PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,277 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,277 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
123 
Member since 1/27/10
Posts: 24
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 4:10 AM ET

Okay, I was wondering about this. What do people do with their finished 'muslins'/test-runs, or with pieces you've made which didn't turn out so well? I was thinking in some cases you'd be able to unpick and re-use the fabric, but it seems like it'd be a lot of work...

I'm expecting that I'm going to soon end up with a heap of finished muslin test-runs or 'mistakes' that I'll want to use somehow. So I was thinking I could... cut them into smaller pieces for other clothing items; make handkerchiefs; dolls; handbags... What sorts of things do you all do with yours?

:)

Violets
  
Member since 1/28/10
Posts: 114
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 4:45 AM ET
I rarely do muslins. I just don't feel like making the same item twice, and I am usually able to adjust the fit while tracing the pattern or later on while sewing. I have to admit, though, that my figure seems to be fairly average.
The last muslin I did was for my rococo stays. That fabric (an old bedsheet) couldn't be used for anything else, so I just threw it away.
I don't quite see the point in keeping every little scrap of fabric that might be used for interlinings or whatnot, because you alway get a lot of these little scraps. I've never lacked fabric for small pieces.
Having no children, I don't need doll's clothes - and if I did, I would rather make them from nice fabric than a faded and worn pale yellowish bedsheet. ^^ Same goes for anything else you could make from these scraps of fabric. If I want to make it, I'd rather make it from nice fabric.
Muslin fabric, for me, is cheap crappy stuff, so it doesn't hurt to just throw it away.
Of course, if I'd make a muslin with large pattern pieces, I would keep the larger pieces to reuse the fabric for smaller muslin pieces.
  
Member since 1/9/05
Posts: 3570
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 4:59 AM ET
I use mine as dust covers. One used to be over the ironing press until I found a huge zippered plastic bag. There's another one over the suitcase that lives behind my front door (don't ask!).
------
Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia
aka Bag Yoda
My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/

My machines: Janome MC6700P, Janome MC6600P, Janome MC8000, Janome MC4900QC, Janome MC3500 (inherited from my mother), Husqvarna Rose, Janome My Excel 18W, Janome 534D & 2 x 634D overlockers, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX.
  
Member since 6/23/04
Posts: 4892
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 6:36 AM ET
In reply to Violets
I actually save a lot of my muslins. I have a handful of waistbands made of muslin that fit me really well. Whenever I sew pants or skirts, rather than trying to fit a whole new waistband I often try the ones I have on hand.

Other muslins of patterns I like, I keep to test different collars, pockets or designs in the future. Some muslins I cut up and re-use if the pieces are big enough. When the kids were little they used a lot of my muslins and wadders as dress-ups.
------
Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 11/30/04
Posts: 6459
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 6:57 AM ET
Some I save for reference, others are used as dust cloths, and some are simply thrown out.
------
Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!)
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing: Elna 760, vintage Kenmore Model 33 (1967), Janome Gem Gold 3, Singer Model 99, Singer 221/Featherweight, Bernina 1630. Sergers: Babylock Enlighten and Babylock Ovation. Embroidery Only: Janome 300E. Embroidery/Sewing Combo: Brother Dream machine. Straight Stitch: Janome 1600P.
Certified Palmer/Pletsch Pants Fitting Instructor
Blog: 21stcenturydiy.blogspot.com
  
Member since 1/27/10
Posts: 24
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 7:32 AM ET
Sorry, I was a bit vague in my first post but I meant to also include things made out of good fabric that haven't turned out wearable. That's where I was thinking hankies or dolls or patchwork or whatever.

I'm thinking about this because I've been shopping at Spotlight and their bargain table had lots of decent-looking fabrics for $2 a metre. So I bought a whole lot, for my 'early sewing experiments'. I already have some nicer stuff but have been feeling really reluctant to cut any of it up when I'm expecting a high possibility of things being wonky, heh! So I wanted something that I didn't really care about much, to do test-runs on. $2/metre was cheaper than buying muslin/calico, and has the added bonus that if my test-run works out nicely I can use it as well. Anyway, so I'm expecting that I'll probably end up with a fair few things that aren't wearable, so I'm encouraging/reassuring myself by thinking of things I can do with any attractive fabric that I 'waste'.



-- Edited on 2/2/10 7:37 AM --
  
Member since 6/14/06
Posts: 557
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 8:54 AM ET
I throw them away, especially the wadders. Can't throw those away fast enough, usually. Getting rid of all of that exorcises the fitting demons!
  
Member since 7/12/09
Posts: 1041
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 9:38 AM ET
I've been giving some to Goodwill.
------
Erin in Dallas
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 11/22/07
Posts: 506
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 1:33 PM ET
In reply to Violets
I make my muslins out of very inexpensive fabrics (goodwill, fabricmart box fabrics, dollar a yard etc.) so keeping the fabric is not an issue...

I have three dogs (about 20 pounds each) and they each have zippered dog beds....over time the cedar insides have been thrown away because of "accidents" and so now I stuff the dog beds with muslined articles of clothing that I do not need to keep for later fitting etc. These muslins can be removed and all the bed cover and insides washed each week, which keeps the doggy smell down. My cat also has a crate and is the beneficiary of softer muslin pieces for her bedding too.
  
Member since 10/23/08
Posts: 332
Send Message
Posted on: 2/2/10 1:50 PM ET
I don't do "muslins" but whatever fabric I have left over, I see if the kids want to have it. Or I save it and make pillowcases with it.

Erica
------
Every day is a clean slate.
"Decisions are made by those who show up"...Allison Janney, The West Wing
  
123 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics