Fabric scrap projects, one small piece at a time
Practical, beginner-friendly sewing and craft projects for using up fabric scraps and small remnants, with clear steps and exact measurements.
New to sewing from the scrap bin? These guides cover sorting, color, and the first projects to try.
Ten first projects for a full scrap bin, ordered from the smallest pieces to the largest and from the simplest sewing to the next step up.
A simple three-pass system for a messy scrap bin: sort by size first, then color, then fiber, and decide what is worth keeping.
Mixed scraps look planned when light, medium and dark are in the right places. A guide to value, neutrals, print scale and limited palettes.
How to press, square up and cut odd-shaped scraps into standard squares and strips that fit together, with a size chart and safety notes.
The four habits behind neat patchwork: accurate cutting, a true 1/4-inch seam, pressing to the dark side and nesting seams. Includes a first four-patch and nine-patch from scraps.
Simple ways to store fabric scraps so they stay visible and easy to reach: clear bins, card folding, rolled strips, a current-project basket and a firm limit on space.
Quick makes for small pieces, with little or no sewing experience needed.
Five no-sew fabric scrap projects with short how-tos: a knotted rag garland, wrapped hangers and bangles, a decoupage jar or tin, fused gift tags and braided cord.
Turn narrow offcuts into fabric scrap bookmarks with two rectangles, a strip of interfacing and four straight seams. Includes a corner bookmark made from three squares.
Make fabric covered buttons from the smallest scraps in the bin, using a cover-button kit or a simple gathered-thread method over plain shank buttons.
Pouches, pincushions, pot holders, and other useful things to stitch from remnants.
Sew a quilted patchwork pot holder from sixteen cotton squares, with cotton batting, an insulating layer and a hanging loop. Bound and turned-edge versions included.
Make a plump 4-inch patchwork pincushion from five small squares, choose the right stuffing and close it neatly with a ladder stitch.
Sew a small lined zipper pouch from twelve 2 1/2-inch squares or a single fabric. Exact cutting sizes, the zipper sandwich explained, and fixes for the usual mistakes.
Coasters, baskets, bunting, and sachets that put favorite prints on show around the house.
Sew small lavender sachets from cotton scraps in two styles, a square stitched shut and a refillable bag tied with ribbon.
Sew a small lined fabric bin with a square base, stiff interfacing and a cuff that folds down to show the lining, with the boxed-corner math worked out.
Sew a set of four quilted patchwork coasters from short strips, backing squares and thin batting, turned and topstitched with no binding.
Sew a classic scrunchie from a single strip or pieced scraps, with the right elastic length and a neat way to close the gap.
Turn one 5 x 10 inch strip, or a handful of pieced scraps, into a sturdy wristlet key fob with a metal clamp. Includes webbing-core and D-ring alternatives.
A soft, padded, fully lined glasses case made from three 8 x 7.5 inch rectangles, with every raw edge hidden. Optional snap or flap closure.
Sorting, cutting, color matching, and appliqué: the skills that make scrap projects go smoothly.
Raw-edge fusible appliqué turns the smallest print scraps into hearts, leaves and other simple shapes. Trace, fuse, cut, press and stitch around the edge.
How to press, square up and cut odd-shaped scraps into standard squares and strips that fit together, with a size chart and safety notes.
Mixed scraps look planned when light, medium and dark are in the right places. A guide to value, neutrals, print scale and limited palettes.
Practical uses for the smallest remnants and trimmings, from crumb piecing and confetti fabric to stuffing and mending patches, plus how to tell when a piece is too small to keep.
Sew narrow scrap strips onto a paper or muslin foundation, starting from a diagonal center strip, then set four blocks together to form a diamond.
Sew a classic scrunchie from a single strip or pieced scraps, with the right elastic length and a neat way to close the gap.
Sew a quilted patchwork pot holder from sixteen cotton squares, with cotton batting, an insulating layer and a hanging loop. Bound and turned-edge versions included.
Make a plump 4-inch patchwork pincushion from five small squares, choose the right stuffing and close it neatly with a ladder stitch.
Sew a small lined zipper pouch from twelve 2 1/2-inch squares or a single fabric. Exact cutting sizes, the zipper sandwich explained, and fixes for the usual mistakes.
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