I use these for all sorts of charity projects. Yes, I do piece even those pieces under 6″. Then I use them for quilts to give bereaved, babies from underprivileged, pets (both in shelters and in the neighborhood). The list is completely endless. Even potholders, candle mats and such are welcomed by those who can’t afford things. Great to tuck into gift baskets at holiday time and more. Think puff quilts too. Also, I make covers for deployed troops and send them when appropriate.
from Jeanne in GA

You can connect batting pieces with a Joining stitch. I do this for charity quilt projects, or any project that it will be suitable, small quilts that are going to be back seat quilts. Or small pieces can be used for the insides of rag quilts.
from Debbie of Kachina Longarm Quilting

A sewing teacher in my guild, who had used up all her batting scraps requested we give our batting scraps to her for use in her classes where the students are excited about their quilting unit.

Just a thought on batting scraps. Do you have a local chapter of Project Linus? How about checking to see if they’d like a donation? I know our local quilters who make quilts for the hospital NICU are always looking for batting! And since the quilts are small, we can use about anything.

I use them for quilts made for the homeless. Just like you I stitch the pieces together to get the correct size. You should contact a guild, shelter or service organizations that would be handing out blankets and quilts to the homeless to find out who in your area makes quilts for them. Even the police station might be able to direct you. Salvation Army or any soup kitchen.
from Susan

I keep small scraps of batting, and when I get a big bag or two full…I use them for stuffing for stuffed animals. I make stuffed bears sometimes and the scraps work great.
from Joanne

I SAVE THEM! Then, occasionally I make a rag quilt. Kids love them. Just cut 5″ squares for the front and back. Center a 4″ square of batting between two pieces, sew from one corner to the opposite corner, twice, forming an X. You can just use up scraps or actually design a layout for the quilt. When you have enough squares for the size quilt you want, sew them together with 1/2″ seams. One side will have the seams showing, the other won’t. Snip all the exposed seams (they even have a set of snips that makes this easier). Wash and dry. The seams will start raveling. The more it is washed the more it ravels until it reaches the seam line. You’re saving the environment and making someone happy at the same time.

(Note: You can find step-by-step instructions on creating rag quilts with my Shaggy Raggy Quilt Pattern.)

I keep all my scraps because like you I make pot holders, coasters, wall hangings and the poly type batting I will pull apart and use in pin cushions. Then any scrap that is at least 6 inches I use to make small 5-1/2 or 6 inch square fabric books. Just the right size for tiny hands. Adults can make up stories to go with the pictures, or they can just point out the animals, colors etc. The pages of the books are also made from scrap of fabrics from my quilts, and mixed with novelty prints. very crazy quilt in design. The little books are all fabric and wash wonderfully. I have a friend that has a day care with her daughter and she loves these books because babies can chew on them as well as the toddlers looking at the colorful dogs, cats, etc and then it can be washed so no other child gets that child’s germs. they make wonderful baby shower gifts along with a cozy blankie. the actual plan when I started making these little books, was to get about 10 made and give to the police to carry in the cars for young children that have faced a traumatic experience. I will reach that goal, but at the present time, I am flooded with baby showers as well as friends wanting them for new babies in their families.
from Char

My husband found some of my small batting scraps in the trash and asked if he could have them. He uses them for polishing gun metal and other metal parts he makes. Now, I save the small scraps for him! He loves the gift!!!
from Elaine in KS

I belong to a quilt group at my church, and we do not ever throw batting scraps away. Small scraps are used in potholders, pincushions and as stuffing in ornaments and pillows. Polyester batting can be pulled apart by hand and used just like fiber fill in any sew and stuff project. Cotton batting can be used in any small project that needs to be flat such as table runners and quilted book covers. Please encourage your readers to donate any unwanted materials to charity groups, rummage sales etc. Please do not throw away anything that can be used by someone else. We need to always remember that nothing useful should ever end up in a landfill.
from Karen

The Freecycle Network is a site that is nationwide that we can recycle new or used items. Look for one in your area. I’ve already found a couple of things I want and need and have found people that want to need items that I have so I don’t have to throw them away or wait around to sell them. This is great for groups or organizations to collect or raise items for their activities……whatever!
from Mary

(Note: I haven’t personally used the Freecycle Network site, but have heard that it is a great resource! I’d love to hear from any of you who have used it!)

scraphappy said: I always have a sew on the go kit ready as well. It makes all that time spent waiting seem somehow less futile. Here is her recent to go project.

