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Would you like to learn how to make simple fabric swatches? As a home sewist, you might use them to organize your stash.
I’ll walk you through choosing the size, cutting, and finishing them. Then I store mine in a container so I can pull them out before new projects.
So let’s get on with this beginner-friendly tutorial!
Materials
You’ll want to get these things before starting this project.
- Cardboard
- Pencil, pen or Marker
- Ruler
- Pinking shears
- Labels
- Storage box or container
- Fabric
- Basic sewing supplies: pattern weights, scissors, iron, etc.
Making Fabric Swatches Tutorial
We’ll use the fabric you already have in your stash. And if you have a big one, you might want to make them for your whole inventory.
1. Determine the size.
The first thing you must do is figure out which size you’d like your swatches. They could really be any size or shape, and there’s no standard.
Some people like them as small as 2 inches by 2 inches (2 x 2 inches). I won’t go any smaller than this.
However, I like the bigger sizes. Plus, it fits nicely in my storage container.
My preferred size is 4 inches by 6 inches (4 x 6 inches). I also like 5 inches by 5 inches (5 x 5 inches).
The one I’ll make is a rectangle, but squares are nice too. Circles might be more difficult to make, but you could make them in that shape too.
2. Make a template.
You’ll want to make a template to use over and over. That way, you don’t have to keep recreating the wheel to make each swatch.
So, I recycled an old tissue box. With a pencil, I drew a rectangle on the cardboard measuring 4 inches by 6 inches (4 x 6 inches).
Cut it out with your regular scissors, not the ones you use to cut fabric.
3. Iron the fabric.
Now I pull some fabric from my stash and iron a section of it. Note that we don’t need to iron the whole thing, since we’ll cut a little piece.
Make sure it’s bigger than your temple. So I’ll iron a piece that’s bigger than 4 inches by 6 inches (4 x 6 inches).
4. Put the template on the fabric.
I like to use a rotary cutter and mat to cut my swatches. After placing the fabric on the mat, I like to line up my grainlines, so it’ll be neat.
You don’t have to, but I have the habit of doing this.
Then I put the template on the fabric and use the pattern weight to hold it in place.
If you don’t use a rotary cutter, you can put the fabric on the table. When doing this, I place the template on the fabric and outline it with a pencil, or I’ll cut directly around it.
5. Cut the fabric.
If using a rotary cutter, you’ll cut around the template. It should stay in place using the fabric weight.
In this picture, I’m using my scissors instead of the rotary cutter. I hold it in place while cutting, if needed.
In the end, I have a nice, neat rectangle.
6. Finish the edges.
Now I use my pinking shears to finish off the edges of my rectangle. When you cut with these kinds of scissors, it makes a zig-zag pattern.
I cut really close to the edge to make this design, as there’s no need to cut off a lot of fabric. Look at that pretty edge!
I do this for two reasons. One is so the fabric won’t fray, and two, it makes a nice design.
You can also use your sewing machine to make a zig-zag stitch around the edges to finish them.
Using fray glue is another solution. You’ll just dab it all the way around the edges. Once it dries, it might feel a little stiff.
7. Label the swatches.
Now you can label the swatch by writing information about the fabric. I use a ballpoint pen and write on the back.
I usually like to include the store name, price, type of material, fiber contents, and care instructions. You can use this information when re-ordering fabric or figuring out how to wash it.
If the fabric is dark or difficult to write on, I’ll write the information on a label and then stick it on the back. Or I might write the info on a small index card and staple it near the edge of the fabric.
When shopping for fabric, I always take a picture of the bolt end or tag. This way, I have the information to use for labeling my swatches.
8. Store the swatches.
There are different ways to store swatches, and I chose the easiest way. I neatly stack mine in a metal container.
Other storage ideas include using a shoe box, basket, or plastic container.
I like to quickly shuffle through my swatches, so I don’t want them in a book or rotary card file.
People also make books by stapling their swatches to cardstock. Then they three-hole punch the pages and insert them in a binder.
If you like this method, you might want to make your swatches smaller than mine, then you can fit more of them on the page.
Notes
Don’t forget to store your template where you can find it. I put mine in the same container as my fabric swatches, so I can find it easily.
That way, you can make more as you cut into new fabric.
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