Friday 17 April 2015

A Couple of Sources of Free Ribbon...

I'm always on the look out for ways I can save money when sewing, even if it's just a few cents. Until recently however, I was unwittingly throwing out ribbon that could have proven to be useful. I'm sure I'm the only one who was not being resourceful, but just in case I'm not alone, I thought I'd share how I accumulated this little pile of ribbons.


A couple of sources of FREE ribbon ~ Threading My Way


Most women's clothing comes with ribbon at the shoulders, to hold the garment on a coat hanger in the shop. I never use the ribbon on coat hangers at home. It just gets in the way and so I cut it out. It's only a few inches in length and I could never see a use for it and so I always threw it out along with the labels.


For what ever reason, it one day dawned on me that these little pieces of ribbon are the perfect length and width for zipper pulls, and so I started saving them. Sometimes the obvious is not so easy to see. 


I think the short lengths of ribbon would also be the right size to make small bows, but I haven't made any yet. Can you think of any other uses?


I'm also now keeping any ribbon that is tied around parcels, even if it has a brand name on it. I'm not sure how I'll use it, but I know one day something will come to mind and it doesn't take up much space. What would you do with it?


I know it's not ribbon, but I'm also keeping the tape from jelly rolls. I'm thinking maybe it could work in small drawstring bags. I'm not convinced this will be OK, but I won't know till I try it. Moda means fashion in Spanish, so perhaps I could cut out the words and sew them onto patchwork bags or zippered pouches. Again, I won't know till I actually try it.

Tell me I'm not alone. Am I the only one who was throwing out a small, but useful sewing resource?

... Pam

14 comments:

  1. Perfect for those zippers! I don't think I have many clothes with ribbons on the shoulders, maybe it's not so much a UK thing, or maybe just not a my scruffy clothes kind of thing! But I do keep ribbons from parcels etc. I'm sure you will find some way of using the ones with words on too, even if you end up cutting up some of the words or phrases into shorter sections maybe. And some of them could maybe look good decorated with sharpies by grandchildren, or dyed in some way?

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    1. anything with a wide-ish neckline is likely to have those ribbons, to put round the hook of your hanger and stop it falling off, a lot of UK clothes do have it!

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  2. I tend to save all the crafty bits and pieces I come across or create, but since I buy a lot of stuff too, it quickly gets to a level of overload, and that stresses me. At that point I downsize my collections by giving stuff to friends, freecycling it, or taking it to the thrift store. Bags of assorted crafty supplies are great for people with kids! I don't like to throw things out - I prefer to rehome - if I can't use it - someone else possibly can :)

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  3. What a great idea! Love the idea of getting some of that designer ribbon, too.

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  4. I often sew a bit of ribbon into sleeveless dresses / tops to keep my bra straps in place (with the aid of a small snap closure). It occurs to me that this may not be all that normal esp. given how many people I see with their bra straps on view!!

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  5. I save all that stuff, too. I use the twill tape for garment tags, just to mark the back.

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    1. Fabulous idea to indicate the back of clothes with pieces of twill tape, Kitty!!!

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  6. I save all of mine to use in card making and sewing, something I have been doing for years, also useful for tying around crackers if you make your own or around cellophane bags with small gifts of chocolate, also make a bow around the necks of small stuffed toys like teddies or rabbits....... loads of uses!
    Tilly

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  7. Me too - I save all those bits of ribbons - including those little ribbons with bells on the lindt chocolate bunnies at Easter time - I've quite a few of those!! What a great idea to use them as zipper pulls!!

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  8. As i do not buy ready made clothes, i have not encountered any shoulder ribbons. But i buy or get from time to time cakes from a bakery the binds their cakes with white or black ribbons. i have a whole bunch of those, esp after Hinting to all my friends that i instead of throwing those away, they can give them to me. I do make hanging loops for my skirts, and when renovating those some of those are still good to be reused. mirjam

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  9. I also am frugal and before throwing away ANYTHING I try to think of a way it could be reused.
    Another use for the MODA twill tape that is tied around jelly rolls is using it as ribbon on a gift. I also use selvages from fabric. It is especially cute on a gift to a sewing friend

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  10. I confess! I am a ribbon boarder too Pam. I have just discovered how to use a fork to tie tiny bows so will be using some of my ribbon stash for that.

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  11. This post has me sitting here smiling Pam, imagining us all ferreting away our little pieces of ribbon, fabric scraps, ends of ric rac, half filled bobbins, solo buttons etc - thank goodness we are not alone!! :)

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  12. I am not a fan of brand name ribbons, but I do save those skinny ribbons from clothes! I have used them to tie something small, or as craft decoration. Most recently I used them to attach home-made luggage tags!

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