Batting and interfacing are bulky so shipping is VERY expensive (especially for those who order them from abroad, like me!). This makes every little scrap of it valuable.
So, what can we do with these small scraps? Small bags, pouches, boxes and bowls are a few options.
BATTING SCRAPS
I use scraps when I have to make larger pieces, too. I join the batting scraps into bigger pieces and I am able to use them for baby quilts, table runners, pillows or large bags. So here is how to join two batting pieces.
Place the pieces on a cutting mat, overlapping them by at least 1-2 inches. Then with a rotary cutter, cut a wavy line through both layers.
Remove the small strips and now the edges of the two pieces should look like this picture.
Line up the two pieces, matching the curves. Join the two pieces with a hand stitching. Make sure the joining stitching keeps everything flat, the edges don’t have to overlap.
Here is a close-up; stitch as densely as you wish, it depends on how heavily you quilt your piece. Use thread in a MATCHING (white) color.
NOTE – FUSIBLE TAPE
If you want to skip the hand stitching, on the market there is a fusible tape that you can use to keep the pieces together (many brands have this product, like Pellon, Bosal, Prym…). In this case, you have to straighten the edges of the pieces (no curves). Apply the tape and press with an iron following the manufacturer instructions.
UPDATE
Read about other options in the COMMENTS section.
HEAVYWEIGHT FUSIBLE INTERFACING
How about heavyweight interfacing (like Pellon Peltex, Fast2Fuse, Decovil I)? If you make bags, I bet you have a big box of scraps. I save those too!
You just have to straighten the edges with a rotary cutter…
…and join them with a zig zag stitch. Do not overlap the edges. Use a FINE thread in a MATCHING color.
I fused this piece to fabric.
For my bags, even if the interfacing is fusible, I like to stitch on the interfacing +fabric piece as in the image below. It keeps the layers together better and if I used a scrappy interfacing, then this stitching makes the piece stronger.
But what if the interfacing pieces are really small? Use them to make boxes.
FUSIBLE FOAM
My new favorite interfacing for bags is Bosal In-R-Form fusible foam. These are my leftovers after sewing 2-3 bags; I can’t throw them away- there is a lot of money in there!
So I thought to apply the same logic!
Overlapped pieces.
Except it doesn’t work!
It is not easy to make a PERFECT cut through two layers of thick, soft and flexible foam. So chances are the pieces don’t perfectly align.
It is much easier to straighten the edges of the pieces you want to join.
If you have the fusible tape for batting, use it to keep the pieces together. As I don’t have such tape, I used some pieces of scotch tape and I taped the pieces on the non-fusible side. For double-sided foam, it seems this fusible tape is required.
My three pieces taped together.
Then you turn it with fusible side up, place the fabric on top and fuse them together (you do this on the pressing board). This is the fabric side of my piece.
And below is the foam side (you must remove the scotch tape).
Now you have to add some stitching to keep the pieces together better- stippling is the best option. I stitched a grid and if you want to do this, stitch first the lines perpendicular on to the edges of the foam pieces.
The grid is done and the piece looks great, you can’t say it is made from scraps!
The back.
And what I throw away! Actually, the narrow strip can be used for bag straps.
I turned my piece into a pouch! Now this foam is my favorite way to make pouches, too!
So save your batting and interfacing scraps and put them to good use!
Who needs fusible tape! I’ve used the fusible tricot interfacing used for clothing. I was a garment sew-er for ever and when they came out, I kept the scraps (of course). I don’t know what the fusible tape costs but buying a couple yards of fusible tricot and cutting it yourself is probably quite a bit cheaper. You can just butt the pieces together when you are pressing them on. I usually cut at a 45* angle, like binding, and butt together that way.
Happy Sewing!
Brilliant!
Great idea, Karol, thank you for sharing. Another reader (thank you, Anne) suggested cutting strips from a non-woven fusible interfacing.
I bought middleweight interfacing and light batting . I am following an embroidery pattern and it calls for batting. Can I use the interfacing along with batting got the bag. Please help if you can
It is a sweet Pea Design
I just join up straight lines on my batting and zigzag my way to a Frankenstein batting for quilts. I have never had a problem with that. You lose some of that precious batting when you do that S curve.
You are right, Susan, you lose some batting with the curved cut, but it is great for hand stitching. I tried to zig zag the edges and my piece did not end up smooth. I must need more practice.
Thank you Geta for another amazing tutorial. I will put it to good use as I never discard any of my interfacing scraps.
I wish you a very happy holiday season. Glad you are taking a break as you put so much effort into your work and pleasing your customers.
I’ll be having a sew-a-thon over the holidays, so I’ll be thinking of you as I use some of your wonderful patterns.
Cheers – Robyn from Australia
Thanks
Thank you for the tutorial. Good ideas. I like the idea of buying fusible tricot to iron the scraps together.
Happy Holidays
THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION, Merry Christmas
I’ve used this technique – shallower S-curve, mark points, then multi-zigzag them together. It’s also best to use the ditch quilting foot (one with center bar) and butt the edges together well while sewing. I build up larger rectangles from whatever I have on hand and make selvage-edge placemats. Then I donate the placemats to a ‘meals on wheels’ group in town. Whenever my stash of batting and selvage edges build up, time to make some more!
Had not thought of what to do with scraps of peltex, but will try that as well since I make a lot of bags that use peltex and foam (headliner). I managed to find smaller patterns for leftovers, but now I have the means to make them into larger pieces!
Thanks…
Thank you so much for the idea of taping the foam together! I have zig-zagged it and the seam divet shows.
That’s what I was afraid of. I didn’t plan to quilt my bag, but I may have to since the seam shows. Did you find a solution?