I am one of those people who saves up things..... like fabric scraps... and off cuts.. and old jeans (the shrunk ones)
.. and even buys things like op shop table cloths .... and old wool blankets....
.... because I am sure one day I am going to need it ....
I also save up the pieces of wadding (batting) from the sides of quilts ... so this week I decided to start using these up ready for some smaller projects....
... there is a fairly large bag with strips from about 3 - 5" (use the same kind of wadding together eg: cotton with cotton, polyester with polyester etc....)
.... place two strips paralled to each other with a slight overlap....
... then slice nice and straight through both layers....
.... carefully remove the little scrappy pieces ....
(no I don't keep those but maybe if someone has an idea how to use them I would???)
... this creates a stitching line with the two pieces of wadding butt together perfectly....
.... choose the 'darning' stitch .... mine is the red 4 so it stitches diagonally backwards and forwards .....
I use a larger length as it really is just to hold the pieces together...... each machine will be different ...
.... holding the butted edges together carefully stitch down the line....
.... done....
..... sew as many strips together as you like to make the size wanted....
I used these pieces for the small projects like mug rugs etc
... of course your cutting board gets full of fluff......
I got this tip off another blogger ... use an erasor.....
I have most success rubbing up and down the lines..... and this takes off all the fluff pretty quickly...
... final wipe with a damp cloth and it's good as new again......
Of course these days you can buy special tape to stick the wadding together.... same process but no stitching...
Anybody else do this????
Righto, Gotto Go... the frugal me is bound to find something else that needs sorting.....
35 comments:
I keep my batting bits too ;-) and use them for smaller projects. Maybe, you could use the small scrappy bits as filling for small stuffed items?
Fiona what a great idea.xx
I save all the tiny pieces in an old pillowcase and when it's full, I make the dog a new bed.
Oh yes! I have bags and bags of it.....just waiting for some mini quilts to be done! I've hand whip stitched the pieces together before, since I don't have a fancy machine with options like yours. And I recently saw on a blog that she cuts a wavy line through the overlap, and then whip stitches it together. She says that way, if there is any separation of the two inside the quilt, it won't show up as a big flat empty stripe in the quilt. Makes sense, but if you can do it on your machine, that won't happen, I'm sure!
Nice way to sew them together. I save some of mine, some go into mini sittcheries and I was thinking of trying some batting ornaments with the smaller pieces.
Debbie
Yes! I save all my bits, I use to sew but I got some free tape so using that, it's really good but not sure I would bother buying it...just go back to sewing again. Love the idea of the eraser I didn't know that! I also save all my little bits, cut them into small pieces and use them to stuff pin cushions.... waste not want not!!! Hugs xx
I can't believe how well the eraser works on the batting bits and pieces on the cutting board --- I wish I'd known that trick years ago!
Use your batting bits and even all of your fabric and thread scraps - to stuff pet pillows for animal shelters, to give them something soft and warm to lay on in their cages! It's a great way to use up not-so-pretty fabrics, and you can "batt" the fabrics with old worn out tea towels etc. for extra softness!
I keep mine too and have done the same. It is great for small projects. I also use the smaller widths for bag handles. I cut them into 1 1/2 inch widths and put into a bag so I always have them when the tote bag bug bites. Let's here it for 'Frugal MacDugals' yay!!!
I do this too, but thanks for the tip on cutting the lines straight :)
I sew my bigger pieces of batting together using herringbone stitch. I've heard the tape is good too, but haven't tried it myself.
I've been sewing my bits of batting together for ages. I did just buy some of the iron on tape, but I think I like it better when I sew it.
oh yes I do the exact same thing and very pleased to say that my batting scraps are very minimal as I constantly go to that pie for the smaller stuff :)
Hello Fiona,
Certainly do this. I use a "Serpentine" stitch to join the pieces. I saw the stuff you buy to join the pieces in the local craft shop yesterday $15.00!
Love being frugal and earth friendly.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
I am a bit like you - hate to throw stuff out - I have kept lots of batting bits and recently used them in a scrappy QAYG quilt that we made as a group, so a lot got used up. I too ahev seen it done as a way line - but then you waste more.
I clean my cutting mat with a dry scotchbrite and a damp cloth, must try the rubber trick s well. thanks Fiona.
I've pieced small bits of left over wadding for small projects. It's always handy to keep those smaller bits for small projects.
