Budget Quilting | 5 Things I NEVER Throw Away!

Whoever said quilting is cheap was clearly not a quilter! It seems like everything costs an arm and a leg. But, as a seasoned quilter, I have learned to hoard certain items that are pure gold for my projects. I never toss them out! They come in handy in ways you wouldn't believe!
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[@mjsews]

Fallon, i really appreciate you getting this message out there. The original purpose of quilting was to "make do" and convert useable leftover fabric into something that would keep the family warm. We should never feel our work diminished by not having the latest and greatest fabric and notions. The emphasis should be on creativity and improving skills, and less on consumption. I've been sewing over 50 years (eek! I'm OLD😮) so I've always had a bit of a fabric stash. That stash really ballooned during the pandemic and while its nice to have what I need, it can get overwhelming. If I'm tempted to buy more, i put it in my online cart, but don't check out. Then I go check my stash. More times than not there will be something similar, or I'll get inspired by a totally different fabric. Then i can delete the cart but still feel like i got "new" fabric, lol!. Frankly, there are not a lot of truly "new" fabric designs out there, and just because so and so designer has a new line, you don't need to automatically buy it, first see if you already have something similar in color and pattern. I encourage folks to make their quilt their own, you dont have to use one line of fabric for your quilt, mix it up, make it unique. Sew your stash. Doing so will help you build your own style. Even if it doesnt work out, remember, even an ugly quilt will keep you warm! 😊

[@villagesteader3552]

I have several quilts that I have gifted to family members that has what I call ‘frankenbatting’. Shhh! They’ll never know!!!!😂❤

[@sewbeitquilts]

Love that! Frankenbatting! Great word for it ❤️

[@Carol_Sews]

I don’t throw away buttons. When a shirt or other garment wears out, I cut off all the buttons, put about 4 strands of thread through them, and then knot the thread. A handy trick is to use a dental floss threader to help pull multiple strands of thread through one of the holes in each button. Don’t forget the tiny buttons at collars and any of the extra buttons sometimes sewn onto a tag near the hem. Large buttons from coats and some shorts are especially useful later. I use buttons for the centers of yo-yos I use as decorative elements on wall hangings. I also use them for assorted projects. Sometimes I buy items from our local thrift shop’s outlet just to get the buttons. The value of the buttons is much greater than the few cents I pay for the worn-out clothing item.

[@brendasweeney2806]

Me too

[@lisaqualls9174]

My grandmother never threw anything away when she was recycling clothing. During the Depression it was a necessity.

[@beckypetersen2680]

I think some people do that also for various findings from handbags - but you need to get them for the right price, obviously.

[@patriciagazey4693]

Me too

[@amandaa1989]

I do the same! And I have even saved and reused zippers, and pockets from jeans as well

[@mrsmcdonald9363]

I save advertising magnets. In the lid and in the bottom of an Altoids can, they keep the pins from falling out if the open box is knocked. In a pill bottle, they keep the needles of my hand-sewing kit aligned along the wall. If I can't find a pin or needle on the floor, I sweep an ad magnet over the area.

[@amandaa1989]

That's a great idea!!

[@mjsews]

Another chop stick hint I saw somewhere...if you have the cheap ones that are joined together at the top, don't snap them apart, you can slide elastic or ribbon into the slot between them to help hold it when threading through a large casing. If you are worried about the ribbon slipping out of the chopsticks, make a loop with the ribbon and secure with a small safely pin before slipping the loop between the chopsticks. Kinda like using supersize bodkin!

[@yvonnemoretti7646]

I save the ribbon from my precuts, and I use the straps of heat and bond to make bookmarks. Thanks for sharing your tips.

[@janemartin229]

I thought you were going to use the vinyl bags to organize unfinished projects--to keep all the fabric/cut pieces together with pattern, notions, etc. I use old Rx bottles to store bent/dull/broken needles or pins in before discarding in trash.

