If you sew or craft with fabric then you have asked yourself, what should I make with leftover fabric scraps? We’ve got the answers!
What should I make with leftover fabric scraps?
I’m so glad you asked! If you sew, or craft with fabric, then you definitely have some kind of scrap bin. Unlike Ma from Little House on the Prairie, you’re probably not going to use those scraps as rags or to patch the elbow of Pa’s ragged coat.
But you did spend money choosing fabrics that you love. And it’s totally normal to want to save the scraps and use them! It can be hard to let them go. It’s like throwing away the promise of another project, do you know what I mean? But then what do you do with your leftover fabric scraps? Let’s brainstorm together (with the entire internet). I promise to leave you brimming with ideas and potential creative fabric scrap projects!
Just so you know, there are lots of thing you can make with fabric scraps that don’t even involve sewing. Think outside the box!
Why to use up leftover fabric scraps?
- Using your scraps saves you money, rather than buying more new fabric.
- Using fabric scraps frees up space in your sewing/crafting area.
- Using fabric scraps forces you to think creatively.
- Saving fabric scraps may help you to cut your fabric efficiently to maximize usable leftovers.
Tips and Tricks for Saving Leftover Fabric Scraps
- Don’t save EVERYTHING.
- Decides on a minimum size and shape of fabric scraps to keep.
- Consider how you will sort your fabric scraps. By type of fabric? By color?
- Consider how you will store your fabric scraps. Just in a bin? Folded? In some kind of folder?
- Consider adding a tag to larger scraps so you can remember the fabric content and other information that you may want later.
What should I make with leftover fabric scraps?
- A scrappy or strip quilt
- Scrunchies
- A sleep mask
- Fabric gift bags
- Zipper pouch
- Fabric flowers
- Sachets filled with lavender or other good smelling things
- Pin cushions
- Patches for clothes, especially cute on the worn out knees of kids pants and leggings
- Fabric bangles or bracelets
- Fabric tape
- Scrappy bias binding for your next quilting or sewing project
- Tshirt yarn if your fabric is a knit
- Piping or trim for your next quilting or sewing project
- Use the scraps to play with your cute cardboard sewing machine
- Scrappy stuffed animals
- Patches for stuffed animals with “injuries”
- T-shirt or clothing quilts save great memories
- Fabric covered buttons
- Headbands
- Fabric covered notebooks
- Incorporate fabric into collage or other mixed media artwork
- Decoupage with fabric
- Rice bags for head or body aches
- Beanbags
- Makeup wipes
- Burp cloths
- Napkin rings
- Potholders
- Pen, pencil or crayon holder
- Busy books
- Luggage tags
- Luggage straps (helps you find your bag on the carousel)
- Baby bibs
- Fabric bunting or garland
- Scrappy fabric wreath
- Rag quilt
- Coasters
- Wrapped clothes hangers
- Bookmarks
- Use scraps to stuff things like stuffed animals or amigurumi
- Recycle them at a fabric recycling company
- Rag rugs
- Fabric twine
- Fabric pumpkins
- Glasses case
- Key fob/wristlet strap
- Applique
- Cord keepers
- Hair bows or bowties
- Curtain tiebacks
- Christmas stockings
- Dog or cat toys
- Baby ribbon toys
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- Solid Rainbow Swirl Hat Knitting Pattern - March 17, 2025
- Learn to Knit – s2kp or s2kp2 (slip 2, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) a centered double decrease - March 17, 2025
- Free Printable Knit & Crochet Yarn Labels - March 13, 2025
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