What do I do with ugly fabric? - Page 3 - Big Big Forums

Berkley69 · 10-06-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samko

Now come on, no material is ugly! Use it for pillows, placemats, napkins, why not curtains. I would make grocery tote bags out of it. That is what I use my "ugly" material for. Line them with the same material. Make a bunch and give them for Christmas presents, tell them to save some oil in the making of the plastic bag and the enviroment. The bags are easy to carry and they are washable. Make sure to wash material first for shrinkage. I think your material is "beautiful". Have fun!!!!!

Thanks!

IthinkNOT! · 10-06-2007, 01:24 PM

usually when I have ugly fabric, I make something for someone else, that way I haven't wasted it, and I don't have to look at it. Make a friend some placemats for there table, cloth napkins? It does look like it would be right at home on a table.

Berkley69 · 10-06-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IthinkNOT!

usually when I have ugly fabric, I make something for someone else, that way I haven't wasted it, and I don't have to look at it. Make a friend some placemats for there table, cloth napkins? It does look like it would be right at home on a table.

What would I use for the inside of placemats so they're not flimsy?

Surfergal · 10-06-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley69

What would I use for the inside of placemats so they're not flimsy?

interfacing

samko · 10-06-2007, 10:49 PM

Put some lightweight batting in between a front and a back. You can also stitch around the size you want using the checks to make sure it is straight then cut the material one or two squares larger and fray the edges (pull out the threads) and do the same for napkins.
They do make good Christmas presents. You can make them and give to a school for their Christmas for the needy program or another organization. Have fun with it!

Berkley69 · 10-07-2007, 10:10 AM

K! (BTW what is interfacing, the same as batting?)

JKATHERINE · 10-07-2007, 04:39 PM

Interfacing is a firm fabric that can be used when sewing anything you want to have a little more weight or stiffness to it. I use it a lot when making dresses for my daughter and I want the bodice of the dress to be stronger/stiffer. I use fuseable interfacing--you iron it right onto the fabric--very easy.

OH, and another idea I had for your "ugly" fabric, inspired by samko's post, is to make drawstring bags out of it. I make TONS of them with lots of different materials. This fabric would be very cute with a red ribbon drawstring and then you could use the bags at Christmastime instead of wrapping paper (that's my goal with all the bags I'm making). I hate wrapping paper since it's such a waste and people have loved the homemade, reusable, regiftable drawstring bags I've made them for their gifts. You can get fancy and applique a design on the front or attach pretty beads to the drawstrings as well...or just leave them plain.

Berkley69 · 10-07-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKATHERINE

Interfacing is a firm fabric that can be used when sewing anything you want to have a little more weight or stiffness to it. I use it a lot when making dresses for my daughter and I want the bodice of the dress to be stronger/stiffer. I use fuseable interfacing--you iron it right onto the fabric--very easy.

OH, and another idea I had for your "ugly" fabric, inspired by samko's post, is to make drawstring bags out of it. I make TONS of them with lots of different materials. This fabric would be very cute with a red ribbon drawstring and then you could use the bags at Christmastime instead of wrapping paper (that's my goal with all the bags I'm making). I hate wrapping paper since it's such a waste and people have loved the homemade, reusable, regiftable drawstring bags I've made them for their gifts. You can get fancy and applique a design on the front or attach pretty beads to the drawstrings as well...or just leave them plain.

I think I will try to make one today, it doesn't seem that hard!

Kyla Kym · 10-07-2007, 07:20 PM

I've been watching "The Walton's" season 5 this week, and soon as I seen that material you have, I knew exactly where you stole that from.
That's the top of The Waltons table!

look behind them and you can see their table top.

Kyla Kym · 10-07-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKATHERINE

OH, and another idea I had for your "ugly" fabric, inspired by samko's post, is to make drawstring bags out of it. I make TONS of them with lots of different materials. This fabric would be very cute with a red ribbon drawstring and then you could use the bags at Christmastime instead of wrapping paper (that's my goal with all the bags I'm making). I hate wrapping paper since it's such a waste and people have loved the homemade, reusable, regiftable drawstring bags I've made them for their gifts. You can get fancy and applique a design on the front or attach pretty beads to the drawstrings as well...or just leave them plain.

That's a wonderful idea! That would be so pretty, and country looking.

You could also make a lining for a wicker basket out of it. Then put all sorts of holiday goodies inside for a gift basket. I've seen people take material like that as well and put it under the jar ring on a mason jar lid, leaving a ruffle around the edges of the lid. It's really cute that way on homemade jelly.

Berkley69 · 10-07-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyla Kym

I've been watching "The Walton's" season 5 this week, and soon as I seen that material you have, I knew exactly where you stole that from.
That's the top of The Waltons table!

look behind them and you can see their table top.

I'm way too young I guess cause I don't remember this show, but now I'm definitely not making a tablecloth out of it!