BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Quilting How do you use old patchwork fabric?

How would you suggest quilters use up their older patchwork fabrics? How can you use them in current modern quilts?

Do you think they have a use by date?

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Cheerio for now

Judie, I like this question - I use scraps of material from dresses made years ago to make doll and baby quilts. I wash the fabric several times to soften it and shrink to the max before I begin. I think soft or worn fabric feels best to a baby ... me, too.

Back in the late 70's (that's 1970s) a friend gave me a huge bag of scrap materials. I was drawn particularly to two fabrics, a pink and a green, that were kind of ethereal in looks. I used these fabrics extensively in a grandmother's fan quilt done entirely by hand. The quilt was for a double bed and was used extensively over the years. After about 10 years of hard use those ehtereal looking fabrics that I loved were gone, totally shredded. I give you this warning - be careful of old fabrics.
I still have the quilt and I intend to repair it someday.

You can make snugglies for dogs and cats at the shelter/rescues. These range in size from 12x12 to 24x36, and you can experiment with patterns because these animals are not picky about color and stitchwork, LOL. Check with you local humane society for sizes they need...and go to town!

Hi Cheryll, I love that idea. Animals need comforting too. I've heard of a good idea - when you have scraps of fabric that simply are too small or not suitable for using - get an old pillowcase and fill it to 3/4 full with the scraps. Sew up the opening and voila - you have a pet bed for a refuge to use.

I like the story from desertquiltlady - it is sad that fabrics disintergrate - but that's how things are. We can't expect things to remain new for ever - just gives us more reason to make another quilt!!

Cheerio for now

Making cushions for the animal shelters from scraps is a great idea. I did this several years ago. The shelter loved the idea but found that the fabric shifted into one big glob when the cushions were laundered. My suggestion is to do some straight stitching both lengthwise and crosswise to secure the fabric in place.

Great idea Gallopping Butterfly, I'll pass that onto the rescue shelters that I know use this idea.

Cheerio for now

When my babies were small I used to sew a lot! I'm a pack rat with my sewing fabric. It always seemed too nice to give away..so I used to make little double-sided patchwork baby bibs, edged with a little delicate lace.

We used to call them the "Sunday bibs" or "going out somewhere bibs".. Although they were made from scraps of fabric, they looked fancy! Different from the store-made ones. Took no time to make.