Really Skinny Strips of Fabric
 

I have been cutting Jelly Rolls and have left on each side skinny stips of from 1/2" to about 1" width of fabric.
Is there a use for these "really skinny strips". I hate to toss them in the dumpster. I save those of over about
1.5" for string quilts. The speghetti ones are taking over the place.

Do crochet groups use such as this? Or others for making rugs etc.

Here is an idea for using those small pieces
 

I have seen some of all sizes sewn together and cut into blocks. I put any small scraps I can not use out for the birds to build their nest.

I use the really skinny strips on top and sew them on with raw egdes when I'm doing scrappy's.

I use really skinny strips for borders on table runners. They look like the first edge of a photo matting when I am done. Working with skinny strips and trying to be very exacting ... it takes lots of starch. For the 1/2 inch strips I use my needle over function and sew just over an 1/8 inch seam. Lots more used for the 1 inch , some of the most fabulous string quilts are made from these really skinny strips. I know you use the 1.5 inch but do intermingle some really skinny ones. I also love log cabins mde from 1 inch strips.

Skinny pieces could be used for crumb blocks, or sewn together to make strata or incorporated into free pieced "made fabric", applique...lots of uses!!

i'm making a Dear Jane with 4.5" blocks. it uses lots of skinny pieces

What about using the Kabnet wax papers as a base and sewing string quilts that way? It might take forever, but otherwise, they might be wasted.

Also you could use them for stuffing pin cushions if you do that...or throw 'em in an envelope and mail it off as a PIF for postage.

If I don't want to sew them I save them to tie up my tomato plants :)

I love that quilt that was posted!

Absolutely! Spiderweb quilts, string quilts, even look up selvedge edge projects.

The Ladies doing the Mini Quilts use these tiny pieces!
If you're thinking of tossing them ... talk to OKSewGlad ... I bet she'd gladly she'd gladly adopt them and turn them into something for the Alzheimers Quilt Initiative.

I used 1" strips (1/2" finished width) as the outline strips on my celtic knotwork pieced wallhanging. Need to take a picture of it once I get the dowel rods on the back to hold it stretched.

You can also use that width strips as a very narrow flange for framing a block when the background of your print and your sashing would be too close to the same color. Creates a piping type look.

Not sure about trying to use the 1/2" strips except as something for really skinny stems on needleturn applique maybe?

I used batting as a foundation and did Stockings so esay and fun project with strips.

One inch??!! That is WIDE!! I use them down to about 1/2 " for my tiny string quilts. Like in my avatar. We use the one inch strips for Log Cabins.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ts-t74944.html

Oh my gosh....what alot of work! It turned out beautifully.

1/2" is what I use to make baskets

I use them for knitting. How much do you want for them?

Lovely basket!! Forgot to add, I also crochet hot mats with them. I would love to see what you knit with them, colores!

I am making a quilt for my DGD that is all graduated strips in a square. Each square has two colors and each color is cut into 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 1 3/4" and 2" strips. Then you put them together graduating from each side. It is all batiks in purples and blues and is turning out beautiful.

I spent several recent long winter evenings sewing a big bag of them end to end and winding into balls. Will crochet them into a scatter rug.

You could cut them much smaller and use them in a confetti quilt.

I crochet purses with them.

I braid them, and then I put them into bags because someday I'll get around to making the braided rug I've been planning to make for the last ten years...one of my many non-quilt UFOs. Really skinny strips get braided to make little braids, then three of the little braids get braided together to make one fat braid. I also have miles and miles of ~1 1/2 inch strips of T-shirt material left over from T-shirt quilts, for which I only used the fronts. When three of those strips get braided together it makes a braid the same width as the fat braid above. Then you put them in bags and leave them in your closet.

i have some 'skinnys' if anyone is interested in them for postage.. I could probably fill a padded FRE or two..

I have seen a group on YouTube that weaves bags by threading thin strips of material between string that is stretched over cardboard.

i use them to make rag bowls, the 3/4" or more work fantastic and the bowls are oh so easy to do just get clothes line, wrap around and zig zag together. also i use those to paper piece little pineapple blocks 4" they turn out great. if you want to throw them all in a envelope and send them I will put them to use for my charity quilts. takes awhile to gather but they turn out beautiful for the hospital. waste not, want not, I don't have the heart throw anything out, come from the old school I guess.

I am making a crocheted rug and use skinny strips or selvages. My quilt group all save their selvages for me although some of them are too short as the rug gets bigger so you spend lots of time tying in new pieces. I think I have them "trained" now to only give me the longer ones! The width I've been using is about 1/2". I found this tip/idea in a quilting magazine.

If it's too overwhelming to keep them for your own use, think about this: some humane societies use dog/cat pads. A friend uses small scraps to fill these and is always looking for more. The handmade pads are sturdy and completely washable. If you call the humane society, they may be able to connect you with someone who does this.

Sewn to adding machine paper. Got that from this board.
Also not quilty but I love them. Rag garlands.

Miniature log cabin is typically made with 3/4 to 1 inch inch strips. Since it is such a small quilt and there isn't a lot of pull on the seams, you can use a little less than 1/4 inch seam.

I often use 1 inch pieces to accent a quilt. After making the main part I add a little strip just to set it off. I do not have one right now to take a picture of but it is basically like putting a very small border on and the adding more.

I roll mine up into balls and the kitty plays with them. One time I had a yard sale and I had wrapped up the strings into balls and set them in a wicker basket and people bought them for $1.00! Can you believe it!! Cut them up and leave them out for the birds. I also use them to tie things up.

What a great idea. I think I will do that.

Love the quilt what a detailed work with such small pieces. WOW!!

Great ideas all .. Thanks for sharing !

holice there is a guy on this board who made a wonderful magazine worthy masterpiece using 5/8" pieces of fabric. i would say no pieces are too small. some use the really small pieces for applique. give them as a pif instead of pitching them. i have started doing that myself.

here is the link to the husband's masterpiece with over 100,000 pieces of fabric.http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t172737-6.html


i have also used my small strips to make scrappy binding for borders or binding for my scrappy quilt projects.



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Holice: I have sent you a PM regarding these strips. Tks. GiGi

With my machine I have an attachment that is used for sewing bias binding onto projects. It does not like strips wider than one inch. I will run non bias, cross grain [wof] through it minus project to get great double fold narrow stringletts that will be great for small purse handles or drawstrings and much more. Also you can use the same thing with project to bind off raw edges...as long as there is no curve it works fine...for example take a quilted strip or doubled strip of fabric, bind the raw edges and you have great purse handles or straps. Also you could take those bits raw edges and all and weave them together to make some "new" fabric. I usually do this on a piece of fusible side up interfacing and when the weaving is done a bit of a press makes it very stable. It makes great place-mats.

I recently taught a class about what to do with these "useless" fabric scraps. Some of the ideas have already been brought up, such as mini blocks (log cabin or tiny paper pieced are good), and the wrapped bowls. We also make fabric beads, scrappy trim (done in a "figure 8" over fabric or ribbon), "toothbrush rugs", and all kinds of accents for applique. if you have the room to keep it for the time being, don't throw it away!

I use skinny leftovers like that for my bowls...wrap them around some cotton clothesline and sew them up with a zig-zag stitch and get a nice and very useable bowl in no time flat. If you don't want them I'll take them off your hands, lol!