Same here, big bag of batting strips in my cupboard - the small bits ended up as stuffing for teddy bears when I made some earlier this year :-) I just use zigzag, will try this stitch :-) I recently did a QAYG and didn't stitch the batting bits together, I am annoyed by a gap I can see already and I haven't even washed the piece yet...
Fiona, I am so like you! Wadding, blankets, odd pieces of material, buttons, zips, buckles, you name it I can't bare to throw it out.. we must have some Scotch blood somewhere!!!
I have done this Bubz...I did buy the tape it works well...
I'm frugal too, I do just the same thing! Once the wadding is inside a project no one will ever know how many pieces it is.
Yes! I sew my pieces of batting together in the same way, and have never had it come apart. I've also used smaller pieces to pack around or in fragile things when moving them or shipping them. And I even used smaller leftovers along with fabric scraps to stuff a bed for my cat. I haven't tried the tape since sewing the pieces together works just fine.
Yes i keep all my batting bits & sew them together. i was thinking those real small cut off scraps could be cut smaller & used for stuffing. Hugs,
Yup, guilty. I sew bits together, smaller bits I use for gift tags, and the itty bitty bits I use to stuff pin cushions or ornaments Scary huh,:)
Yes i also zig zag my wadding bits together but I love your tip for cleaning the board. thank you Fiona...
I use the leftover strips when making items which require narrow pieces, like bag handles and coasters.
The gripper pads you buy at the $2 shop also remove the fluff from your cutting board or anywhere really.
Enjoy sorting and sewing.
I'm smiling. I can't throw out my scraps of batting either.
Looks like most quilters are batting savers. Lots of things you can use the pieces in. Thanks for your tip on joining the pieces. Hugs.....
I am also among the frugal group and sew those strips together just as you describe and those tiny bits that are cut off go into my pillowcase that I have designated for scraps to make dog pillows , it is full now so looks like Luke is about to get a new pillow :-)hugs Sheila
Yes indeed, its one of my fav jobs piecing scraps of batting together! I use them for mug rugs, small wall hangings and table runners. I use a zig zag stitch on a large setting. Then all my really small scraps that are odd shapes I piece like you would crazy patchwork and then make chook pot holders out of them! I dont collect anything else from op shops except buttons, which I am now finally using in my button necklaces! I use a scrap of wadding to remove the fluff off my board...but I dont save it!
Great tip thanks Fiona...will try it one time!
I definitely do this too. Why waste perfectly good wadding that can be used for smaller projects. I don't think I would use it for a quilt though but you could piece quite a few bits for a wall hanging which obviously wont get the same wear as a quilt.
What a great idea. I am going to have to try that.
Hugs
donna
I try and do this for smaller projects too, it's a great idea and thanks for sharing your method.
It seems that in all my comings and goings I missed your return ... Welcome Home!
Your daughter's quilt is just gorgeous and all the more special that you could hand deliver.
Looks like you've been busy already with some lovely FNSI and UFO sewing ... well done :)
See Fiona you are not alone in your keeping of these offcuts, LOL...
I keep mine too, for various uses, most especially small projects.
Good quality wadding is important for a good result when we are making things, so why toss out what can be cobbled together and given a 2nd chance?!
Being a hoarder/saver myself, I know where you're coming from.....I save all my trimmings (from blocks etc that are too small to be considered crumbs!) and cut thread bits and skinny bits of wadding, shove them in an old pillowcase, when it's full, sew it up and donate it to an animal shelter....they use them for beds, and if they have an animal become incontinent, it doesn't matter if it gets thrown away as you were only throwing all that stuff away before I suggested this to you right? lol
Hugs
Naomi
Absolutely I save batting pieces...I have a little pile on the bookshelf that is my go to pile for things like needlebooks or mug rugs or anything smallish so I don't have to hack into a large piece...and if two small pieces put together will become just the right size then I simply join them on the machine too...and if two large pieces become the right size for a quilt then I'm not afraid to have joined batting as long as it is the same type what does it matter once it's quilted I say...I just don't get why I'd need to buy sticky tape to do the same job I can do on the machine with a large zig zag in a couple of minutes...oh and my friends all know when we are stitching together to throw their scraps my way...I love my scrap bins, for small applique bits or a little hexie they are gold mines...
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