Are your fabric scraps weighing you down? It seems like no matter how hard we try to buy and cut efficiently, at times the scraps threaten to overrun our sewing spaces! The struggle is very real. So today I’m sharing some ideas… first, let’s start with scrap buster projects.
In truth, if my scraps are big enough, I’m probably going to try to make a garment for myself before considering anything else. 😉 Think creatively — you don’t need to have enough of one fabric for the whole garment.
T-shirts using different fabrics for the front and back look really cool. This looks great with Blanc, like this one, this one, and this one. (Remember, the Blanc pattern is free in our Facebook group!)
Raglan tops are perfect for contrasting sleeves, but the look can work for set-in sleeves as well. The examples above are shown in these posts (1, 2, 3). And here are a few ideas for kids’ tops, too.
You can also get creative with adding seamlines! Not only is this perfect for scrap busting, but you might just end up with your new favorite garment. These posts can help with the ideas above: colorblock dress, boatneck with a yoke, blank tank, draped t-shirt
Riffing on these ideas can help you make the most of smaller pieces of fabric, too. Use a lace insert to break up the front or back, or sew some stripes on top of a seam where you piece together!
And these two aren’t garments per se, but they are a couple of my favorite ways to use knit scraps… beanies and panties! You can even add a seam on the beanie pattern to make the lining a different fabric from the outside.
If I have lightweight woven scraps that aren’t garment material (haha), then I often consider making bias tape with them. I love to make projects using bias tape, and if I have a variety of options already on hand, they go much faster. Here are a few ideas:
bias trim pajamas – favorite purse – bias trim tank – finishing curves – bathtub book cover – bias trimmed shorts
Finally, small pieces of fabric are always great for small crafty sewing projects. Don’t limit yourself to quilting cotton prints for these — a zipper pouch from linen or a pencil roll from chambray would look really cool.
Stand-up travel kit
Napkins
Dopp kit
Zipper pouch
Air fresheners
Drawstring bags
Tissue holders
Quilted potholder
Coffee cozy
Pencil roll
Alas, sometimes we end up with more scraps than we can reasonably use, and when this happens, look around for local organizations that will take them. For instance, where I am we have Austin Creative Reuse, and I know places like this are cropping up in more and more places!
Debra L. Murri
Wow! I love these ideas!
Kimberley Grimm
Been using my scraps to make book and journal covers.
Annie
I love this! So often I forget about combining fabrics.