Ideas to use quilting cottons that are not big quilts?

[BiddyPopthe2nd]

Dear all crafting folk,

I have a stash of quilting cottons (and an interesting collection of furnishing fabrics, tweed, and other bits and bobs) gathered over the years. Some with specific projects in mind, some from my DGM’s stash when she passed away, others just “ooh pretty” magpie collecting from craft shop forays.

I find I don’t have time to do my grand plans. Life is beyond hectic. But I would like to use up a good amount before I move house in 14 months time …I have 7 months of madness at work and then another 7 months that should be a bit quieter (comparably at least).

I have a decent basic machine - but no overlocker or quilting arm. My most recent project (after 6 months of procrastinating but just before the recipient went on mat leave) was these burp cloths for on your shoulder.

So I am looking for ideas of things I can make, possibly in bulk (as presents - I don’t think I could force myself to set up a stall anywhere), but that would use up my stash without getting me into massive individual projects or very complicated constructions.

I made quilted Christmas tree decorations out of my stash. Anything that looks good in 2D would work. I did lots of Christmas dinosaurs.

One Christmas I made tote bags for everyone and it was very successful. Also cushion covers, laundry bags, aprons, oven clothes.

Happy patchworking!

Scrunchies, Small purses or bags, barbie clothes, small cuddly toys.

You could try making reusable fabric wrapping paper? Biggish squares or rectangles with ribbon loops on the sides or corners. You tie them round the presents with ribbon - more environmentally friendly than disposable wrap.

Drawstring bags! Easy to mass make and a good alternative to wrapping paper. Also, if you have snaps, baby bibs. You can also just make reusable cloths, I was gifted a set and they got us through weaning.

I have made cute skirts with quilting cotton. I like bold prints so that fabric can work nicely.

Little quilts! Donate them to the Woolly Hugs Little Hugs project, for children in hospital.

From September the minimum size will be 32” by 32”, which is more manageable than a big quilt I’d have thought. The guidelines are on the linked page.

A holder thing to put my soup bowl in in the microwave. You do need to buy special lining that won’t melt when it gets hot but they are quick to make and everyone got one in their Christmas stocking last year.

Look up Microwave Bowl Cosy on youtube.

My go-to is phone bean bags. There are loads of tutorials for them on YouTube. Quick, easy and super useful. You can also use them for a Kindle, and you could scale up a bit for a tablet.

Rice bags that you can heat up in the microwave are super easy and a nice present in winter.

Worth googling free patterns for bags. Ive just made a great one for my knitting and also a tote bag for my mums christmas

I make a lot of rag quilts - can be any size and very easy to make. Lots of tutorials on YouTube