I save all my scraps! I've used all the above ideas for my scrap muslin. Mostly, I use them for the foundation pieces for scrappy strip blocks.

Great for "old time" red work. Like my GrandMa did.

foundation for crazy quilting

I never have left over scraps of muslin. I use them all in my quilts. I love the off white color of unbleached muslin and use it as backing, in blocks and in all of those little projects mentioned in this conversation.

Any one who wants to toss out their scraps can toss them in my bin. I use lots of muslin!

OOps double submission!

dust cloths

Backing for small projects.

Square up the leftovers and put a hem (either machine sew or surger) then use has hankies. You can also take some to shelters etc. to leave for their clients. It they get lost or used for other than noses, who cares. Besides it is "green" instead of just putting the scaps in the trash.

Some great ideas. Jo-Ann's has a coupon this week specifically for muslin too.

I use muslin, if it is not too heavy, for making selvage blocks.

These are all wonderful ideas. Now my muslin won't go to waste. Thank You!

Waste? didn't know that word existed in the quilting world except with "do not" in front of it. :) Great ideas on using up muslin. I had to purchase about 4 bolts for tablecloths for my daughters wedding. This has given me some more ways to use it. Yaaay!

Use them for backing a piece of stitchery or Redwork. I've been doing alot of Redwork or Stitchery. After I have traced my pattern on a piece of muslin or tone on tone fabric, I cut a piece on muslin the same size as the traced piece to use as a foundation and baste them together. Then do my stitching. It will hide the thread tails and trails on the underside as well as prevent puckering from your stitching. I back all my stitcheries this way

I use scraps of batting and muslin to practice machine quilting designs.

I use 9" squares for embroidery

I dye my left over muslin and then sew the pieces together. It makes interesting tops.

dolls.

What in the name of heaven is the "birthing method"?

:thumbup: :wink: Yeah use them for backings on strip quilts for blocks.. I have made many quilts with muslin as my backing, then add backing or batting to them.. to make quilts much warmer.. :thumbup: :thumbup: ;) :wink:

I use it to make embroidered quilt labels.

suzy

What do you use for dyes? natural plants?

any scrap project, really and I make oversized cross stitch projects for my nieces and great nieces to learn embroidery on...almost anything...

check back in this thread, someone asked earlier. Welcome to the board from Mass.

I use it for pieced backings for charity quilts. I also cut different size squares & use it as the base for string quilts. Have made several that way. Works very good when doing salvedge quilts too. That way, you don't have to put batting in & the quilt can be used as a light weight quilt, summer quilt or sleeping porch quiilt.

Depending on the sizes you are talking about, I like to use muslin for foundation on string blocks instead of paper. Other than that, backing for mug rugs, place mats, table runners etc.

I give them to my 10 year old grandaughter who makes mug rugs for her friends

all mentioned already but how about kitty toys . my kitties love the ghost type you just hem around it so no threads to hurt them form a head in the middle put some catnip in and tie off with a ribbon.i also sew a few stiches around head and pull before the ribbon so catnip isn't lost. also stuffed mice etc.... gosh muslin has alot a uses. can even use smaller peices for postcards or cards. how bout candle wicking

I read the reply about dyeing and it reminded me that I have done rust dyeing on muslin as well as sun-printing, that was fun and got wonderful results.

I also like the idea of using sqs of muslin and FMQ with contrasting thread, ala Leah Day style, and then turn them into quilts, mug rugs, wall hangings etc.

great ideas here

I use mine to make small quilt sandwiches with batting in between to practice my Free Motion Quilting before I actually begin on my larger project. This gives me the extra practice and I get into the mood and swing of it before just tackling my major project.

I have an angel doll pattern that uses small pieces of leftover muslin for the doll's head and body, no arms and legs, plus if the pieces are large enough I use them for other doll bodies. My sister used scraps of muslin on the back of cheater panels for pillow shams so she could then trapunto portions of the pillow. You can also use the muslin pieces to strip piece blocks of any size. I'm sure there will be more uses other QB members will come up with to help you diminish your supply of muslin.

I use the white-white muslin as the background to miniature (3"x5") service star flags, which I sell to raise funds for local veterans programs. People mount them onto car and home windows.

I am making 4- and 9-patch blocks with white/cream muslin alternating with my colored scraps.

Foundations for crazy quilt blocks, string quilt blocks, braid columns and the like.

Backing for doll quilts for my granddaughters

Lining for tote bags

Quilt labels,backing for hot pds or placemats,crazy quilting

I use them for smaller projects or for piecing. There is a shooting star pattern you can use the muslin as the center square and use little scraps from other projects to make the tips of the shooting star. Really cute!

http://www.quilterscache.com/S/ShootingStarBlock.html

http://www.quilterscache.com/S/Shoot...ock_Page2.html

I use Moda muslin so it is nice for piecing too.

I had a bunch of light brown and used it for the foundation of my sunflower wall hanging.

I use for foundation in strip quilting.

I use mine as the foundation for strip pieced blocks. Pieces that won't cut at least a 6" square, I toss out.

Aaaahhhh! Marcia, throwing out??? Ask the local vet if anyone makes dog beds. I save all my really small scraps, trimmings, tiny batting pieces etc for a lady who makes dog beds for the local vet. He sells them and the money goes towards training a guide dog or companion dog. So far they have paid for 18 dogs to be trained. If not that I bet the local school or kindergarten would gladly take them of your hands.

Do you know what size the dog beds are?

I like off white and white. I use muslin a lot.

"birthing a quilt" is a term for layering batting, backing right side up, and top (right side down), them sewing around the edges leaving a space open, for turning right side out before quilting. No binding needed.