Should you just scrap your fabric scraps?
What do you do with your fabric scraps? It’s quite common for makers to fall into one of two categories when it comes to dealing with leftover fabric… either you save every single, tiny little piece of fabric (but never actually do anything with them) or you finish a project and immediately throw out whatever fabric is left over. But perhaps there’s a middle ground that doesn’t mean you have a box full of never-ending scraps and also means you make use of left-over fabric, or at least some of it.
Before we get into the specifics we need to talk about some of this terminology… what exactly is a fabric scrap?
What is a fabric scrap?
Technically speaking, a scrap is left-over fabric that is too small to be used on it’s own for another project. If you have fabric left over from project one, for example, but it is enough to make project two (even if project two is something small) then your fabric is a remnant rather than a scrap. The best thing to do with a fabric remnant is to either go ahead and make that second project, or press and neatly fold it and put it back with your regular fabric stash ready for future use.
But let’s get back to scraps. The most important thing is actually if your scrap is a useful scrap. There’s no set definition for what is classed as a “useful” size or “too small to use” size. Deciding this very much depends on you; more specifically the amount of fabric scraps you are able to store and the potential uses for the scraps. You need to be realistic about what you sew to establish if scraps are genuinely useful, otherwise you’ll end up drowning in scraps or getting frustrated and end up throwing them all in the bin! Think about who you sew for (it’s quite likely that your fabric scraps will have more uses in children’s patterns as the garment pieces are smaller) and if you’re not sure then take the time to compare your fabric scraps to pattern pieces to see if they will fit.
Ways to use fabric scraps
After you’ve sorted out your useful fabric scraps comes the really fun part…deciding how to use them. Even though scraps are usually fairly small, there is still quite a few different ways to use them in Waves & Wild patterns.
Pockets
Some pockets might use a bit too much fabric to be able to cut from scraps but there are a few W&W patterns that feature small patch pockets. Using fabric scraps can be a great way to add an extra pop of colour or a contrasting print.
Look at the Dreamer Shirt and Twist & Shout Trousers for woven scraps, and the Beep Beep Raglan Sweatshirt and Jacky V T-shirt for jersey scraps.
Gussets
The Speedy Pants briefs and boxers are a great way to use up jersey scraps because a few different parts are small…especially the gusset inside the briefs and the front section of the boxers. Plus you have the added bonus of it not really mattering if the fabrics match each other because it’s on your undies!
Cuffs
Any children’s patterns with cuffs, especially small cuffs like on toddler size sleeves, can be great for scraps. If you think there’s chance you might use some leftover fabric for cuffs then keep this in mind when you’re cutting the main project from the fabric yardage. Try to leave long , thin pieces of fabric uncut rather than lots of square/rectangle/odd-shaped pieces dotted over the fabric yardage; this will make it easier to cut out pieces for cuffs later on.
Applique
In a similar way to cuffs, appliqué details can often be cut from small or oddly-shaped fabric scraps. Waves & Wild patterns like the Animal Appliques and Dragon Dress Up could make excellent use of some of your scraps.
Patchwork It
A slightly different way to use fabric scraps is to make your own fabric from the scraps! Cut them all into the same size squares and sew them together to make one piece of fabric, then cut out your garment as usual. This works better with woven patterns like the Hygge Vest/Gilet/Bodywarmer but you could use jersey too, as long as you’re carefully not to stretch the fabric whilst you are “patchworking” it.
How will you use your fabric scraps from your next project?
Great post, just to add for the little scraps that end up in the bin, there are many companies that recycle them, H&M in Australia has a textile and clothes deposit bin, where they recycle scraps. There are many other companies that offer the service too. I save a bag for over 6 months and then just drop it off at a recycling location.
H&M do this in the UK too!
Some charity shops also accept bags of scrap of fabric as they can get money for discarded clothing/fabric to shred. I always ask first before taking it though as some places can’t do that.
Upparel is a company that recycles old clothes and scraps not suitable for reusing. Also old shoes.
It dies cost to send it to them, but better than going to land fill.
THANK YOU
I keep the tiniest scraps in a bag to use for stuffing. NEVER throw anyth8ng away. Small scraps for patchwork. Bigger scraps for lavender bags, appliqué etc. Larger bits for bags, hats, anything. Reuseable fabric bags of the simplest sort are good for reuseable gift wrapping. Or just cut round a piece of fabric with oinking shears and use for gift wrap.
I took all my scraps to the local primary school for them to use – they were delighted to have them.
I’ve used the very long thin scraps for cook book bookmarks. I used to do traditional small hexagon patchwork which uses quite small scraps.
In UK you could offer unwanted scraps on your local Freegle group and some areas have scrap stores.
One of my local charity shops has a craft group. They make things to sell in the shop and are delighted to receive fabric scraps. (UK)
I’m keeping my scraps, along with utterly worn out clothing to stuff a pouffe, or draft doggie
I use tiny scraps to make mini block patchworks and then use the really teeny tiny scraps mixed in with toy filler for cushions, I have even used them in the dogs toys when he’s spat out all the original filling LOL x
You can make a larger piece of ‘fabric’ by scattering tiny scraps on some old sheeting, placing washaway stabilser or net over and stitching randomly until everything has been captured. The washaway will washaway, or the net is part of the design. Handy for scrappy appluque pieces. There’s a tutorial on Pinterest.
All of these ideas are great! I’ve been using little scraps to make saleable items for charity. You can use 2 pieces of cotton/polycotton (13cm x 9cm) sewn together to make little origami butterflies to attach to elastic hairbands (look for instruction videos on YouTube – there are several).
I also make hair scrunchies. Insert colourful bobble trim into the seam to make them more child-friendly, or use scraps of velvet, etc., for more adult tastes.
There are lots of ideas around the Internet to use up waste. Possibly the most obvious use is to use the smallest scraps as stuffing for something that requires a bit of weight to it, like a doorstop or draught excluder. I’ve found the excess seam allowances cut off by my overlocker are ideal for this!
Another idea is to make a piece of patchwork and use it to make bags, purses, glasses cases, etc.
I keep the scraps- am planning on using them to stuff a pouffe…
I have used some of my scraps to add in seam pockets to dresses that don’t have any