Author Topic: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies  (Read 89341 times)

oneday

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Walrus Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 8806
  • Age: 48
  • Location: SF Bay Area, USA
  • only good pies and no bad pies -mspym
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #350 on: February 19, 2018, 06:36:53 PM »
I haven't knit/crocheted in over a year, but the cashier at my grocery store asked if I was a knitter/crocheter (how did she spot me?) and gave me a flyer for a hat/glove/scarf/blanket craft donation drive for a local homeless shelter. I came home and made a hat out of some old yarn. I'm completely done with it. I bound it off right away (I can't explain why I usually procrastinate; it's so easy).

Go Nancy!  Isn't that such a satisfying feeling...finishing right away?  I always feel so wonderful when I manage to do that.

I used up a few yards of thread sewing up a hole that developed in one of my shopping bags.

Nancy

  • Guest
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #351 on: February 20, 2018, 04:57:36 AM »
Thanks, oneday! It was my first time finishing a project right away, and it felt amazing! I started on a matching scarf, which will use up the rest of that yarn. I'm way too excited. Nice work on patching your shopping bag and using up some thread!

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #352 on: February 20, 2018, 05:07:14 AM »
Pulled out an art quilt I started 5-8 years ago and have been doing 15 minutes a day on it. I love it and cannot wait for it to be completed!

sparkytheop

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 992
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #353 on: February 20, 2018, 09:45:06 AM »
Last year was a lot of building up my stash as a new quilter.  This year is less buying, more creating.  I love juvenile prints, and my mom works at a fabric store, so I still get little moments of fabric glee when she brings me some remnants (on sale + 50% off).  The other women in my quilt group now know that I love scrappy quilts and even want to make a crumb quilt, so they are setting aside scraps that are at least 1" wide.  I missed a few weeks (because I work), so when I went yesterday, they handed me a trash bag that was half full!

So, I'm using up, but still getting to collect some without being out a lot of money (or any money, my mom and I tend to just trade stuff and favors, so she never asks me to pay her back, and I don't ask them to pay back lots of little things.  I also help them save money by doing stuff like fixing their leaky drain, their furnace, etc.)

Nancy

  • Guest
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #354 on: February 28, 2018, 08:14:58 AM »
@iowajes way to stick with it! That's inspiring.

I decided to knit a scarf to go with the donation hat. I'm happy to report it's completely finished and ready to go. It took a surprisingly long time to finish, and I sort of hated it halfway through, but I stuck it out. I used up almost all of the yarn and I'm donating the remainder to the craft bin at my library. Done and done.

Poundwise

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2076
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #355 on: February 28, 2018, 04:46:57 PM »
Used up almost all of a giant box of Poly-Fil to make cushions for our sofa (and saved money too). My husband was glad because it freed up a cubic yard from the garage, where I had been storing it for over four years.

CU Tiger

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 462
  • Location: Mid-Atlantic USA
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #356 on: February 28, 2018, 08:08:28 PM »
I am making these with a lot of scraps. Great presents. The pattern is for sale on craftsy and etsy.

https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/project/easy-wonder-clip-bowl/378400

The pieces of fabric do not need to be very large, and you can also use up stabilizer. I have made 9 and have several more cut out. I gave 8 away to members of my craft group.

frooglepoodle

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1309
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #357 on: March 01, 2018, 04:47:16 AM »
I am making these with a lot of scraps. Great presents. The pattern is for sale on craftsy and etsy.

https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/project/easy-wonder-clip-bowl/378400

The pieces of fabric do not need to be very large, and you can also use up stabilizer. I have made 9 and have several more cut out. I gave 8 away to members of my craft group.

Those are cute! They look like they'd also make a great gift for little kids to use as a coin purse, for collecting treasures, etc.

CU Tiger

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 462
  • Location: Mid-Atlantic USA
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #358 on: March 01, 2018, 06:38:18 PM »
That is what I thought too! I am in two craft groups, and all the members are getting one. My sister and her girls are getting some and I am making several to carry sewing supplies in.

