I know for a fact that I am not the only sewist with not only one, but two (or more) drawers of scrap fabric.
Where does it all come from? Heaven only knows how a stash of leftover fabric can add up so quickly.
It is time for some scrap fabric projects!
There are so many great things about sewing with scraps. First, there are the memories. Each fabric in that pile was used to create a special something.
Maybe it was a gift for someone special, a useful item for the house, or adorable clothes for the baby.
Going through the fabric scraps is a sunny walk down memory lane.
Secondly, the chance to upcycle fabric scraps keeps sewing a green activity. Reusing, recycling and reducing is something that every household should be doing, in MHO.
It’s just the logical thing to look for leftover fabric ideas! Why throw scraps away when they can be repurposed and used to make fun, useful, and quick scrap fabric projects?
We love to share trash to treasure projects! Check these ideas out, too!
This page is full of wonderful things to make with fabric scraps! It is loaded with just too much to touch on here, but I’ll give you a little glimpse of what’s ahead.
Sewing with scraps
Although not all of the ideas on this page involve sewing, this is a good place to start with leftover fabric ideas.
Some of the projects that involve sewing with scraps are:
- Kitchen Items: fabric bowls, potholders, bowl covers, fabric napkins, and more!
- Clothing and Accessories: beautiful fabric bracelets, dresses and tops, belts, purses, decorative hair pins, and much more.
- Pet Supplies: treat bags, collars, and toys!
- Desk Items: bookmarks, fabric covered lampshades, fabric storage boxes and bags, fabric weights, and more!
- Holiday Treasures: pins, table runners, holiday decorations, banners and other great ideas!
- Organization: luggage tags, grocery bag sleeves, baskets, electronic cord keepers, key chains, and many more ideas.
Want another great way to upcycle tons of fabric scraps? Take a look at our scrap quilts project page! Such beautiful things to make with fabric scraps!
As I mentioned, there is just too much to share here, so scroll down and take a peek at all of the fun and creative leftover fabric ideas and scrap fabric projects!
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Decorative bobby pin tutorial using scrap fabric.
Just Call Me Chris
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This DIY reusable bowl cover pattern will show you how to make your own fabric covers to save money and stop using plastic wrap. Zero-Waste Project!
Easy Things to Sew
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DIY bowl cozies are perfect for using up your scrap fabric, and they would make a useful handmade gift! Learn how to make bowl cozies - two ways.
Heather Handmade
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With a couple of simple embroidery stitch, learn how to make some adorable butterflies to hang around the home.
Sum Of Their Stories
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Learn how to make a handle cover for a cast iron skillet. Keep your hands from getting burned when cooking with cast iron cookware by making quick and easy handle covers.
Needlepointers.com
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This DIY cat collar tutorial is really simple and can be done in a matter of 15 minutes.
Sweet Simple Vegan
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Make a cat collar with this tutorial and save lots of money.
Flossie Blossoms
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Three designs for cat toys. Download the free cat toy pattern sheet and begin sewing them together.
Craftbits.com
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Use scrap fabrics to make decorations. This flower can be a great addition to your Christmas decoration.
Craft Bits
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Use a sewing machine to put these together quick Christmas tree ornaments. Or hand stitch them.
Chicken Scratch NY
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Upcycle your t-shirts in cloth napkins with this free tutorial.
Hello Sewing
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With this free tutorial and pattern, make a button and loop reversible coffee cup sleeve.
Crafty Staci
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No more tangled wires around the house or while traveling. Grab some scrap fabric and sew up some fabric electric cord or charger cord wraps. Keep your cords organized and tidy. Watch this free beginner sewing project tutorial.
Needlepointers.com
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Tag toys are popular baby toys! With this free pattern, learn how to sew crinkle tag baby toys with scrap fabric, leftover ribbon and trim, and a surprising upcycled material that makes a crinkling sound.
Needlepointers.com Associate
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Stop throwing away old jeans! You can transform the old jeans into a useful denim bag (basket) with this tutorial.
Needlepointers.com
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Cats love catnip so make your furry friend a few catnip pillow kicker toy. Each pillow is the purrfect toy to keep your cat entertained for hours.
Needlepointers.com
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Hot pads are of the items that are absolutely crucial in a kitchen. This hot pad pattern can be whipped up quickly and easily.
Hello Sewing
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Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag. Kids will love to choose fabrics and then create small drawstring pouches to put all their little treasures in. This DIY drawstring bag sews up in less than an hour and is a beginner sewing project for kids or adults.
