teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Friday 24 January 2014

How To Make Selvedge Fabric - A Fast & Easy Tute

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

How To Make Selvedge Fabric - A Fast & Easy Tute

This week I've made a laptop case using selvedges and I thought I'd share with you how I create selvedge fabric.

When I buy a piece of fabric I remove the selvedges along both edges by folding the fabric in the correct direction to cut them off as full-length strips.  It's up to you how wide you cut them, you may want to cut them wider and see more of the original fabric design. 

 I line the selvedge edge up with a 1" line on the cutting mat and then 1/8" line of my ruler on the next 1" line - lining the ruler over the larger amount of fabric helps hold the fabric in place so it doesn't move while I'm cutting though you do risk making a wrong cut into your selvedge.

Update on 11 February 2017
These days I'm cutting my selvedges at 1" instead of 7/8" to allow me to retain more of the print design.  The rest of the process of creating the fabric remains exactly the same😊.

Update on 11 September 2018
Making fabric from my selvedges has become an important part of my design so these days I have increased the width of the selvedge I cut off a piece of fabric.  I'm now cutting at 1-1/8".  This gives me more wiggle room for overlapping the fabrics and leaves more of the print section visible on the text selvedge edge. The rest of the process in creating the fabric remains exactly the same😊.

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

To make selvedge fabric first I take a piece of batting or backing fabric - whatever suits the outcome of your project best - and cut it at least an inch wider and longer than the finished size of selvedge fabric that I need.

Next, I spray it all over with basting spray such as 505 (temporary/repositionable) fabric spray adhesive - using a repositionable adhesive means you can change the strips around until you're happy with the look. 

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Now comes the fun part - lay your selvedges row by row onto the now sticky backing fabric. Start at the bottom edge of the 'fabric' placing the frayed/finished edge bottom-most.  Overlay the next selvedge over the cut raw edge - slightly overlapping it.  You may want to vary the amount you overlap the selvedges by so you can see more/less of the colour/design/text. You can use more than one selvedge along a particular row - using up shorter lengths of selvedge - just lay them side by side and leave the side edges raw, any fraying will be minimal and adds to the look of the finished fabric (as in the top row being placed in the photo above)

Once the backing batting/fabric is completely covered with selvedges you are ready to sew the selvedges in place.  (If you are creating a Quilt As You Go (QAYG) block then at this stage you can spray baste your backing fabric to the made fabric.)  The spray basting should hold the selvedge strips firmly in place while you complete this stage.

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I sew/quilt over the length of the selvedges using my 1/4" foot as a width guide.  I choose one very straight edged selvedge as a marker for my first row of stitches and then use this as a loose guide for my next rows 1/8" to 1/4" apart - I'm not looking for a perfectly straight line finish here.  Placing the stitch lines so close together firmly fastens down all the selvedge edges and creates the fabric.  

There're other methods of attaching selvedges that leave the finished edge of each selvedge strip loose from the background fabric but this I like that my method ensures each strip is well attached and often I use a contrasting thread so the stitching becomes part of the finished design also.

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Here's a finished QAYG selvedge block that I made last year as part of my Something NEW Sampler Quilt.

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

This block contains selvedges from all the fabrics used in making the quilt.

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com
how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

This is how the back of the fabric will look - in this case, you're seeing the backing fabric of the QAYG block but if you've just used a backing fabric or batting then you'll see that instead.

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Once you've finished your 'made' selvedge fabric then you can trim the edges/cut the fabric to size and use in your chosen project.  And that's all there is to making selvedge fabric!!!

Check out my other Selvedge posts:

What's A Selvedge? by www.madebyChrissieD.com Zippy Ppouch Tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

This time, I used it to make a laptop case 

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com
how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com
 how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Crazy about that Kaffe Fassett blue Millefiore lining 

 how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com
  how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I love selvedge fabric - it's so individual and scrappy looking, there's always something to look at and read!

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com
 how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I've wondered about crocheting/knitting with my selvedges too - have you tried it?  I've crocheted/knitted with lots of materials in the past - one of my favourites is plastic carrier bags - great for making waterproof garden table place/drink mats and chair covers but that's a whole other post!

Do you save your selvedges?  If you do then share what you've made and if you've used a different method to make selvedge fabric tell us about that too.

Updated On 21 April 2014:
The laptop case was a present for my daughter's friend Hayley and here's a photo Flicky sent me of Hayley with her case which she tells me she uses every day.  The photo is also proof that the sun does shine sometimes in St Andrews, Scotland!

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Updated at 11 September 2018
I've used a piece of selvedge fabric for a cushion back - I looove how this looks, don't you?
See more about this cushion here in this blog post.

Engagement Cushion by www.madebyChrissieD.com

and another I made last year - read more about it here.



How To Make Selvedge Fabric - A Fast & Easy Tute

how to make selvedge fabric - a fast + easy tute by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Featured On:
Threading My Way_Featured Totally Tutorials Blog




Clicking on an image will take you through to the new page of crafty goodness :)


Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.


