Need ideas for remnants

**LizaZ** · 12-27-2007, 10:48 AM

My Hancocks has a big box at the back of the store where they put remnants, larger pieces of fabric that might be soiled or damaged, etc. You fill up a bag for $3. Believe me I know how to fill up a bag. The manager told me once that when they find someone who wants that stuff they tell them to just take everything.

So I do and then I go through it and sort it out when I get home. Most of it is usable in quilts, clothing or home dec. Once I got a piece of tablecloth vinyl that was big enough to cut circles to set under my plant to prevent water stains on my furniture.

But my problem is that there are a lot of polar fleece pieces as well as nice floral sheers -- both that make really nice scarves. Right now we have all the winter scarves we need. And I don't know of anyone else but me who loves to wear fancy scarves -- and I have more than I need.

Anyone have any ideas?

**many houseapes** · 12-27-2007, 10:59 AM

Just a suggestion....you can make things for charities.
In my case, I love scrap yarn,but we all have enough blankets,scarves,hats,etc. So I make blankets & other things & send them up to my favorite charity in West Virginia...also I give blankets to the shelters, etc. here locally.

**McD** · 12-27-2007, 11:10 AM

You can make them as gifts for next year---make up little Christmas baskets filled with scarves, hats, mittens etc. for teachers, friends,.

You can donate them.

You could sell them on ebay-craigs list.

**LizaZ** · 12-27-2007, 12:38 PM

I would love to donate fleece scarves to charity -- but haven't had much luck donating to charities around here. They seem to want only the best, (expensive, brand new from a store) or cash.

I do make quilts for Project Linus and they have been very easy to deal with, but I don't think they take anything but blankets. I might check with our local coordinator though, she might be able to think of something.

I might make up a few fleece and a few fancies to have on hand just in case I feel inspired to give one to someone. I would never sell the fancies -- I bead them and there's just too much time in them. But I might give one to a special person.

**nuisance26** · 12-27-2007, 12:57 PM

~You can make pillowcases from cotton scraps for the ConKerr Cancer program. Fleece bits can be used for ear-warmer headbands or sleep masks. Several layers can be stiched together for inserts in shoes, boots or slippers. Very sheer fabrics would make beautiful gift wrap. If you have starch you could make sheer fabric envelopes. You could also use a sheer to make reusable produce bags.~

**ilovechocolate** · 12-27-2007, 01:19 PM

Make some "throws" for people to use to snuggle under while reading, watching TV, etc.

**LizaZ** · 12-27-2007, 03:40 PM

The fleece is narrow strips that are anywhere from 6 - 12" and the width of the fleece (isn't fleece around 60" wide?). So by themselves they aren't big enough for throws. But I was wondering if I could butt them up against each other and zigzag them together (don't have a serger). I'm afraid it would be too bulky for regular seams. Would that work?

**LizaZ** · 12-27-2007, 03:48 PM

I thought of an idea for the sheers. Each month I do a small fabric art piece (my version of the Journal Quilt Project). The idea is to try a new something new -- technique, materials, ideas etc. I work on felt as a foundation so I might just play around with some of those sheers and see what I come up with.

**sunshine** · 12-27-2007, 05:18 PM

I crochet around fleece squares, then crochet them together for throws.

You can make fleece mittens, throw pillows, gift bags, diapers, rice heat packs. . . .

**AmyBoz** · 12-27-2007, 05:22 PM

Sounds like a great deal and sounds like you've gotten some great suggestions!

**LizaZ** · 12-27-2007, 06:54 PM

I did get some great ideas and I am going to print them out and put them in my idea file. But right now we don't really need anything and our family doesn't celebrate Christmas so we don't need a large number of gifts at any one time.

I think what I'm going to do is make up 2 or 3 of both kinds of scarves to have on hand if I ever need a small gift in a hurry. Then I'll collect up the fleece and when I have enough try to make something for Project Linus. I buy these bargain bags from time to time (when the bin gets full) so my stash keeps growing. We already have enough throws for life (we have a family member who crochets).

Thanks again for all the ideas. I'm always open to ideas if anyone thinks of anything else.

**FrugalDonna** · 12-28-2007, 05:28 PM

I've got tons of ideas for sewing with remnants and scraps. After the first of the year, I'll be putting more on my site and you're welcome to them (I never charge for any of the stuff on my sites). I love making things out of scraps. I read about making a denim rug today. I may try that after I finish the quilt I'm working on (denim and black/white fabrics).

**LizaZ** · 12-28-2007, 06:41 PM

Thank you, I bookmarked the site.

I really probably should slow down on stuffing bags from Hancock's bargain bin. I do get a lot of good stuff in them, but can't find it once I get it home. I live in a very small space and seems like I'm constantly having to reorganize my stash. Guess it doesn't do me much good if I don't know where it is, does it?

**FrugalDonna** · 12-31-2007, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by LizaZ

Thank you, I bookmarked the site.

I really probably should slow down on stuffing bags from Hancock's bargain bin. I do get a lot of good stuff in them, but can't find it once I get it home. I live in a very small space and seems like I'm constantly having to reorganize my stash. Guess it doesn't do me much good if I don't know where it is, does it?

Sometimes, I go through my stash and make piles of what I want to really keep, kind of want to keep, and think I'll never use again. That last pile gets put on Freecycle if the next day I still want to give it away. I also get a lot of retro fabrics from freecycle. I'm a fabricaholic