They are easy if you have a sewing machine.

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #359 on: April 30, 2018, 09:41:55 PM »
a lot of new fabric just came in due to a charity fabric sale. so I'm going to need to sew up a lot in the next little bit. good for trying out new patterns though. so that's a win. and all the fabric was only $1/m. kids will get lots of clothes out of that.

oneday

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Walrus Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 8806
  • Age: 48
  • Location: SF Bay Area, USA
  • only good pies and no bad pies -mspym
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #360 on: May 01, 2018, 06:14:16 PM »
Maya, thanks for bringing this thread back up in my list!

Last week I used up the end of a ball of cotton yarn making a dish cloth.  Started a second cloth and broke into another spare ball.  I will keep making clothes until the matching yarn is used!  With crochet, they go really fast, it's very cool.  I'm used to knitting.  More to report soon!

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #361 on: April 07, 2019, 08:23:16 AM »
ODS needed an extra set of summer pjs so I made him a T-shirt and a pair of matching underwear briefs. After I made them I realized I had enough fabric left for 2 more pairs and as an added bonus he could likely do with some more underwear as he's been growing lately. Now to convince him to wear the underwear durning the day and that it's not just pjs LOL. 

Some pics are on my blog: https://www.ourfinest.ca/2019/04/fabric-harvesting-summer-pjs.html

oneday

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Walrus Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 8806
  • Age: 48
  • Location: SF Bay Area, USA
  • only good pies and no bad pies -mspym
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #362 on: April 10, 2019, 04:19:11 PM »
Maya, those pj's are totally cute!

And lol at me...I stopped after 4 dish cloths in 2018 and still have the left over yarn.  However, I just completed a charity scarf that used up all but a few yards of a different yarn.  I'll take my wins where I can. :)

Budgie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 77
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #363 on: April 10, 2019, 07:33:15 PM »
I need to join. I have downsized to a smaller home and have two underbed storage containers of yarn and random quilt fabric, as well as fabric purchased for a specific quilt I had in mind. I would like to get this down to one underbed storage container and have (at least) that quilt completed by Dec. 31.

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #364 on: April 11, 2019, 06:50:54 PM »
I finally did an inventory of all my fabric and I had 118 m or something like that.  I used about 20 last couple months but still have much more to go. Also have a couple drawers full of yarn that have trouble closing so will have to get back to knitting at some point.

My motivation has been in the toilet lately and i need to tackle a more involved project next. Every part of it seems daunting so I've yet to start. I want to make a spring/fall coat. I've bought some fabric to do a muslin before I cut into my $50 fabric but I need to start with tracing. So far nothing.

sparkytheop

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 992
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #365 on: April 11, 2019, 10:04:54 PM »
Well, since my last post, I've learned how to knit socks (have never knitted before).  So, fabric stash is depleting a little slower, and now I have a yarn stash...  At least my feet are always warm!

Budgie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 77
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #366 on: April 13, 2019, 07:47:15 PM »
Well, since my last post, I've learned how to knit socks (have never knitted before).  So, fabric stash is depleting a little slower, and now I have a yarn stash...  At least my feet are always warm!

Go you! I made a sock once. One sock. That was it for me, so I salute you!

geekette

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2550
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #367 on: April 14, 2019, 11:20:56 AM »
Well, since my last post, I've learned how to knit socks (have never knitted before).  So, fabric stash is depleting a little slower, and now I have a yarn stash...  At least my feet are always warm!

Go you! I made a sock once. One sock. That was it for me, so I salute you!

I always knit two at a time - when you're done, you're done! 

sparkytheop

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 992
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #368 on: April 14, 2019, 12:22:35 PM »
Well, since my last post, I've learned how to knit socks (have never knitted before).  So, fabric stash is depleting a little slower, and now I have a yarn stash...  At least my feet are always warm!

Go you! I made a sock once. One sock. That was it for me, so I salute you!