[@peggersf9709]

I don’t throw any scrap fabric away. If it is just to small that I won’t sew with, I make pet pillows for the ARL. If (well not if😂😂) I make a mistake in sizing a block I make pet quilts for the kennels

[@sewbeitquilts]

My sewing space is evidence I don't like to throw things away! I try to find a use for everything!

[@judygilson6469]

I love all your tips. I was buying way too many helpful tools that I didn't need. Thanks!!

[@elainepersons9662]

All great tips! I save the tiny scraps of Heat n Bond for tiny appliqué pieces such as leaves or flower petals. I also use empty pill bottles for discarding used needles and bent pins. Enjoy your channel!

[@laurabuckles7961]

I save those vinyl bags too, but never thought to use the vinyl in a project like yours. Great tip!

[@andreagraham8720]

Love the idea of using batting for my hexies. It also saves money, since you don't need to buy the little papers in various sizes. Thanks for the great tip!

[@danielel9788]

I keep the plastic bags as well to keep fabric scraps and separated such as different themes. I like your idea to make a bag using it. I recycle glass jars to keep buttons in. I separate them by color. Makes for a pretty display while waiting to use them.

[@connieking9873]

Great tips. I actually save my cardboard even the ones from fat quarters and charm packs. You can make smaller templates. The vinyl bags are also great to save not only projects but for around the house. The chop sticks I use when repotting or transferring plants to pots. If you insert into the soil as you are adding the soil and wiggle the stick it helps the soil get into and around the tools getting rid of the air pockets. Great video.

[@SheilaWC]

This may sound weird but I find the wire handles from take-out boxes to be useful in pulling elastic through fabric or turning sewn strips right side out.

[@sewbeitquilts]

That's not weird that is so smart!

[@virginiaminer4574]

Brilliant! I LOVE reusing and repurposing items. TY!

[@sewbeitquilts]

Me too!!

[@LauraSup]

Thank you for sharing! Sometimes I save tiny scraps to help fill pillows and stuffed animals. I use a layer of scrap batting and poly filler and the small fabric scraps in the center.😊

[@SewtheDistance]

Great tips! Especially not stealing the chopsticks from restaurants. 😂 I love the way you use those fusible scraps. That would work perfect!! Thanks, Fallon.

[@amandaa1989]

Lol, my daughter bought me a pack with 5 sets of chopsticks and the handles have butterflies, but I don't know how to use them either. I need to take a pair up to my sewing area! 😂

[@amandaa1989]

I saw someone use mason jars to organize their sewing notions. But mason jars are hard to find or can be expensive. So I save jars from peanut butter, mayonnaise, or glass, jelly jars, salsa jars, etc. And then I just washed the labels off. You can even use fabric to decorate the lid so that you don't see the name of the whatever product on it. So I have buttons and beads and all my little crafty things separated into those jars

[@tessahouse9960]

Thanks for all the wonderful tips. I like the idea of saving the cardboard pieces for design boards, BRILLIANT!

[@juliatepe5760]

I remove or scratch out labels on RX bottles when they are empty. They are great to use for discarding used/blunt sewing needles. When it's full, I secure the lid and throw it in the trash. No one gets poked with a sharp needle while bagging up the trash.

[@kmslhowell]

Great tips. Love the paper piecing idea for scrap batting!’

[@user-fk3gd8zx5p]

I always piece my batting scraps

[@user-uw3vv5us7x]

I also use my small batting pieces to stuff in cracks around doors that I can't afford to replace yet.

[@sewbeitquilts]

That’s so smart!

[@mariejohns1387]

Love it!! The heat n bond and the batting are great ideas!! That epp block is beautiful. Those chopsticks would make a great fabric tree trunk stuck in a wooden spool. you can decorate it with buttons or anything you want

[@sewbeitquilts]

I should have mentioned I use cotton batting! Polyester batting can just burn from the iron. I always forget something in these videos!

[@michelleswistak1389]

Great idea using heat and bond for franken batting. I have bought the tape but I have lots of heat and bond, thanks.

[@sewbeitquilts]

Glad to help

[@bitspiecesquilting]

Great tips Fallon, thanks! I have been cutting up the smallest batting scraps to use as crochet toy stuffing. It works really well.

[@sewbeitquilts]

Great idea!!

[@Sewwithdebee]

I also keep all the small ziplock type bags that notions come in and use for keeping block pieces together as I cut. Skewer bamboo sticks are great too for pushing out corners. I use paperclips acquired from here and there in place of wonder clips…my list is endless 😊

[@krisvanallen]

Those big vinyl bags are great for knitting and crochet projects to keep it all together

[@marionbarber984]

Great ideas, Fallon. I use small leftover batting pieces for Christmas tree ornaments mini mini mini quilts and around the window air condition in the summer. Not today! 20 degrees. 😨

[@KelleysQuiltsandCruises]

Little bits of batting are terrific for ornaments. Or bookmarks. Or coasters…

[@Katina01TX]

I save buttons and lacy trims or embroidery from clothing. I also save all sizes of resealable bags. I get a lot of other "crafting" products in resealable bags, up to 12"x12" and they are great for quilting projects.

[@gwenlehman5911]

I do felted wool appliqué. The vinyl bags are good for tracing the design as an overlay to lay out the individual pieces under the overlay. I'm going to try batting backing for English paper piecing. Thank you!

[@patriciamcgarr3183]

I use batting scraps for making quilted bookmarks. I save all the cardboard for templates. I also slide charm pack cardboard over hole when changing my machine needle. Learned my lesson. I recycle my fancy dresses for purses. Great video

[@FutureCatNZ]

That batting idea is great!

[@sirfloyd1]

I buy my batten buy the rolls and piece them together all the time

[@sewbeitquilts]

I just bought a roll of it since I have so many quilts to finish! I have never took that step before but I am excited to always have some on hand!

[@robintaylor8421]

Love all the ideas. Thank you

[@PatsyB]

Great ideas !! Thanks

[@patriciagazey4693]

Love budget things

[@baseballquilter]

Great ideas Fallon! Thank you. I also save my batting scraps and sew them together for my smaller projects. I have never paper pieced before so knowing that I can use batting is good to know. I look forward to your next tutorial.🤩

[@patriciamoses2185]

Wonderful ideas,

[@sewbeitquilts]

Thank you! 😊

[@kimbeckner9240]

I never throw heat and bind scraps either but I had no reason why I should keep them! 😂😂😂 Thanks for that! ❤

[@sewbeitquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@margm4]

Great tips! Thanks Fallon. I always kept batting scraps. Haven’t thought they could be useful for English PP…brilliant! 🇦🇺❤️

[@sewbeitquilts]

Happy to help!

[@lynnepfeffer8039]

Some great ideas here! Thank you.

[@sewbeitquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@pattweimer9268]

Bits of batting, any kind, cut up in small ocs, will stuff a pillow, a dog bed, cat/dog toy, pin cushion, etc. I always have a bag going wih these. Amazing how often they get used. I also use leftover fabric, pieced or wholt that I will not be using , also pieced batting, to sew up cat beds for the animal shelter, even dog beds for new moms, etc. They can be washed easily & are gratefully recieved.

[@jennystrahley927]

Whoah! Love the tip for using batting scraps inside the hexagon shape instead of cardboard! (I also have that same yellow fabric.)

[@Yt-hb4wh]

Great ideas!

[@sewbeitquilts]

Thank you! 😊

[@deborahsmith5357]

I like your tips. Thanks for ideas I can use.

[@sewbeitquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@pammeinzer6757]

Great ideas. Thank you for sharing.

[@sewbeitquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@chrislittebrant5235]

Thank you for sharing these tips, Fallon. I’ve been bad with writing lately. I always enjoy your videos and love your videos with Matt too. I hope you have a Healthy and Prosperous New Year, 🥰 Chris

[@sewbeitquilts]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@phyllisdippert2216]

I save those vinyl bags and thot why am i daving these? Wow! Great idea! The rest of your tips are awesome, too! Thanks!

[@sewbeitquilts]

Now you know why you are saving them! You will be able to make some cute bags!

[@chriskonieczny2100]

First of all I love the quilts! I save everything also. I cut sml pieces of fabric x dbl it up x use them as "startes x enders" x a magnifying glass is great. Have fun ladies x keep on quilting. From WI in the frozen tundra.

[@NaomiC336]

I’m a bag collector of all kinds. It used to be at the State Fair vendors would give them away. I’d make my hubby grab one too. I like to sew a quilt block on them and have a pretty bag.

[@sharonfrankenberger4683]

You are absolutely amazing and love watching you on video showing’s all the way through the hole quilt I would love to make soon thanks❤

[@sewbeitquilts]

Thank you so much!

[@suziemyers9855]

Vinyl..oh! I wish I had those bags!

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

Great tips especially about the chopsticks

[@sewbeitquilts]

Glad you like them!

[@lisasnyder2811]

Omg are you my long lost twin? I swear the only things i havent done is fuse batting and use the vinyl in a bag, but i do everything else

[@sewbeitquilts]

Perhaps you are! Now, the question is, will you be trying those other two things!?

[@lisasnyder2811]

@@sewbeitquilts you know it lol

[@GrowingGoodHair]

LOVE the quilts and (side point) your skin is gorgeous and glowing❤

[@sewbeitquilts]

Oh my goodness thank you!

[@GrowingGoodHair]

@@sewbeitquilts you're welcome 😁

[@MaryH-tp3ht]

Batting for Hexies is genius. I have only made smallish hexies, so that might be harder to do. Thanks for this idea.

[@sewbeitquilts]

You bet!

[@sisterchicksquilting]

Oh NO! I'm a thrower! I have such a small space, I just don't have the room. I love your beautiful quilts hanging in the background.

[@GinaGrowe]

Yes Fallon, I need new fabric. Yes, yes indeed.

[@nannytimes5nlovethem824]

Me eitherit lots if odd buttons

[@lindaprice9242]

Thanks for sharing. I have saved exactly what you saved!!

[@loreleicaldwell9270]

hello i’m your biggest fan

[@sewbeitquilts]

What a coincidence because I am YOUR biggest fan.

[@nancypieper7863]

I just went digging for one of those bags to use for our 4H clubs mug rug sewing project. Thanks for the tip about heat and bond lite, and well, now I'll have to ask my daughter to keep some chopsticks for me. Chinese is not exactly my favorite. Thanks for sharing.

[@sewbeitquilts]

I love finally finding a use for the heat and bond! I kept saving the small pieces and finally found a use!

[@KelleysQuiltsandCruises]

I do use chopsticks. I still save them, after washing of course.

[@Quilt4Joy]

I like to use chop sticks for getting Odi coat out of the jar. I can remove the amount I need and throw away the chop stick when done.

[@sewbeitquilts]

Great idea!!

[@debbiewood7718]

Using batting scraps for EPP is brilliant! Not only does it save time pulling the paper out but also the cost of the papers. Do you know where to find cut files for EPP shapes?

[@NanaKathy47]

I keep small pieces of batting for QuiltAsYouGo projects.

[@sewbeitquilts]

Yes! Great idea too!

[@terribishop5313]

❤❤❤

[@dianeheiken9303]

I reuse empty tissue boxes to stuff the cuts off ends of fabric for stuffing in pet toys

[@bethstodieck18]

I have no idea what the tape stuff is holding batting together. Cannot understand what you’re saying

[@sewbeitquilts]

It’s called heat and bond lite.

[@romonaelrod7870]

Woo hoo,1st.

[@sewbeitquilts]

🎉 thank you!

[@juliehiggins4944]

I don’t throw away election time campaign postcard junk mail. I use them for templates.

[@sewbeitquilts]

Great tip!