SweetP said: I have a tote bag made with coffee-themed fabric and a redwork coffee cup on it to carry my stitching projects in. Her storage container jars are just so neat!!!!

Kaye said: I always have one or 2 totes ready to take. I do a lot of applique with wonder-under so always have something to cut out. Also working on a redwork block of the month and I am behind.

B_Atkins said: I love it…. my sewing box on the go is a plastic bag shoved into a tote bag ;)

Kim said: I have one desk container that has my Amish Tumbling blocks I’m piecing by hand and I have another tote with those cute clover yoyo makers and charms, etc. One day I want to make a yoyo quilt and use time in the car ( when hubby’s driving) to hand sew. I’ve done 2 quilts in 3 years that way.

Thanks for sharing all your ideas! B_Atikins, I do have to say that there is a ziplock bag in my sewing box that I will transfer some things to so I don’t have to cart around the larger box and can stick the bag in my purse if needed! Plastic bags work great for lots of things, don’t they?! :)

Donna is a quilter and embroiderer from Arizona with such a sweet and creative personality! I was delighted when she posted her sewing room photos in our MJE online classroom. Here is a bit from her sewing room, the “before” images. Stay tuned in the weeks to come for some “after” images!

I took pictures of my sewing spaces, which span 3 rooms. It will make you gasp! It will make you cringe! Look if you dare!

From the doorway, you can see that I have just carved a walkway to get through the room!

Just a little of my stash.

In this armoire, and in other areas, I have projects set up in plastic containers. Each contains the pattern & fabric.

This area shows my “regular” sewing machine & work space with all my jewelry supplies as well.

This is my desk area, or “cockpit” as I think of it.

This bookshelf houses my embroidery designs and paperwork.

Here are all the books and yet more bins of fabric and accessories!

For times that I need more room, I’ve set up 2 plastic tables that have my serger and embroidery machine.

Fabric, fabric everywhere!

Thanks for sharing your “before” pictures of your sewing room, Donna! We will look forward to the “after” pictures as well!

Connie is a clever quilter and embroiderer from New York and created this wonderful thread rack that I just loved and thought was so unique!

She received a gift from a friend that happened to be wrapped in a small crate. She found two more creates and glued them together to create the thread holder that sits on the table behind her embroidery machine.

With two yardsticks, she formed the uprights and thread guide at the top. In the top yardstick, she screwed 18 small eye hooks, 1 1/2″ apart. The hooks guide the thread to the machine and keep the threads from getting tangled up with each other.

She can have all her colors threaded through the hooks and ready to go! It saves so much time!

Thanks for sharing your thread rack with us, Connie! What a fantastic and useful tool to keep in your sewing room!

Look at this clever ideas for hiding storage areas! She put sticky back velcro on the edge of the shelves and stitched the other side of the velcro the the quilt blocks/wall hangings. The storage area is covered up and it’s a great way to display quilt blocks and wall hangings.

Doreen has lots of light peeking into her sewing room with the large glass windows. Lots of light – great to have! And her colorful drawers holding her threads are conveniently located next to her sewing machine and table to easily get to things.

This is her book storage area with treadle sewing machine nearby.

And a quilt draped over some seating area for visitors to drop by and say hi! Just look at all those windows with all the light they provide!

Thanks, Doreen, for sharing your sewing room and creative ideas with us! The ideas are abundant that we can share with each other, so let’s share thoughts and ideas! Email me your creative sewing room, no matter whether it’s large or small!

Claudia W. is a quilter and embroiderer and recently retired in January 2008. Here is Claudia and her sewing room:

I splurged on a Bernina 730 last September as a reward for surviving 2007 more or less sane and making it to retirement. The year 2007 was pretty hard for me and my family, in that our daughter Bridget and her husband Chris had a beautiful baby boy Gregory in January 2007 born with a very serious heart defect. In July 2007 he had open heart surgery and he’s now very healthy and doing great.