We all have some of that don't we? I certainly do and it just sits there week in and week out whilst I ponder on how in the heck can I use it.

Putting it in the trash is a sin and I would hesitate to dump it on another quilter (do we ever say no to fabric?) and it seems uncharitable to put it in a charity/thrift shop.

So was I pleased when I spotted this!

http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/20...ly-fabric.html

Thank you for sharing. Great advice site.

Some interesting ideas.

I can't say that I agree with using "ugly" fabric for the troops, though. If you wouldn't use it for yourself or use it for your best friend, why would you give it to our troops? They deserve more respect than that. Just my opinion.

I love the pet beds.

Cute! Fun ideas for the ugly fabric we all own.

In the part about the troops it does say that it's not ugly but just fabric you don't like anymore. Also it says not fabric that you would throw away but I think they mean something you can't use anymore-maybe something that you don't have any other fabric that goes with it or something that doesn't go with your house colors or anyone you know's house colors. Even fabrics that *I* might not like or think are ugly are probably something that someone else thinks is gorgeous. And vice versa.

What I realized a long time ago is that there is very little truly ugly fabric. When we did an ugly fabric contest on the QB last year, for almost each fabric that someone posted as "ugly" there was a voice that said "I really like that." However, there were some REALLY UGLY BUGGERS out there. My favorite won - it was a lion, tiger, alligator print with lace (at least I think that's what it was.)

There have been a number of topics here about ugly fabrics. A bunch of us sent some to Patrice to make quilts out of, there was also a ugly fabric contest too. Some of the fabrics in these were beautiful to my eyes :D:D:D

This gal has a lot of great ideas :D:D:D

"Ugly" fabric cut into small enough pieces regains it's beauty 8-)

I think it was Bonnie Hunter who said that any fabric if cut small enough isn't ugly. :D

[quote=oatw13]Some interesting ideas.

I can't say that I agree with using "ugly" fabric for the troops, though. If you wouldn't use it for yourself or use it for your best friend, why would you give it to our troops? They deserve more respect than that. Just my opinion.

quote]

Ditto, that. Also charity. Why give your dregs to charity, are they second class people?

Some ugly fabrics would make great OBW blocks, esp. if they have lots of colors and are fairly busy...

If all else fails, we always need some good absorbant rags for household chores!

This thread just reminded me, it's almost time for the Ugly Scrap Challenge. Guess I'd better contact Patrice for approval.

Get ready ladies/gents!

show us your ugly fabric

[quote=sewbizgirl]Most browns, unless they are in the chocolate family, I will probably think are pretty close to ugly. Are they, probably not--just not my personal preference for color. Would I put them in a charity quilt--definitely!

I read somewhere that you use ugly fabrics in a quilt. If they are still ugly you didn't cut them small enough! HA I think there is some truth to that.

The article doesn't say to use your ugly fabrics for charity/troops, just ones that aren't your style anymore or that you can't use.

Here's another, it's called "fungly-challenge", meaning Fun+Ugly! It's free, I certainly will try to do one, I have more scaps than fabrics!
http://www.unrulyquilter.com/tutorials/

And yet... I love almost all browns! :D

I sure could not use any fabric for planting in my garden.. I think there would always be a better use for it..even the local charity thrift shop where someone will find it and love their bargain..

Thanks for both links--I do have some older ones that aren't ugly, they just make me think, "what was I going to do with THAT! And I must have had a plan or a good sale, cuz I bought BIG pieces.(lol)

I've got the winner at my house. It is UUUUUUUUUGGGLLLLLLLLLLYYYY!!!

Please semd a picture of your ugly fabric. I have some "ugly" fabric my SIL gave me and I know someone would love it. I gave away 6 full bolts a few years ago, but kept some. It is western and southwestern themed and just not what I am interested in now. Now really ugly, just not interesting to me at this time. Maybe I should list it for sale. Maybe you should list yours. One man's treasure and all that.

Added to favorites! Thanks.

I like to make clothesline bowls. I have discovered that they are a good way to use up ugly fabric. A number of years ago I purchased fall tablecloth fabric. What was I thinking? lol I made a bowl that I use to decorate for fall. Then I took the OBW class from Maxine Rosenthal when she taught it for our quilt guild. I experimented with the fabric and made a few blocks.

Another way to use ugly fabric is to cut it into strips for knitted or crocheted rugs. I made the one in the picture from some of my old cloths. My grandmother cut and sewed the strips. My mom included a few of the scraps left over from making the cloths in two scrappy quilts she made for me.

She has storing fabric down to an art.It would be easy to find anything in her stash.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :-D

Come on! One womans ugly is another womans beauty! You never know. Put it out there and see who bites! I've seen some gorgeous quilts on this site but I've also seen some quilts and fabric that I wouldn't like at all. It's all good!

LOVE the rug!

Great link! Thanks :D

tinliz, you made my day! I like that fabric with the bright colors. If it were dull drab colors I would say yuck. It is just so wonderful that we don't have to like the same things.

Wonderwoman, I totally agree with seeing both wonderful qorgeous quilts here and others...

where do you guys send quilts for troops very interested in doing this my son is Army.

Great site. Thanks for sharing.

I've always thought about an "ugly fabric swap" for this board. I mean, for each piece of ugly fabric that you own, I bet there are 100+ others on the board who would love it! But, I can't think of a way to work out the particulars.

I'm not sure there are any TRUE ugly fabrics....just fabrics that don't currently match your taste. Thinking about all of the Civil War repro's right now for me!

A friend makes quilts for the homeless. She uses anything she can get her hands on that's free. They appreciate a warm quilt. She's the inspiration for my #3 book in my Quilt Trail Series. Excited about writing that one.

Theres no such thing as ugly fabric LOL. my group has a bi-annual ugly fabric challenge. we assign partners, then swap our 1 yd of ugly fabric, our partner can add two colors and make something out of it, then returns it as a surprise.
Its loads of fun!!

this group meets near me. they are an off spring of the Desert Angel project that packs boxes for soldiers. If you have a deployed soldier, you can give her the address or donate for postage.
they would accept your quilt and see it gets to a soldier.

http://injesus.com/message-archives/...miracle-quilts

another good organization is Quilts of Valor. I have sent to them also.

Jean

Maybe if that "ugly fabric" was used in a quilt that used fussy cut pieces ,it would be seen in a whole new way.

Two lifetimes ago I made an anniversary signature quilt for my former in-laws. Each pieced block consisted of fabric that horribly clashed. My kids helped with the selection and their mission was to make sure the combination was UGLY. My thinking was that each and every family that was represented was greatly unique and the differences in the fabrics signified this. Then each alternating block was filled with messages of congrats, memories and love. I wish at the time I had taken a pic... The quilt turned out beautifully!!!

I hosted an Ugly Scrap Challenge last year. It was absolutely hilarious! Go to Search and enter Ugly Scrap Challenge. It was amazing to see what the winner of this challenge made with all those god awful pieces.

This year's challenge will probably start in February. Make sure to checkout last years challenge.

Love the garden quilt!!!

Some very good ideas on how to use up ugly fabric's.