Creative longarm quilting projects to use up extra fabric

Welcome, fellow quilters! If you’re anything like me, you probably have a stash of fabric scraps just waiting for the perfect project. Today, we will explore some delightful longarm quilting projects to help you make the most of those leftover fabrics. Whether you’re sewing pillows, creating stylish bags or getting into crumb quilting, these ideas will inspire you to turn those scraps into something beautiful and useful!

Transform your scraps into cozy pillows

One of the simplest and most satisfying projects you can tackle with your longarm machine is sewing pillows. They are functional and make great gifts or additions to your home decor. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Select your fabric – Gather and sort your fabric scraps by color or pattern to make a cohesive design.
2. Cut the pieces – Cut your scraps into squares or rectangles. A common size is 5×5 inches, but feel free to get creative with different shapes and sizes.
3. Arrange the pieces – Lay out your fabric pieces on a flat surface and arrange them in a pattern you love.
4. Sew the pieces together – Using your domestic sewing machine, sew the pieces together to form the front of your pillow.
5. Quilt your pillow – Add some fun texture, maybe even a couple of layers of batting.
6. Add the backing right on the longarm – Choose a coordinating fabric for the back of the pillow and sew it to the front with the right sides together. Here is a video to help you understand this process better.
7. Finish up – Insert the pillow form, and voila! You have a beautiful, custom-made pillow.

Craft stylish bags with leftover fabric

Bags are another fantastic project for using up fabric scraps. They’re practical, fashionable and fun to make. Here’s a simple way to create a quilted bag with your longarm machine:

1. Choose your fabric – Like with pillows, select and sort your fabric scraps.
2. Cut the pieces-Cut your fabric into the desired dimensions for your bag. You’ll need pieces for the front, back, sides and handles.
3. Design your pattern – Arrange your fabric pieces flat and experiment with different designs.
4. Quilt the fabric – Use your longarm machine to quilt your bag’s front and back pieces. This adds durability and a professional finish.
5. Assemble the bag – Sew the sides to the front and back pieces, then add the handles.
6. Line the bag – For a polished look, add a lining to the inside of your bag. This can be a great way to use up larger scraps.
7. Finishing touches – Add additional features, like pockets or closures, to complete your bag.

Get creative with crumb quilting

Crumb quilting is a wonderful technique that allows you to use even the smallest scraps of fabric. It’s a bit like creating a mosaic, and the results can be stunningly unique. Here’s how to get started with crumb quilting on your longarm machine:

1. Gather your scraps – Collect all your tiny fabric scraps. Crumb quilting is perfect for using those little pieces you might otherwise throw away.
2. Arrange your fabric – Mark where you will lay out your fabric scraps on your backing and batting. Arrange them so they overlap, and you cannot see any batting.
3. Quilt over the scraps – You can do any design when longarming, but a nice, tight, straight-line design is super fun and tacks all the fabric.
4. Enjoy – You have just created a wonderful new “fabric”. You can use this in any quilt, potholder, mug rug or bag!

There you have it-three fantastic longarm quilting projects that will help you use up those extra fabric scraps. Whether you’re making cozy pillows, stylish bags or getting creative with crumb quilting, these projects will inspire you to get creative with your next project!

Remember, quilting is not just about the end product; it’s about creating something with your hands and sharing that joy with others. We’d love to see your creations! Share your projects with our community, and let’s celebrate the beauty of quilting together. Happy quilting!