Introduction

In the past, stores were not as readily accessible and people had relatively low incomes. As a result, homemakers learned to save even the smallest bits of fabric left over from making clothing, draperies, quilts and other items. A fabric scrap stash was a staple of every home sewing collection.

Flash forward many years, and a new creative venture exploded on the scene: scrapbooking. The aspiring scrapbooker was presented with a vast array of new materials to purchase, including an amazing selection of patterned papers and specialty cardstocks. Paper crafters began to find themselves with an impressive collection of paper scraps, just like seamstresses of the past.

As you take stock of your own growing stash of scraps, follow along with us in this two-part series that will inspire you to treasure those scraps whether they are fabric or paper or both. Part one will present ideas for using that pile of fabric scraps while part two will focus on paper leftovers.