There is so much one can do with scraps.

Scraps are sometimes creatively referred to as “remnants” in the hopes that these little bits of fabric will continue to hold value (where as the term ”scraps” can often invoke the dreaded perception that these leftovers are trash). Quilters often refer to the smallest bits as “crumbs” and a person can accumulate a lot of crumbs, scraps and remnants in a lifetime if they work with fabric.

As a weaver, I hesitate to throw away any piece of fabric that I made. It took so long to make and I remember the weaving so vividly that I always think “I’ll find something to do with it at some point”. And usually I do.

I’ve filled pillows with thrums and raggedy cut offs.

I’ve filled jars with bits as decoration.

I’ve dumped serger clippings and lint into my compost bin.

I use them to make smaller projects like hot-pads and pin cushions and have used odd pieces of fabric to make tote bags.

One of the things I love to do the most with scraps is to use them for embroidery projects or to embellish other work. It’s interesting to see new work collide with old work in this way and to see what else can come from my own work collaborating with itself.

My work tells a story of how years of work can build and become something entirely new.