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How do you use up your fabric stash?

comments (11) May 12th, 2010     

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VictoriaNorth Victoria North, executive web producer
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Every sewer faces a similar problem. How do you use up your fabric stash?  Share your tips, tricks, or easy projects to use up your stash.

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Comments (11)

pampike writes: I love using small pieces of fabrics for appliques on clothing for my grandchildren. I also use them for Christmas stockings that I make for sale. I have to admit that my small piece stash has gotten rather large but I just can't throw it out. I'm going to try my hand at in-the-hoop zipper bags when I get some extra time.
Posted: 7:27 pm on May 26th
CMBerg writes: I have been using up my stash by making shopping bags, some are quilted. I also make small drawstring purses and dress them up with jewelry and rhinestones. I have also made wallets and cosmetic bags. The original pattern came from Annies Attic
but I have made my own alterations. My friends love them.
My stash never really goes down because I cannot seem to keep my hands off fabric.
Posted: 4:35 pm on May 21st
Villa_for2 writes: I made a geneology lap quilt with some of my stash. Two little ships came over from Alsace with one of my ancestors.I did those in black embroidery thread on the left corner. Sunbonnet Sue and her mate, my grandparents, are picking cotton in Magazine, Arkansas and digging up sweet potatoes. I used applique for most.

My father milked cows at the dairies in Southern Calif. so for the center I made two laxidaizal cows chewing green yarn, facing each other, with eyes half opened. (Black and white Holstein) A big circle of rose leaves around the cows with three of my mother's favorite yellow roses at the bottom. The cloud fabric(Blue and white) was behind the cows, a little fence in front. My grandparents on each side of the rose garland.
I got a sheet of clear soft poly cloth from the hardware, so I could look through it, and draw everything in its (3'x4') place, then I glued them, and machine stiched most with a pretty stich.
I had the little table that shows light underneath and traced the cows from an old booklet. I cut everything out with stiff plastic 8"x 11" sheets which I had traced on the little table.
My background was some red plaid 6" around and a blue backside. I used blue with little white stars to edge the blanket in bias strips. A good winter project.
Posted: 12:14 pm on May 19th
sewold writes: I like to piece quilts and seldom buy new fabrics except to fill in a color I may need. Even using a lot of little pieces of fabrics leaves more pieces! One way to use an orphan piece (one you can't remember buying, or can't imagine using now) is to make "tags" for suitcases. When our family traveled together a few years ago (14 of us) we used an odd fabric and made neckerchiefs/head scarves for everyone. It was almost mandatory that we wear them while traveling. Made it easy to spot each other in crowds. Spare scraps were torn into strips and tied on each suitcase. Even the youngest could grab suitcases off the belt at the airport.
Posted: 10:36 am on May 18th
Peg_in_virginia writes: I love Vickiev's campaign! I have a custom slipcover workroom so I know how stashes can grow. What a great way to repurpose those odd size remnants!
Posted: 7:17 am on May 18th
Skatemom writes: I like to make different kinds and sizes of reusable gift bags. They are also great to use as shoe bags or kids gym bags.
Posted: 11:34 pm on May 17th
writerinfact writes: I "use up" my stash by making things! A lot of my stash was purchased when I was a member of a medieval reenactment group, for period garb - which takes a LOT of fabric per piece: chemises, gowns, cloaks and the like. So there's a huge pile of cotton broadcloth and linen.

One of the bright ideas that occurred to me was to stop buying facial tissues, paper towels and paper napkins (also kitchen sponges, cotton balls and dishcloths - these use up my yarn stash in crochet versions) and make handkerchiefs, napkins, and "rags" by hemming squares - and not-so-squares. I have a stack of "wipes" (stored in crocheted baskets) that go right in the washer and on the line (we have a wonderful "solar clothes dryer" here in Arizona - works even faster than the electric one during the summer!). Haven't gotten past the "ick factor" of bathroom tissue yet, though!
Posted: 8:55 pm on May 17th
rosb writes: Decided that there was far too much in my stash so spent several days going through & really thinking would I really make it up & for some it was no so took them along to our sewing guild meet & it was great fun. Many of the farics looked heaps better on others then the rest donated to the local womens centre as they have a learn to sew group that is made up of refugees & lower economic ladies so they were delighted. Its now started the ball rolling & we have a swap time at the beginning of our day, such fun. One mans junk is another ones delight. Try it as it feels wonderful . Cheers Rosarini
Posted: 7:10 pm on May 17th
variadee writes: By making quilts, tote bags, etc. for charities. It's a great way to use up Fat Quarters, leftover strips, and other various pieces. Our local quilt guild and ASG (American Sewing Guild) appreciates all of it.
Posted: 6:40 pm on May 17th
samlilypepper writes: I don't do tons of sewing but I still seem to get lots of remnants... so whenever I sew clothes for my grandchildren, I make matching doll clothes. When I don't have matching fabric, I just dig into my stash. I'm hoping to learn quilting, so all the small pieces will come in handy once I get to that point.
Posted: 2:43 pm on May 17th
Vickiev writes: I have a Custom drapery workroom so I get lots of stash bulit up and some of it is less than a yard of fabric. I have made over 450 stylish "eco-shopping bags" to give away with my company business card attached with a beautiful fluffy ribbon bow. Its called my "Be Green and Be Beautiful" campaign. Used up a BIG pile of leftovers.
Posted: 2:33 pm on May 17th
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