Do you have a bunch of fabric scraps lying around your house? We do, too! Scraps can build up for several reasons. If you’re environmentally conscious, you could have saved your scraps because you can’t bear to see them go to waste. No matter your reason, it’s easy for your pile to reach unmanageable levels if you’re not careful. So, why not revamp them into fun projects and crafts made from scraps of fabric?
Fabric scraps are typically bits and pieces you’ve cut off from your projects. They can be a peculiar collection of different fabrics, patterns, and sizes that make it challenging to find a use for. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for something to do with all those bits and pieces. If you’ve grown attached to some of your clothes and materials, saving the scraps and making something new is a great way to repurpose them.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of 62 creative ideas that can inspire you to do something with your collection of scraps. This collection of ideas ranges from functional items like pouches and masks to decorations and accessories like headbands and stuffed toys. No matter your skill level, we’re sure you can find something that suits you.
But before we get into it, if you need guidance on where to begin, we’ve prepared a list of frequently asked questions below to fill you in with all the juicy details. Otherwise, don’t wait any longer; grab that basket of scraps, and let’s begin!
FAQs Regarding Scrap Fabric Projects
1. What supplies do I need to upcycle fabric scraps?
Most of the ideas featured in this post will be sewing projects, so the materials needed will be similar. These materials are inexpensive and can be found easily at your local craft store or online. However, as this is already an upcycling project, we highly encourage you to use any leftover materials in your house instead of buying something new! Here are some materials you may need:
– Scrap fabric
– Needle and thread
– Scissors
– Sewing Machine
– Buttons or snaps
– Glue
2. How do I manage my stash of scrap fabric?
This is every crafter’s nightmare: having an overwhelming pile of scraps you do not know what to do with. Instead of tossing them out, which can be wasteful, here are a few steps to organize them:
1. Sort your scraps by color, size, or fabric type.
2. Cut your scraps into specific sizes to make them uniform. Consider the projects you commonly do, and decide whether you would benefit more from precuts or larger pieces.
3. Create a system. Organize your fabric scraps by storing them using bins, plastic containers, zip-lock bags, and baskets. Take your time and create a system that works for you so you have enough time to get back to new projects you’re excited to do.
3. Can I mix and match my scraps for a new project?
Of course, you can! There are many techniques and projects featured here that encourage you to use a variety of scraps. For example, you can match your scraps by color or pattern for more aesthetically pleasing results. Do note that some projects require cloth of a certain heft or thickness, so keep that in mind when selecting your scraps so that your end result is neat.
4. What if I have too many scraps to deal with?
If your scraps “hoarding” problem has gone too far, we have a few suggestions on what you can do. You can donate your scraps to a local charity! Organizations such as The Ragfinery, The Navajo Quilt Project, and Days For Girls have mailing addresses and physical locations to which you can send your scrap cloth. These organizations use your scrap cloth to make useful things for people in need, like quilts, clothes, and menstrual pads.
What’s Next?
- We’re dying to see what beautiful creations your scraps have turned into! Post and tag us on our Facebook and Instagram @craftpassion.
- Pin this on your Pinterest board to save for future reference.
- Share this post with your friends and family for a craft-along event.
- Check out these Unique Earth Day Crafts, Toilet Paper Roll Crafts, and Pin Cushion Ideas for more upcycling projects.
- If you love quilting, you might find these scrap quilting patterns inspiring.
62 Creative and Fun Ideas for Fabric Scraps
Tackling your mountain of scraps can be overwhelming. With a splash of creativity and a healthy heaping of inspiration, we hope you come out victorious and armed with your very own beautiful creations. Don’t wait any longer; grab a fistful of your favorite scraps and venture forward! We wish you the best of luck on your journey.
Applique Coasters
Follow this tutorial to learn how to make applique with your scraps! Applique is a technique that is so easy to learn and so versatile. It's a simple way to showcase any scraps you have with a particularly eye catching design. Once you've learned the basics of applique, check out this tutorial on Sewing Coasters.
Cone Pot Holder Sewing Pattern
This colourful cone pot holder comes together easily with a few scraps, all you need is some insulated batting and quilt batting. Both are important in making sure your pot holder is truly heat proof and safe to use!