Needlepointers.com
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How to sew a fabric shoe bag. Shoe bags are handy when traveling. Shoe bags help keep clothing and luggage from getting dirty. Learn how to sew a quick, easy and handy shoe bag.
This project is so easy even someone learning to sew can make it.
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Have a lot of really sweet scraps lying around? Make a cute handbag with them.
Jemima Bean Quality Time
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Learn how to make quick and easy fabric book marks. A gift-giving and stocking stuffer idea.
Quilters Candy
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A fabric bookmark is a wonderful beginner sewing project for kids or adults. Learn how to make an adorable fabric bookmark by watching our video and reading our free pattern instructions. This is a kids can sew project.
Make them for any holiday, keep or give as a gift or use as a stocking stuffer.
Needlepointers.com
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Do you have some Altiod-like tins laying around? Upcycle them into cute little tins to store supplies.
Green Bee
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With this free pattern and tutorial, jazz up your Easter home décor with fabulous fabric Easter eggs.
Hello Sewing
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This video will show how to make fabric mason jar covers. These quick and easy fabric jar toppers make mason jars gifts very attractive and cute..
Needlepointers.com
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Learn how to sew a fabric lanyard with this quick and easy video.
Needlepointers Staff
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A good-looking fabric-covered light switch plate is a quick, cute and easy craft for your home or office.
Scratch and Stitch
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Customize greeting cards for baby showers, birthdays, Christmas or other occasions by using up scrap fabric.
Quilting in the Rain
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Learn how to sew fabric tissue holders for travel size tissues. It is a quick and easy sewing craft that even a beginner can make.
Keep some on hand for last-minute gifts for teachers, Mother’s Day, stocking stuffers, hostess gift, friends or birthdays.
Needlepointers Staff
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Fabric postcards are a great way to use up scrap fabric, orphan blocks, and embellishments. With this tutorial, learn how to make fabric postcards.
Needlepointers.com Associates
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These simple fabric postcards are the perfect craft for little ones to make. It's a non-sew project. It uses Mod Podge instead.
The Sewing Loft
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These little keychains are perfect for using up leftover fabric.
Craftiness is not Optional
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This friendship bracelet pattern is made out of scrap fabric. It is constructed the same way as a traditional friendship bracelet but jewelry endcaps are used to hold everything together.
Skip To My Lou
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Use up some scrap fabric and get organized at the same time. This easy sewing project can be completed in about half an hour.
Flamingo Toes
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Make a simple fabric basket or tray with Kam snaps holding the corners. These are quick, easy, and decorative to make! No pattern is necessary. Includes step-by-step instructions.
Needlepointers.com
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Bright up your Christmas tree with cute tree ornaments. To make this ornament you will learn how to use scrap fabric and strip piece the fabric together to make the strip-pieced ornament.
Watch our video tutorial and read our written instructions to learn how.
Needlepointers.com Staff
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Use up scrap fabric by making bracelets for yourself or as gift.
Sum of Their Stories
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This Santa ornament is adorable and easy to make. Make some cute fabric yo-yo Santa ornaments to decorate a Christmas tree or to give as gifts.
Needlepointers.com Associate
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An idea for using yo-yos! Stitch them onto store-purchased towels in various designs or as a flower garden.
Needlepointers.com Associates
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Learn how to sew a fabric hair scrunchies. By using different fabric you can make scrunchies for any occasion or fashion outfit.
Watch our video tutorial and read the our easy step-by-step picture tutorial to make scrunchies.
Needlepointers.com Staff
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This fun Valentine snack mat is just the right size for a beverage and a snack. Get the free pattern. So grab your fabric scraps and make a heart mg rug by watching our video or reading our step-by-step photo tutorial.
Needlepointers.com Associate
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Here is a tutorial on making homemade fabric postcards. Simple household supplies are all that is needed - scrap fabric, cereal box, Mod Podge and brush. Great Kids Craft!
Skip To My Lou
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A free tutorial on making small round hot pads with pockets for your fingers.
Crafty Asian Girl
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Mod Podge Rocks Blog
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Sew a bunch of cute mini mittens with fleecy cuffs to hang on your tree or decorate Christmas gifts with this free sewing tutorial.
Orange Bettie
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This tutorial teaches how to sew a simple fabric mixing bowl cover that can be used on a variety of bowls,
Handmade in the Heartland
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It is so easy to sew a nail file holder with scrap fabric using this quick and easy tutorial.
Easy Things To Sew
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Grab some scrap fabric and a glue gun to make some fabric storage baskets.
