We’ve been bundling up old swatch book pieces and they look lovely all stacked together.

Originally they formed part of our fabric swatch book collection doing their job out in the world hanging in various shops and showrooms but over time we have discontinued certain designs or colours or basecloths and so we asked for the old swatches to come back.

Each swatch book bundle is unique with about 10 different fabric combinations every time. The pieces vary from around 20 – 30cm square but no larger than 50x30cm.

The edges have sometimes been overlocked or pinking sheered and there are often two button holes in the corners.

There is a mix of heavy and lightweight hemp and linen, a few plain fabrics and lots of prints.

When sewn together they would make about a 1 metre square of pattern on pattern, tone on colourful tone. Perfect for a patching project, making a few cushions, upholstering an ottoman, that kind of thing.

On Saturday at work Julie made a few bags from a couple of the bundles. She’s called them Swatchels.

Adding buttons and some contrast trims and herringbone tape for the straps, she finished sewing them on the train up the the mountains.

She found them rather useful for running errands to the local shop.

Want to make something too? Lucky, because we are now selling these bundles online.

It you make something quirky, inventive or just plain handy then send in your photos to julie@clothfabric.com

We will post them on the blog in a month and give a cloth prize to our favourite.