Thinning out the stash by making small household items
 

I need to trim down my stash, so I've been looking for small, easy, fast projects for things to make for the home. I've got a few ideas: napkins, placemats, throw pillow covers, simple covers for outdoor furniture cushions, etc. Anyone have some other good ideas?

Well I have never seen or heard of these, but apparently you can make handles for your fridge doors to keep them clean 🤪 https://lifesewsavory.com/how-to-sew...handle-covers/

If you keep small appliances on your counter, make covers for them. Curtains for the windows. I even have short curtains on all my windows and doors in my garages to spruce them up. Just because they're a garage doesn't mean they can't be pretty too. Hot pads, table runners for each holiday or season. I made a small cover to go behind my head for my recliners as when I come from outside from working hard, my head might be sweaty and if I lay back on my recliner to relax, this keeps the sweat off the chair and onto the cover. Also, my cats like to lay on the top of the recliner so this also keeps the hair off.

Might make a lap quilt for the car to take from short or long trips, trash bags for the car.

small items don't use much stash ;) but the favorite not-quilt thing I've ever made is napkins. I made the first ones too small, plenty big to use, but felt like I was getting cheated. The last bunch I made I used the last of my special Aboriginal fabrics Rob brought me from his Australia/New Zealand trip, cut them 12" then two quarter folds and stitched. Love 'em.
I just fold in 1/3's and hand press from the dryer.

Pillow cases use up quite a bit of fabric and can also be donated to shelters etc. I use french seams on the inside so there is no raveling and make them about 6" longer than commercial ones, feels luxurious to me. The last bunch I made I added some hexie border trim.

Mug rugs, hot pads, cooking mits!

fabric boxes for storage, bags for groceries (can be washed) and gifting in place of paper or bought gift bags. . Dog mats for creates and dog beds. small scraps can be used for cards. Just do some decrotive stitching on them.

I've been making kids summer clothes to donate to a mission trip to Guatemala. I have a cute playdress pattern that uses only 1 yard of fabric and takes only 1 hour to make. I also have been making shorts for boys, again 1 yard, and less than an hour to make. It feels so good to cut through some nice stash and make things that are actually needed.

This is the dress pattern I'm using:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1030593...d7654720214cb6

These are the 1 hour shorts I'm making for the boys:
https://puperita.com/product/shorts-...n-sharky-1232/

Kalama, love your pillowcases with the 30's print hexie border! Super cute on polka dots.

I like that idea, I may have to make handle covers for my fridge and oven.

I’ve made This apron.

Its all straight cutting and sewing, and if you don’t have enough to make it out of one fabric, I’m sure it would be lovely colour blocked.

I've been making pillowcases lately. So easy and I'm using Art Gallery fabric because it's so soft.

I love this! Hexagon wall organizer

https://www.vintagesewingbox.co.uk/h...organiser.html

So cute. I'm making several of these for gifts for my quilting buddies who love hexies.

I have been making accessory pouches for my hand tools and beauty aids. I was thinking of making small storage boxes for some other items to round a set all up and keep them together and padded to protect them. I was thinking that a clear plastic or mesh front would be a good thing to add.

Thank you! I was just looking for an easy hexie project that doesn't require tons of teeny hexies.

I recently did an online dive into small things to make for our guild to sell at our quilt show this year, and found that there are literally tons of free videos and patterns online for things like scrappie purses, totes, folded phone & eyeglass cases, zip/snap pouches, bags, bowls, bins, buckets, baskets, thread catchers, tissue box covers and tissue travel pack covers, pin cushions, aprons, stuffed dolls and critters,

This was my most favorite project from youtube-crafting with giulia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLuAsPBaMZ4
a free pattern is included with the youtube video

Some people in our area buy custom "window quilts" to keep out the winter cold. I thought I'd do some research on them for my new (and stiff) digital fabric. Not sure what batting to use for them, though.

hugs,
charlotte

I really like that apron! No ties to have to fiddle with & it looks so easy to make & put on.

I think someone on this board made some of these before & I really liked the idea. However, I've yet to make any for myself (but I really do like them).

Haha..they look cool….but our fridge has NO handles….and yes it has lots of goopy smudges! We have a 2 yr old GD

I have made these and they are useful for people with arthritic hands and small children. Also an excellent way to use up those old CD's that some of us have laying around. And as an added bonus, maybe some of the buttons we are collecting...
There are other videos on you tube with more detailed instructions. These also make a great gift for a young child along with some playing cards for Old Maid, Go fish, and others. Actually found a set of 6 childrens card games on Amazon for about $6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRCciU9D1jY

This is an awesome thread. I am enjoying all the wonderful ideas. Love the card holding idea using cds! My mom is 89 and this will be a wonderful gift.
I myself love to make soup bowl cozies . You can find a free pattern at Blog: HappyHourStitches.com

thank you for the links....super cute patterns!
 

I've never sewn clothing but would like to try these one day! many thanks

Someone at quilt guild made jar opener squares using the plastic-y shelf liner for the gripper side. I haven't made any, yet, but I did like the idea.
Love the tortilla warmer, which also works for bread, etc. warmer video . I made one with an orphan block at center.
Everyone loves a zippered pouch.
I used the extra "rope" from a jelly-roll rug to make a smaller "rug" the size of a casserole dish that sits next to microwave. Very handy for hot dished exiting the microwave, or getting stirred.

Love the CD idea, Murphy224!

hugs, charlotte

Actually I thought about making some handle wraps for my refrigerator this morning....husband sure gets them messy! So happy that thimblebug6000 posted this very same thing!

Great ideas!

I'm hooked on making the Clam Up bags, it takes two fat quarters and a 24" zipper. The pattern is sold at ByAnnie.com if your LQS doesn't have it.

[QUOTE=aashley333;
I used the extra "rope" from a jelly-roll rug to make a smaller "rug" the size of a casserole dish that sits next to microwave. Very handy for hot dished exiting the microwave, or getting stirred.[/QUOTE]

going to have to this....great idea!

Am loving this thread! Lots of good ideas

Casserole hot pads using a layer of insulbrite and batting, many are tutorials out there.

1CharmShort, I use indoor/outdoor fabric for JR rugs. Colors stay sharp!

Ok...good to know. Thanks! :)

Found some of them. Thanks! :)

i really like the hexie trim on those pillow cases!