estimated reading time: 7 min

Sewing receipt patchwork: Brilliant for cool one-of-a-kind pieces!

13.12.2021 by Sabine Schmidt

Kassenbon Patchwork nähen: Genial für coole Unikate!

Sewing "receipt patchwork": This is the name of the great receipt method you can use to make good use of your fabric scraps and prepare them for larger projects. In this tutorial, I'll show you how it works.

The most important things at a glance

Patchwork is perfect for using up fabric scraps
You can sew receipt patchwork using all types of woven fabric
All you need are fabric scraps and Vlieseline H250 fusible interfacing
Sewing level: Beginner
Sewing time: approx. 10 min. per receipt

Why should I sew receipt patchwork at all?

Because there is hardly a smarter way to prepare your fabric scraps for larger projects. However, instead of using store receipts (the tiny bits of paper of which can never be removed from the gaps in the seam), we use Vlieseline H250. It bonds firmly to the fabric the first time it is ironed and stabilizes it. This gives us reinforced fabric straight away, which can be used to realize 1,001 sewing ideas.

Receipts aren't standardized, so you can cut your patchwork interfacing to any size you need for your sewing plans. Personally, I find the receipt size optimal and use real, genuine receipts to cut my Vlieseline.

Reading tip: Patchwork accessories – tips, tricks, and uses

What do I need to look out for when sewing with patchwork fabrics?

Actually, working with cotton fabric is one of the easiest exercises. It doesn't distort when sewing, is nice and stable, and is very versatile. So, it's an ideal fabric for gaining your first sewing experience.

Feel free to read my blog post on the topic of sewing cotton fabric. In it, I give you tips on how to work with it and the specific characteristics of cotton and other woven fabrics.

Why is it actually called receipt patchwork?

And why is this method actually called receipt patchwork? Well, because it was originally sewn using store receipts. The receipts are just the base onto which the fabric scraps are sewn. After sewing them together, the paper is torn off, leaving only the strip of fabric behind.

Why is sewing receipt patchwork so much fun?

Because sometimes it's enough to just join a few strips of fabric as a little finger exercise. It stimulates creativity, relaxes you, and gives you ideas. And, not to be forgotten: processing fabric scraps into new projects is really sustainable. You can even sew together the tiniest snippets of fabric, making your colorful sewing project even more individual.

Things you have sewn from your self-created receipt fabric are absolutely unmistakable unique pieces that people will surely envy you for.

Furthermore, receipt sewing with fabric scraps is perfect for beginners because only straight seams are necessary. So nothing complicated, just straight ahead. In the process, you can develop a feel for your sewing machine and the different materials, which will certainly be very useful for your later projects.

What can I use receipt patchwork for?

Here, your imagination knows no bounds. You can realize almost any sewing idea that you would sew with woven fabric. Here are a few ideas, for which you can also find instructions here on the blog:

Basically, smaller projects are well-suited. But the colorful patchwork elements can also be used as inserts or appliqués on larger bags, placemats, or even tablecloths and pillows. Personally, I really like bags with nice patchwork inserts.

But practical little coasters made with receipt patchwork are also real eye-catchers:

So, get to those fabric scraps! :)

What do I need for sewing receipt patchwork?

Scraps of cotton fabric, linen, or canvas
Vlieseline H250^*
Matching sewing thread for the main fabric (e.g., cream white or light gray, that works (almost) always!)
Scissors^* (these are the scissors I brought back from the USA)
Rotary cutter^* (feel free to also read my post Everything about rotary cutters)
Patchwork ruler^*
Cutting mat^* (I like to use my rotating cutting mat for small projects like this)
A receipt in the size and length of your choice as a pattern :)

A word on the materials used: I use my Gingher scissors^*, which I brought with me from my last stay in the USA. They are very, very popular among patchworkers and sewing fans there. And I wanted to know if there was something to the hype. Let me just say this: Yes. The special thing about these scissors: they have slightly serrated blades, similar to a mini-mini-mini bread knife. That helps prevent the fraying of woven fabric.

For trimming my fabric, I use my rotating cutting mat^*, which really serves me well for smaller patchwork work. If you like doing patchwork, I can really recommend such a cutting mat. There are very different versions, I think Clover has also developed a pretty cool one. What I especially like about the one from Prym: it has a soft, wide suction foot that sticks to the tabletop and prevents the mat from slipping while turning. This allows you to work very accurately because you turn the mat and not the fabric.

If you don't have a receipt to hand, you can also use a piece of interfacing, for example, Quilters Grid by Vlieseline^* for the receipt patchwork. The Vlieseline is then not torn off afterward but fixed by ironing over it. You then have a completely reinforced fabric that you only need to process further. Ingenious, right?

Picture tutorial: Sewing receipt patchwork

YouTube sewing receipt patchwork

Bonus idea and conclusion

Another idea that really makes your fabric strips shine: insert strips of equal length made of a reinforced solid-colored fabric (black, white, anthracite are fantastic, for example!) between the individual strips.

Important: The solid-colored fabric is usually the hue that significantly determines the overall impression in patchwork projects. With your color choice, you can therefore specifically give your receipt patchwork some real drive. ;)

So let yourself go creatively. I wish you lots of fun with this sewing idea. You can write in the comments how you like it and whether you've already tried it. If you show your sewn works on Instagram, you should definitely tag me with @sewsimple.de so that I can also admire your work of art. :)

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

Frequently Asked Questions

How does receipt patchwork work?

With receipt patchwork, strips of fabric are sewn onto a base, for example a "real" receipt or a piece of interfacing in the size of a receipt, and can subsequently be further processed.

What do I need for sewing receipt patchwork?

All you need are fabric scraps made of woven fabric, Vlieseline H250, scissors, and your sewing machine. And off you go.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Sew receipt patchwork

This really is a very relaxed project you can do on the side when you're not in the mood for more structured patterns. Just grab a few pretty fabric scraps and get started.

Step

First cut out a few strips of Vlieseline the size of your receipt.
I fold the Vlieseline a few times straight away, place the receipt on top and then cut around it with the rotary cutter. Simple and practical. That's my motto anyway. ;)
Step

Then cut your fabric into strips so that it overlaps the strips a little along the long sides.
Step

And now cut enough fabric strips to cover your Vlieseline completely.
Step

Before you sew on the fabric strips, give them a quick press. That makes it easier to smooth the strips nicely while sewing.
And then you can start sewing.
Place the first strip right side up on the Vlieseline. Then place the second strip wrong side up on top of the first, with the edges aligned.
Step

Sew along the long side with a 1 cm seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
Then fold the second strip over so that the right side is on top.
And if you like, topstitch it again with a straight stitch. I do this sometimes when it suits the project I have planned.
Step

Sew on more fabric strips in this way until the Vlieseline is completely covered.
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(see picture)
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Then give your patchwork a good press.
Next, place it right side down.
Trim off the leftover fabric along the "receipt Vlieseline edge" with a patchwork ruler and rotary cutter.
Step

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By the way: with this method you can also use up even the tiniest fabric scraps by first joining them into strips.
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(see picture)
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When sewing on pieced strips, make sure the seam allowances are pressed open so that no bulky spots can form.
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Depending on your project, you can now join lots of fabric strips together and create something amazing from them.
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To sew the individual receipt strips together, allow a seam allowance of 1 cm so that you can press the seam allowances open properly. This way the seams lie nice and flat.
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(see picture)
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You'll end up with your very own designer fabric that you can get really creative with.
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Here I used the sewing pattern for the Tasche Trisch to really show off my receipt patchwork.
Step

Looks great, doesn't it?

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.