Scraphappy February

This month I’ve used some scraps and managed to increase the stock, just slightly, in the most sadly neglected of my three Etsy shops.

I made a few needle cases a while back, gave some as gifts and took some to sell at a couple of the fundraisers for the dog refuge I support.  I had three left which I stuck in a drawer and forgot about until I came across them again a couple of months ago.  I thought I might as well put them in my shop so I did and sold a couple quite quickly.  Thinking to follow up on that success, I thought I’d make some more as they are the perfect size to use up scraps – albeit not the teeny tiny scraps.  The biggest piece of fabric you need is about 11 x 8 inches.

The first one I made with a precious scrap of Echino fabric by Kokka.  The quilting is done with the outer, wadding and lining, then the pocket and felt ‘pages’ added afterwards.  Then the whole thing is edged with binding in the same way as you would a quilt.

Unfortunately, I messed up the first one by not mitring the corners neatly enough so – what a shame – I’m going to keep that for myself as the little needle book I bought ages ago is looking a little tatty and is only big enough to hold needles.  I want something to also put scissors, etc. in for when I take small hand sewing projects downstairs occasionally (my workroom is upstairs).

The second one is also Japanese Echino fabric – another scrap from the same original yardage.

All the bindings, interior fabric, felt and trimmings are also leftovers from other projects.

The last – for the moment, but I have more plans – is the Llamas in Love.  Llamas are ‘a thing’ at the moment – I think they are the new flamingos – and this was a scrap of organic cotton I had left over from a bag project.

It’s fun trying to find coordinating fabrics from the scrap bin to make it look as if that’s the way you planned it all along.

I really enjoy making these although I would prefer a quicker way to bind them as I’m hand-stitching the binding down on the inside as I do for quilts and it takes time which doesn’t really make them cost effective.   Any suggestions?

Still, it’s using scraps and that can only be a good thing can’t it.

 

 

 

Scraphappy Day is organised by Kate & Gun for anybody who wants to make new things from scraps of any kind – doesn’t have to be fabric or yarn.  Here’s a list of participants – both regular and occasional – if you want to have a look at the sort of things you can do with scraps.

Contact Kate (first name on the list) if you want to join in.

Kate  Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn,(me) Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Connie, Bekki, Pauline, Sue L
and Sunny