Quilters are famous for reusing fabric in their quilts. Yet, for quilters there are several other ways to reuse and not toss materials. Let me share a few of the ways that I have taken this a bit farther. I am very passionate some might say obsessed about not throwing fabric or other materials away.
Business Cards
I use bits of batting and fabric to make my business cards. They are like mini art quilts. Some people benefit from a visual example of what an art quilt is. The fabric cards are about 4″ x 4″ 10 cm 10cm.
Therefore,it would be a real challenge to use these small materials for anything else. Each fabric business card is unique. People are thrilled to choose a small piece of art to take with them. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/12/artful-fabric-business-cards/
First, I write out my contact information using a fabric pen on a light colored solid piece of fabric. Next,I sew several small pieces of leftover fabric together. Finally, I make a small quilt sandwich with a small piece of batting inside. Then I stitch the three layers together. Trim and zigzag the edges.
Short Pieces of Decorative Threads
Pieces of decorative threads add texture and dimension to my art quilts. They could be birds or twigs in the wind. I prefer to create a more impressionistic view in my landscape art quilts. I leave it up to the viewer to decide whether the small piece is a bird or a leaf blowing in the wind. Reuse, don’t toss.
Small Pieces of Fabric
Small pieces of fabric become abstract art quilts or fabric landscape collages. I have written several blogs on this topic. Here are links to two.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/the-making-of-an-abstract-quilt/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/
Sew Batting Together
Pieces of batting can be sewn together to be used like a larger piece. Make sure the weight of the batting is the same. Cut straight edges. Sew by zigzagging straight edges together. Make sure to create no gaps. Often there is a narrow long piece of batting let over when quilting a large quilt. These are my coveted pieces for this technique. Quilters,Reuse,Don’t Toss
Reusing items in Mixed Media
During the pandemic I turned my attention to mixed media or assemblage. I searched for small yet unusual items. These items would add interest to an art piece. Everything does not need to be a broken piece. Repurposing items also counts. My daughter brought back a small sewing kit from a trip to Europe. She never used it. I found a new use for them.
I am not sure if buttons would be considered unusual items. Yet, when I stacked them up with contrasting colors the effect was unusual.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/recent-attempts-at-assemblage/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/08/sewing-room-minimalist-assemblage/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/12/artful-fabric-business-cards/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/05/five-mistakes-new-quilters-make/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/01/frequently-asked-questions/
Reuse, don’t toss. Sometimes I have to give myself permission to throw something away. But with some thought, it is easy to consider another way to use something.