Pages

▼

Friday, September 28, 2012

Overflowing Stringy Bits


I have a little box of stringy bits.  Those bits that you cut off your fabric when it goes mal-aligned.  I'm not sure why I collect them.  They are all under 1 inch in width, so I will never use them.  I collect them anyway.  


Do you collect stringy bits too?  If so, how do you use them? Would anyone want these?  For the price of postage I am happy to pass them off to a new home!

EDITED: Miss Amy has scooped these up.  Still, I'd really like to know how you guys use them....if you do?  Please keep leaving ideas in your comments!

at

27 comments:

  1. AnnabellaSeptember 28, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    I have bags and bags of them Cindy and have no idea why I keep them. I think Jude does something very cool with them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnneSeptember 28, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    I just went through my "teeny tiny scraps too small to do anything with" box yesterday and - gasp - threw out all of the bits that were far too small to use. I thought I'd feel guilty about it but I don't. In fact, I feel quite liberated! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amy's Crafty ShenanigansSeptember 28, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    I collect them and use them as ribbon to tie things up all pretty - I'd send you postage for those :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Judith, BelfastSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    I'm teaching a class this Christmas on how to turn these stringy bits into faboulous brooches and flowers. There's a tute on my blog if you fancy having a go! Jxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Two WednesdaysSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    Crazy Mom Quilts' ticker tape quilt - you could make some fabulous mug rugs with the narrow strings (a bit fiddly I know, but probably worth it) Also they'd be perfect for Lola Nova's Happy Stripey Ornaments

    ReplyDelete
  6. ClaireSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    I put the tiny strips of fabric onto iron-on vilene, and then put lines of stitching over it to hold it in place, which creates "new" fabric. You can then use this fabric to make tissue holders, backgrounds for cards etc. I've also made flower brooches out of the strips using rag-hooking techniques.

    ReplyDelete
  7. NickySeptember 28, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    This lady makes fab quilts!

    http://juliekquilts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/wellnow-what.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. Canadian AbroadSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    Don't tell all these others who have good uses for them - but I toss mine in the bin!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SusanSeptember 28, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    Despite all good intentions, mine get binned too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. PamSeptember 28, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    I use every last scrap, anything over 1/2 inch goes into string or ticker tape blocks, wonderful for dolls quilts. Everything else, including the trimmings from squaring up blocks, goes to stuff pads which I cover with heavy weight material for my gardening friends to use to kneel on.

    ReplyDelete
  11. memmensSeptember 28, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    I don't often have long bits from quilting cotton but have lots from my vintage sheets, often I use them for tying the charm bundles I sell but I also have a new product for my shop using them - stay tuned and I'll show you soon!

    ReplyDelete
  12. FabraholicSeptember 28, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    The really tiny pieces I toss away, but I've got bags full of selvage strips just waiting for the right cause :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dianne NealeSeptember 28, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    Sorry, but mine go in the bin too!

    ReplyDelete
  14. SarahSeptember 28, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    I keep selvedges, and the edge without any writing goes in a separate baggy... used for tying up parcels :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sowing StitchesSeptember 28, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    While I would love to help you out and take these off your hands your should spend your weekend experimenting!
    These work great to use in knitting, crochet, weaving or grab your jar of ModPodge along with a shoe box and by the end of the weekend you shall have a great covered box for storage and then I am certain the local elementary art teacher would be happy to have such a wonderful colorful 'stringy' resource!

    sowingstitches [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Katy CameronSeptember 28, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    I collect them to stuff things with, but also keep thinking I'll try Jude's cool use for them!

    ReplyDelete
  17. CreativeCluttersSeptember 28, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    sew them together as one long piece and make a rag rug!

    ReplyDelete
  18. LauraSeptember 28, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    I collect them too, with the intention of stuffing a toy with them some day. No idea if that would actually work though!

    ReplyDelete
  19. tink's momSeptember 28, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    I generally use them as ribbon or I iron it to fusible bond and then either use it for wall hangings or cards. Now that I have read these comments I will maybe need to try knitting with them.hmmmmmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  20. BossymammaSeptember 28, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    The technique I use is similar to that used by Judith and Claire but I use two layers of soluble fabric with the scraps between. Stitch all over then dissolve the soluble fabric and you are left with a net or mesh-type fabric which you can mould into a shape.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Erin @ Billy Button DesignSeptember 28, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Oh binned straight away.

    ReplyDelete
  22. KatherineSeptember 28, 2012 at 10:34 PM

    Yep. I collect them too. It is hard to get me to toss any bit of pretty fabric. lol

    I stitch strings & bits onto cardstock to make one-of-a-kind note cards.
    Here's proof...
    http://sewmesomethinggood.blogspot.ca/2010/06/cardstock-fabric-scraps.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mrs Flying Blind...September 28, 2012 at 10:35 PM

    Oh I pretty much keep everything!

    ReplyDelete
  24. annSeptember 30, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    I roll mine up into balls. Like balls of wool. I then pile them in a crystal bowl. If I was really careful I could have balls of colours to match the seasons ie red &green for Christmas. Alas, I am not that careful instead a riot of colour is piled in the bowl. I LOVE it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jodi B.September 30, 2012 at 10:34 PM

    What is it about little bits of fabric? It is like looking at crayons - all the color. I do not save small bits, but I do keep a clear glass jar with some selvages, because they are so darn cute to see.

    ReplyDelete
  26. quilaryOctober 2, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    I'm with Amy on these - I use them to tie up presents and if I'm doing a swap I use one of the pieces to tie up the quilt, mug rug or charms etc when I send them off.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Teje KarjalainenOctober 30, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Hi Cindy! I saw today a quilt (can't remember now where) where the pattern was squares and then petals over it. That clever lady add those petals by quilting them! That was so beautiful with raw edges. Those thin stripes could make great details on a quilt. x Teje

    ReplyDelete