books and making a few more cushions that bring out the various colours in the sofa and other items in the room.

[RuthieSews]

I'm working away through some of my fabrics.
So far I have receovered 3 bean slabs, and am making 3 large cushions - this was all from a fairly large piece.
I've also got some aprons on the go, plus have made one fabric bag.

I have a lot more fabirc to use up yet!

[RuthieSews]

I had a piece of home dec fabric, not really large enough to make into curtains, but still large enough for something.... inspiration struck.



First up, three 22" cushions I made for snuggling on my slightly battered terracotta sofa.
I also recovered the big bean slab, used for feet, TV remote etc.
The bean cube tends to live in the hall for somewhere to sit when talking on the telephone or putting shoes on. The small bean slab (standing on end in front of the bean cube) can be used as a back rest for the bean cube to make it more chair like.

I made the inserts for the cushions on the sofa yesterday evening as I didn't have anything large enough to hand. The bean cube and small bean slab are also homemade (from a long expired beanbag) but some time ago, but did need new covers.

I don't have much fabric left over but will cover a little lumbar cushion to match, and see what scraps still remain after that!

[susandf]

Love the pillows.  Seem to lighten and brighten the sofa.

The bean cubes and bean "slab" (love that name) appear quite comfortable!

[marciae]

Nice project Ruthie - good use of your fabric.