Fabric Find of the Week

Scrap Fabric!

The weekend is almost here, and sometimes there is nothing I like more than taking an afternoon to do a craft. If you're into sewing like I am, you know how easy it is to quickly accumulate scraps of fabric. I find it impossible to ever throw any fabric away, especially if it's one of my favorite prints. Luckily over the years I've found plenty of ways to turn fabric scraps into beautiful creations. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Scrap Fabric Flower Pins
These are just wonderful. They make nice gifts, like great placed atop wrapped presents, in your little girls hair, or worn as a pin. They do take some time, but it's the perfect project for a rainy day. For step by step illustrated instructions, go to this site.

2. Scrap Fabric Vintage Wall Art
Do you have a room in the house that could use some more color and cheer? This idea for wall art is a great solution! Really easy, and it works great as a series, so this will do the trick no matter how much wall space you need to cover.

3. Quilted Scrap Fabric Card
This is a unique way to make a really personalized card. My original inspiration came from this site and since then I've really gone crazy with these. I personally love cutting out shapes and creating little scenes and illustrations. Sometimes I even sew in cut outs from extra photographs. This project can also be included in the "for kids" list below if you have older children.

The great thing about scrap fabric is that there are plenty of projects easy enough for your kids can do. Here are some of my family's favorite fabric craft projects:

1. Scrap Fabric Pencil Case
Kids love this! Plus in the end you have a tool to help your children keep organized, and one that will teach them how easy and fun recycling can be. All you need is scrap fabric, a pair of scissors, a paint brush, some glue, and an imagination! Have your child cover an old tin can with their favorite fabric, then water down some glue and cover it with a thin layer to decoupage, and voila! You've got a beautiful eco-friendly creation.

2. Stuffed Animal Clothes
Kids love to dress up their favorite stuffed animals, and a great way to do this is with scrap fabric. While some outfits might be hard for your kids to do, some are easy for any child. The best is a bib. The example of this site is a great start. Let you kid have even more fun by adding on buttons, cut out shapes, bows, and other fun scraps.

3. Scrap Fabric Bookmark
Encourage your kids to read and give them a fun craft to do! These bookmarks are just gorgeous. All you need is some stiff paper--the artist here uses watercolor paper, scrap fabric, and some string or trim for the tassel. If you don't have watercolors or want a less messy way to decorate the paper base, just have the kids use markers, crayons, or colored pencils. Do be aware though, if you use markers these will run should they ever get wet, unless you laminate them. I especially love this project as it's fun for both the kids and myself.

If you don't have oodles of scrap fabric already, a great way to get some is by buying up the tail ends of fabric on sale. Over at The Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. we always have some fabric bolts with just a few yards left that we sell on discount. Currently we have some fun craft fabric patterns like cherries, daisy, a fun girls purple print.

Hope all of you have a creative and crafty weekend!