Lately I am trying to be wise about my fabric purchases. I go out to buy the right amount of fabric for a specific pattern. But I used to randomly buy fabrics in hopes one of my patterns would do. In this case, I did a bit of both. I bought 3 meters of fabric with Darling (I swear I will stop talking about it soon…) in mind, not realizing the width wouldn’t do.
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The fabric measures only a yard (91cm) wide, not leaving much for a dress. I was left having to find a a pattern that would use up most of the fabric. So I settled on making a skirt. Can you believe that I managed to use up almost all 3 meters with very little waste?
Enter one of my favorite quick, easy makes: Gertie’s Gathered Skirt. It requires a lot of fabric but not much width. Thankfully making it this time around I didn’t experience any horrible run-ins with the iron. No, this time I made a lovely skirt that I will be sporting this spring and well into the summer.
I used the leftover fabric, cut away from the hem, to make myself an infinity scarf. Please forgive me for the bed head and sleepy eyes 🙂 I woke up early so my husband could take my photo before he went off to work.
It’s so satisfying when there is little to no waste with a fabric purchase. I’m never so lucky with my other makes. I have two huge bags full of scraps. I’m determined to use them for something: quilting, crafting, baby wear. Waste not, I tell myself.
Are you, like myself, a scrap hoarder? Or are you ruthless and chuck it all out?
Pincushion Treats 
Oooh, my goodness gracious! That skirt is a-dor-able!
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Thank you! It’s become a favorite lately.
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thats great use of fabric, both the skirt and the scarf are great..
I used to be a hoarder but i cleaned my closed and been making most of my new patterns with left overs.. i.e. merengue skirt
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I need to clean out my closet. It’s about to attack…
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That is a REALLY pretty skirt! And scarf. I didn’t even notice any bed head or bleary eyes.
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Oooh oooh ooh! I have that fabric too! The colourway I have is a bright blue with neon pink and orange I think – a little wild looking! Still haven’t decided how to use it, but I do like your skirt very much.
I do have a bulging bag of scraps but I usually end up putting it in fabric recycling as I don’t know what to do with it. I divide my collection into ‘usable- scraps of a decent size and scrappy bits – that usually get recycled. I found that the soft toy cat I recently made was a great way to use up scraps.
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Sorting through the scraps is a great idea. I need to do that before my collection takes over. I have scraps everywhere at the moment.
I wasn’t able to comment at the time,, but I *loved* your toy cat. The different textures really gave it personality.
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Oooh, I was musing over that fabric on Croft Mill, wish I’d bought some now as it looks great! Fab use of fabric
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What a beautiful skirt! And the scarf is just perfect for spring. I have a large collection of scraps but I have no ideas on how to use them. I keep telling myself that one day I’ll make a quilt out of them.
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A quilt is a great way to use up scraps.
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Love your new skirt – the colours are perfect and I really like the way you’ve styled it. And you also got an infinity scarf to brighten up drab winter days – what’s not to love?
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Adorable! That is such great fabric! Well done!
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I love this- I will be filing this away as another perfect way to use my scraps. YOu look adorable, too!
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Thank you!
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The skirt looks adorable (very Anthropologie-esque). You look like a doll in it. I’m pretty ruthless with throwing out my scraps, my sewing storage space is under my bed, so very limited. I would have never thought to make a scarf, genious.
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Anthropologie-esque! I likey. Glad the cost to make wasn’t very Anthropologie-esque 🙂
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Lovely.
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Cheers!
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A very pretty skirt. Great styling too! I’m afraid I get rid of scraps. My mum takes some for quilting and I know a few teachers who’ll use fabric scraps for art projects, so they’ll sometimes take some.
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Thank you. I need to start being ruthless and chuck out the scraps I know I won’t use. Giving them away to a school is a great idea!
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Beautiful fabric! Well done on two very pretty makes! I like to save all my scraps as I’ll either use them for patchwork or purses/bags or to cover buttons with. I have boxes for medium sized scraps and small sized scraps and larger pieces just go back on the shelves for the next project!
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I must must organize my scraps. I like the idea of using boxes. Thanks for sharing!
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Great skirt!! I need to try Gertie’s tutorial soon. Is your fabric the vintage stuff from Croft Mill? I got the same stuff in the blue, but without a clue about what I want to make with it!
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Hey Marie! Yes, I bought the fabric from Croft Mills.
The Gertie tutorial is so quick an fast. It really is a satisfying make. You’ll love the results.
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That skirt is great. I love that it’s appropriate for all year round. That was a good investment!
Also, I agree with you about waste. I’ve been trying to use up left over fabric from garments, too, by making purses/clutches. Hopefully this will be a nice way to get some more for my money without creating a lot of waste. I should try an infinity scarf one of these days!
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How did I manage to miss this post? I saw that fabric at croftmill but was put off by the narrowness. It is wonderfully drapey looking though! Ooh – I might have to go back and have another look!
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