What do you do with those small pieces of interfacing that are too tiny to use in most projects? I tend to shove them into a bag, and hope that one day I'll make something small enough to make them useful. At some point the bag of scrap interfacing gets so large, I bin the lot. Not any more...
Thanks to Daryl, at Patchouli Moon Studio, I've started piecing my small scraps of interfacing into larger, usable pieces. I thought it was about time I showed you the results. The scraps come together quite quickly, and I find it's really satisfying turning offcuts into something useful.
It goes without saying that you need to keep different types of interfacing separated. Mine are kept in labelled zip lock bags.
The pic above shows the pile of scrap, sew-in, woven interfacing, dug out the other day.
... and the same scraps trimmed with straight edges.
It took six pieces to make the size I needed for one handle of my current project. You'll see that my finished, pieced interfacing is NOT lying completely flat. That's because I've overlapped some edges as I've sewn. To do it properly, the edges should not overlap at all. Check out Daryl's tutorial to see how it's done properly.
However, for the project I'm sewing at the moment, it won't matter one little bit. The interfacing is to provide structure in some bag handles. As the handles will be covered with many wavy lines, it won't matter at all. My interfacing is not thick. If it was, overlapping would be a problem, as you'd be able to see and feel the different thicknesses in the finished work. Then again, thicker interfacing would be easier to keep butted together without overlapping.
Four pieces of interfacing cut out. As you can see, each piece is made from different configurations of scraps.
And from the outside, there's no way I can tell that the interfacing is pieced, or that some edges have overlapped.
By tonight, I'm hoping those handles will be attached to a finished reusable grocery bag, together with another two cut out ready to whip up.
Prior to reading Daryl's tutorial, I had pieced together scraps of batting, but it had never occurred to me to do the same with interfacing.
What do you do with scraps of interfacing and batting?
... Pam
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I used to throw away my scraps of batting if they were too small to use for a zipper bag :( Now I save them (unless they're really small - like 2" x 2" or something) and piece them together. Once I realized how easy it was to do it, and when it occurred to me that not only was buying new batting, very expensive (especially if I had to buy it locally), it's also very wasteful. And very easy to piece! I overlap the edges, cut them straight with a ruler, then press them together with scraps from the lightweight iron-on interfacing that I use. Zigzag, press the piece, and done like dinner :) The mid-weight sew-in interfacing that I use for duffle bags, rarely yields scraps because I cut the fabric to utilize the entire width of the interfacing, so it's pretty much cut to size :) I buy iron-on interfacing by the bolt - all scraps are saved in a container and they all get used up - they're really easy to piece right on the project, lol!
ReplyDeleteThat must take time and patients but how satisfying to know you have not let anything go to waste but upcycled your leftover bits into something really useful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with me on #Trash2Treasure
Hi Pam...I even save those little bits, less than 1" to use in mending pockets. The teachers at a local childcare center wear smocks and little hands tend to grab those pockets if they hide something they are seeking...I use those tiny bits to reinforce the corners of the pockets so those pieces of clothing can last a little longer....
ReplyDeleteClever idea to mend and reinforce pockets with the tiny pieces of interfacing, Rosie.
DeleteI must admit I've been too lazy to do Daryl's full piecing technique on my scraps as of yet, but I do use scraps all the time. I pin and fuse them in their "loose" form - as long as what I am attaching it to is something that is more or less inconspicuous to the main project. Since I am mostly appalled by the cost of interfacing, I keep virtually every scrap that I have.
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me feel better. The other day I was cutting out special batting to make a casserole carrier as a gift and I did make the cuts perfectly on my fabric but totally messed up the batting. I don't know how I managed to do that, but math is not one of my strengths. I pieced it and zig zagged it together. Glad to see this is an "okay" thing to do!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea I hold on to all my scraps of tear away as you never know when a small extra piece may be needed
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carolee. Definitely saves me money.
DeleteThat's so clever, I would not have thought to reuse the interfacing scraps. I guess for things like bags it doesn't matter too much. Waste not want not and all that #HandmadeMonday
ReplyDeleteYou're a woman after my own heart Pam ~ You just can't beat a bit of careful thrifting!
ReplyDeleteLike minds...
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea Pam, although husband might not approve of yet more scraps stored for future projects!!
ReplyDelete