Putting Batting Scraps To Use

 I've found a way to use my leftover batting scraps.  Or should I say, "another use."  I like to use them for little thread catchers beside my sewing machine.  The ones pictured here measure about 1 1/2" by about 3 1/2."  "About" is the operative word, as they are definitely cut free-hand.  They could even be bigger than this.

After they get filled up with lots of thread scraps, I just lift off the top piece, fold it in half and throw it in my bin of dog bed filling.  The thread seems to really stick to them!

At another sewing machine I have some cut into circles, as they fit that space better. 

Upcycling Art Exhibit

At our local Gualala Arts Center there was an Upcycling Art Exhibit in April.  And here is what I entered into the show.

I make a lot of dog/cat beds, as you know.  So I thought I would "class one up" a little bit for this show.  Taking a discarded shirt of MisterStitches, I cut a large rectangle out of it for the body of the dog bed.  Then I sewed up the placket so it would be "sealed."  I rather roughly embroidered "Bow Wow" onto the shirt front.  If I had thought about it for even a little bit, I would have remembered to put some interfacing or another piece of fabric under the embroidery.  But I forgot about that.  So the words are slightly gathered.  I doubt if any animals will mind that!  

I stuffed this shirt full of discarded quilting scraps, then sewed up the opening.  Someone suggested to me that I should take the buttons off, so a dog won't bite them off.  And I fully agree with that, so off came the buttons!  All ready for a doggie to snuggle in. 

Dog/Cat Beds for Humane Society

Last February at our guild's annual retreat, I suggested a project to the group of 30 women.  I've read several places about quilters making dog or cat beds from their fabric scraps.  Now, I really don't want to save scraps in my studio for as long as it would take to fill a pet bed.  So I suggested we all save the scraps we created while at retreat.  I had a large grocery bag that I set near my table, and people kept coming over and depositing scraps in it.  But it didn't completely fill up the bag, and I knew I needed more stuffing material.

Then a woman in our guild was cleaning out some of her fabric and found a lot of scraps she gave to me.  I actually received three big white garbage bags full!  Now I'm in business!

For the first, the largest bed, I pieced together a "pillowcase" from some of the larger scraps I found. I happened to be at a "big fabric store" one day and bought some clearance sale upholstery fabric, which I used for the rest of the beds.

I ended up with six beds in total!  They were all different sizes, as I used the upholstery pieces just as they were.  Then I had the job of sitting on the floor stuffing fabric scraps into the beds. There were threads flying everywhere!  A few times I got slowed down as I'd find an especially pretty scrap in the pile.  But I was good and didn't "snitch" any of the scraps for myself!  That wasn't the purpose of this project.

I've laid a yardstick down in these last two photos so you can see approximately how big the beds are.  I think there is a size for everyone.

The woman at the Redwood Coast Humane Society was very pleased when I brought the beds in to the office one day.  I told her they could give them away to new adopters if they wanted to, or keep them for the pets staying with the Humane Society.

Now maybe I should make my own cats a bed.  I wonder if they would like it, or just sniff and walk away!