I Made a Quilt Entirely from Ugly Fabric (And it’s beautiful...)

[@seweasybysandy]

The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/seweasybysandy07241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium! Ugly fabric... What a challenge this was!! What would you do? 😊

[@treyshields7848]

You are so right about Beauty being in the eyes of the beholder. I always have several quilts made that I gave to people. I once gave my neighbor an opportunity to pick up a quilt she wanted, and I almost didn’t include one quilt in the selection as I thought it was so ugly. But that is the one she loved the most and chose it. So just because we don’t like it Fabric doesn’t mean someone else won’t

[@seweasybysandy]

Yes, I saw that a lot when I had an Etsy shop, the fabric picks rarely matched my taste and they loved it!! 😀

[@Sew-onnit]

I love the funky giraffe fabric!!

[@seweasybysandy]

It's really special alright 😀😀😀

[@Sew-onnit]

@@seweasybysandy 😂🤣😂

[@marlenejones6266]

I love it too. I love giraffes. And rhinos, and hippos too. Today I found gold foil fabric of tiny leaves on off white background for my quilt backing...on sale for 4.99 a yard and got another 15% off so for under 5 dollars a yard I got 8 yards. It's my first quilt and I am making a full size quilt. I don't know if I am getting too much or not. All I know is I'm excited cuz it's exactly the one I wanted for my backing.

[@seweasybysandy]

@@marlenejones6266 it's never too much, you can use it for other things and the price is awesome

[@oliviapeaches1173]

I don't think any of your fabrics are ugly, they just have their own character

[@seweasybysandy]

That makes sense, thank you 😊

[@catharinameiring7661]

The giraffes are not ugly. Always enjoy watching you.

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you! They have grown on me 😁

[@donnavalenzuela8503]

Right?? I think they are kinda cute ☺️

[@trishbishop3923]

Wish I could find it!

[@lindad6223]

If you think a fabric is ugly, you haven't cut it small enough yet.

[@seweasybysandy]

It's true! 😁

[@BellaSandella]

😂😂😂❤

[@mofolk8896]

🤣🤣🤣

[@angryface01]

Thank you so much for making me laugh. I’m trapped at a family “fun”-ction and I am 😮 4,000 times from the wild and horrid things these people have said. I managed to “offend” a relative by watch Thai television when she doesn’t speak Thai (… but I do and it’s on my phone so how is she bothered when she can’t possible see it). So now I’m watching crafting videos and desperately wanting to leave because I have three projects in the works, it’s Saturday and I actually have energy to do it, and I want to run away from these people like I was being chased by wolves. This made me laugh out loud

[@seweasybysandy]

@@angryface01 😬 sounds exhausting! Thank goodness for phones and technology! They have saved me in similar situations toon

[@cindyf181]

It has potential to become something pleasing to the eye. Sometimes adding a lot of neutral colors makes the “ugly " less noticeable.😊

[@seweasybysandy]

Yes! 😀

[@yvettemarie5236]

Omg that was the cutest and most truthful tutorial. 😅 My cat acts like a dog since my rescue dogs have passed. Seriously if I were to say to Josie, my ole kitty, I don’t want her to lay on my ugly quilt she would do it! She is such a stinker😂. You gave me a great idea for my ugly fabric, thanks Sandy. 😊

[@seweasybysandy]

My cats love my fabric more than I do! They have quite a collection of quilts 😁

[@nancymathisen9707]

I agree about most of those being ugly, except for the giraffes. I quilt with other people’s scraps. When I get ugly fabric I put the colors next to colors that make them look good, or sometimes I over dye them. That can make them beautiful, even on their own.

[@seweasybysandy]

Sounds great! 😃

[@adeleshapiro3205]

Those are such fun fabrics. I think they would make fun quilts for kids.

[@seweasybysandy]

Particularly the googly eyed one hehehe

[@M-hc9xm]

I thought the same thing. Gives me some ideas for Project Linus quilts.

[@cutley427]

Anything with giraffes is beautiful!

