DIY Fabric Twine from fabric scraps
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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 much 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!
Fabric 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
- Triangle pattern weights
- Wine glass coasters
- Fabric covered buttons
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!
How to Make 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)
How do you make a fabric rope?
- 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’m working on making fabric twine…can you share an oval rug pattern?
Hi Shirley. I don’t have an oval rug but my technique for making these fabric twine trivets is similar. https://theseamanmom.com/fabric-twine-trivets-sewing-tutorial/ Just start sewing the rug into an oval instead of a circle.
Do you offer instructions on attaching your “twine” to clothing?
Another way to join the strips is by making a slit in the end of the first one and in the end of the second one you want to add. Push second strip into slit in first and then into its own slit. Pull tight and you have a nearly undetectable join with no knots.
After twisting the two separate pieces to the right, which direction do you then twist them together? Left or right?
Charity, after twisting each strand, I place one end under a heavy object then I push each piece to the middle. Once there, I don’t twist the individual pieces anymore but twist them onto each other.
She asked which direction to twist once the two peices are together. I’d like to know, too.
Thanks so much for this! Not only does knowing how to do this step up my craft game….but it could potentially come in really good use in a emergency! You can make twine with strips from bark or plants if you really needed to make rope. Ok, so I’m playing with the idea of making a hand woven rug or placemats /wall hanging type of bohemian-ish item and this will work. I’ve made a braided fabric rug in the past ( it took months) thus I was some what familiar with the process. I found that some of the pieces of fabric don’t twist as tightly into each other and I opted to knot these pieces and cut off any extra fabric later. You can also sew the pieces together, which is what I did with the braided rug, but, that’s really just more work. While I was twining my twine, it came to me that you could prob. tie your fabric to your drill and it might cut you some time. If you have two drills ( which I do) you could be shooting fabric twine in no time! (I have not tried this and should you chose to, it would be at your own risk) I starched and twisted the whole piece afterwards and I think it will give it a little extra staying power. If your scraps are shorter then a foot or 6 inches….it would be more work then it’s worth. . I use small scraps to stuff pillows, patch holes, or fabric mache. Happy crafting!!!!
I had the thought about using a drill also. You could get tons done in very little time. And less strain on your hands too!
What a good idea, I will be trying this. Thank you for sharing.
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.
I’m thinking of using it to tie up my Christmas gifts. I use plain brown paper that I print on and this twine would look very pretty. My family could then save and use again next year.,
That is such a creative idea! The gifts will look truly special! Thanks for the tip, Angela!
You could use the twine as you would use cording to make baskets.
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 :)