Fabric sample books; cleaning?

[emosauce]

So I bought a couple old upholstery sample books from Goodwill, and I want to use the fabric for crafty things of course. But this question isn't so much "what can I do with this" as it is "how can I make this useable"

The samples all have paper glued to the back of each one, and they're all dry clean only. I've never worked with samples before, so I dunno how to get the paper off. I was hoping I could peel it, but it still left a glue residue. How can I get it off without ruining the fabric? Most of it is typical heavy duty fabric, but some is lighter and more delicate.

Thanks in advance!

[LadybugsAndBumblebees]

I've received some of these too, and ran them thru the washing machine.  The glue did not totally disappear, unfortunately.

[World.Of.Hoard-Craft]

Does the paper backing make the cloth stiff, like a starch effect? At craft stores, they sell these little wood or paper Mache boxes for under $1, you could glue the stiff material to those. They even have little birdhouses, depends on how fancy you want to piece fabric. You can cover a can and make a penholder, cover a journal, and you have a pretty little desk set.
You could paint on the fabric, cover barettes, or make dollhouse rugs.

[stefjc]

Iron them and peel the paper off!

To make sure you don't damage iron or material put a teatowel over the swatch, fabric side up, iron on low to warm the glue. Peel the material from the paper, moving the iron over any stubborn areas.

It takes a bit of time but is dead easy to do. I am currently in the middle of making a bag out of small swatches, so I have had plenty of practice!

[emosauce]

Oooooooo, I didn't even THINK of ironing them! I'll have to try that as soon as I get my iron back. Thanks!

[loukr]

I use the paper backed bits in paper craft.. I draw my shape onto the paper, cut it out and have a cute fabric shape ready to use on cards or gluegun and stick it to anything!