[@froesfamily335]

I once made a quilt with kind of muddy colors and it wasn’t my thing at all. But when an older friend saw it she loved it and timidly asked if it wasn’t claimed could she gave it. Reminded her of growing up on the farm in Oklahoma. I couldn’t give it away fast enough but she was so happy with it😊

[@seweasybysandy]

that's so lovely, the perfect example why there's always someone who will love an ugly quilt

[@paulineanninahaden5485]

No way. Maybe add an ugly solid or grunge to break it up. But I do love your concept.

[@sewingqueen11]

You are fun to watch. You have lots of energy for being creative. Still not sure I want to put energy into an ugly quilt but it's a thought . Thanks

[@seweasybysandy]

It was fun having to think of what to do with them! 😀

[@maryposuniak5281]

The Minions!

[@ksalex6782]

I LOVE watching your videos! This video is one of my favorites!!! You do things that no one else will do and you touch my soul. One of the things I love is to watch your facial expressions. You do all of this with do much "fun" and "enjoyment." Thank you for brightening my day!

[@seweasybysandy]

Hi! Thank you so much! That made my day 😀

[@Becclyn2]

I find that I can get away with a lot of crazy "fabric sins" in a quilt if I have a constant neutral that I use liberally throughout the quilt. The neutral kind of pulls the quilt together and calms the wildness down.

[@seweasybysandy]

Yes, neutrals always help.

[@seatleonstella1819]

Some of your fabrics are darling! In my eyes. But yes, keep cutting it smaller and eventually you‘ll find it beautiful. Love your tutorial! Thank you!

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you 😊

[@candyshoppeyarns]

I agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some of the fabrics you used I saw could work well in the right application…but you put them all randomly together and it looks chaotic. I think I would try and pair fabrics I liked that coordinated with one I didn’t like. I do love your fun and playful approach to these challenges, and my favorite is when you rrrriiip your fabric with an evil glint in your eye. 😂

[@abibritton8791]

If you have about 20 minutes, I offer you the videos at Dave's Craft Room. I look forward to your astonishment and....joy! Love YOUR work, too, lol!! (from the middle of beautiful New Hampshire) 💙💚💜

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you 😊

[@lesa6399]

I absolutely love Dave’s brain!!! He’s amazing!!!

[@sjfuqua]

I think Dave's quilts are stunning!!

[@jackiesnead1]

❤️Dave!

[@jackiesnead1]

❤ Sandy!

[@elizabethboger3409]

I don’t see ugly. I just see fun. I love making quilts, no matter what the fabric. I just wish I could put fabrics together and make them look good. I can’t seem to match fabrics. Good job!

[@lesa6399]

I often have the same problems! I also have put scraps together & am really surprised! Hang in there, Elizabeth!

[@seweasybysandy]

Have you tried using the color wheel for that? It usually helps to know which colors are analogous and complimentary. But, if I'm honest, I don't fret too much about that. The more color the better and I enjoy busy, vibrant quilts. As long as I like the fabric, I use it!

[@elizabethboger3409]

I have tried the color wheel and my daughters still tell me my fabric choices don’t match. Now I ask them to come and pick colors out of my stash for me. That seems to be working.

[@seweasybysandy]

@@elizabethboger3409 that's a good idea! You can also look for quilts you like and use the same color combinations. Maybe it's all a matter of taste! Keep at it, I'm sure it will all become more natural for you 😊

[@sharontahir9694]

I like the giraffes in pajamas print.

[@seweasybysandy]

That would be cute!

[@gailrodgers3079]

I love some of the fabric you have there. I was in an ugly fabric quilt contest. I got I think a yard of fabric from which we had to have 90% in the wuilt and could only add in I think 5 more fabrics. Well I didn't win the quilt shops contest. It was judged by the mayor of our town that I don't think she understood the rules. The item that won was a baby dress and no way had a yard of the fabric in it. Not to be discouraged I entered my quilt into our community fair and won the blue ribbon for quilts in that category. It is 30 years old at this point and falling apart. I use it on my bed and when I had to travel for work I took it with me so I could have it to sleep with. Everytime I had to go to the hospital, I took it with me. It was a comfort to me and it showed the nurses I was a real person. My ugly fabric was all pink and I added more pinks and blues. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@seweasybysandy]

Hi Gail, what a wonderful story! It makes ugly quilts justice, thank you! That's exactly my point! So glad you entered the quilt again and got the praise it deserved 😁

[@gailrodgers3079]

@@seweasybysandy Thank you. I have worn that poor quilt out but it has given me much happiness throughout the years.

