Gifting projects that take up a fair yardage

[CorpusCallosum]

Next year we are planning on some extensive house renovations and I'm cutting down on stuff in the house. I have a stash of fabric I've accumulated and would like to use it up rather than recycle. It's predominantly upholstery type fabric, cotton and some synthetic.

I stopped dressmaking when DD came along as I just don't have the time to do it well. Can you guys come up with some gift ideas that are simple and take up a lot of fabric?

So far my ideas are:

• Table runner and napkins for DM
• Personalised embroidered cushions for DNieces
• Beeswax wraps for anyone everyone

I'd love a set of beautiful tea towels, please.

Deal! That is actually a brilliant idea, love you forever now!

Bean bags?

Drawstring bags for packing shoes?

What about
Drawstring Lego bags that turn into play mats.
Strips of fancy fabric along towels to make a matching set.
Fabric backed beach towel that folds into its own bag. Like a “quillow”.
Cushion covers.
Pump bags (showing my age!).
Reusable shopping bags. Lots of patterns online. I make them and offer them to people I see struggling at the checkout.
The Japanese folding cloth (forgotten the name) Knot it different ways to carry all sorts or use as pretty gift wrapping.

Furoshiki

If you’re planning on moving house, I recommend making your own version of the Blue IKEA Bag. They’re basically a big rectangle (120 x 100?) of strong fabric with a square cut from each corner and cotton tape for the handles.

Brilliant for bundling up soft toys or clothes that don’t need a protective box. And much easier to lift.
DC1 now uses them for traveling to/from digs as they fold down to nothing.

rag wreaths I made last year went down well

Drawstring bags for packing shoes in when travelling.
Slip on cushion covers.
Shopping bags, especially if you can incorporate a tube shaped inside pocket to keep a wine bottle upright (it doesn't need to be fixed to the base of the bag).

Brilliant ideas everyone, those mats that whip up into a bag would be perfect for my DB and DSIL, their daughters leave stuff everywhere 👏

@nicknamehelp do you have a link to a pattern or tutorial for the rag wreaths? I have some lovely tweed that would make a nice wreath maybe for other DSIL 😃

Pillowcases are always the first part of a bed set to go. If you Google “burrito cuffed pillowcase” they take 15 minutes and with a small amount of character print look very impressive.
I made some with “Hipster Barber” patchwork fabric for an older nephew as a housewarming present.

Oooh I'm on the same mission, unfortunately I've been given loads of scratchy polyester!

Any type of quilt uses a phenomenal amount. I’m always surprised at how much I need. Table runners are also good and you could use a wide variety depending on decor or seasons.

Thanks @VanillaSpiceCandle quilting is a good idea, I've only done patchwork quilts before which were time consuming but just quilting up some fabric would be a great idea.

I've just ordered some beeswax for the wraps, I asked DM if she'd like some and turns out she's bought some for Christmas stockings - d'oh! 🤦‍♀️

I have the opposite problem! Not enough fabric for projects. Often run out halfway through. Yes I should have said I do patchwork/traditional quilting and it takes so long!

pretty facemasks are obviously needed by everyone atm

washable sanpro

Laundry bags for travelling - big rectangle with simple drawstring - are so useful! Lovely with a couple of smaller ones that can be used for shoes or undies.

Storage baskets

Simple ones www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/sewing/how-to-sew-fabric-storage-baskets
Really nifty IKEA compatible folding ones
www.sewcanshe.com/blog/fabric-storage-baskets
More complex with handles and pockets. There's a similar one to this on one of the sewing magazine websites, iirc www.etsy.com/uk/listing/102090963/easy-to-sew-fabric-handle-basket-pdf?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_easter_Craft+Supplies+and+Tools&utm_custom1=k_Cj0KCQiAkuP9BRCkARIsAKGLE8UT2HtmUd9RFjj-K8pROW91CuD02IkTCYy80MByNVY12pnT1KjLF98aAgebEALw_wcB_k&utm_content=go_1714082377_75506723268_333557028917_aud-371913912633:pla-295462056867_m__102090963engb_169451494&utm_custom2=1714082377

First project complete! Half a yard down 😅

Proper duvet cover with matching pillowcases in cotton please, double for me and singles for the kids. With a beanbag cover to match the kids ones and a bean filled smaller cushion to match mine. And a cat bed please.

That's a fair few metres used up I reckon 😁

Cute pillows. Well done.

I love those cushions. How are the letters attached please?

It's applice cut out the letters, pin then tack stitch, then machine zig zag stitch round the edge. A bit time consuming to get it neat but easy. I am not usually very good at applice but I was pleased with these 😊

I also made my first trial beeswax wrap today, it was so easy! My friend recommended this You Tube tutorial: 👍👍👍

... I do wish I'd got white beeswax so it didn't make the fabric look well, like that 🤣

Thank you for the tip. Sounds a bit beyond my skills but definitely something to aim for.

The beeswax wrap looks great!