Easy and useful sewing projects not clothes

[ErnesttheBavarian]

I like sewing (am not necessarily great at it). Have always done clothes then this weekend I sewed a kindle cover and am totally excited and into this new direction. Have always automatically thought sewing = clothes. What else that's easy but useful could I sew I want more project ideas. Def no bags. My mind is blank. Except when I look at my lovely new kindle cover.

I love making cushions covers. Nice ones cost £££ and yet they are so easy to make.

Ooh that's a good idea. My dog ate all my cushions when she was a puppy and I haven't found any nice replacements. Thanks. Do you follow a fancy pattern or just measure and hope? Zips or buttons?

You could also make a Cath Kidston style kitchen pinny/apron or a peg bag (a sort of bag...sorry).

With cushions I buy the innards first, then measure and make (the cover wants to be a bit smaller than the innards, so for an 18''x18'' cushion insert I would make a 17''X17'' cover). I often draw lines on the cloth with one of the DCs felt tips chalk to mark out the cushion, this work well if you want to include a particular part of a pattern in your cushion. I often CBA with zips so do an envelope style.

Oh I was just going to say cushion covers!
Jewelry roll
Shoe bag, I know you said no bags, but that's a different type to shopping bags, and so useful when packing.
Coin purse
Place mats

I sometimes make cushion covers with charity-shop men's shirts - you can pick up some really great ones for not much at all. Just cut out the right size for your cushion from the shirt front, with the button-band centred, sew it to your choice of fabric for the other side, and her presto! You have a cushion with button fastenings. No need to fiddle with openings as its all done for you.

Or even hey presto....and it's, not its

On my course we have made a fabric basket, bag, apron, bunting, make-up roll, tissue holder, cushion cover. Next week I think we are doing a caddy thing for over he arm of the settee. We did a table runner and some people did placemats too.

Love the shirt cushion cover idea.

I turn the dc's old tatty uniform into soft logoed toys. I mainly just make bags!!!

Ow wow Meols, the shirt idea is genius! Can't wait to go to UK next week and raid the charity shops. We don't have them here! Also keen to buy stuff to canabalise. I wanted to buy a button today. €2.50 per button!

Ok am going to make some cushions (stuffing?) And a case for transporting my latest knitting project. More idea. Am still over excited about my kindle cover

How about accessories such as hats and gloves? This Valentines I'm giving my husband a hand knitted scarf, because most valentines gifts for men are pants and don't really compare with something home-made! In it's current amateur state, it looks a bit like the scarf on the top row here: www.red5.co.uk/valentines-gifts.aspx

I think a coin purse would also be a good idea, or what about a notebook cover, typing hand-rest, phone sock? I think I might move away from clothes next!

Make up bag/pouch?

There's a slip cushion cover instructions on ikea website I think?

Misses point of thread.... Why don't you have charity shops (presumably in Bavaria)?
Are you near Munich?

Do you have second hand shops? Or junk shops?

They just don't seem to have charity shops. Apparently there is an Oxfam in Munich but I've never seen it. Other than that I've never seen one. Just doesn't seem to be part of the culture. Where I'm going in Brighton has I reckon at least 10 on the 20 minute walk I to town. I will be scouring them for zips, buttons and shirts tomorrow!

I'm going to make heaphone pouch next. For which I need cheap zips.

Ernest, can I PM you?

Think it is this shop in North Laines which has v cheap zips. It is on rhs as you walk North away from the front towards the end of the Laines. Limited colours but v cheap.

Ditto fabrics really is a 'go to' shop, if you have a project in mind.
OP, all the shops on your route will be top price and not intended to be chopped up or scavenged for buttons.

Yes

I'll pop into ditto tomorrow. Assuming I ever escape from Gatwick airport

Well I have been to ditto. You really need strong will power in that shop. Now sitting next door with a pot of tea and slice of gluten free cake. Yum. And yes, zips mega cheap. Thanks shame I'm travelling hand luggage only. I got a couple of shirts from charity shop and a mini bode dress for dd for 50p. I'll never get it all back.

Have you ever used Pinterest?

There are tonnes of good sewing projects on there...clothes and non-clothes.

Take a look at my board:

pin.it/3bvz6LY

Plastic bag tidy, sewing machine cover, bed tidy for kids, wrapping paper tidy, egg cosies (nice little Easter Pressy)