43 comments:

  1. Thank you for the tutorial! I love your bag and I love the colours of those selvedges. I've been saving mine for about a year now, and I'm musing over what to make with them. I must put them to good use soon :-))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Flicky picked out the selvedges Sarah - the laptop cover is a birthday gift for one of her uni friends, she tells me it's been very well received :D

      Delete
  2. Newt tutorial Chrissie... I just started collecting my salvages - one day I'll have enough to use them. Take care now...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just given away my selvedges so will have to start saving them again to have a go at this. Love the Kaffe Fassett lining too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I do save my selvedges! And now I'm inspired to make something with them. Love your lap top cover! Visiting from Crazy Mom Quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So cool! I saw it on IG and glad I got to your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great tutorial Chrissie! And your laptop case is gorgeous, so are your photos! I might just save the selvages of my next quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I save every.single.selvedge - and have never done anything with them. The result is overflowing selvedge bins! Thanks for the tutorial, makes for a wonderful fabric. I just may have to try this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's it... I'm saving all selvedges from now on. I have used selvedges to make book titles on a Library Bag and to make scrappy bows, but usually I toss them... not any more. Your laptop case looks awesome, Chrissie... only the best for a Mac :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've featured your fabric selvedge today...

      Delete
    2. Thanks Pam for your comment and the feature, as you already know I've given you a shout out on my Facebook page :D

      Delete
  9. I made mug rugs out of the Downton Abby fabrics and appliquéd the selvage on the back to indicate whose fabric it was. They turned out great.
    Love your blog. Lee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to see those mug rugs Lee - and they must look great with the selvedge appliqued, I love that it has the appropriate collection character's name on it. Did you see my Downton Abbey Trunk Show post? I still haven't bought any of the fabric, I look at it every day I'm in work and I just haven't been able to make up my mind though the Dowager's collection was my immediate favourite but I keep being drawn by Lady Mary's collection too! :D

      Delete
  10. This is a great idea and I love how it turned out!! Pinned! Thanks so much for linking up this week at Sewlicious Home Decor! :)

    Marti

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this. I need to start saving mine..

    ReplyDelete
  12. So cute!!!!!! And great tutorial, easy to follow. Pinning.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love recycling and this is a perfect idea. I already have a gift in mind! Thanks! {:-Deb

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is a very great tutorial! I love the several rows of stitching you do.... Very pretty!
    :)
    Have a happy week!!
    hugs x, Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fun idea! Thanks for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  16. A super idea. Nice to use every piece of the fabric and not throw anything away :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like the raw edges on this laptop case! Very creative!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You've got the best method yet. Sounds good to me and will try it next time. I made a pouch and when I whip it out of my purse at the quilt shop, the other customers go wild. You'd think it was the hope diamond when it's just selvedges.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks and you made me giggle, I love how complimentary and supportive crafters are of each other and working at The City Quilter each day customers bring in a constant source of inspiration and items to WOW at :D

      Delete
  19. OMGosh, wow. I never would have thought to do this. I am in love. I need to do this tomorrow. I have a large rubbermaid box full of selvedge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welll I'm loving your mini Sawtooth Scrap Quilt too! Let me know if you do use this technique, looking forward to seeing what you make with it. Hope you're feeling much better today too :D

      Delete
  20. Beautiful work Chrissie and selvedges are so fun to use! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

    ReplyDelete
  21. this is so cute Chrissie! selvages are so much fun. I just never do anything with them! maybe I should start...

    Thanks for linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

    ReplyDelete
  22. Waste not, want not! What a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Both of these are beautiful! I haven't kept selvages...but I keep thinking I should, especially after seeing such cool project like this!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This looks like so much fun! I have recently started keeping my selvages so will pin this for future use. I also started making crumb blocks this year too - might as well save every little bit right?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great looking case, thanks for tutorial.........came to have a look from Amanda Jean's blog :0)

    Happy Sewing

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great tutorial - I often use selvedges but I've never done it this way :).

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Chrissie, just found your blog via Sewlicious' link party. What a terrific idea; it looks like a piece of art! One of these would look good in a frame on my sewing room wall. Good tutorial, thanks for sharing!
    Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Super cute! Thanks for sharing tutorial! Would love to have you visit me sometime.
    Hope you have a wonderful week!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the way you did this. I've seen many other ways to make selvage fabric... but I like the look of this one. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is so wonderful! I was into selvedges a few years ago. That was so fun. I made a little pouch and I never used it. I was afraid it would get to looking ratty and I love it as it is. Thanks for sharing. Now I want a computer case made with selvedges, too. I love yours! Linda

    Featuring. Pinning.

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a great idea for a laptop cover! I also love that you left some of the selvages raw edged!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is awesome! I just found your blog and you are one talented lady! I would love for you to link up a project or two at the Stitch It, Blog It, Share It Link Party going on now at BehindtheSeamsSewing.com.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I adore the look of this fabric! Very eco chic. What a beautiful result, and I had no idea how you were going to do it.

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my blog and share your thoughts. Please leave a message to let me know you visited, it's a great way to get to know you all better too :)

Chris Dodsley


Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.