Do you happen to have too many fabric scraps in your stash? Or maybe you’re looking for scrap fabric projects to make simply because those are so fun and enjoyable! Clean up your basket and put all those beloved scraps to a good use with this delightful tutorial on making fabric twine!
How to Make Twine
Hey, guys! Today I’ll be sharing a super fun project for all you sewing fans out there! I’m pretty sure you have an overabundance of fabric scraps, just as myself; and there’ve been many times when you thought about simply throwing them away because you couldn’t see anything good coming out of a big pile of fabric strips that are way too thin to use in sewing projects. Well, you were wrong! Here I’ll show you how to make your own fabric twine so you can create tons of beautiful projects with all those scraps you’ve been saving for ages! Nothing goes to waste when it comes to fabric, right? And this scrap fabric twine project is perfect for this kind of scraps!
More scrap projects you might like:
- Chicken fabric weights
- Yoyo flowers
- DIY fabric bunting
- Lined zipper pouch
- Small lavender bags
- Reusable fabric bowl cover
- Quilted sewing mat with thread catcher
But here’s a fair warning! Making twine or fabric yarn as some call it, can get pretty addictive and pretty soon you’ll find yourself thinking about turning your entire fabric stash into scraps. Resist the urge, don’t turn yourself into a fabric murderer, you’ll eventually get there without sacrificing your beautiful fabric! Plus making fabric twine takes time, like lots of it and meanwhile you can just go ahead with your other sewing projects and save all the resulting scraps.
I find that not many things are prettier than all different fabrics twisted and wrapped up together! I have a rug in my bathroom made out of t-shirt scraps, twisted and then waved together and I would love to make a replica but in a slightly different design. But while super enjoyable and relaxing, fabric twine is super time consuming, especially when you need it for large projects so it’ll probably take me a while before I’m able to share this project with you, if ever. Meanwhile, here’s how to make fabric twine!
Fabric Twine
Materials:
- fabric scraps in assorted colors (mine are about 1/2″ wide)
- scissors
- large spools (preferably) or something else large enough to wind your twine on to (I made my own).
- finger moistener (optional but very helpful)
Directions:
- before you start here’s a tip: it helps to have moist fingers, it will make the process a little faster and the twine will end up tighter and stronger. So keep a finger moistener on hand, just in case.
- gather all your fabric scraps and cut or tear into strips of different length. I din’t have the patience to use my scissors on all so I ripped most of the strips.
- start by using one short and one long strip and tie them together with a knot.
- slide the knot under something heavy to keep strips still (like a stack of books, or a large flower pot or even your sewing machine).
- twist each strip towards your right.
- then twist each strip around each other. Work in small areas.
- follow the above steps until you finish the short strip.
- to add another strip and join, just leave a tail of about 1″ and wrap the new strip around it.
- make sure both your strips don’t finish at the same time or your join may be weakened; that’s why is best to start with one short and one long strip.
- when done, end with another knot.
- then just wrap the twine around spools.
I hope you enjoyed my tutorial on fabric twine and decided to give it a try! It’s super fun, easy and enjoyable, I promise you! If you do make this project, I would love to know so please leave a comment below and don’t forget to rate this tutorial! Thanks!
i HOPE I CAN MAKE THE MAT WITH “ALL’ MY MATERIAL. I have so much.
Hi, Linda! You’ll be using a good portion of that stash if not all 🙂 Have fun!
Interesting
I don’t have to feel guilty for keeping all those “useless” scraps anymore! I was curious about your spools too. What is rubber-coated paper? Can’t wait to see what kinds of uses you find for the twine!
Hi Jaclyn. Gummed or rubber coated paper is an item more popular in UK and Europe. You can always use this kind of felt instead http://amzn.to/2g6mUFW
But what is “rubber coated” paper? It it just paper with an adhesive on the back? We probably have the same product but call it something else here is the U.S. We also have adhesive coated decorative vinyls, the most popular sold under the name “Contact Paper”. Thanks!
But what then do you use the fabric twine to make? I wouldn’t use it for the usual uses I put twine to, like tying garden plants to stakes. It would rot too readily and seems a waste of pretty fabric. I guess I only use twine (usually burlap type or polyester seine twine) outside. This fabric twine would lend itself to craft type projects, but as creative as I usually am, I could not think projects to use it for. Any ideas? Maybe to hang banner or pennants, but in that case, I want the focus on the banners, not what they hang from. I’m not being dismissive, just asking for ideas.
Hi Patty. I’m just preparing a small but pretty project for my fabric twine and I’ll be posting the idea soon, so stay tuned 🙂
Thanks! I’m looking forward to seeing it.
What is the project called?
Hi Bec. This is the project https://theseamanmom.com/fabric-twine-trivets-sewing-tutorial/
I have crocheted beautiful rugs with mine. You can also make baskets. I have found instructions on line to make both but haven’t made baskets…yet.
Great post. Just out of curiosity, what did you use to make your spools?
Thanks so much! You’re gonna laugh; I used toilet paper rolls and rubber coated paper 🙂