Cleaning my office at work the other day I came across a bunch of furniture fabric swatches for companies that are no longer in business. I was thinking of taking these swatches home and doing something with them. THey would probably not make a very good quilt, they are heavier. Does anyone have any idea what sort of things I could use these fabrics for? THe are mostly microfiber, some leather.. typical furniture fabrics.

I use these fabric ones for the underside of hot pads. I sew strips of fabric to squares cut from old matress pads that the side are still usable and use furniture or drapery samples for the backs. Always recycling and using up one more time. Ruth

how about bags?

The mats sound like good ideas. Pet mats would work also, for your vet or local animal shelter. Everything can be reused for something, just thinking for what takes time sometimes!

Mamabird,

I make purses and totes, re-cover footstools and upholstered boxes, pillows and candle mats. They also can be used as arm chair pads to save them from wear. And they make good place mats, if they are washable. I am sure if you think outside the box, you will think of something. pincushions??

All great idea, thanks for the replies. I will let you know what I do.. there are quite a few of them!! Look for pictures... eventually!

crazy quilts. on a foundation with no seams. try to butt edges or overlap. use decorative stitches. it will weigh a ton, but with just a backing it makes a nice lap quilt for cold, damp days. or throw cushions.

wash everything first. in hot water and dry in the dryer. they're mostly poly nowadays anyway, but you don't want shrinkage or bleeding later.

Check out gengiskahns picture of a camera case in general chit chat :wink:

As all other ideas i had have been mentioned maybe a picnic blanket?

My husband's cousin used to work in a re-upholstery shop. She saved every scrap that was to be thrown away! She sewed small scraps together into one big piece of fabric, then used a pattern for a vest, cut it out, used decorative stitches on the seams - wallah! - a crazy patch vest. She made one for Christmas for all of her 8 grandchildren - some were teens -- they loved them!