A friend shared fabric sample "books" from Ethan Allen. Ethan Allen is an upscale furniture store that was in the area. One end of each fabric piece has a sheet of paper glued to it describing the content of the fabric, cleaning guidelines, etc. We were given quite a ferw books, and I would love to use the material. There are only so many doll blankets... :) Any ideas for using them? Thank you!

mug rugs?

throw pillows, bags and totes, placemats. . . .
I love their fabric!!

if they are upholstery weight, they make great bags. one for each side, one for the handles. someone sold a bunch for 10cents each----and I have enough to last a long while !! just use a market bag pattern.

Hi, I remember seeing a thread on here in the picture section from a woman who had made purses with her fabric samples. Sorry I don't remember which one or what her sign on was but it was only about two or three weeks ago I think. She had posted many pictures and they turned out just lovely :)

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I agree, throw pillows if they are near to or a nice contrasting color and would look nice on your sofa.
Cat or dog pillows?
Cushions for the car? I don't like the way my car seat tilts so on long drives I use a low pillow behind my waist.
Lining glued inside trunks?
Some years ago I took an old wooden case of my husbands, used to store ammunition, darkened it with shoe polish and cocoa powder, then put floor wax on it (FUTURE) and then glued the inside with some upholstery samples. Looked nice and masculine and DH liked it. Used it for magazines.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!!

I like the idea of throw pillows. Or even the totes/purses idea.

I just posted this picture on facebook (right before coming here) with this picture.

Just in case, anyone is curious, the rest of my pictures on FB (in this album) are at this link....if you want to see the current batch of charity quilts.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...9&id=701112807

I did a crazy quilt with smples. All kinds of different fabrics.

Thank you for all the quick responses and great ideas. I should have asked this as well: Any use trying to wrangle the paper backing off (& how?) or should I go my merry way and cut it off? Happy New Year, and thanks again!

some of the samples will peel off, others will come of if you soak them in warm water. If there is sticky residue left it usually will come off with a little goo gone. Depending on the weight some I have used to make quilts, purses, and crazy quilt style vest. Some of the samples I can't get the labels off so I just cut them off.

My guild used pieces like this to make simple bags. We donated them to the local abused women shelter. We were told that many of the women arrived with nothing at all to carry their few belongings.

have fun

I have a bunch of those kinds of samples. I am thinking of making an outdoor quilt for when we go camping.

So when I put it on the ground the quilt cops won't have a cow!!

I make pew pillows and give them to my church. Also Penny Sturgis has a tote purse made from this kind of fabric.

Thank you for the advice and ideas. happy New Year!

Thank you for the advice and suggestions. Happy New Year1

What is a pew pillow?

I, too, have received great books from ethan Allen and am in the same pickle as you. I have the standard sewing machine. I am uncertain about using it to sew some of these ideas. Am I missing something?

I was just given a trunk and back seat of my car full of sample pieces of upholstery fabric. Some have big holes with the large hole bracket in which I plan to use for one side of a purse. I used the Bow Tuck pattern as my sample to see if I could do them and it turned out great. I also got a bag of leather pieces which I really love. I may combine them and cover a large footstool. I will have enough for many purses of all kinds. Time, time, time. Have fun.

Totes and throw pillows are my main uses of these.

I have just a small stack of these too that were given to me. I was also wondering how to remove the paper backing. I would think soaking them in water wouldn't be good for the fabric but perhaps it wouldn't hurt it. Has anyone really tried this? I guess if I try it and it works I am ahead and if it doesn't they can always go int he trash.

My Mom ued them to make pillows, purses and shopping bags.

For people who use a walker, a holder that fits overthe frame to hold books/iPad, pencil, glasses, whatever.
The same kind of holder to fit over a chair arm to hold remotes, phone and keeps the arm clean.
A holder for the sewing machine to hold scissors, other tools.
Pin cushion/trash bag for the sewing machine.
Jacket embelleshment

Having tossed many of those books in the past, I would say if the paper peels off, use it. If the paper sticks, just toss them. Once, you receive those books, most designers will be happy to give you more when they become outdated. Our guild made tapestry bags out of the larger 12 x 16 samples and even used the grommets to string the straps of the totes. We sold them in the boutique at the Quilt Show. Some turned out really nice since the fabrics could be coordinated.

Purses are fabulous for those samples! Several ladies in my guild have standing requests for any books at our upholstery shop that have been discontinued. Their work is just wonderful! Both sides of the purse don't even need to be the same, but they go together either by a similar color or pattern line. And the outside pockets are always an adorable accompaniment!
One of the ladies made a purse just for me, it was beautiful! Till I showed it off, and it now graces the arm of my Mom.
Check the cleaning code for the fabrics. If they are water cleanable, take the ugliest fabric of the collection and see if the paper will soak off without damaging the material.
The lighter weight fabric samples could be made into pieceworked vests.

I got a few books about 20 yrs ago, I cut them into 2 1/2" x 5" and made a beautiful quilt. it was cotton, of course, and sprayed with scotchguard, so giving it to my mom, who doesn't take care of things "I" give her, worked out great.

pew pillows... sound to me that you put them in the pews (rows of wooden benches) to soften the hard surfaces or for kneeling

Totes and small hand bags, change purses and wallets, even slippers is what I do with kind of stuff when I get some.
peace