chair cushion covers, silky red and gold chinese dragon fabric

[Sylwa]

Hiya, a long time ago I bought this set of chair cushion covers in my local thrift store thinking it's a great fabric and I will totally use it for something. Well it's been 3 years now and I can't look at it any longer. I need to make something from it. I have 6 covers total, the fabric is on the heavier side. Ideas? I was thinking a purse but I am not really much of a purse person

[dfabbric]

You could make Fabric cushions? lol just joking. Since it's home decor fabric, that's where you have to look. I have made aprons with thicker home decor fabric, but maybe a stool cover, curtains, place mats, pillows, fabric boxes, basket lining. You could make a bag for something specific, like a camera bag, or a craft bag to take your crafts on the go. Toys can be made with pretty much any fabric. The design looks nice for a skirt, but it's hard to tell if that would work or not. You could do a remote pouch that hangs on the arm rest of your couch, Ipad case, or any machine case (cell, laptop, DS, etc). You could cut it into strips and make a crochet or braided rug. Okay I think I'm tapped out for now. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

[Onyxnox]

My first thought was of a purse - specifically, this one

http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/pdf-files/free-purse-pattern-noriko-handbag

Or making it into gift bags.  My second thought was to use a more plain contrasting fabric and make it into a throw or light quilt.  Or place mats.  Then I wondered how it would look as trim for light shades or something like that.   

[lovesclutter]

It's a shame onyxnox that the pattern is no longer available. I thought purse too and that is a lovely bag.

Otherwise, you could quilt pieces together for a background and make a beautiful wall hanging.

[Onyxnox]

It is actually pretty easy - the pattern is a tear drop shape that is cut straight across the top, and comes to a bit of a point down on the bottom.  Cut 4 pieces in one fabric in this shape, and cut 4 more in a liner fabric.  Make a couple of straps.  Sew the long sides, down to the point, with the good sides facing in for each set of 4.  For the liner, leave 3 inches on one side seam unsewn for turning the bag out.  The straps are fairly small and thin, essentially a couple of strips of fabric sewn good sides together, turned right side out, and sewn down the sides.  Take your liner bag and outside bag, fold two opposing sides, in so that the other sides can lie flat (you hopefully can see what I mean in the link pics) and iron flat.  On each of the flat sides of the bag, I usually use the outside facing surface, place the straps in a U shape, so that the bottom of the U is towards the bottom of the bag, and the raw ends of the strap are just extending past the top edge and sew the ends in place, one strap on either side.    Place the liner inside the outside bag, so that right sides are together are together, flat sides together, with the handles sandwiched carefully between.  Sew the top edges of the two pieces together.  Through the 3 inch opening in the seam, and turn the bag out.  You may need to iron again to set everything.  Sew up the opening on the inside stitch, and edge stitch the top edge.  If you want a closure, then when putting the straps in, also add an elastic loop or ribbon loop the same way on one side, and sew a button on the opposite surface.

[Sylwa]

ohh thank you for all those suggestions! I will make placemats and maybe the handbag, I found the pattern for it here http://img1.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/4//3939/3939191_noriko34752669.pdf

and I am thinking a skirt for my daughter if I have left over. The fabric should work for a skirt, it's not tht heavy weight I think.

I was also thinking about making some teesha moore patches and make a journal. Or some hanging baskets.
Too bad I dont have more of it. You ladies gave me all these good ideas!

[Onyxnox]

Glad you found it - it is an easy and fun pattern, and is cute - it makes great little gift bags too, and I was thinking of making some for Christmas treat bags one year.

[seleniebeanie]

I would use this as art - it would be a very good focal point

Buy 6 cheap canvas frames and hot glue or staple gun the fabric to cover.
Glue or use iron on to put a black fabric (felt?) image(s) on it - like a vase silhouette,
70's style flowers in a corner clustered, a mustache, a dog/cat shape.
Group them three in a row.

You could make like a triptych where an image continues
through all 3 canvases...like a moving bicycle or car!

Instead of making 6, make 3 and use the other 3 as coordinating throw pillows
Use a different fabric for the pillow backs, so you can flip them over occasionally

I'm envious, hope you have fun!