April is Earth Month and it’s got us thinking about how we might continue our quest for greater sustainability, in holding ourselves accountable and targeting small steps to affect change and positive growth on our earth and environment. We’ve already taken a series of important steps (including our partnership with The Plastic Bank and the inclusion of recycled plastic in the production of our spools) but have been talking and brainstorming about new avenues. We landed on a fun opportunity… something that involves one of our favorite fabric companies AND all of you! We’ve kicked off a partnership with FreeSpirit Fabrics in the form of a Scrap Drive! They have graciously agreed to collect and send cut-offs of fabrics from their warehouse and redirect them to our Chicago office.
Since the scraps arrived, we’ve been sifting, sorting, and curating into fabulous mini bundles that will soon be partnered with complementary Aurifil threads. We’ll drop little hints along the way about what to expect and when, but we hope that this whole initiative will inspire us all to look at our scraps with fresh eyes!
July 31, 2024 UPDATE: Drop #2 includes TEN FRESH BUNDLES and will be available on Shop Aurifil at 8pm Eastern on Thursday, August 1. Since these bundles are limited edition and they are being prepared by one amazing human in our Chicago office (thank you, Cayci!) we’ll plan to drop 10 new bundles every few weeks until we run out. We’ll always give you a few days heads up so that you can mark your calendar and snag a scrap bundle that works for you! HUGE thanks to FreeSpirit for making this possible — we are always stronger together!
Why scraps? Scraps and cut-offs may seem small and unassuming, but throughout our industry as a whole, they truly add up. They often end up being pushed to the side, discarded, and thrown away, ultimately adding to the nearly 16 million tons of annual textile waste in US, 85% of which ends up in landfills. So, maybe we consider things differently… think about how to piece these little bursts of color together to give them new life. We’ve been inspired by a few makers in particular and will link our faves below.
- @sewfabstories — Fabric confetti pouches with Alka Maurya
- @_aimeehagedorn — Scrap fabric & hand stitched patches with Aimee Hagedorn
- @lovecraftsdotcom — DIY lampshade cover with Love Crafts
- @katemustsew — Scrap rollup fabric with Kate Sandford
- @jordsen.sewing.studio — Denim scrap collar with Jordan Gomez
- @nordiccrafter — Upcycled pouch with Irina Malyukova
While we’re busy prepping our bitty bundles, we’d love to know… how do you handle your scraps? Are you a sorter? A tiny-piecer? A collage-artist? What are some unique ways to use our scraps? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Additional Resources:
We understand that not all scraps will be repurposed into something new, but there are other ways to keep those bits & pieces out of landfill. If you choose not to use your scraps, we’d encourage you to consider one of the options below or look into textile recycling programs in your area.
- For Days – Trashie Bag | Fabric Scrap Take-Bag Bag… exchange bags of scraps for retail credit!
- Textile Recycling Program – Chicago | Textile Recycling in Chicago
- FabScrap | Fabric Recycling and Repurposing in NYC & Phildelphia
I think that this is a wonderful initiative. I love to use my scraps and sew them up into quilted storage boxes, table runners, cushion/pillow covers, tote bags, zipped pouches, coasters…
I love using my scraps as a teaching tool for color studies. I pull a selection of scraps together into a potential color palette. Then I discuss with my students why the colors work well together, and what other colors could be added to the palette.
I LOVE SCRAPS! I sew scraps together to make larger pieces of fabric which get cut into blocks and sewn into quilts. I also make scrappy everything – potholders, mug rugs, greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, etc. here’s no end to the possibilities. I think this is a great collaboration between Aurifil and Free Spirit.
I join scraps together, no matter the shape or size. When I reach a shape that allows me to cut out a 121/2” block I keep these. The cut offs continue with more scraps which make more blocks. I join the blocks, make them into quilts backed by bigger scraps pieced together and these are donated. I have sent to Africa and to a children’s hospital in Abu Dhabi. I find it really fun and rewarding joining all these odd different shaped scraps.
I love to make small and large quilted projects. I am going to make a true crazy quilt soon when I have enough scraps for it! Embroidery is another passion of mine so the crazy quilt will combine scrappy quilting with embroidery!
I love using my scraps on key fobs, potholders, little bags, money wallets scrap blocks any thing and everything that comes along.
I’m also a bit confused over how to access the link to have a chance in obtaining one of those scrap bundles. Is there any kind of tutorial with instructions to learn. Thanks. Sue Schlitter