Over the last several weeks, I've been digging into my scrap baskets, trying to use some up in a variety of ways. I've posted most of these on Instagram, but though it would be fun to do a little round-up here on the blog.
A fun little surprise for the family at Easter brunch were Mini Fabric Easter Baskets made from charm squares and scraps. For the baskets, I used the tutorial by @craftyforhome. Then I made my own version of 'bows' by cutting them out with my pinking shears. Charm squares and pinking shears.... two things I haven't used for ages but were fun to play with again.
And then I made another back of
Quilted Bookmarks, using kraft-tex and
my own tutorial. They have all already found new homes - most through our Little Free Library - so I really need to make another batch soon.
Tiny quilts stretched on tiny (3") frames. I pieced the centers with scraps of scraps - those extra small pieces that were actually destined for recycling. Then the backgrounds came from the regular scrap bins; a little hand-stitching was added, then the fabric was
wrapped around to the back and stapled. This batch has been gifted and/or shared through a local Free Little Art Gallery, so I'd like to make more and maybe even perfect my finishing technique a bit. Whatever, they were very fun to try making.
Not really made from scraps, but a random use of stash, was this floral drawstring gift bag for my mom on Mother's Day. This is the Artist Bag size from the
Lined Drawstring Bag Pattern by Jeni Baker
@jenib320, using the Mini Accent variation from her
Expansion Pattern.
And finally, for this round-up at least, I made a denim tote bag to use as a gift bag for my daughter's birthday (the first one I'd made had gone home with my oldest granddaughter one day). I used a pair of my worn black jeans, following the free video tutorial from Sotak Handmade @sotakhandmade, Learn How to Turn a Pair of Old Jeans into a Stylish Tote Bag.
Just for fun, I added a new Stick and Stitch Embroidery Design from Dropcloth @dropcloth to the front. I'm anxious to find more uses for these little embroidery designs. Meanwhile, I accomplished a bit of upcycling and gifting handmade, which is always fun.
P.S. I've also been putting a lot of scraps into
a quilt top I've been working on. Once I finish the quilt, I'll share more about it. And I hope to keep finding ways to sew through scraps in the coming weeks and months. I already have a couple of ideas brewing....
Your mini Easter baskets are amazing, great idea!
ReplyDeleteHappy scrappy projects and 'random use of stash'! This is a very inspiring post, thanks for sharing.
I can see why the bookmarks area big hit. Looks like you have been busy; I think seeing these has convinced me that a small make is the right fit for my next project.
ReplyDeleteHii can I ask, what's your limit for size for scraps? Like how small do you keep generally, and at what point do you use them for stuffing or other smushy purposes? Thanks so much, I'm getting some ideas about doing a lil free library here! You're a good influence :)
ReplyDeleteHi. I admit I have no patience with teeny tiny scraps. Probably about 2" square or 1.5" strips would be as small as I usually keep, unless I really really love it. Rather than use for stuffing, I recycle my fabric bits through our local recycling service, though I admit I don't really know what they do with them. Tho for the 3" canvas project I did use small scraps, so I could get a patchwork center about 2" square. Also yay about a LFL. We really enjoy hosting ours.
DeleteScraps seem to be the unofficial quilting theme for May! It’s always surprising to see how quickly scraps accumulate, and then, always a challenge to work out how to use them all. It’s wonderful that you have an outlet for your bookmarks and little works of art. We have neither of these libraries in our area. It’s great to share scrappy makes, and I like yours! Nice that you’re having fun with those little stitchy sticker designs too.
ReplyDelete