Ohoh Deco
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No card on hand! Use scraps of fabric to make a customized greeting card with this free tutorial.
Craft Apple
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Make a patchwork dress from fabric scraps. Follow these handy sewing tips to help you choose the best dress pattern for this sewing project.
My Poppet Makes
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Zip together a cute Easter basket with scrap cotton fabric and some denim with these instructions.
Bags From the Heart
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Using this free tutorial sew a top from fabric scraps.
The Sum of Their Stories
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This plaid-style patchwork cushion tutorial is a great way to dig through the scrap bin and use up some of your favorites.
Polka Dot Chair
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Time to think about back to school! Time when kids are bored and don't know what to do!
Keep them busy for an afternoon by teaching them to make a back-to-school zippered pencil case.
This is a wonderful beginner sewing project for kids.
By Needlepointers.com
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Even kids can sew scrappy throw pillows by sewing strips of fabric together to make an interesting pillow.
Sassy Cassy Sews
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The plastic bag holder is not a new idea BUT sewing your own using this grocery bag holder pattern, means you can coordinate your neat little DIY plastic bag holder to your kitchen color scheme
Hello Sewing
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Learn how to make quick and easy pot holders with a leftover panel or 7 - 8 inch square piece of fabric. This free potholder pattern can be completed from start to finish in less than an hour.
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With leftover fabric from your quilts, you make a simple pillow sham with a flap back closure using this tutorial shared by A Quilting Life.
A Quilting Life
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With receiving blankets or flannel fabric cut into 8" square, make a toddler-sized quilt using this free pattern.
Scratch and Stitch
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These unsponges are zero-waste kitchen scrubbers. With fabric, batting, tulle or mesh and some basic sewing supplies make reusable sponges.
Hello Sewing
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How to make a fabric sachet bag. Fill the sachet bag with lavender or potpourri. These make nice gifts for friends, teachers, hostess, etc.
Needlepointers.com
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Got Fabric Scraps? Turn them into friendship bracelets with this free tutorial.
Crazy Little Projects
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Use up leftover fabric by making scrap fabric twine and hot gluing to ball ornaments.
My Poppet Makes
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Use scrap fabric to make a map of the United States or any country.
See Kate Sew
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Add splashes of color to any outfit with this vibrant and eco-friendly scrap-pieced belt. By Ashley Johnston
We All Sew
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Use up those leftover scraps of fabric by creating a scrappy hot pad/potholder with this free pattern. There is no binding on this one making it super easy.
Blooming Poppies
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This quick-to-make scrappy patchwork pillow by Sherri at A Quilting Life shares and demonstrates how to make an easy, and fun scrappy patchwork pillow.
A Quilting Life
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This patchwork trivet can be easily and quickly whipped together from the tiniest fabric scraps, and other leftover supplies from quilt making.
My Poppet Makes
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What are sewing pattern weights? The main purpose of these triangular pattern weights is to hold down the paper pattern in place while you draw or cut around it. Learn how to make some with this tutorial.
Hello Sewing
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A cute little pouch with a button and loop closure.
Betula Loo
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Learn how to make an adorable and easy snowman Christmas tree ornament from fabric yo-yos and a bead kit.
Needlepointers.com Associate
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With this bowl cozy pattern, you can make a cover for your bowls and not burn your hands with 3rd-degree burns whenever you heat something up in the microwave.
Hello Sewing
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Spruce up your kitchen with this tutorial on how to sew a no-binding potholder using leftover jelly roll strips with this free quilted potholder pattern.
Needlepointers.com Associates
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Use jelly roll strips to create a fun strippy pillow.
Quilting In The Rain
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Here is a super quick tutorial for a sunglass case. Features fold-over tap with button and elastic closure.
Sew Fantastic
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This super easy craft just requires a little hand stitching to make a tea cup pin cushion.
Easy Things To Sew
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Learn how to make a pincushion with scrap fabric, an orphan teacup and some basic craft supplies.
Creative Green Living
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With this free tutorial learn how to make a cute makeup bag with fabric you have laying around the house.
Craftastical
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Learn about this true scrappy quilt! Create a stunning Totally Scrappy Quilt using leftover fabric! Learn more about transforming scraps into a beautiful quilt.
Needlepointers.com
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A quick and easy water bottle tote pattern with elastic around the top to keep the bottle from falling out of the tote bag.
The Long Thread
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A wristlet is perfect for holding everything you need for a quick trip out. Learn how to make this one.
Flamingo Toes
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