Selvage Savers Savvy
 

I have been saving selvages because there is always someone on this board that wants them. I put them in a ziploc bag and when the bag is full, I post to see if anyone wants them. Our LQS covered a chair with them. That is not for me or my liking. But, to each his own. Someone asked if 1/2" fabric be left on selvage, others like the words and brands on selvages. I just put them in my bag and let the person who gets it decide what they want. I do not measure. You could make cute mug rugs, place mats, table runners, purses, pot holders. You could even make a quilt. That takes lots of selvages

I too save the selvages for the colors in case I need to coordintae colors..After that it becomes filling in a dog beg with the rest of my too small to use scraps

I have started to save selvages, trying to be "green, frugal", and helpful to those who want them. I cut about 1/2-3/4" beyond the selvage. I have almost a box full, and hope that someone would want them.

I save the salvages because my DGD loves to play with them when she is at Nanna's house. She ties them on her stuffed animals and makes hair ties for them and then ties them on her plastic horses. She gets quite an enjoyment out of them so the long and short of it, I save them all! I use them when sewing a line to check the stitches whenever I change the bobbin or top thread.

QuiltE, if you want to use them; I will save some for you although I usually don't save them. I cut from salvage to salvage for stripping or blocks on making quilts cutting off that 1/4 or one half salvage piece then toss it.

I started saving selvages because someone in my friendship group was using them to make wallets. She wanted everything I could give her.
Now, I keep them in a glass jar and they look pretty on the shelf.
I use them to tie up projects into a bundle, play with the cats, mark out a space on the design wall. I'm thinking of using them to make a purse.
My DH also uses them for whenever he needs a string or cord.
Now my jar never seems to get full-too many uses for them.

i began saving them when i read so much about them here on the QB. i thought they make good book titles for a library/bookcase quilt. but i'm moving and just threw mine away this week :)

They make great plant ties and by the next year have disintegrated into the ground.

I save them and use them in my flower beds and garden to tie up plants... But I have seen lots of cute things made from them....

I'm not an SS (hee hee). I don't because A) I don't plan to use them for anything (although some of the uses in the gardening genre interest me) and B) I RARELY make long cuts - so my salveges are often too small to be of any use (long enough to tie tomato's though ... hmmmm), and C) I have enough work keeping track of my tools, my stash and my scraps ... yet another "container" of something would send me into a fit of some kind.

Okay, I have saved them and everyone in my groups and family know that I do that. I use them on Birthday presents, Christmas presents etc. They are pretty, easy to tie, and everyone knows who that present came from. Also, lots of time the DH needs "string" to tie things in the yard or the garage and always knows he can find that "string" in the "selvege (quilters salvege) basket".

I save them because I love them... all the possibilities with their neat, finished edge and lineup of cool color spots! That being said, I haven't done anything with mine yet, but I hope to make some cute pincushions and Christmas ornaments with them. I just can't toss them anymore... now that I know what they can be used for!

I will never make a quilt using selvages but I have seen some beautiful work with them.

I use them to tie up bundles of fabric that go to future projects. It all stays together that way.
peace

I only save long lengths of salvages. I figure one day maybe someone would be willing to make a 'donation' for them and I could use the money for the charitable quilts I help with.

Nan

I've just started saving selvages for a project I would like to make...hope it's not impolite to ask, but if anyone has any that they would be willing to share it would make me ever so happy. (send me a pm ....I am definitely willing to pay postage) Thanks!
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Sorry, I don't save the selvages - I have more than enough fabric to work with so really don't want to obsess out little tiny scraps!

QuiltE - DogHouseMom said exactly what I was thinking, I would have to take over another room if I saved selvedges:D:D But if you want some I will keep them for you, just let me know

I just finished 24 needlebooks, 4 table thread holder bags with pincushion, and 12 bookmarks from some selvages given to me. I have a huge black garbage bag full. Love to make fabric from them and then use it for other things. I plan on a vest and matching bag next.

Yes I do, but not for me. A lady in church has a granddaughter who plans to make some things. I save any size, width, and brand name.

I sent all mine to my sister in Oregon a year ago. Now I'm saving them because I want to use them as book titles on a bookshelf quilt. I've also made fabric out of them - sewn them all together. I seen crafts, such as little bags made out of them and it suits my nature to 'use it all'. I've also seen articles of clothing made from them. I don't save tiny plain white ones and how much I cut off depends on how much of the fabric I need. If I can I leave at least a 1/4 " of the pattern on it.

Oh oh--I just got caught red handed!! :shock: :D I started saving them a while ago--why? who knows! I did make a cute little pin cushion chicken that I gave away in a 4-H fundraiser.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...n-t143250.html
Aren't these cute? Really think I would make more of these as gifts for sewing buddies.
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I have made about a 10" block from some-what shall I do with it?
I cut an inch away from the selvage edge and this usually gives me enough fabric to play with without taking too much from the piece.
So what are you thinking QE?

ooooooohhh!!! something NEW to save :D :D :D I will save them if you want QuiltE

SewGlad! those are too cute!!! HEY arent I your buddy??? heehee :D

A few years ago at a quilt show, all the ladies of the guild were wearing aprons that they had made.

My personal favorite was the lady wearing the "Selvage Apron" Bright, colourful and beautiful! :)

Oh maybe you are? Who knows? Got some blue and white fabric with selvages that might be of some use:D

Oh no!
Don't start saving them for me!!!

As I said at the start, I have not been a SS ... though there's been a few times lately where I wantedmore fabric and did not have the selvage info, to make life easier for that ISO. The only reason I might keep the selvages is for that historical reference.

While OKSGlad's Chickies are cuties ... I don't see me making them.
So, so far, no one has convinced me that I really want to collect ... other than save it as a reference.

You can send OKSGlad your selvages ..................... and for the free advertising she has garnered, I'm going to be like DDamsel, and with high hopes, remind her that I am a QBuddy too! :) Darn it all, they won't mail easily! :(

Hi! I am Sandy and I am a selvege saver! :-) I have made two quilts, two jackets and various little projects, hot pads, little bags, those funky chickens from the great pattern posted here. I figure if I pay $8-10 per yard of fabric, I am going to get my money's worth. I usually don't save the pieces smaller than 3 inches. Those go in the scrap bag for a dog bed and as soon as I can find someone who can use the big bag of scraps, off it will go. For the quilts, I cut up cheapo fabric into squares and sew strips of selvege onto them as leaders and enders while I am sewing other things. In a few months, I have enough blocks for a quilt.

Sorry dublb they aren't mine--just a picture from the tute!

SandyinZ4--any pics to share?

I too save them. I'm a bit of a hoarder though, not much gets thrown away here. I save them in part because I think it will be fascinating history, yes. Also because each bit of fabric brings back memories. I like some of the neat things I've seen people make from them and I hope to do something with mine some day. I generally cut about 1" off the edge of all my fabric - selvage and into the fabric itself so I get just a bit of the print too. I save them in a zip lock baggie...unless I'm feeling lazy, and that's almost always, and in that case they get tossed into the scrap bin. :)

Hum, I may become a SS after reading all the neat things I could make with them. But, then again.......:D

pictures of your needlebook etc..would love to see them..

I I went to James Stitching Sisters event here in Columbus and met a lady who made dog beds filled with scraps. NOW I too will be saving everything for her. She was such a sweet lady. She make 50 some quilts for the James Cancer Hosp. and dog beds. She was amazing.

There are a lot of really cute examples of projects you can sew from selvages. If you look on Etsy and Pinterest you can find lots of great things made with selvages. Love those funky chickens OKSewGlad!
I've been in love with those colored dots on the edge since I was a kid. You are right - it is a bit of history. But I've never really saved them until my last quilt.
Recently I made a Kaffe Fassett strip quilt from more than 82 different fabrics. I knew it wouldn't take away from the strips I needed to cut for the quilt, so after the fabric was pre washed and ironed, I cut the selvages off in nice long strips with 1 inch or more of fabric still attached. Not all the fabrics had pretty selvages though. Then I folded them all up and mailed them to a friend on the QB who is a huge Kaffe Fassett fan and selvage user. She really liked them.
I'd say saving selvages is worth it because even if you don't plan to use them, you can always find someone who would love to have them.

I am a selvage saver - did a great tote bag from them. And a friend did a badge holder bag from them for me that I always get comments on. I have seen several really cute projects and have 2 books that give patterns using them. I love the chicken pin cushions!

If anyone wants to send me selvages, I will gladly pay postage on them! Just PM me.