Stash Buster: Use Up Those Pre Cut Squares!
A big part of going green is making use of what you have instead of buying store bought goods. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed tonight because I have amassed so much scrap material, and I want to use it up. I literally feel like I could sew for the rest of my life and still not run out of fabric, lol! I don’t buy new fabric very often, but somehow I have kept all the leftovers from past projects and it adds up fast.
My quilt making used to be about combining mostly scrap material with a few yards of store bought fabric, but there was always something that I didn’t use. Quilters amass so much fabric and it is celebrated on Facebook…the pure gluttony of it all! I’m committed to using up what I have, or finding others who are in need of materials. I’ve donated art supplies to a veterans home before, and am in the process of looking for charities who might need supplies.
A year or two ago I bought two packs of ten inch squares from Amazon, and let me just say that it is not quilt worthy material! The fabric has lots of cute prints so I made a bunch of scarves when I was selling clothes. I was including a free scarf with each order that I received. Needless to say, I was left with tons of extra pre cuts.
Here are some ideas for using up pre cut squares. If they are ten to twelve inches, these projects might be a great fit! You can also cut up yardage for the projects. I’m enjoying using the squares because I can just grab some and get sewing. If you don’t have pre cut squares you could always spend a weekend cutting out squares from your scrap bin to use instead. Use what you already have, and try to be an eco frugalista when it comes to your sewing. Be conscious of your tendencies to buy new material for each project, and challenge yourself to use what you have on hand first.
Scarves
Fabric Napkins
Drawstring Pouches
Coasters and Table Mats
Hats or Bandanas
Fabric Gift Bags
Button Clutch and Wallet
Decorative Pillows
Patchwork Squares Quilt
Squares Bean Bag Pouf
I hope these ideas get you excited to get at the machine! One thing seamstresses are not short of is creative ideas! When you use what you have it actually makes you more creative, because you come up with new inventive ways to rethink those materials. Christmas is coming up soon, and if you start now you can sew your gifts instead of buying them from the store, or think of what you need and try to make it next time instead of buying it. Happy crafting!
