Spread the Love
Have you ever looked at your pile of scrap fabric and thought, What can I possibly do with all this? Scrap fabric is one of those things that seems to multiply in drawers and craft bins, just waiting for the right project. Luckily, there’s a world of fun, creative ways to turn these scraps into something special. Bonus: A lot of these ideas make great handmade gifts as well!
Imagine the excitement on your kids’ faces as you turn leftover pieces of fabric into imaginative toys, colorful decor, and useful items for everyday life. Whether you’re an experienced sewer or a total beginner, you’ll find 25 scrap fabric projects here that fit your skill level and inspire family fun!
- DIY Bookmarks
- Turn small fabric scraps into simple, one-of-a-kind bookmarks. Cut your fabric into rectangles or squares, or get creative with the shapes like these Tea Bag Bookmarks, and add a layer of interfacing for durability. Sew along the edges or use fabric glue for a no-sew option. These bookmarks make thoughtful gifts and keep your pages marked in style!
- Animal Masks
- Let your kids’ imaginations run wild with fabric animal masks. These are perfect for everyday play, parties, or Halloween costumes. The options for animals are endless!
- Fabric Coasters
- Add a touch of color to your coffee table with fabric coasters. Mix and match different patterns for a playful look or stick to a single color scheme for a more polished finish. Make seasonal and holiday designs to match the rest of your decor!
- Handmade Doll Clothes
- If your kids love dressing up their dolls, making clothes out of scrap fabric is a wonderful way to use up smaller pieces. Simple skirts, dresses, and even tiny accessories like hats and scarves can be created without much sewing skill. Just let your creativity flow!
- Fabric Hems or Cuffs
- Use scraps to add unique hems or cuffs to existing clothes. Jazz up your child’s plain t-shirt by adding a colorful sleeve cuff or a fun hem on jeans. This little touch of fabric can bring new life to an old outfit.
- Decorative Fabric Banner or Garland
- Fabric banners and garlands are perfect for parties or room decor. Cut triangles or other fun shapes from scraps, and sew or glue them onto a string or sew a chain garland. Hang them across a wall, in doorways, or over your child’s bed for an instant pop of color.
- Patchwork Anything
- Patchwork is the ultimate solution for scrap fabric lovers. Sew pieces of fabric together to create a patchwork tote bag or dress. Create fabric patches, like letters, bows and fruit, to add to apparel. The mix of colors and patterns will bring an artistic flair to your creation, and no two items will ever be the same.
- Quilt Squares Not for a Quilt
- Love making quilt squares but don’t want to commit to a full quilt? Turn those squares into standalone projects! Use quilted squares as placemats, potholders, or mini wall hangings. These small projects let you enjoy the art of quilting without the commitment.
- Keychain Wristlets
- Make a cute, functional keychain wristlet out of sturdy fabric scraps. Sew a strip of fabric around a keyring, add some stitching for extra durability, and voilà—you’ve got a practical accessory to keep keys handy. Personalize each wristlet with colors and patterns your family loves.
- Fabric-Covered Magnets
- Add personality to your fridge with fabric-covered magnets. Cut small circles or squares, then cover button magnets with fabric and glue them in place. These magnets make great little gifts and can brighten up any magnetic surface in your home.
- Fashion Collars
- Upgrade any shirt with a fabric collar! This can be a no-sew project with fabric glue or a quick stitching project for those who sew. Choose fancy or funky fabric patterns to make detachable collars that can be added to plain shirts or dresses for a pop of style.
- Coin Purse
- A small coin purse is a perfect project for scrap fabric pieces. Sew two squares or circles of fabric together, leaving room for a zipper. Use it to keep spare change, hair ties, or other small items organized in style.
- Travel Fabric Dollhouse
- Create a little world on the go with a travel fabric dollhouse. Use fabric scraps to sew rooms, beds, and other small accessories onto a felt or cloth background. This compact, foldable dollhouse can entertain kids during car rides, at restaurants, or on vacation.
- Pretend Bandages
- Make pretend play even more realistic with fabric bandages. Cut scrap fabric into bandaid shapes and add a soft center for a “padding” effect. Use Velcro to make them functional. Your little ones will love “bandaging” their toys, and it’s a cute addition to any play doctor kit.
- Tooth Fairy Pockets
- Design adorable tooth fairy pockets from small squares of fabric. Feeling creative? Make it in the shape of a tooth. These pockets keep teeth safe until the tooth fairy arrives and can be personalized with your child’s name for a special touch.
- Cord Keepers
- Say goodbye to tangled cords with fabric cord keepers. Cut a small rectangle, add Velcro or snaps, and sew the edges to secure the fabric. Now you’ve got a reusable way to keep charging cables or earbuds neatly organized.
- Reusable Fabric Envelopes
- These fabric envelopes can store anything from letters to little keepsakes. Fold fabric into an envelope shape and stitch the sides, adding a button or Velcro closure. They’re eco-friendly and can be customized with fun patterns for each family member.
- Animals or Dolls
- Turn fabric scraps into lovable stuffed animals or simple dolls. Sew two pieces of fabric together, leaving a small opening to stuff with cotton(don’t throw away those old pillows!) or fabric bits. Your kids will adore these handmade creatures, and they make wonderful gifts too!
- Picture Frame Border Mat
- Enhance any framed photo with a custom fabric border. Use a single fabric or piece together multiple for a patchwork design. This is a fun way to showcase photos with added personality and color.
- Fabric-Covered Picture Frame
- If you have a plain frame, give it a makeover by covering it in fabric. Simply glue fabric around the frame’s surface, no need to sew! This craft is an easy, unique way to decorate with a personalized touch.
- Color Learning Books
- Teach kids colors in a tactile, interactive way with a fabric color book. Use scraps of different colors to create pages with a corresponding color theme. Label each page and let your kids flip through to explore and learn each shade.
- Fabric Alphabet
- Create an alphabet set with fabric scraps! Cut letters out of felt or cotton fabric and back them with interfacing or add stuffing for stability. These fabric letters are great for learning activities and can also be used as wall decor in kids’ rooms.
- Tea Party Tea Packets
- Add some fun to playtime with fabric tea packets for pretend tea parties. Cut small squares, sew the edges together with a bit of stuffing inside, and attach a “tea tag” to one corner. Your little ones will love serving tea with their handmade set!
- Princess Fairy Crown and Wand
- Make dress-up magical with a fabric crown and wand. Sew or glue colorful fabric scraps to create a crown. Addinterfacing to keep the shape. For the wand, sew star shapes onto a stick or straw, adding some ribbons for a whimsical touch.
- Handmade Doll or Teddy Bear Blankets
- Lastly, give your kids’ toys their very own blankets. Small fabric squares make perfect doll or teddy bear blankets, providing comfort to their little friends. You can add quilted patterns or use simple layers for a quick project.
Scrap fabric projects offer endless ways to be creative, practical, and even eco-friendly. Not only will you find useful and beautiful things to make from these leftover pieces, but you’ll also be building memories with your family. So, gather your scraps and start crafting today—there’s something magical about turning “leftovers” into treasures!
Ready to dive into a project? Choose one of the ideas above and start with what you have at home. Share your creations with friends and family, and watch how your leftover scraps transform into cherished items
