What to do with leftover fabric?

rag ball - I make these and sell them on etsy.
United States
April 19, 2009 6:20pm CST
Make rag rugs and rag balls of course!! That is what I am working on right now. I have two rag balls finished and starting a rag rug tonight. I hope I can finish the rug in a few days time so I can get it listed on etsy. Have you ever made any of these?
3 people like this
11 responses
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
20 Apr 09
When I used to do crafts all the time, I would give my grandmother the leftover fabric and she and her little ladies at the retirement home would make quilts. I have a beautiful quilt for the girls room that they made for me out of the leftovers of wreaths that I was making for our PTA sale. I miss her and her quilts!
2 people like this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
19 Apr 09
i have made them before but am not into that sort of thing any more. i dont have a lot of fabric laying around now, now i have a lot of paper scraps instead which i use for card making, tag making and scrapbooking.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
20 Apr 09
I have crocheted rag rugs, but I have no idea what a rag ball is. Do you have a picture or instructions to show us, I bet I am not the only one who does not know what this is.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Apr 09
You know me pretty well huh? LOL. You can use styrofoam balls or newspaper as a base I don't. I just start it out like I would if I were balling my yarn and just keep wrapping and keep wrapping till it gets to the size and shape that I like. I have been using the tails to make a loop at the top for the tags and so they can be used as ornaments as well. Aren't they cute? I have a rag rug started it is circle shaped. I need to do about 10 more inches and it will be ready to be listed on etsy. I am spending my day ripping fabric lol. I also want to do coasters,placemats, and trivets.
• Canada
19 Apr 09
My grandmother makes quilts, so when we have leftover fabric, we give it to her. She's old order Mennonite, and the Mennonites are known for making amazing quilts. I have two of them, all made from extra scraps of fabric that my family has collected and given to her for that exact purpose.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
20 Apr 09
I have used mine for quilts also..but they are probably not as good as your grandmothers! I just do simple patterns...I have seen some the Amish make and they are also very beautiful!
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Make a "scrap quilt". I always intended to so this when I made my daughters clothes.. I was keeping a piece of scrap from the outfit and was going to put them all together and quilt a "scrap" quilt or I have heard them called "piece" quilt. And then she'd have a quilt with memories... but never got around to doing it!!! I"m saving now, t-shirts from my GD's and intend on making t-shirt quilt for each.
2 people like this
• United States
21 Apr 09
Hmmm,that sounds veary artsy.But I have no idea what it is ive never even herd of them before....what is a ragrug and rag ball??...you should put a pic for us who dont know....
• United States
21 Apr 09
There is a pic with the discussion lol. You must have missed it lol. a rag rug is a rug made with strips of fabric that are either braided,weaved or crocheted together to make a rug.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
24 Apr 09
I've knitted rugs from fabric scraps; also made potholders and pieced a tablecloth.There are a lot of things you can do with leftover fabric.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
20 Apr 09
I have made a rag rug, crocheted it with a very big hook....I loved it. You make me want to do another! I have never done a rag ball....I'll have to check yours out!
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@GreenMoo (11834)
21 Apr 09
Rag rugs are yet another project I'd like to try but have never got around to. I seem to be forever saying that in response to your discussions! In the case of rag rugs I've even gone so far as I to find directions and collect fabric, but I never seem to have enough suitable pieces to start.
1 person likes this
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
20 Apr 09
I cut up old tee shirts and crochet rugs out of them. This was the only thing my grandmother taught me that I remember except how to do dishes and peel potatoes.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Apr 09
Ive made doll clothes and rag quilts those come out looking pretty neat.