[@seweasybysandy]

@@gailrodgers3079 that's wonderful 😊

[@giovannacasadio9600]

If you asked Debbie of @InQuiltFect she would say that your ugly fabric is beautiful as she loves the autumnal colours 😊. Great video.

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you 😊

[@sharonjohnson7458]

I love it. The way you sewed the maetrials together and put them into the quilt made them not ugly anymore. I just wondered how you stuck that little triangle into the piece, So cute.

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you 😊 It was just the way I cut it I guess. Totally random 🤣

[@MartyLawless-kh2jd]

I really like the fabric you chose as your "ugliest". Although it is a challenge to use it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@seweasybysandy]

Agreed😀

[@ArtByKarenEHaley]

While it’s not much of a quilting fabric, the google eye character fabric looks more like something a pre teen would have on a pencil pouch. Or pajama bottoms, haha. I like ugly fabric for an “I spy” quilt. I like your patchwork very much and I love the whole concept of your channel, which is to play with what you have and try new things.

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you so much 😊

[@Ellie.12866]

Or... rip it into strips and make a rug or basket with it. Especially if you like the colours. I cannot bear to throw fabric away - even the ugly stuff - so I will make someone a gift/rug with it. No batting, no binding, no actual quilting required so it's the cheaper quicker way to get it out of your stash 👍

[@seweasybysandy]

Love that! 🤩

[@susieannei5641]

I love the Giraffe fabric!!!

[@gwenj5419]

I confess I do like the giraffes. 😮😂

[@seweasybysandy]

They're growing on me but the first time I saw them, I was scared!

[@lizreynolds4554]

Adorable. I love the giraffe 🦒 fabrics. YOU make me smile, with your beautiful smile and happy positive attitude. Thank you for sharing this with us.😊🎉🧵🪡✂️🦓🍀🌹🙏🤟💖

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you so much 😊

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

I first heard that expression from Bonnie Hunter. I think she said "still." Like, "If your fabric's STILL ugly, You haven't cut it small enough." Regardless, it's a great tip! Thanks for sharing this fun pattern!

[@kasibree2569]

"One person's yuck is another person's yum." Being in a quilting group, I find there are some people who work magic with "ugly" fabric.

[@seweasybysandy]

Absolutely!

[@vickif.4645]

That greyhound fabric is beautiful!

[@craasveld]

Just get it done suggest to use it for make quilts for family hospital visits if blood etc on it will not matter but the love is there

[@seweasybysandy]

Love that 😍

[@gloriawoods9848]

I needed this!

[@patcunningham8279]

great ideas, It Will keep someone Warm!

[@seweasybysandy]

Yes!

[@SuzanneStutzle]

Hmmm, my cat is less choosy about fabrics than I am. I'm thinking I will make her a quilt with my ugly fabrics. It will keep her hair off my lounge chair and look bright, or something, covering the chair for her.

[@seweasybysandy]

Love that and she'll love it too!! 😁

[@patwilson5017]

Oh my gosh...you've convinced me. It really is cute. Who knew!!!! :)

[@seweasybysandy]

Exactly 🤣

[@knittingnana2939]

That " googly eye" fabric is horrific, but I find the rest acceptable. The white and red rose stripe is beautiful.

[@seweasybysandy]

Yeah, the googly eye one is really out there 😂😂😂

[@idlewildwind]

That giraffe fabric is glorious! Maybe it's because I collect giraffes... but I also think the design is cute and creative.

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you! I had no idea what it was called 😁

[@Kathleen58]

I try not to buy ugly fabric, although I have. Once I realize I don’t like it and have no plans for it, I donate it. Some of that fabric you are using is actually kinda cute, like the striped flower one.

[@seweasybysandy]

I've been told that's a traditional fabric from a part of my country, I had no idea!

[@henrikhaas6980]

What hinders you to use the backside of the fabric, if that's the one you like more than the right side? Its just a question of definition - it's your quilt!

[@seweasybysandy]

Absolutely! 😁

[@helenback5733]

I had to laugh at your ugly fabrics. It totally reminded me of the difference between my sisters color schemes and my own. Thank you for the memory. Love those ugly fabrics.

[@seweasybysandy]

Sounds like you have a lot of fun together 😁

[@gwenj5419]

I don't like brown much either. But chocolate brown looks good with pink.

[@seweasybysandy]

It does! 😁

[@ArtByKarenEHaley]

I like brown and pink too. I think ivory, sand, and brown look beautiful together, especially if you choose one color to accent them with.

[@janinenankervis9477]

Blues and reds also pick up browns.

[@marionbarber984]

Ugly? Not in my opinion. Cut them up in 2.5 by 4.5, sew together, and the blending together is great! Even the red, green and ivory stripe fabric. Love the giraffes and eyes! Marion

[@trudyward9113]

cute.

[@adeleshapiro3205]

Can you share the name of the shop where you got the fabrics? Looks like a fun place with loads and loads of fabric

[@seweasybysandy]

It's a Portuguese shop called Bispos, near Lisbon.

[@gailrodgers3079]

I love the greenand pink stripe, and the stripe with pink flowers in it. I would have trouble using them as I don't like using my favorites.

[@seweasybysandy]

I struggle with that too. I have many older fabrics kept away because of that.

[@gailrodgers3079]

@@seweasybysandy I have one piece of fabric that I got around 25 years ago. Across the width of the fabric The print goes from very dark at the selvedge to very light at the other selvedge. I have seen many quilts instructions where I could use it with the best idea being a Stack and Whack. But in my head is always the thought of what if I find something else to do with it?

[@seweasybysandy]

@@gailrodgers3079 fabric FOMO is hard 😂😂😂

[@MariaMunoz-g9o]

I like the nativity fabric gold colors. Dont know how i would use it though.

[@seweasybysandy]

Yeah, that's why it's still here 🤣🤣

[@allevoo]

I’ve made 2, I call them “Trash Quilts” and I love them and sleep with them every night 😆

[@seweasybysandy]

Hahaha trash quilts 😀

[@sandyhearth8249]

This is a cute video. It just “popped up” on my google page!

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you, I'm so happy you've found us 😁

[@jonettemorgan6889]

Where in the world do you live ? I wish I lived close to a fabric store like that I would never leave the store. I would have to take up residence inside. Thank you for fun and beautiful tutorial I love the fabrics.❤

[@seweasybysandy]

Thank you! I live near Lisbon in Portugal. Yeah, this fabric store is way too close to where I live... I end up going there and buying heaps of fabric too many times 😬

[@shmwmlam3953]

I must have really bad taste. Or may be you. Idk. But I really loved those fabrics..especially the striped ones. Edit checked your chanel. Yeah I don't think I am the one with bad taste...😂😂😂

[@seweasybysandy]

Hahahahahah. well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and more and more I'm convinced there are no ugly fabrics, just different fabrics for different people. Have a great week! 😀

[@starkravenwild791]

Make potholders for the kitchen and as gifts!!

[@seweasybysandy]

Love that!

[@deborahmazerolle748]

I love those giraffes. Not ugly to me. 🙂

[@seweasybysandy]

They're growing on me! 😅

[@earlinemcgahen3931]

fall colors

[@CopycatQuilter]

Stripes are great for binding and binding is so small you wouldn’t get too much of the ugly showing! Lol

[@seweasybysandy]

Yes! As long as the color works, it's all good!

[@KGlena-kx1df]

You blended them perfectly though! It’s like fashion, just because it isn’t YOUR taste, doesn’t mean it’s not cool, it’s fun to appreciate things for their value for others as well 🧡💛🩶

[@seweasybysandy]

Absolutely 😁

[@reneeb9905]

Mix a few ugly fabrics in with pretty fabrics. It works for me.

[@seweasybysandy]

Yeah, that's a good one! 😁

[@oliviapeaches1173]

Yellow minions

[@seweasybysandy]

Yes! Those! Thank you 😊

[@audreygervais8508]

Funny, I like the Nativity fabric. I watch a lot of quilter videos and I find some of their fabric choices hideous. Why is your iron so tiny? LOL

[@seweasybysandy]

😁 I love that we all have different tastes, there's the right fabric for everyone. Hehehe my iron is small because I have a tiny table 😂😂😂

[@lorrainemedina7363]

You could have made a pinwheels out of the orange

[@seweasybysandy]

I know! I only realized it after I had sewn 🤦

[@dcwatashi]

I would have to agree some of those were pretty ugly Tracy from the Sewing channel did a post poll sometime ago and very few people use brown in their quilts

[@seweasybysandy]

Good to know I'm not the only one 😜

[@flowergirlinWard17]

I don't understand why you are putting all the fabrics into ONE quilt. Like someone else wrote in the comments here -- these fabrics just have their own characters. I teach a class about ugly fabric and how to use it. Here are some tips: 1. Character fabrics, such as those giraffes or the goober faces, are the main character and simply need a better room. Just that orange print with the goober faces with some greens would have been enough. I would have used the orange fabric as a background "wall paper", and cut various-sized circles out of the green fabric, the goober faces and maybe some pink, and appliqued the circles onto the orange fabric for a graphic design. 2. Those stripe fabrics are just wall paper to me. They need some "framed pictures" on the "wall paper". The giraffes cut into rectangles, "framed" with 1-1/2" wide strips, then arranged like pictures onto the black-ish striped rose fabric, would look good. In fact, there is a good pattern called "BoxTrot" and "Bingo" that shows how to do just that. 3. Some fabrics are not "main characters", they are "Character's best friend or "supporting character". That green fabric with the running hearts is a fine "supporting character" that needs a "best Friend". Again, use the green fabric with the bright orange and the goober faces, but cut circles and make a "Drunkard's Path", again for a dramatic graphic look. 4. Keep ugly fabrics in the same color and tone groupings. I used up all the "puts the ugh in ugly" fabric scraps in a bag, then used them to make blocks for a sampler quilt, using an off-white fabric muslin as a toner in the blocks. I kept all of the darker-toned fabrics together, then set the blocks on point and framed them "square-in-a-square" with browns and beige fabrics. The darker tones of the blocks went well with the browns. They turned out great quilts and I donated them to the local History Museum for their fundraiser event. 5. "Cabbage roses" on a blue background --- I went to a lovely historical church and garden where the water in the fountain pond had been covered in leaves and petals from the roses and leaves from a wind storm. From the depths came bright orange koi fish to feed on the rose leaves. A good way to use such a fabric of "cabbage roses" on a blue background is to applique some fish onto the fabric, covering up some of the roses with bright orange-and white fish, again for a dramatic graphic design. In fact, I am looking to make one of my own these days. 6. Think of fabrics, even ugly fabrics, as ingredients for a framed picture. "Back ground", "foreground", "Main character", "supporting character". The ugly striped fabric, again, is wall paper to me. The Giraffes are such a "main character" fabric to me. I would have made a long piece 10" wide by 4 feet long, then framed it with a sky blue fabric about 3-1/2" wide. Then I would have added a second such strip of giraffe fabric framed in a green fabric, then made another strip framed in a pale yellow, and so on until I have a good-sized "cot quilt". Framing those giraffes (now I want that giraffe fabric! If you don't want it, give to me!) would have been fun in sherbet colors. 7. I do NOT have to keep every quilt I make. I do NOT have to love every quilt I make! I took some really ugly blue calico-ish scraps, some pink scraps, some red-on-white polka dot scraps, and some ugly purple-striped scraps, and used a box pattern to make the blocks, framing each fabric in their same color. I put them together in a quilt and quilted it and donated it to the church giveaway box and I do not miss those fabrics but it was good to use them up! Try using ugly fabrics as pieces and parts to a picture and the challenge might produce some creative art! Good luck!

