Scrap Buster - A Trio of Quick Projects

When your scrap pile begins to overflow 3 tubs it’s time to do something drastic to get it back into control.  (You also need to reconsider your scrap-saving habits.  Self-examination time:  Could I be a hoarder?  Gasp!!!  No! I am a curator of vintage fabric. Sigh of relief!!!)  With my denial firmly in place, let’s move on to today’s project(s).

I’ve done scrap buster projects on this blog in the past but that is not really depleting my supply.  I have to step it up a little more.  I spent the Labor Day weekend sewing from my scraps.  Today I’ll share the three projects I was working on this holiday weekend. 

Tie on luggage tags

cord keepers

purse seat belt

Tie-on Luggage Tag

I saw this idea while people-watching in an airport in Hawaii last year.  Holiday travel is coming up and that will mean air travel for some of us.  All those suitcases going around on the luggage carousel and all of them looking the same.   You’ll always find your luggage with this brightly colored tag tied to the handle.

What you will need:

Two coordinating fabric strips 3 – 1/2 x23 inches and 3 - 1/2 X 6 inches (for the pocket)

Scissors, pins, coordinating thread

Materials for the tie on luggsgr tg

Step one  Fold the pocket piece in half so that you have a 3 ½ X 3 inch piece.  On the coordinating color place it at the tail end of the strip right sides together.  Layer the other strip on top. 

Sandwich=the pocket between the two strips

Step two  Sew around the fabric strip with a ¼ inch seam allowance leaving a 3 inch gap for turning.  Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of the gap.  For sharp corners use the wrapped corners technique found here (Scrap Buster - Sew a Fabulous Gift Pouch.)

Mark the gap for turning with double pins.  This will remind you to stop sewing when you reach the gap

Step three  Turn the fabrics right side out thru the gap and press the tie.  Top stitch the entire strip.

slip your identification information into the little pocket at the end. 

Tie this tag on to your bag and you will always be able to recognize your luggage. 

I know a few traveling friends that these would be perfect for. 

I would recognize my suitcase now anywhere

Seat belt clips for your purse. 

The original tutorial can be found on Little Miss Dexterous website, 

This was one of the best ideas I’ve seen in the blogosphere lately!  I don’t know how many times I’ve stopped quickly and my purse has flown to the floor spilling its contents. 

Tara at Little Miss Dexterous blogged about it here.  She used webbing (but that won’t reduce my scrap pile.)  I’ll make mine with left-over jelly roll strips and snaps.  I happen to have and abundance of snaps instead of carabineer hooks. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

Jelly roll strips or strips of fabric 2-1/2 inches wide.  (You will need about 7 inches lengths for as many clips as you want to make.)

Snaps

Scissors, coordinating thread

Step one  Press a ½ inch fold into each of the short ends of the strips.  Fold the strip in half (wrong sides together) lengthwise and press.  Fold each raw edge into the middle so that it touches the crease you just made.  Press it in place.   Fold the strip in half again and press.  

Step two  Topstitch ¼ inch around all four sides of the strip. 

Step three  Add snaps to the ends.

I didn't have carabineer hooks soI decided to improvise and use snaps instead.

Tara at Little Miss Dexterous, thank you for your tut.  The idea is ingenious.  I will admit that my version lost something in the process.  I just made a few little modifiction to make use of what I had on hand.   I now have the perfect seat belt for my purse.  

How do you use it?   Just thread it through the purse strap and snap in place around the bar for the head-rest.   When you have someone riding shotgun, flip it to face the backseat.  The purse is still within easy reach, and the contents won’t spill all over!

I’m thinking stocking stuffers for all the gals in the family this year. 

Cord Keeper

The original tutorial can be found at Leafy Treetops website

I saw this idea on Pinterest.  Tricia at Leafy Treetops shared this tutorial on a cord keeper from fabric scraps.  In her post, she asked the question, Am I the only one that has a basket full of charging cords?  No, Tricia you are not. 

I have a ton of them.  But your great idea can also be adapted for other uses like to tame the extension cord I use when I travel with my sewing machine, for keeping the tangle of electronic cords behind the entertainment table under control, and for around the cords of my crockpots that I never know what to do with when I take them to a potluck.  (I am forever losing those little tie things that come on new cords.)  There are lots of reasons these are a really good scrap buster project. (With Christmas right around the corner, phone charger cord keeper will make great stocking stuffers.)

I want to make mine using 2-1/2 inch strips from a partially used jelly roll.  The template just fits.  The template is 2-1/2 by 5 inches so it works well for my smaller scraps.  Tricia’s directions also call for medium weight interfacing.  I also had scraps of interfacing in my scrap boxes. 

I liked making these and sewed up a lot of them.   They are sort of like potato chips and I betcha can't eat (make) just one.  I thought these were such a good idea for my telephone charger cords that it would be a great idea for other cords.   I made up some more in various sizes. 

Perfect solution for the iron cord when not in use

Now my crockpot will travel safe with the cord wound up

My sewing machine extension cord will now stay safely wound up

I survey my efforts from my sewing weekend and I feel satisfied.  Then I look at my scrap tubs and I realize my efforts have been like taking a teaspoon from the ocean. 

For more scrap buster projects, try these:

Scrap Buster - For Your Morning Commute - A "Green" Coffee Cozy

 Scrap Buster - Sew a Simple Sleep Mask

Scrap Buster - Make These Lovely, Shabby Chic, Fabric-Wrapped Clothes Hangers