Sewing with fabric scraps: In this post, I will reveal how you can sew with fabric scraps while upgrading them at the same time. Conjure up dreamlike, unique pieces from cotton fabric scraps.
The most important points at a glance
- In this post, I’ll show you how to make good use of fabric scraps
- You can sew wonderful things out of fabric scraps and create great unique items
- When mixing fabric scraps, you should make sure that the quality of your fabrics doesn't differ too much so that they can be processed well together
- You make a real contribution to the environment when you sew beautiful things out of worn clothing, sorted-out bed linen, tablecloths, etc.
- But you can also create new fabrics from the remnants of other sewing projects
- This means that you can sew sustainably by utilizing fabric scraps.
If you love fabric as much as I do, you probably always have scraps left over. Today I want to show you how you can sensibly utilize fabric scraps. You can sew beautiful things from fabric scraps - and create stunning unique pieces. A classic method for working with small pieces of fabric is patchwork. The interplay of the small cut pieces is often very precise here. With my technique, we sometimes let things slide and just start sewing. Just as the mood takes us.
Because: sure, it's great to sew bags and pouches from a special fabric. But how much more creative is it if you can sew them from many special fabrics at once?
Reading tip: Reinforcing cosmetic bags
Sewing with fabric scraps is fun!
Fabric scraps - that sounds a bit like Cinderella at first. In this post, I will show you how bags for real princesses are created from fabric scraps!
I bet Cinderella would love to tuck these bags under her arm when she heads to the horse races in Ascot, wouldn't she!?
Of course, the idea of upcycling fabric scraps is part of it too. Naturally, as little fabric as possible should end up in the trash can. It’s simply too beautiful for that. And too expensive. But above all, too beautiful.
You make a real contribution to the environment when you sew beautiful things out of worn clothing. At the same time, the resulting works are a special gift because they contain something "from you yourself."
Of course, you can also mix everything colorfully here and decorate the bag made from old jeans with a colorful star or an anchor made of cork. Fancy! :)
If you feel like conjuring up a colorful rainbow from your fabric scraps, you can also take a look at this tutorial:
What do I need to sew with fabric scraps?
Basically, you need all the materials that you should also have on hand for other bag projects:
- Fabric scraps made of cotton woven fabric*
- medium fusible fleece*
- Scissors*
- Sewing thread*
- Pins*
- Fabric marker*
- Rotary cutter*
- Fabric scissors*
- Sewing machine*
- Iron and ironing board (feel free to read more about practical ironing aids)
- Fabric clips*
Sewing ideas from fabric
That is actually the magic of it: when sewing with fabric scraps, you have full control over how you want to realize your sewing idea. The result is as individual as you are.
You don't like control? Then give it up! Just reach into your scrap box, rummage around a bit, and sew whatever you fish out. That’s a challenge that requires strong nerves.
But sewing is not for cowards anyway. We’ve known that for a long time! ;)
When mixing, however, you should make sure that the quality of your fabrics doesn't differ too much. If you want to sew with cotton, stick to it. Jersey or stretch are out of place because they are too stretchy.
Creating new fabric from old fabric scraps - it works!
We use the stitch-and-flip technique to make a brand new fabric out of scraps - a truly unique piece. The good thing about it is that you can’t really do anything wrong. Just start sewing and see what happens. After all, you have nothing to lose.
And because you never buy fabrics you don't like anyway, the result is a very special, one-of-a-kind piece with a surprise effect. It is important that you do not use too thick a fleece for the sewing ideas in this post. A thin cotton or bamboo fleece* is exactly the right thing.
Reading tip: Reinforcing fabrics
A particularly creative idea is, by the way, a mix of denim scraps and great old buttons!
Scrappy - but classy!
To further refine the bags, I sewed them with color-coordinated metallic zippers. Actually, I don't use any other zippers anymore - I find these ones much too beautiful for that! I have them here in countless great colors and therefore always find the right color to give my bags and pouches that certain something.
My tip: Often, the color of the zipper visually pulls the colorful mixture of fabrics together into a harmonious whole. That’s why it’s worth paying attention to the choice of zipper color here so that it harmonizes with the fabrics, or contrasts with them.
I always order my metallic zippers* from Simone. Mainly because I haven't found this variety and splendor of colors anywhere else.
Mixing fabric scraps tone-on-tone
With this method, you place your fabric scraps under a color theme: search for all your fabric scraps from one color family and sew them into a new fabric.
