For many of us crafters, we’re always overrun with the last little bits and bobs and, for whatever reason, cannot bring ourselves to throw away those final scraps. But instead of staring at those random pieces of Aida blankly and shoving them back into the bottom of your stash, I’m here to offer ideas for you to get crafting!
Last year, I did the same with scrap fabrics, so as a cross stitcher myself it only felt right to do the same with Aida, especially as I’ve tried to thin my own stash out a little bit! I’ve still a ways to go, so perhaps I’ll heed my own suggestions and advice when I next raid my stash.
Without further delay, here are five ways to use up your Aida scraps.
Off The Wall
Last year, I had the ultimate sort out of my pattern folder and decided to use up some of my own scraps, which did help inspire this post!
I’d saved this Eye of Horus pattern for ages and as someone who tends to frame everything rather than use alternative ways of displaying pieces, I was pleased that I tried something new and transformed this into a tiny wall hanging.
Catching a running stitch to fold over the top, I tied some metallic thread through the loop for the hanger, frayed the edges and here we are. I love hanging these up for those small sections of free space around doors; it definitely keeps things interesting and a little more colourful.
Just One More Chapter…
If either yourself or your loved ones are avid readers, using off cuts to create bookmarks is a perfect way to reuse for another purpose. Woolly Worker Annette’s stitched these stunning bookmarks using her own scraps, backing with felt or fabric remnants. She’s also used plastic canvas remnant strips to make this lovely Winnie The Pooh set!
Annette says:
“For finishing my bookmarks, I have tried a number of ways to make them not too bulky but not too floppy either. If I stitched them on a small piece of Aida band, the kind with edging already in place, stitching a scrap of felt onto the back (to secure and conceal the wrong side of the stitching) seems to work really well. If I was stitching onto plastic canvas, cutting close, but crucially not into, stitched squares, is all that’s needed.
But more recently, my favourite way to transform a small piece of stitching on a random scrap of Aida into a bookmark is to iron on double-sided interfacing. Just place onto the back of the stitching, peel off the backing from the interfacing and iron either the same Aida, or a small piece of co-ordinating quilting fabric, onto the other side. Then, all I do is secure around the edge with either cross stitches or a line of straight stitching on my sewing machine and trim – I think this gives them a perfect combination of firmness without too much depth.”
A great couple of finishing tips – thanks, Annette!
Just To Say
Whether you have a larger piece of scrap or something smaller, making a card is a sure-fire way to bring a smile to someone’s face.
You can pick up a pack of blank aperture cards for a reasonable price online, and having a stash of those in your kit can get you crafting if you know you have something coming up.
I made the card on the right back in 2019 for fellow Woolly Worker, Paula! I had an abundance of larger scraps, so when I found this pattern, it was the perfect way to say thank you to her for teaching me how to sew.
Thanks again, P!
From Me, To You
With important conversations of sustainability, there’s always a little room to be more mindful when it comes to your crafting kit.
Creating reusable gift tags is just another way to repurpose your Aida. Not only does this save it from going to unnecessary waste, it creates a more personalised gifting experience, and while you’re spending time creating, you’re saving money in the long run.
You’ll be surprised just how many you’ll be able to make with those bits and pieces in your stash.
Oh Sew Shady!
This one’s handy in many ways and although you may not send this one as a gift, it’ll still prove just as useful.
When using variegated thread, it’s sometimes hard to imagine what the outcome may look like. Whilst the overall starts and finishes can be different due to the nature of the dyeing process for the thread, stitching your own shade ‘cards’ can be a handy thing to keep in your kit to refer back to.
Stitch small blocks and back stitch to label each colour – it’s just a bonus that these little ‘cards’ look so pretty!
Fingers crossed there’s something there that may work for you and your stash! What ways have you used your scraps? Let us know! Tag us in your makes using #WWStashSearch25 and we’ll share some of our favourites.
Be sure to check back for more tips, makes and free patterns!