The Sewing Place

What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric

Ellabella

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #60 on: November 06, 2021, 20:37:00 PM »
I’ve just made these fingerless gloves. I’m starting to have problems with my thumb joints in cold weather so I thought I’d make something to help keep warm.

All made from scraps given to me earlier this year.   [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

Lachica

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #61 on: November 06, 2021, 21:41:04 PM »
Ellie & Mac Feel Frisky panties get good reviews. $4 this week. The child's camisole & panty pattern is on Wacky at $1.
Mary
2020 stash: not gonna count, not gonna feel guilty.

annierose

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #62 on: November 10, 2021, 07:25:59 AM »
I did Michelle Pye's knicker making course, which shows you how to measure and draft your own pattern. I know it will seem expensive to some, but I know I have saved it in the knickers I have made, and it's a fun day:
https://englishcouture.co.uk/event/briefly-covered/2022-02-07/

I am keeping away from making my own bras (or I'd never be out of the sewing room!) but I buy very good expensive bras when on sale, knowing I can make pretty knickers to match / contrast (I am fussy about my underwear!)

Celia

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #63 on: November 10, 2021, 09:17:00 AM »
@annierose
I did Michelle’s bra making course many years ago and also her trouser one. I thoroughly enjoyed them but unfortunately never really got to grips with the bras, the trousers were a huge success and gave my confidence an enormous boost.

I would love to treat myself to another of her course’s  but I don’t think I am quite up to driving so far in a day now, which is what I did before. Maybe next summer as I am not expecting to be able to go on holiday it might make a nice treat.

I am very tempted to try making bras again but now cannot wear wires so would have to start from scratch with pattern etc.

annierose

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #64 on: November 10, 2021, 14:12:00 PM »
I know Michelle has some nice B&Bs that she recommends, and in normal times you can have a nice break with a concert at the De Montfort, or a meal out, and even visit King Dick, or take in a Tigers' game.

I live about an hour's drive away from her, so return home.

If you already know the basics of bra-making, i wonder if one of her 'make your own' courses would suit?

Renegade Sewist

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #65 on: November 10, 2021, 22:35:49 PM »
Undies and bramaking. On Craftsy there are multiple classes on both by Beverley Johnson  that I have heard rave reviews about for years. If you're not currently a member or don't have access to a great discount you can inexpensively subscribe for a single month at $7.99 USD , roughly 6 pounds or 7 euro.

I've watched the basic knicker/undie class as well as the boy shorts version. She is an excellent instructor and gives you tons of ideas. IIRC you easily draft your own personalized fit pattern from clear instructions.
Hey Bill! Read the manual!  Hehehe.

annierose

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #66 on: November 16, 2021, 09:09:00 AM »
The 'pop up shop' / bazaar at the church went well - it's only a small event. We usually have a bigger 'Xmas shop' at the pub, but that hasn't gone to full opening yet, and has other queries around its future.

My scrunchies and various size neck warmers were well received, but I've only had one serious piece of feedback - that the circle scarf is lovely. The wearer pointed out that if one uses walking stick / poles / crutch, conventional scarves flap & tangle.

Nothing constructive yet about the other things, but I will keep you posted.

Iminei

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #67 on: November 16, 2021, 09:25:26 AM »
i had never thought of neck warmers, I think I might like the slouchier kind any chance of a photo or at least the sort of measurement you use, my neck is often cold but I don’t want to wear polo necks indoors, it would be great to have something easily removed.

Im with you @Celia  I find my neck needs to be warm to be comfortable and to this end I used to wear a B&W voile scarf bought for me by my neighbour. Sadly I lost it on the journey from the car park one day this summer. I keep trawling the charities looking for it as it was generously sized, not a mean thin rectangle, but as yet to no avail.

At the moment Im donning a thin silk number but its more a Kerchief  sized thing and keeps floating away.
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

Celia

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #68 on: November 16, 2021, 12:26:27 PM »
You could always sew one @Iminei  :devil:

Sara-S

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #69 on: January 18, 2022, 10:13:48 AM »
Some other uses;
1) If you make anything that needs to be stuffed (toys, pillows) small scraps can be used as stuffing.
2) Medium sized pieces can be used to make pockets.
« Last Edit: January 18, 2022, 12:32:33 PM by Sara-S »
You can't scare me. I taught high school for 32 years.

BrendaP

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #70 on: January 18, 2022, 10:46:38 AM »
Undies and bramaking. On Craftsy there are multiple classes on both by Beverley Johnson 

I have three of her Crafts classes; two on bra making and one on swimsuits.  Excellent classes but they did nothing for using up scraps.  Bra making especially needs a variety of specialist fabrics which resulted in more purchases rather than using what I had.

Cowl/neck warmer, fingeless mittens, wrist warmers, leg warmers and hats are ideas for thicker knit fabrics (old sweaters?) but all I can think of for finer knits is knickers.  Other than that it's save all the scraps until you have enough scraps of similar weight and stretch to make something colour blocked.

Woven/non stretchy fabrics are much easier to use up; bunting, small bags and pouches, oven gloves, appliqué, cards and any arty uses and of course medium weight woven cottons go into the P&Q stash.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

toileandtrouble

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #71 on: January 18, 2022, 11:51:00 AM »
@Sara-S  I think soap would make for quite a lumpy stuffing!  Predictive text eh?  It did remind me though, when I was younger, making towelling mitts  with a pocket in the palm, to use up ends of soap. The mitt got wet and ready lathered, in the bath.  Does anyone else remember that?
Yarn down:  1000g
Fabric down:  29m

Ohsewsimple

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #72 on: January 18, 2022, 12:25:13 PM »
Woven/non stretchy fabrics are much easier to use up; bunting, small bags and pouches, oven gloves, appliqué, cards and any arty uses and of course medium weight woven cottons go into the P&Q stash.

If you have knits why not interface them so they become stable pieces and could then be used with wovens?

Sara-S

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #73 on: January 18, 2022, 12:31:50 PM »
@Sara-S  I think soap would make for quite a lumpy stuffing!  Predictive text eh?  It did remind me though, when I was younger, making towelling mitts  with a pocket in the palm, to use up ends of soap. The mitt got wet and ready lathered, in the bath.  Does anyone else remember that?

Darn autocorrect!
You can't scare me. I taught high school for 32 years.

Celia

Re: What to do with leftover small amounts of left over fabric
« Reply #74 on: January 18, 2022, 14:18:15 PM »
@toileandtrouble i remember those soapy flannels, I think they worked quite well but not sure I want to go back there :laughing: