If you are like me and can't help but feel like a kid in a candy store when you enter any fabric store or craft department, fat quarters (fabric cut to be 18" x 22") can be a great way to add a lot of options to your fabric stash without breaking the bank coming home with yards and yards of fabric. The problem? They aren't large enough for bigger projects unless you like to patchwork them together.
That's why I decided to make this little list of projects that can be done entirely from fat quarters! It's also a great list for people who maybe don't have a lot of time to do their crafty projects, as working on a smaller scale often helps me with the actual finishing of projects.
So what can you make from a fat quarter?
You can easily sew 2 fat quarters together (same fabric or two different fabrics), add some stuffing and now you have a fancy new throw pillow! If you use two different fabrics, it's even reversible. You could even get fancy and use piping around the edges if you wanted. I often make little appliques to sew onto one of my fat quarters to give it a little something special.
Coasters are another great fabric project that can be done with fat quarters. If you get a bunch of them in coordinating colors, you can make several sets. I generally start with 4" squares for my coasters, then layer them with some quilt batting or felt for added cushion. To see a full tutorial on how to make these coasters click here. I'm extra proud of these as I made them with my first ever fabric I designed myself at Spoonflower.
You could also make a bunch of these adorable boxy pouches with the addition of a zipper. The full tutorial for these can be found at Three Bears. This is a cute little blog, this tutorial is great, and I see a lot of adorable little boxy pouches being made this holiday. I may even forgo buying wrapping paper for my smaller gifts and use these instead. :)
If you have a little one, or know someone who does (or will have one soon) these baby booties from Heather Bailey Design are another great fat quarter project. The full tutorial, complete with pattern is included in this pdf. *Photo from Cherry Plum
I just bought a bunch of fat quarters for an embroidery project, that I swear I'm going to get to someday. But I've been seeing these awesome embroidery hoop projects, where a fun fabric is placed in the hoop and then pieces of felt are cut out and sewn onto the fabric and embroidery details are added. Here's an example: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/09/star_wars_stitchery.html
ReplyDeleteBut my idea would be to take cut outs of the Catherineholm enamel bowls, I admire so much and stitch them onto some retro printed fabrics, and use it as art for my kitchen.
Aaah! That idea sounds awesome! When you finally get around to it I can't wait to see :)
ReplyDeletegreat projects, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love love love your coasters and spoonflower fabrics. So I don't miss your tutorial on the coasters, I just signed up for your newsletter...really looking forward to it. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteTanya
TanyaL@bellsouth.net
great ideas for fat quarters! thanks!
ReplyDeleteJanelle
janelle(dot)macasieb(at)gmail(dot)com
I just love the little bags with the zippers made from fat quarters, have never seen that before and itching to give it a try! Thanks for the idea! Ready for fall and sewing projects for gifts!
ReplyDeleteI was able to make a tie for a Christmas gift last year w/hardly any 'piecing' at all (just a tiny little bit on the skinny end) using a 'fat quarter' piece. I think I used this tutorial:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2009/5/21/mollys-sketchbook-fathers-day-tie.html
I DID use a small solid piece out of my 'stash' for the lining, but you could use a coordinating piece if you have a 'bundle.' :-)
treena
ppvoelker@gmail.com
So many ideas ..... so many possibilities!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I like handcrafted stuff.
ReplyDelete