Ideas for Small Projects
 

Hi.....I just dropped off some fabric that I had left over from projects to a senior center group in my area. The lady in charge, who is very nice, asked me if I could think of something that the seniors could make with the fabric besides a quilt or potholders. She said they are always looking for ideas. I said I would let her know but I can't come up with much. They do have a few sewing machines and glue guns.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks so much!

Wall hangings, mug rugs, small stuffed animals, coasters...that's all I can think of right now.

What about those pocket thingy's for wheelchairs and walkers? There are free patterns on line and that is something useful they could make for themselves or others.

Tear in strips, braid and make rugs, placemats, hotpads.

How about tote bags or tissue pack covers ?

fabric flowers http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/flower-tutorial/ or how about yoyos

How about a shoulder type poncho. Not sure that's what it's called saw one posted. Anyway it's like a throw that hangs in the front with 2 sides. Can't think. But something like that with couple pockets in front for a few things like glasses or tissues, change. With being in a wheelchair some of the pockets are on the back and they can't reach them. Like a vest or something. Like cutting up donated (gently used sweatshirts) and putting pockets on the front. Hope someone know what I'm talking about.

Did you see the post for the new "Project of the Month" for 2014? This month it's for a cute fabric box that doesn't take much fabric. Apparently, the board will have a new one each month. That might be a good source of ideas.

Storage boxes (any size), gift bags, Wine bags for gift giving, small appliance covers for kitchen, purses, tote bags . . .

pin cushions, small candle mats, which make great dresser scarves.

eyeglass cases, bookmarks, book covers, cup cozies

I like the idea of the stuffed animals and wheelchair caddies. these items can be donated or sold to buy more fabs for next year

They're called "Comfort Wraps". Here's a link to my post on them.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t208787.html

Bedside organizers, mug rugs, place mats, table runners, wheelchair and walker bags, lap quilts, dish mats (to drain items that will not go in the dishwasher or are too big), postcards, Christmas stockings, etc.

How about pretty pillows to display on there bed.

And pretty pillow cases for their everyday pillows that they sleep on, they sew up quickly (especially the way The YouTube video from Missouri Star Quilt Co. teaches them). They would be easy and fun for quick projects.

Our senior center makes placemats that are given to Meals in Wheels to distribute. We do spring and Christmas. Tote bags for our Womens resource center (for battered women and children). They often come with only a plastic bag for their belongings. Quilts for the homeless shelter. Eye glass cases for the hospital to use.( Made from a 7" square of felt).We are always looking for more ideas too.

Wow. no one thought of Christmas ornaments. There are so many kind, however I was thinking of the ones where you fold the fabric & arrange them so it looks like a quilt block. There have been many on QB, The Ornament Girl has a web site with many including directions.

I agree with using the Project of the month for ideas. I love the January project. Needed to take a small gift for attendees of a quilt retreat at the end of the month. This month's project is perfect.

How about the little fabric boxes. Those who can, can sew. Those who don't sew with machines can add the buttons.

http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com...-tutorial.html

The little snap top bags -the ones that you insert a piece of metal tape measure in the casing- take very little fabric, just straight sewing and the most fun part is having folks guess how they snap open and closed. I think I have see directions on this forum and they may be called dragon bags.

I don't have any ideas other than those that were posted but I am interested in the Project of the Month 2014, where do I find it? Thanks ladies....

I think grocery totes are really helpful. I was surprised that Los Angeles is now charging 10 cent for each plastic bag. The mug rugs I made for my senior neighbors everyone really liked !!!

a lady could always use a apron , maybe a towel apron fast and easy make it in one day project

How about the pockets that you slide under the mattress to hold tv remote,paperback book & phone....
I made one of these for a friend and she has told me several, several times how much she likes it.
Great if you want to watch TV in bed...have everything handy....my friend isn't well and has to lie
down quite a bit & now she doesn't have everything falling off the bed on to the floor...

All good ideas. I am amazed at how many small useful projects were suggested.

Stuff bags to keep plastic grocery bags (hung on the kitchen wall). When mine is full of plastic grocery bags I recycle the excess. I got the instructions free on the net.

My aunt used to make lots of interesting things at senior day care. One was note cards with sunbonnet sue. They cut fabric for the dress and hat and arms, and drew in feet and hands. They used a quarter folded sheet of paper, but these could also be done with half a sheet of card stock. Then they sold them with envelopes in sets of 5 or 10.

Another project was Christmas card holders. They used old Christmas cards, cut them in the shape of a vase, punched holes along the sides, and crocheted them together, using a hexagon for the base. This could be adapted to use fabric with heavy interfacing. Depending on the fabric chosen, it doesn't have to be a Christmas Card holder.

The stuff bags that MaryStoaks mentions can be easily made using cut off legs from pants (I've usually seen jeans used). Just gather one end with a piece of elastic.

Thank you all so much for your ideas! You are all great!

Reusable grocery bags. I've been making them like crazy lately because it is now mandatory in our county and many others that you bring your own bags to the grocery store, or you're charged for the paper bags that the store uses.