do you have any ideas for these fabric scraps?

Question

i have several small squares of velvet fabric about 5 by 5 inches. the colors are rather dark and dont seem to go well together. the colors are : black, dark royal purple, and grey. the fabric isnt very thick but it is pretty and i would like to do something with it, any ideas?

Answer 1

I love scraps! Some ideas (many of these can be found on craftster.org):

-Cut them into small squares. Thread a needle with something strong (like dental floss) and thread alllll the squares, like they're beads. Make a bracelet.

-Make into small pins for people for Christmas.

-Make a purse, using the fabrics you have and some other fabric that "unites" them (like a print with all the colors in it).

-Use the fabric in applique on jeans, a coat, etc.

-Make creatures! I make and sell these (search "Alphacreatures" on craftster.org).

-Use them to cover things like tin cans, folders and pens to make a desk set. (Ideal if the fabric is too thin to hold up when used in clothing.)

-Stitch them (and possibly another fabric, again, to "unite" them) end-to-end to make a scarf.

-Use in crazy quilting.

-Use single pieces folded up and stitched down to make cuff bracelets. Fasten with velcro or snaps.

-Cover buttons with it; dress up a coat or shirt.

-Make a pillow or two.

-Make small drawstring bags and use them to package Christmas gifts, or to store precious things (i.e., jewelry).

-Send them to me! (Kidding.)

Good luck, whatever you choose!

Answer 2

I have sewed for several years and have many scraps which I use for craft projects. What I did was to put the scraps from each project into a clear bag (zip bags work great) and then put the bags into plastic storage containers marked with the fabric type on them. Example: cottons plain, cottons print, Lycra, pant weights etc. This way you know exactly how much fabric you have for the project you have chosen. The containers I purchased are all the same but in different sizes and can stack up on the floor or could be put onto shelves

Answer 3

a bag with matching coin purse, using the squares with cotton fabric sashing you can make a bag with the squares side by side or on point making a zigzag top edge of bag. Embroider with silk threads, simple designs, or crazy patchwork stitches, line it with cotton fabric. The cotton will stop a lot of the stretching that the velvet may do. Make a little coin purse with 2 squares, lining and a zip. put a loop on it to hang inside the bag.
pincushions would look great with some crazy patch stitches around the outer edges. nice gift for someone not likely to use it too much?!!:]
make a nice table mat with simple embroidery or crazy stitching, keep for special occasions or for decoration.
cover cardboard drink powder containers with the velvet, first decorate with stitches or lettering, and use as a pencil holder on a desk, perhaps some other coordinating desk top items.
join a few together and make elaborate curtain tiebacks, including the crazy stitching along seams, add tassels if you can find ones that look nice with velvet, curtain making stores should have velvetty ones.
make little tissue holders with velvet on top and batting and cotton or satin fabric on bottom. decorate with embroidery stitches along the tissue opening. simple but charming.
I think velvet needs to be simple in shape, decoration and design. Hope these ideas help.

Answer 4

I'm thinking a victorian crazy quilt. If you don't have enough for an entire quilt, you can make a few blocks and make a throw pillow. You take different sizes of scraps, and the Victorians usually used expensive fabrics for this, like silks and velvets, and sew them into a block. They also used decorative stitching along the pieces in the blocks. Here's an example.

http://www.fuzzycrawler.com/featurefiles/featmay.html

Answer 5

If you are willing to spend a little more money there is a great pattern for a St. Nick (McCalls) with a patchwork coat. I have made this as a gift for a number of people and they love it.

Or you could use it to make a purse....kind of a retro patchwork design. If the colors dont completly go use a decorative top stitch or hand embroider...in this case I would suggest silver, to kind of detract from the similarity of the colors.

Answer 6

You can make a throw pillow. These colors may not look so hot right now. But with some trim and a few decorative stitches It could be very elegant. This Is a very expensive fabric. Make the most of It...Good Luck...

Answer 7

Get some more of the black velvet and then make a pillow of stained glass using the material you just got sew the others together.The matial you have can be cut into different shapes.

Answer 8

http://www.hotpotatoes.com/projects/index.asp
If you ever watch Carol Duval she sometimes has Mary O'Neil from Hot Potato Stamp company on. She makes stuff from velvet.

I made the Christmas ornaments. I don't see the on line pattern anymore but she sells kits on her website. There are free patterns for small velvet bags that can be embossed and sewn together on the HGTV.com website.

Good Luck

Answer 9

I had the same answer,Throw pillow is a great suggestion, not knowing what colors are predominate in your home and if there would be a good match or contrast.

Answer 10

Make a patch work stuffed animal like a bear or even a christmas tree. I've done it, and it came out so cute, and unique.