Uses for FMQ practice samples
 

I have quite a few practice samples that I've made over the years. They're pretty rough and not presentable on their own. I'm using some of them to cushion between china plates or to wrap delicate items I have stored away. Any ideas for other ways to use them? I'm about to make some baby bibbs and wonder if I could use them inside the bibb instead of the flannel my tutorial calls for.

Bibbs are a good use. Place mats, small totes, hot pads, cut into squares and join using the sashing QAYG method to join into a utility or pet quilt.
Also, if you are still practicing, you can just put another top layer on the sandwich and quilt it again.

All kinds of uses as stated above. You could even turn it into a sampler for the sofa.

What a great ideal!! THANKS

Thanks everyone! PaperPrincess, I never thought of just putting another piece of fabric on top & continuing to use it for practice. Duh!

We've had some extreme cold lately. Our dog runs through the grove & thick brush chasing rabbits & pheasants. Found one of her lost winter coats with the belly strap ripped off. The next morning I grabbed a rectangle sample I used for fmq practice and quickly sewed it on and just pinned it on. (tonight she came back in with no coat again!)

Make a cover for your sewing machine or a tote bag.

Maybe she loaned it to someone that didn't have one:)

I use mine when I make binding. I spray the binding liberally w/starch. I cover my ironing board w/one of my practice pieces to catch the extra starch.

I think I would turn them into a wall hanging for my sewing room

Of course, you'll say I'm crazy, but I rip those suckers right out. I guess I enjoy ripping, because I enjoy reusing something that didn't look so good. This is something I can do in front of the TV. Then you can re-quilt it with your new found expertise, and have something you CAN use.

I make fabric gift boxes and the 12 x 12 square you quilt for the pattern is perfect to practice new machine quilting designs on. Nothing gets wasted!

Burp cloths and changing table pads for messy changes

Pads for dog beds or wraps for outdoor plants in pots during freezing weather if they are big enough.

Dog or cat blanket or mat.

Vets would love to have them for their kennels!

Christmas
 

I know that Christmas is over for a few months, but you might consider using Christmas fabrics for practice to make Christmas decorations. I use pieces large enough to cut Christmas stockings out of (remember to cut pieces and so right sides will go together). My guild makes stockings for the local senior center for the seniors who are alone or ill. We have a fundraiser to make money to buy items to fill the stockings. e.g. shampoo, body wash. candy, pop corn, anything the seniors would like to have. This way I can practice my FM quilting and do something for my community. It's a win win.

This might be a little weird but I also fussy cut parts I liked and make mug rugs or what have you with them. Just save a little binding from something else and off you go. If you don't want to bind them right then, put them in a drawer for when you need busy work or "practice" binding. I do a practice one when I have a quilt to bind and haven't bound in a long time. The fussy cut also lets you play with unusual corners if you want.

Large work (I practice on the LA these days) I use to cover the couch for when a cats expresses her displeasure with a meal or for pads for the dog to lay on. She's old enough to be a little incontinent now so having a bunch around so I can throw a few in the wash each day and still have replacements is great.

Lastly, I have one piece - probably 9' x 6' - that I use as a couch cover in the studio. I put it on there, the cats sleep on it or whatever - then when I have work to do for others, I can lock the cats out, whisk off the cover, throw it in the wash and a little vacuum takes care of the majority of the fur.

Lots of great ideas, y'all. Thanks!

When I first started FMQing, I had yards and yards of one fabric I had made cloth napkins from. I used large pieces of that with batting for FMQ practice and then made covers for my stand mixer and blender with them with bias binding over the seams. I'll also eventually make covers for the rice cooker and crock pot since they're stored on open shelves. Eventually, I'll probably make some sewing machine covers for a few machines.

I have a collection of vintage machines and when I add one to the collection, I usually do a test run to see how it will FMQ with scrap fabric and batting scraps. Those smaller blocks with haphazard quilting I just use to wrap the foot controller on the portable machines before putting them away so the foot controller doesn't scratch the machine bed.