Fabric Bows
These fabric bows come together so quickly and look great on headbands and clips. This tutorial works with a sewing machine or a glue gun, so it's a great no sew option.
Quilted Trivet Sewing Pattern
Check out this tutorial for quilted trivets! Trivets are typically pieces of cloth placed on tables and countertops to protect them from hot pots and pans. You could even make a complete set together with the pot holder featured above.
5 Minute Catnip Toy
This is a quick and simple toy that is perfect for a beginner seamstress to practice on. Another cute way to use up scraps, and your cat will surely thank you for the gift.
Bunny Ears Headband Sewing Pattern
Make this bunny ears headband for yourself or your bunny loving child with just a few scraps. Just print out the free sewing pattern either in an adult or child size and sew everything together, you'll have a fun accessory in no time.
DIY Makeup Remover Wipes
Make some fun makeup removers that can easily be washed and reused! Do note that it is recommended to make these using microfiber cloth, so be on a lookout for scraps like that.
Lucky Chicken Pattern
This adorable lucky chicken is another quick and simple project that can be made with any scraps you have. It can be used as anything you want, a beanbag, pin cushion, paperweight, or even a potpourri sachet. You can use a mixture of scraps to make a colorful chicken army!
Simple Knotted Headband
This simple knotted headband is very simple to make, and perfect for times when you need to keep your hair out of your face. Make it out of a knit fabric to help the headband stay in place with no elastics.
Soothing Eye Mask Sewing Pattern
Getting tired from swimming through your pile of scraps? Sew this soothing eye mask to lessen the pile and grant you a fantastic night of sleep! Help your tired eyes cool down evenly with proper compression with this eye mask.
DIY Quilt Piece Bunting
Looking for scrap fabric projects to decorate your home for a party? Use some of your fabric scraps to sew a rustic looking bunting that you'll want to keep hung up all year round.
Ba Nana Monkey Key Pouch
If you're always losing your keys, consider making this Monkey Key Pouch! With a little creativity, you can use different scraps to make this a fun monkey that keeps your keys safe and sound. It also features a small pouch at the back for any change you may have lying around.
Festive Napkin Rings
These napkin rings are another great way to decorate during the festive season without spending a fortune. Get creative with your scraps and decorate with other bits and pieces around your house.
Boston Terrier Coin Purse Sewing Pattern
Turn your scraps into a Boston Terrier coin purse that is too cute to resist! The design comes to life with its floppy ears and carefully embroidered designs. Have a different dog in mind? Don't worry, because we have Husky, Jack Russell and Beagle coin pouch designs as well!
Mini Fold Up Baskets
These foldable mini baskets are great for storing more of your scraps, or any small loose items in a neat way. This pattern also includes 3 sizes, so you can sew a basket suited for your needs.
YoYo Stuffed Dog Sewing Pattern
This special stuffed dog is made of YoYos, which are rounded pieces sewn together with a running stitch. The body of this dog is made using such YoYos, and as a result is flexible and easily poseable. It's the perfect companion for kids and adults alike!
Quilted Desk Pixie Cups
A pixie cup is perfect for storing bits and pieces around the house. You can make the tall or short version based on how much quilted fabric you have made from your scraps, but do note that the original tutorial uses linen on the inside.
Small Zipper Pouch Sewing Pattern
Use scraps that are thicker and more durable to sew this small zipper pouch. Get creative with the design by using a mixture of your scraps, or even utilising the applique technique shown from before! An easily customisable design that makes a great gift.
Handmade Quilted Postcard Tutorial
This holidays, send your loved ones a unique yet thoughtful holiday card! These quilted postcards are small masterpieces that are so easy to make and a delight to receive.
Owl Baby Mobile
Take a look at this owl baby mobile that is perfect for your little ones! You can use complimenting patterned scraps to make fun designs for the owls, or use plain colors and decorate the owls with embroidery and scrap lace trim like the tutorial.
Decorative Tape
Decorative tape is an easy way to spruce up your gift wrapping or scrapbook page. With just a bit of carpet tape, you can use your scraps to make rolls of fun and colorful tape for any occasion.
Face Mask Sewing Pattern – 4 Sizes
Try sewing this eco-friendly alternative to traditional face masks that can be customised to be more comfortable for you. WIth nose wire that prevents your glasses from fogging up and alternatives to the elastic that can make your ears hurt, use your scraps to make something useful.
Skinny Drawstring Pouch
This cute drawstring pouch is long and skinny, made for things like chopsticks, crochet hooks or even your glasses. Beautiful and useful, you can make a few extra as gifts!
Stand Up Pencil Pouch Pattern
For back to school this year, sew your kids a stand up pencil pouch! Do note that for this, the fabric that you choose matters. If the fabric you choose for the upper lining is unsuitable, the case may not be able to slide up and down smoothly. Check out the full tutorial for more details.
Tree Quilt Block Pattern
Looking to add a bit of christmas flair to the quilt you're making? Try this tree quilt block pattern! This pattern uses half square triangles (HST) that can be easily cut from most scraps. The triangles are then pieced together to make this simple quilt block.
Doll Clothes
This is one of those scrap fabric projects you can really get creative with. Using some scrap cloth, make a new dress for your children's dolls! Add lace and ribbon for some flair and your dolls are ready for the runway.
Pinwheel Quilt Block Pattern
This pinwheel quilt block is another great idea for a beautiful quilt. Similar to the tree quilt block pattern, this pinwheel also uses half-square triangles (HST) that can be cut out from scraps. The varied patterns and colors of scraps really give this a fun twist!
Fabric Button Push Pin
Turn those patterned scraps that are too pretty to throw away into these fabric button push pins! Just purchase a craft cover button kit and some thumb tacks and you're ready to go.
Elephant Stuffed Toy Sewing Pattern
Have some bigger pieces of scrap cloth? Turn them into these adorable elephant stuffed toys! Get creative and create a family of elephants for yourself. You can even stuff the elephant with a mixture of smaller, unusable cloth and thread scraps.
Decorative Feathers
If you have any plaid, tartan or flannel fabric lying around, give these decorative feathers a try! By fraying the fabric and some simple stitching around twine, you can make these gorgeous feathers for yourself.
Macaron Coin Purse
Give this macaron coin purse a try if you have scraps and an extra zipper lying around. It makes a cute keychain or pouch for small pieces of jewellery like rings and earrings. Putting the fun in functional!
Covered Button Bobby Pins
This cute craft can quickly use up your scraps that are too small to be used elsewhere. Using a covered button kit and some bobby pins with glue pads, this is such a fun and easy craft to do.
Bunny Sachet Bag Sewing Pattern
These Bunny Sachet Bags are an adorable way to store small loose items and can be used in a number of ways. Whether you use it as a air freshener, shoe freshener, heat pack or a paper weight, this little bag comes together easily whether you like using a sewing machine or hand sewing!
Fabric Mushrooms
Create some whimsical fabric mushrooms using a hot glue gun or some simple hand sewing. Using some cardboard to help it keep its shape, these mushrooms are great as gifts or decor.
Heart Sachet Garland Sewing Pattern
Use your scraps to make this heart sachet garland that makes for a cute piece of decoration. Decorate with more scraps, embroidery or buttons and ribbon you have lying around.
Decoupage Vase With Fabric
Give this decoupage vase a try if you have a lot of fabric scraps that are too small for you to use. This can work on a ceramic, glass or wood vase, just be sure to use a bigger vase to showcase the pattern of your scraps.
Braided Rag Rug
If you have some old bedsheets that are no longer usable, give this braided rag rug a try! This can also be made with any type of thinner cloth scraps. Just cut them into strips, braid and sew into the rug of your dreams.
Denim Mug Rug
This denim mug rug is another project that uses english paper piecings. Denim is used in the original tutorial but it can easily be swapped for other suitable scraps you have on hand.
Turtle Pincushion Sewing Pattern
This turtle pincushion and sewing kit combo is a handy kit you can make to bring your supplies on the go. The shell of the turtle comes together using a simple quilting method that is great for using up those smaller scraps!
Quilted Christmas Ornaments
Use those christmas themed scraps to make this simple christmas ornament! The scraps are pieced together to make a star in the middle of a classic ornament shape. Simple yet festive.
Sunburst Triangle Fold Coaster Sewing Pattern
Don't have enough scraps to make a rug? Try this sunburst coaster! Using an iron and some patience, these scraps are folded into triangles and sewn into a fun coaster.
Handmade Gift Tags
These handmade gift tags are an elegant way to label your gifts no matter the occasion. Using wooden gift tags, the pieces of fabric scraps are used to create an abstract design. A great idea for fabrics that fray easily such as velvet.
English Paper Piecing Quilt
Create a beautiful quilt using this simple English Paper Piecing technique. It's a hand sewing technique that can be used in many ways, where scrap fabric are stabilised into shapes like hexagons before being sewn into pretty patterns.
Quilted Fabric Bookmarks
For the avid readers, sew this quilted fabric bookmark to ensure you'll never lose your page again. This tutorial uses a sewing machine to quilt your fabric so that the bookmark lies perfectly flat. Give it a try!
Book Cover Pattern
With your English Paper Piecings mastered, you can give this book cover pattern a try! You can use those EPPs as decoration with an applique technique, or make the piecings the cover itself.
Happy Cats
With your bigger pieces of scraps, try making these happy cats. This project is as simple as just cutting out the pieces based on the pattern and sewing it together, with buttons and a little embroidery to make its face.
Little Chicks
With just a bit of scrap fabric, thread and stuffing, you can make an army of little chicks for yourself! These are adorable and so easy to make you won't be able to stop.
Cord Keeper Pattern
Are your cords strewn around, tangled in a unmanageable mess? Try using your scraps and some velcro to sew this cord keeper to keep those wires neat and tidy.
Scrap Fabric Flags
With some creativity, make these scrap fabric flags that can be the center of your table during your next 4th of July party! A great alternative to disposable flags that doesn't even require sewing.
Embroidered Merit Badges
Turn your scraps into these adorable merit badges with some creativity and embroidery. Use it to reward yourself for finishing that one task you've been procrastinating forever, like finally finishing some scrap fabric projects.
Scraps of Fabric Garland
Make this rustic scraps of fabric garland with the bits and pieces you really have no idea what to do with. It's also a great way to use bits of lace and buttons, or even try out new stitches you're unsure about. Get creative!
Embroidered Fabric Cuff Bracelets
If you're wondering what to do with fabric scraps, embroider your favourite saying on a piece of scrap fabric and wear it as a cool cuff bracelet! Do note that this project requires a sewing machine.
Fishy Friends Stuffed Animal Pattern
This easy fishy friends pattern is easily customisable based on what scraps you have. You can use them as pet toys, decoration or a keychain.
Fabric Postage Stamps
This craft is perfect for those bits of fabric with cute designs you want to keep. Cut them out and make them into these fabric postage stamps! A great way to display them.
Fabric Moth and Butterfly
This magical moth and butterfly can be made using your scraps and turned into brooches or home decor. These are one of those scrap fabric projects that are simple to make and great conversation starters.
Fabric Shoelaces
Looking to give your old sneakers a colorful update? Give these fabric shoelaces a try! By folding and stitching two pieces of fabric together, you can create your very own unique and sturdy shoelaces.
Fabric Butterflies
With some twine and scrap cloth, these fabric butterflies make another great piece of decoration for your home. Quick and easy, it's a great way to practice sewing with a sewing machine for beginners.
Seaglass Quilting
Seaglass Quilting is a beautiful technique that can truly showcase your scraps in a unique way. Try out Exhausted Octopus' course if you're interested in learning how to make it.
House Fly Rag Doll
For a more unique gift, try out this house fly rag doll that is oddly adorable. Pieced together with scraps, gift this to any insect enthusiast and it's sure to please.
Wire Doll Bed
Perfection isn't a goal with this charming wire doll bed, just like many scrap fabric projects. Using some soft wire and masking tape, it's easy to make a small bed for your all your child's dolls, no matter the size.
Fabric Flowers
Use your scraps to make these whimsical and colorful fabric flowers that are sure to brighten any home. They're unique and easy to make, just be sure to grab some floral wire before you begin!
Handmade Scrunchies
Your scraps can turn into colorful and fun scrunchies, perfect for a quick gift or your own use. Just get some elastic and start up your sewing machine, you'll have scrunchies in no time!