[@ceasewatercolorarts]

Life's too short to spend a lot of time on something I think it's really ugly. Better to pass the fabric along to someone that will love it.

[@seweasybysandy]

That's always a great option. But sometimes, we do end up falling in love with the end result, so... you never know! Have a great week!

[@michelletwigg5928]

I can't tear fabric.....not even ugly fabric.

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

I just want to know how the ugly fabrics infiltrated my collection? Like when did that happen? 😁🤣

[@seweasybysandy]

There are so many ways that could have happened, they're clever that way 😁

[@m.m.4645]

To be honest- I do not like the outcome at all. Sorry. The Giraffe fabric by itself I find pretty okay, I could use that. The Stripes... No! Also not the cartoon/eyes. I would have taken those to a quilt meeting - another person would love those, pretty sure! I remember a challenge once where we were meeting to create something with One ugly fabric One lovely fabric One striped fabric One White or grey fabric The interaction between the participants was so great - what one person found ugly the other found pleasing. We sewed a whole day and everybody went home with a delightful piece of patchwork that made every lady happy.

[@lisascenic]

Hmmmmmmmm….. I’m not sure it’s worth my time to work with materials I actively dislike.

[@seweasybysandy]

The goal here is to actually change our minds and love the end result 😁 turn it into something more than the sum of its ugly parts

[@lisascenic]

@@seweasybysandy I commend this endeavor

[@kittyswanson3611]

I donate ugly fabrics.

[@seweasybysandy]

@@kittyswanson3611 that's a great alternative

[@TheRozylass]

Here's one of my favorite quilter and what she suggests doing with "ugly fabric" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJazgq1nmrNogdE

[@christinebravomom5711]

Wouldn't you love to watch this and see a fabric you designed and go, Wait wut?!

[@seweasybysandy]

Hehehe

[@MyLogHomeLife]

The ugliest quilts to me were the ones made in the 1970’s with polyester double knit and tied with yarn!

[@seweasybysandy]

Anything poliester really...

[@cbernier6967]

Sorry to hear you think fabric is ugly

[@williamsabourin572]

You have some good suggestions for using our ugly fabrics, but no offense, this is still an ugly quilt.

[@seweasybysandy]

Fair enough! 😁

[@katehenry2718]

Final result is still ugly. (( If you don't like a fabric, it can be dyed with RIT to change the color. If that is not enough, strip it fine to make woven rugs for back door mud..the color alone will show. Use heavy-duty carpet warp so it can be washed 100 times before it becomes moving pads. OR put it FREE in a garage sale. Bye Bye. ))

[@susieinthecountry4434]

yes nothing is really ugly

[@mackenziedrake]

Um, no. The wonky cut bothers me with these fabrics. A more regular or symmetrical pattern would have been better, IMO.

[@seweasybysandy]

I get it, Mike the cameraman was appalled too 😁

[@rebeccaenlow7395]

🫣

[@helgaferreira5953]

Eu então acho a chita de Alcobaça bonita, mas isso sou eu, lol

[@seweasybysandy]

A senhora da loja não concorda hehehe. Não sabia que se chamava assim, obrigada! 😊

[@sewingSue]

Uh, no thanks.

[@janimora9919]

I think you never finished it!

[@SouthernGIGI]

I liked your channel before you started spamming me. If i wanted skill share, i would be on their website. Unsubbing...hope the $$$ were worth it.

[@lesa6399]

😢 the spam is a necessity. I just go do something 😢

[@lindamb8962]

I just fast forward through it.

[@rachelburgener819]

Omgoodness what a negative remark to make. You should be thankful she’s willing to share her knowledge! Besides it’s not spam, it’s an advertisement, just like you get on tv, a billboard or your music channel. Don’t sweat the small things🙄. ❤️😀

[@lopesmivi87]

You clearly don’t know what spam is. Give me your email address and I'll show you

[@SouthernGIGI]

@@lopesmivi87 clearly it's pushing unwanted crap on me..