My tip: If you stay within a color scheme, your self-created fabric scrap material appears coherent.
Fabric scrap recycling - a clever thing!
Before I get started, I consider how big my "new" piece of fabric made from old scraps should be. Then I iron the fabric scraps that I want to process.
Usually, I cut myself a piece of natural fusible fleece* of the appropriate size and sew the fabric scraps directly onto it using the quilt-as-you-go technique.
Feel free to read my post "Fabrics and fleeces for patchwork" as well.
Sometimes I just place the ironed fabric scraps right sides together and sew them together. By continuously adding and sewing on fabric strips and pieces, I enlarge the "new" fabric area.
Storytelling by sewing
With this method, you can also tell wonderful little stories. Set a theme that should appear as a motif in the middle of the "new" fabric. Then you can frame all other fabric scraps with matching motifs.
Sometimes I also choose a motto. Like, for example, the rainbow colors for the Pride bag:
Upgrading fabric scraps with glitter & co.
To upgrade sewing projects made from fabric scraps and give them their own very special charm, I love working with materials that create a contrast.
Cork fabric, SnapPap, beautiful buttons, or glitter fabric are very suitable.
Especially with the glitter variant, bags and pouches look classy and nice and funky. Anyone can be boring. And a little glitter is always a good idea, right? ;)
At the moment, I'm really quite crazy about these glitter fabrics - especially the reinforced variant is extremely easy to sew, I think. And it looks stunning to boot. The stuff can even be washed and ironed. After washing, however, the rest of the laundry glitters too, which is why my husband suggests washing the bags separately by hand... ;)
Sewing with fabric scraps - here's how!
On a piece of natural fusible fleece*, I first place my center piece - the piece of fabric that should go in the middle. This fabric sets the tone.
Here, the main motif is an antique sofa - a fabric I brought back from my last trip to the USA.
For further processing, I relied on the random method. That means: reach blindly into the scrap box and pull out the first piece of fabric you find. Iron briefly, cut to size, position, and sew.
After every new fabric scrap, the seam is ironed flat.
When positioning, make sure that the fabric edges of the already attached pieces are always covered by the new piece of fabric.
Once your "new" fabric is large enough for the planned project, you should iron it well. If you like, you can topstitch it with decorative stitches.
And then it's time to cut and sew! Delightful!
Here, a decoration of gold-colored faux leather with a small glitter heart provides some bling.
The pattern is our Alsterprinzessin cosmetic bag, which is perfectly suited for such combinations.
Sewing fabric strips
For the Pride bag in rainbow colors, I used strips 5 centimeters wide and sewed them lengthwise onto the natural fusible fleece*.
The seam allowance must be taken into account with this method. Usually, I just start sewing and then, if necessary, add another fabric strip at the very end.
After each seam, the seam allowances are ironed open.
Sewing with fabric scraps
The Pride bag is also upgraded with faux leather.
In doing so, fold the seam allowances in the direction of the fabric strip and topstitch them.
Log-cabin technique with fabric strips
You already know this technique from my Log Cabin pot holders. I really like using it because it creates such a self-contained whole.
For this, strips of fabric that get progressively longer are sewn around a motif in the center:
Finally, the prepared fabric is pressed well and trimmed.
Working with tonal fabric scraps
That was the motto for the small Alsterprinzessin in shades of red. The process is exactly the same as for the Pride bag in rainbow colors. However, I contrasted the warm shades with a cool gray Moscow bag fabric,* which I simply love using and sew with often.
I actually have Moscow in every color (oops, that's not true, I've run out of the beautiful heathered brown, I need to reorder that urgently!) and I really love using it to sew bags and pouches.
I use the bag fabric not only as a voluminous lining but also as a robust outer fabric that gives bags a nice structure and fullness. Indispensable stuff.
Here, I'm using cork fabric and glitter vinyl with a bit of fabric glue* to create a fun eye-catcher.
Now just topstitch all around - then you can start sewing it all together.
By the way, another great idea is to jazz up boring tea towels with pretty fabric scraps.
I think they are dreamy, the Alsterprinzessinnen made from fabric scraps.
Do you want to learn more about this pattern and its many possibilities?
Looking for even more ideas for using up fabric scraps? Then why not whip up a set of reusable makeup remover pads with a laundry bag. By the way, you can download the instructions for free.
Happy simple sewing, your Sabine
P. S.: Want to know what else you can sew from even smaller fabric scraps? Take a look:
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