Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • is it worth keeping long thin strips of fabric? >
  • is it worth keeping long thin strips of fabric?

  • is it worth keeping long thin strips of fabric?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 04-05-2015, 11:31 PM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    annesthreads's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: South Yorkshire UK
    Posts: 1,145
    Default is it worth keeping long thin strips of fabric?

    Stella63's thread about scraps prompts another one: does anyone do anything with selvedges and pieces of fabric that are similar - eg long trimmings from straightening up a piece of fabric? I'm making a quilt that has used lots of different fabrics and therefore produced a lot of scraps. So far I've kept all these long, very narrow strips but am wondering if it's worth doing so.
    annesthreads is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 01:53 AM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: north Alabama
    Posts: 1,879
    Default

    I may be in the minority, but if the strips are less than 1 1/2" wide, I don't keep them to piece with.
    DebbieJJ is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 02:22 AM
      #3  
    Junior Member
     
    Laurajbr's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2015
    Location: Southeastern Michigan
    Posts: 108
    Default

    I am on my kindle, so I do not know how to share a link, but I saved all my strips, bought some cotton clothes line, and have been making fabric bowls.
    I work on them when I am getting to the end of a needle's life, as it will blunt a needle pretty fast, but it is fun and easy.
    Laurajbr is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 04:33 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Southern Indiana
    Posts: 5,052
    Default

    If your interested in making an "Oh My Gosh " quilt, it uses 1 inch strips. I made this quilt and it is beautiful!
    Jackie Spencer is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 04:44 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    alleyoop1's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: Virginia
    Posts: 1,355
    Default

    You know as soon as you toss them or give them away, you will wish you still had them.
    alleyoop1 is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 04:47 AM
      #6  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Posts: 523
    Default

    If they are really thin, toss them outside and share with the birds to use for making nests.
    mmb195152 is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 04:51 AM
      #7  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    I put 1" strips along with other small scraps into my doggie bed pile. At this time in my life, I won't be ever using them. I along with others like that all our scraps are going to make homeless pets more comfortable while they are waiting to find a forever home.
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 05:09 AM
      #8  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2012
    Posts: 556
    Default

    I know what your saying I don't keep the pieces of fabric that have the writing on them but I have been told that some people use the scraps to make pet beds with so if you found someone that needed them for a project like that you could just donate them other wise you could throw them away if they way to small to use.
    oklahomamom2 is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 05:18 AM
      #9  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Orlando, FL
    Posts: 416
    Default

    If the strips are at least 3/4 inch wide, save them for string piecing.
    lakekids is offline  
    Old 04-06-2015, 05:52 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2012
    Location: Sonoma County, CA
    Posts: 4,299
    Default

    If the selvedge edge is a good sturdy one and it's a long enough piece (say at least 3" or so) I cut it down to about 3/4" wide and save it in a jar to use as a ribbon. I love using these "ribbons" to tie up handmade gifts, and they come in useful for all sorts of things.

    I just used one this weekend - my oldest dog gets "hot spots" each spring so we have a cone we have to put on her until they pass; I used one of my longer selvedge "ribbons" to tie the cone to her collar.

    Shorter selvedges, if they're at least a couple inches wide, I'll use in a crazy quilt.
    Sewnoma is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    1
    08-10-2011 12:37 PM
    Patti Mahoney
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    13
    07-11-2011 05:58 PM
    TammyD
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    8
    06-11-2011 06:15 PM
    wildyard
    Main
    104
    02-10-2011 09:32 AM
    Prism99
    Main
    46
    06-08-2010 08:09 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter