What to make from fabric scraps: 10 ideas for a summer house and apartment

Patchwork technique

What's the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to using scraps? Of course, patchwork, also known as patchwork.

This technique is truly the most popular way to dispose of fabric scraps around the world. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, the ability to sew on a machine is not at all necessary for patchwork - with the help of hand sewing you can also create a masterpiece. The only thing needed is patience.

Patchwork comes in different types, the main ones being:

• classic: creating patterns from squares and triangles according to certain patterns;
• Japanese: along with patchwork, there is appliqué and stitching;
• crazy (crazy patchwork): one of the simplest techniques. It is suitable for beginning needlewomen because there are no strict rules (pieces of fabric can have the most incredible contours; nearby there are scraps of fabrics that are completely different in texture and properties; fabrics are complemented with ribbons, lace, buttons, etc. - in a word, complete freedom for creativity).

Not only patchwork quilts, familiar to many from childhood, are made using the patchwork technique. It is used for sewing bags, home textiles, clothing and even for creating furniture. Modern products made using this technique have long ceased to be associated with the “rustic” style. Now patchwork is fashionable and stylish.

We use old scraps of fabric. Home ideas

Patchwork is an English type of needlework that uses scraps or small scraps of fabric. Small pieces of linen are used to sew and mosaic various things: from oven mitts to bedding. This technique does not require special skills, only creativity and inspiration.

First, when starting to work in the patchwork technique, you need to prepare even square or pentagonal fabric blanks (coupons). Then they are sewn into long strips and assembled into a full-fledged item. Let's look at the example of a master class on creating a patchwork bedspread.

To work you will need:

• prepared figured coupons (no more than 25 cm wide);
• scissors;
• threads;
• padding polyester (if you want to insulate the product);
• sewing machine;
• cutting chalk.

First, work out large pieces of canvas and lay them out exactly along the perimeter you want (ideally 220x240 cm). The layout should be vertical and horizontal, even and harmonious. For example, distribute identical coupons to different parts of the future product, and single-color scraps - one after another.

Divide the mosaic into 6 sections and sew each block separately, starting with small coupons and ending with larger ones. Combine the finished blocks into a whole fabric, sewing a strip of fabric between the sections. On the scar of the future bedspread, sew the edging and iron the seams.

For a warm bedspread: on the reverse side, take any fabric (preferably satin) equal to the perimeter of the product. Sew top, bottom and any side seams. Through the hole, evenly stuff 100 grams of synthetic padding into the blanket and sew it completely. Iron the product.

Beginner crafters will love the ease of creating an oven mitt, which will always be needed around the house.

You will need:

• prepared pieces of fabric (in the form of equal triangles);
• a part of any suitable fabric equal to the perimeter of the future product;
• interlining;
• scissors;
• ribbon or braid for decoration;
• sewing machine, thread.

From the prepared plain fabric, cut a circle on which to lay the coupons tightly together. Glue interlining to each flap, then sew 2 coupons together and iron the seam.

Cut a circle from non-woven fabric, iron it to the triangle blank, and stitch it. Sew decorative tape to the edges and make a small loop. Combine the resulting material with a prepared circle of plain fabric. Iron the finished product.

Kinusaiga technique (patchwork without a needle)

Another great way to put fabric scraps to good use is the Kinusaiga technique, which originated in Japan. Moreover, if patchwork requires at least minimal sewing skills, then in kinusaiga this is not required. This technique is called “patchwork without a needle.” Even a child can master it.

With the help of kinusaiga they create paintings, decorate boxes and boxes, make New Year's toys and Easter eggs. Furniture, lampshades and other interior items are decorated in this way.

To make a painting using the Kinusaiga technique you will need:

• polystyrene foam at least 1-2 cm thick (the Japanese use wooden boards as a base);
• sketch;
• pieces of fabric: it’s easiest to work with fairly thin, non-flowing fabrics that hold their shape well (the Japanese prefer to use silk);
• a nail file with a thin sharp edge, a ripper, an awl or other similar tool;
• stationery or breadboard knife;
• glue: some prefer glue sticks, others prefer PVA, experienced craftswomen work without glue at all.

Work begins with creating a sketch. If your drawing grades have always frustrated you and your parents, then find a picture you like on the Internet. For the first works, it is better to choose drawings without small details.

Using carbon paper, transfer the design onto the foam. Instead of foam plastic, you can use ceiling tiles, but working with them is somewhat more difficult, because... it's quite thin.

Using a breadboard or stationery knife, go over all the lines of the drawing (photo 1 in the collage). Your goal is to cut shallow grooves - 2-3 mm (if the foam is thick, then up to 5 mm is possible).

And now the most interesting part begins - the actual creation of the picture. However, in kinusaiga, fabrics, rather than paints, are used for painting. Cut out a piece of fabric of the desired color and size (it should be several millimeters larger than the actual contours of the picture) and attach it to the desired place in the picture. To make the fabric non-slip and easier to work with, spread the surface of the foam with a glue stick. Push the edges of the fabric into the grooves (Image 2).

Do this with each piece until you have “painted” the whole picture. Glue a sheet of cardboard onto the back of the painting and frame the work (photo 3).

Rugs made from pieces of fabric

Fabric scraps can be used to create soft rugs for the bathroom, hallway, bedroom, etc. You don’t need to have any skills to do this – anyone can do this kind of work. Rugs can be made plain or colored, round, rectangular or square, the ribbons in them can be placed randomly or create a specific pattern - it all depends on the fabrics you have and your desire.

To create a rug from scraps you will need:

• strips of fabric;
• plastic mesh (the most affordable option is construction mesh) with square cells, the most convenient cell size is 10x10 mm.

Cut the fabric into strips 10-15 cm long. The width of the strip depends on the density of the fabric: if you have thin knitwear, then make it 5 cm wide, and if you decide to use leftovers from a thick terry robe, then 2 cm is enough.

To create rugs, it is better to use non-friable, slightly stretchable fabrics; the ideal option is old knitted T-shirts.

After the strips are cut, get to work:

1. Cut a piece of the desired length and width from the mesh: add 3-5 cm to the desired size of the rug on all four sides.
2. Tuck the edges of the mesh (3-5 cm) inward along the perimeter. They need to be fixed so that the mesh does not fray over time. To do this, tightly cover the rug around the edges with a long strip of fabric (photo 1 in the collage).
3. Proceed to the main part of the work. Your goal is to secure the strips in the cells (you need to move from the edges of the mat to the center). This can be done in two ways: either tie regular knots (photo 2), or make a fastening with a lock, which is used in macrame (photo 3).

If you don't have a mesh, you can use matting or burlap instead (photo 4). However, in this case, it is better to take thin fabric for the stripes and pull it through the holes not with your hands, but with a crochet hook.

Types of cotton fabrics

Depending on the thickness of the fiber and its processing, cotton fabric can vary in density and appearance. Both thin gauze and thick jeans are woven from cotton. Durable cotton fabric with a pleasant shine is obtained thanks to mercerization : a special chemical treatment of the fabric with repeated washing in water.
Batiste, gauze, voile, muslin, voile, madras - thin cotton fabrics of varying degrees of transparency. Suitable for women's blouses, light dresses and airy scarves.

Chintz, satin, poplin are medium-density fabrics with a wide range of applications, from clothing to bed linen.

Corduroy, jeans, denim, diagonal, rep, cloth are dense fabrics often used for outerwear.

Cotton fabrics with pile ( flannel, flannel, terry cloth ) retain heat better and are suitable for home clothes, winter bedding and towels.

Tulle, plush, cretonne, damask are used for interior decoration: when sewing curtains, bedspreads, and upholstering furniture.

Cotton with a small addition of elastic fibers (5%) not only retains all the positive qualities of natural cotton, but also has additional advantages: it wrinkles less and fits the figure better. This fabric is an excellent choice for office wear.

Dog toys

You can, of course, buy a dog toy at a pet store, but why spend money on it if you can make it from leftover fabrics. To make a toy for a pet, it is better to use strips of fleece or knitwear (for example, from old T-shirts).

1. Take 3 long strips of fabric.
2. Make cross-shaped cuts in the tennis ball on two opposite sides. Pass fabric strips through them (photo on the left in the collage) and tie knots on both sides. If you still have a ball from your dog's previous toy, you can use it (photo on the right).
3. Weave braids about 20 cm long on each side. Then connect them together and braid one braid from all the strips at once.
4. Finally, tie the fabric tightly and trim off the excess.

From the remnants of the fabric, you can also weave ropes for the dog and tie them at the ends with knots (central photo).

Bags for storing items

From fabric scraps you can make bags for storing all kinds of items. These bags will come in handy anywhere:

• in the nursery - for toys;
• in the kitchen - for cereals and storing bags (you can, of course, store bags in a bag, but they look more interesting in bright bags);
• in the workshop - for yarn, creative tools, etc.;
• in the bedroom - for aromatic herbs;
• in the hallway - for combs, gloves, keys;
• in the bathroom - for creams, shampoos, etc.

You can also sew small gift wrappings from leftover fabrics.

Baskets made of cord and strips of fabric

If you don’t know how or don’t want to sew, it doesn’t matter! To create baskets from fabric scraps, you can do without sewing. To work you will need:

• thick cotton cord;
• narrow strips of fabric (3.5-4 cm wide);
• glue gun

Find a shape for the future basket. It could be a salad bowl, a round box, a bucket - anything. After that, get to work:

1. Wrap the cord along its entire length with a strip of fabric (increase its length by simply placing a new piece under the end of the old one). To ensure that the fabric adheres well to the cord, glue it with hot glue every 5 cm.
2. Start shaping the cord into a basket shape. First make the bottom, and then gradually move on to the walls. As you work, constantly use a glue gun, gluing coil to coil in several places.
3. Finally, secure the edge of the cord with hot glue to prevent it from fraying over time.

If you wish, you can make a lid for your basket in the same way.

We create gifts with our own hands

Every person is pleased to receive as a gift something that was made with their own hands, because they probably put their whole soul and desire to please the hero of the occasion into this product. There are many options for gift crafts made from fabric.

We make sachet as a gift

For someone who loves to decorate her home, a sachet that you can make yourself will be a wonderful gift. For this you need:

• small linens of linen, cotton, cambric;
• a mixture of dried herbs and flowers (ready-made or prepared yourself) and a piece of padding polyester;
• a small piece of lace, ribbons, braid for decoration;
• scissors;
• needle, thread.

Cut out the future shape of the incense bag from the fabric, for example a rectangle, heart or triangle. There should be a front and back side.

Using lace, braid or ribbons, decorate the front side of the bag. The best way to do this is to do it yourself, without using a machine. Sew the sides together from the wrong side and sew on a loop of ribbon or braid, first by hand, and then stitch on a sewing machine, leaving a small hole for filling with herbs.

To fill the sachet, a padding polyester is placed at the bottom to maintain its shape, and then incense is added. You can also use essential oils and citrus zest along with a mixture of herbs.

Sew up the hole and decorate the finished product as a gift. Believe me, no one will remain indifferent!

Eternal bouquet

Do you want to give an original gift that will be remembered for years? Create a bouquet of roses that will never go bad. You will need:

• fabric (for 1 flower a piece of 12x6 cm);
• green fleece;
• good glue;
• sheet of paper for templates;
• scissors;
• floral wire;
• ribbon;
• needle and thread.

First, draw a template (12x6) of a cinquefoil and a petal, using which to make blanks from fabric - 6 pieces of petals and from fleece - 5 pieces of quinquefoil with a small hole in the middle.

Fold each petal in half and gather at the bottom, securing it with a needle, iron or stitch. Fasten the resulting blanks together in a circle with glue and twist them into a rosebud. Also secure with glue.

Wrap the wire with ribbon, stick a cinquefoil on top and glue a rose to the base. Wait a while and collect them in a bouquet, tying them with a satin ribbon.

Kitchenware

The kitchen is the place where almost anything can be done using fabric scraps, especially if it is a country kitchen. We list the main kitchen items made from scraps:

• potholders;
• tablecloths;
• covers for stools and chairs;
• hot coasters;
• serving napkins;
• aprons;
• organizers for cutlery and kitchen utensils.

And this list can be continued. If you decide to dispose of excess pieces of fabric, then the first thing we advise you to do is go to the kitchen. Your imagination will have room to run wild there.

Panels and paintings

Decorating your apartment with unnecessary fabric scraps is another way to put them to good use. For example, make original paintings and panels. The simplest option is to cover corrugated cardboard, foam plastic or other dense base with a piece of fabric of a suitable tone. Several of these panels, arranged in a group, will become the highlight of your interior.

Panels can be made not only from large cuts, but also from small pieces of fabric. It's very easy to make. Glue your favorite scraps in random order onto a thick fabric stretched over a base (lower right photo in the collage) - and the interior decoration is ready. Such a panel would look appropriate in a children's room.

If you are an artist at heart, then try creating paintings from fabric scraps. Textile products of this type are most often created using the appliqué technique: pieces of fabric are sewn to the background by hand or using a sewing machine.

However, a picture from scraps can be made even without the ability to sew (central photo in the upper half of the collage). You will need a large number of scraps of different sizes and colors, PVA glue, a brush and a lot of patience.

The process of creating a picture from pieces of fabric:

Draw the outlines of your future painting onto the base fabric. If you have large fabric scraps, cut them into smaller pieces. Apply glue to part of the base and place a piece of fabric over this area. Smooth everything down with a dry brush. Glue all the pieces in the same way. If the painting is multi-layered, then after applying each layer, give it time to dry. Frame your artwork and hang it where you can see it.

What colors are in fashion

Fashion trends in color preferences are very diverse in cotton fabrics:

1. The white cotton dress is the most sought after. White color does not concentrate sunlight on itself in the heat. White cotton embroidered models are more relevant than ever! Such models are perfect for girls, girls, and women. A white cotton dress with sleeves can be safely worn to work, and a sundress - for a walk or the beach. For a formal appearance, a low-cut version of a tight-fitting snow-white outfit is suitable;
2. A black cotton dress is a classic and an excellent option for evening wear. But if on a cloudy summer day outside, you can wear a casual black cotton dress with a bright print;
3. A red cotton dress is always a festive occasion. You will be the center of attention, this is the color of confident women. The color red will spark the gaze of others. Burgundy is a fashionable color this summer;
4. Blue design is also a very fashionable option. The color of the sky and sea is very important in summer. And everyone knows how beautifully tanned skin harmonizes with blue and light blue;
5. The following colors are also in fashion: peach, salmon, lavender; various bright prints, polka dots, floral fabrics.

Currently, the clothing market offers exclusive collections made from Indian cotton. India is an exotic country with its own culture. The models contain the spirit of Indian flavor, rich colors, distinctive prints, and unique style.

Bright, beautiful dresses attract attention. Cotton models are offered in both thick and lightweight fabrics. New items from India are suitable for any age. More than ten Indian brands offer their products in the market of our country. The assortment is very large: these include children's dresses, delicate models for girls, options for ladies. Unusual fashionable dresses from an exotic country must be present in the wardrobe of a modern girl and woman.

Interesting: the dress shrank after washing, what should I do? It is necessary to soak the shrunken dress in cold water (with a tablespoon of vinegar) and wash it. Then lay it out on a horizontal surface to dry without squeezing it!

Blue

White

Black

Red

Peach

Protective masks

It goes without saying that in this difficult pandemic year we could not ignore the topic of protective masks.

Just a year ago we believed that a mask was a product of white or bluish (greenish) colors. Now it turns out that masks can come in all colors and shades. They are sewn from fabric with polka dots, checkered, striped, floral, plain, colored, etc. To make a mask, you don’t need large cuts - rather modest pieces are enough, so leftover fabrics will come in handy for this work.

Masks sewn using the patchwork technique look very original. To make them, first a blank is made from scraps, and then a mask is cut out and sewn from the finished patchwork fabric.

Another interesting option for masks is masks with appliqué. Children wear them with great pleasure. Even small pieces of fabric are useful for making appliqués. Fabric patches can be combined with embroidery, sequins, beads, etc.

Fabric Features

Cotton is a special material, when synthetic fabrics do not allow the body to breathe, in any dress (even the most sophisticated) made from this material a woman will feel light and comfortable - a cotton dress gives absolute comfort!

The advantages of cotton are as follows:

1. This material “breathes”; cotton fiber easily allows air to pass through. This means that it will be comfortable in any weather - the fabric is ventilated, heat exchange is not disturbed;
2. Cotton absorbs moisture perfectly - this is also a big plus, because in hot weather a person sweats especially intensely;
3. The material is very durable, practical, products made from it last a long time;
4. A cotton dress can be washed well (with any detergent), ironed, does not lose shape and does not stretch (with proper care). It can be washed in washing machines, even boiled if necessary;
5. This fabric is easy and simple to cut and sew a variety of wardrobe items: scarves, T-shirts, dresses, blouses, skirts, trousers;
6. Fashion designers love to work with cotton fabric. This fabric lends itself well to dyeing in different colors and prints. All kinds of embroidery and sewing look great and harmonize with the fabric;
7. Cotton fabric usually has low prices. And this means accessibility and popularity.

Cotton fabric is hypoallergenic (safe) compared to some synthetic fiber fabrics. However, we must remember some of the disadvantages of cotton fabric:

1. Some types may shrink when washed with hot water. This can be prevented if you care for a cotton product according to the label, and observe the temperature regime for washing the product;
2. Dried items are difficult to iron. But this is also easy to deal with, it’s enough to iron the clothes slightly wet, or sprinkle them with water, as our grandmothers did;
3. Dyed new cotton items may fade. To prevent this from happening, it is enough to wash the product with warm water and separately from other clothes.