I had my mom walk me through every single step (while I took notes, since I couldn't read a pattern at all).  It helped a lot!

sparkytheop

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 992
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #369 on: April 14, 2019, 12:24:52 PM »
Well, since my last post, I've learned how to knit socks (have never knitted before).  So, fabric stash is depleting a little slower, and now I have a yarn stash...  At least my feet are always warm!

Go you! I made a sock once. One sock. That was it for me, so I salute you!

I always knit two at a time - when you're done, you're done!

I have a friend who knits two on the same set of needles, but I have no clue how that works.

I only know the one pattern (and am completely happy with it), so I just have two going at the same time, but on different sets of needles.  Knit one through a step, then the other, back and forth.  On the longer portions, I just knit one for a while, then the other.  When I'm done, I am done, just not all on one set of needles.

geekette

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2550
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #370 on: April 14, 2019, 02:30:06 PM »
It's a lot like knitting one at a time - just on one set of needles, so you knit the front of both, then the back of both...etc.  The only tricky parts are casting on, and turning the heel.  I do toe up and the fleegle heel (no heel flap), which I find fits best.

But whatever works for you is great!

Mtngrl

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 319
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #371 on: April 14, 2019, 08:20:46 PM »
Sock knitting is my favorite. I recently knit a striped pair using up lots of bits and pieces of sock yarn in shades of purple. I have enough to do a blue striped pair, also.

I made a set of storage bins for our camper, using up a large box of upholstery fabric that a friend gave me when she was clearing out her parents' house. It felt great to get that box out of my closet, and to make the bins, only having to purchase interfacing.

Budgie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 77
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #372 on: April 18, 2019, 05:01:37 PM »
LOL, I did have someone walking me through it--my knitting teacher. A dear lady, but she could not overcome my lack of talent/courage. I'm a better crocheter than knitter because it doesn't get so scary when you have to rip back a mistake. I'm more willing to try new things when I'm not afraid of having to unravel it.

I have "knit a pair of socks" on my retirement bucket list, if yarn still exists then ;-)

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #373 on: April 18, 2019, 06:56:04 PM »
I used to love knitting socks. I've probably made over 100 pairs of various techniques. But after I broke my neck again knitting got really painful, and then I just became a sock yarn collector.

Not quite using it up, but I just got rid of a HUGE bag of fabric for a neighbor looking to start sewing. Garment fabric of all kinds and quilting Cottons

Even though I will never use it, it's hard to get rid of something you paid for.

Budgie

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 77
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #374 on: April 20, 2019, 06:50:56 AM »
...Not quite using it up, but I just got rid of a HUGE bag of fabric for a neighbor looking to start sewing. Garment fabric of all kinds and quilting Cottons

Even though I will never use it, it's hard to get rid of something you paid for.

For me, the hard part is giving up the idea that I am going to use it. I have no problem parting with the dollar value of supplies, it's the plan/dream I had to use it that can be painful. Or not. Sometimes I look at a piece of fabric and wonder what I was thinking!

Anatidae V

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7626
  • Age: 34
  • Location: Fourecks
  • Nullus Anxietas
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #375 on: April 22, 2019, 08:23:15 AM »
I am using up fabric to practice some new patterns I bought. I've matched 2 to make up just enough for a skirt, and am *gasp shock horror* throwing out the scraps instead of saving tiny cuttings for goodness knows what. If this skirt works I'll probably make several more.

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #376 on: April 26, 2019, 10:55:56 PM »
Well sewed up the coat i bought fabric for a year  ago. Just need to finish sewing on the snaps. Quite pleased. Will blog about it soon. We bought a trailer today so I ended up buying some nice wind pro fleece to make us camping hoodies. So fabric stash is not going down as fast as I'd like but anything that comes in must have a plan.

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #377 on: May 14, 2019, 01:59:37 PM »
Oh my goodness, just counted up my stash and 123 m to go... I'd gotten quite a bit down, but then bought a bunch recently so back up again to overflowing. Goal back again to sew it all down.

https://www.ourfinest.ca/2019/05/fabric-stash-may-2019-update.html

MrMoogle

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1136
  • Age: 38
  • Location: Huntsville, AL
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #378 on: September 16, 2019, 10:23:16 AM »
In the opposite theme of this thread (but totally mustachian), my mom spent $5 at a yard sale for yarn for me.  Each skein was $0.25.  So I'm set for yarn for a while.

sparkytheop

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 992
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #379 on: September 16, 2019, 03:41:13 PM »
My mom knits a ton of socks.  I knit some socks (not as many, because I'm still very slow).  I found a project that combines knitting sock yarn, and quilting!  It also uses up all those end bits that aren't enough to do much with (my mom would use the last bit of yarn to tie up plants, etc, but really, she has a lot of leftover bits!)

I'm making a ton of these little puffs, then I'll tie them together to make a nice, soft, fluffy quilt:

http://purl-oined.blogspot.com/2011/09/honeycomb.html


Poundwise

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2076
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #380 on: October 01, 2019, 04:53:31 PM »
prewashed, ironed, and cut out material to make about 15 pillowcases by this material. Then will use this pattern to sew them up! https://www.mybluprint.com/project/how-to-sew-a-pillowcase-using-burrito-method

Plan to use them as "wrapping paper" for kids' gifts.

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #381 on: October 05, 2019, 11:45:42 AM »
Not having a ton of time to sew plus buying a bit more recently means my stash is overflowing. Goal is to get sewing down a bit more of the "retail fabric" I bought recently. That I mostly have plans for and then getting to the charity sale fabric I have bought to make kids clothes.

Just updated my inventory sheet and I'm up about 2 m from my last update (125 m in stash) in may. I've bought about 12 m and sewn about 10 m.  I'm likely down a bit more as I gave some fabric away but I did it quickly and forgot to record it so that might be awhile till it gets calculated in.

PMG

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1608
  • Location: USA
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #382 on: October 13, 2019, 11:53:48 AM »
I'm gonna join in this thread too!  Nobody really understands how satisfying it is to finish up a spool of thread, or, to find the perfect use for a piece of fabric I've had for years.  Like many of you I have been gifted fabric and notions, and bought at estate sales, and bought new.  I've gotten more discerning over the years and think I have a reasonable amount on hand right now, but I am making a conscious effort to use up some older things.

Today I am making sleep shorts for my spouse's upcoming birthday out of fabric left from an abandoned quilt project from 6 or 7 years ago. 

sparkytheop

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 992
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #383 on: October 13, 2019, 08:08:41 PM »
I found a project that uses the last bit of sock yarn (about 7 yards, if I remember correctly) to make a little stuffed hexagon, then you can tie a ton of them together to make a knitted quilt.  The project fits in a large eyeglasses case, so I just keep one in my car or bag or whatever, and then I can work on something if I have to wait somewhere.

My mom knits a ton of socks, I knit some, and this is a great way to use up all the scrap yarn.  If a piece is short, it's not a big deal to tie it to a second piece (I've only knitted socks, where changing thread is more of a pain because you don't want to create a knot).

Freedomin5

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6482
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #384 on: October 13, 2019, 11:16:09 PM »
My workplace is holding a drive to collect warm winter clothing/gear to send to the rural mountain areas of China to be donated to school children. Schools in China are often concrete boxes with no heating/cooling systems or insulation. I've taught in some of them before, and the conditions are pretty rough.

This weekend, I started a scarf using up yarn that's been sitting in my closet for the past three years. The colors are bright, cheerful, and pretty, and I learned a new crochet pattern in order to make the scarf. If I'm lucky, I may have enough yarn left over for a matching hat, which will allow me to use up the extra large furry pom pom that was left over from my last hat-making endeavor.

Freedomin5

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6482
Re: Using up fabrics , sewing, and crafting supplies
« Reply #385 on: October 25, 2019, 10:34:57 PM »
Thinking about Christmas already. I learned from a coworker how to do sashiko, and now I’m using up fabric (had to buy some sashiko thread) to make coasters and placemats for a few friends who like that kind of ethnic, handmade stuff.