A local person is offering twelve by twelve inch fabric swatches from upholstery fabric. She has quite a few of these. They sound interesting, but if I got them, I am not sure what I would do with them. Any ideas?

Bluteddi uses stuff like that for her veterans walker bags.

Patch them together for a real old fashioned Carpet Bag ..... purses, market bags, totes or larger.

They are a great size for tote bags, but being upholstery fabric, they are loosely woven, so you might want to use some interfacing on them.

... that would be an IF, wouldnt it?
(not all upholstery is loosely woven. Some of it is tough as can be and very tightly woven)

You can make throw pillows, or tote bags. We make tote bags for the battered women shelter here in So. CA. When these women and children arrive they are given a tote bag filled with essential toiletries.

A lot of upholstery fabric is great for purses, bags, etc. Depending on the weave and finish it can be much stronger than the cottons and more durable.

Someone recently posted pics of some really nice bags she had made from upholstery swatches. Wish I could find it now. I'd like to try something like that. Think I will head over to the local upholstery fabric shop!