I think it’s safe to say, we all have leftover fabric scraps. Here are 20 ways to use fabric scraps in a variety of projects: quilts, gifts and other craft projects. (This post was updated 02/18/2020)
This week I helped to teach a class with ideas for using your scraps with the very sweet Marilyn Yerkes at our local quilt shop. We were asked about doing this right after Christmas and it has been so motivating for me to get my scraps organized and to start making projects with them in preparation.
Above is my progress with my American Jane scraps quilt. I’ve got more blocks assembled and I think I’m going to make it twice as big, at least. Finally giving those scraps a good home (because there are a lot of them)! This quilt was inspired by a project in this book and this quilt by Rita of Red Pepper Quilts.
Of course I only took two (really poor-quality) pictures during the class. sigh.
This quilt is by Marilyn. She used a tutorial from the Missouri Quilt Co. and 3 Dudes Quilt Shop that’s on YouTube. It’s so cool!
It was very fun to share ideas and projects with other quilting friends and I figured I’d share some of the ideas with you too! I shared some of my recent scrap projects. (Including this quilt finished. I love it. Am now working on the pattern and will share when both are ready!)
Here are some of the other ideas we shared. Some of them you’ve probably heard of dozens of times, but just in case, here they are all together. (Pictures used with permission.)
Scrap fabric organization: The first thing I recommend is organizing your scraps by color. It’s the simplest way to organize your scraps and it will make them SO much more appealing to work with. I bought a couple of sets of those clear, plastic drawers as a simplest possible see-thru storage option.
My second tip for scrap organization: Get rid of the scraps that are no longer inspiring. Clean out and purge.
I have more details about sorting and organizing scraps here.
GrannySquare Quilt Block Tutorial from Blue Elephant Stitches
String x-block tutorial from Leedle Deedle Quilts
Ticker Tape on Canvas by Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts
Scappy Fabric Garland from Cluck Cluck Sew
Gift Tags from A Spoonful of Sugar
Stationary Kit by Heidi Staples – aka Fabric Mutt
Fabric Covered Composition Notebooks by Amy Chappell
I hope some of those ideas spark some creative juices in using your own scraps.
For keeping track of more Scraps ideas, I’ve started a Scraps pinboard that I update regularly, if you want to follow it for the latest projects and ideas:
What are some of your favorite ideas to use fabric scraps?
21 Comments
Katy Cameron
March 17, 2012 at 3:54 pmSounds like a fun day, and great collection of tutes, thanks for sharing.<br /><br />As for the leprechauns, I think they were away stealing the Irish rugby team's playing ability today…
Cynthia
March 17, 2012 at 4:03 pmI love your ideas for scraps. I have a long list of to-dos, it just seems as though there is never enough time!
Lucy @ Charm About You
March 17, 2012 at 4:10 pmYour quilt looks wonderful 🙂 Happy St Patrick's Day!
pasqueflower
March 17, 2012 at 4:15 pmInspiring!!! I have LOTS of scraps, including a bag of 2" squares (Bonnie Hunter inspired me to do that).
Missy Shay
March 17, 2012 at 5:07 pmThank you for sharing!
Steph Jacobson
March 17, 2012 at 5:46 pmI love your American Jane scraps quilt. I've been making string quilt blocks with my scraps. It is a lot of fun and I love the crazy, colorful quilt blocks it makes.
Sarah Craig
March 17, 2012 at 6:58 pmLove love love your American Jane scraps quilt! What a great way to use up little scraps!!
vintage grey
March 17, 2012 at 7:16 pmLove the scraps quilt! I have so any scraps, a great way to use them. Oh, your Reunion quilt is beautiful, too! Happy St. Patty's Day! 🙂 xo Heather
Cindy~ Heart and Sew Inspirations
March 17, 2012 at 7:48 pmSuch great ideas! As a beginner quilter, I hope to have enough scraps someday to do something pretty with. I may try the table runner! Right now, I am still on my second quilt top and just starting to build a stash toward my next project. Love your blog!
SewSara
March 17, 2012 at 8:52 pmI really love what you've done w/ the scraps in that first quilt top. all the white is awesome, too.<br />thanks for putting so many ideas together in one spot. <br /><br />if i ever sew again (4 kids?!! how do you do it!?), i'll keep these in mind 🙂
Cindy
March 17, 2012 at 9:00 pmI love Marilyn, we have been friends for years! She is one talented lady–in many mediums. Great ideas.
Diana
March 17, 2012 at 9:58 pmI just found your blog. Wonderful quilts…and I love the math related comments. My Daughter graduated from BYU n Math Education and now teaches at Orem Junior High. We have gone into The American Quilting store. It is very cute.
Catskill Quilter
March 18, 2012 at 12:54 amHappy St. Patrick's Day to you as well! I hope it was wonderful. This is an interesting post — the first quilt is gorgeous, and I see that it depends on lots of background fabric (in this case white) for its success. LOVED this post from you — another great one!
Sew Create It - Jane
March 18, 2012 at 4:16 amLots of great scrap ideas there…only problem with scraps is the box never seems to empty no matter how hard I try :o)
Ric Rac and Polka Dots
March 18, 2012 at 9:16 amReading this post makes me think I need to organize my scraps. Oh, just what I need, another project! Very cute ideas for using them up, thanks for sharing!<br />Julie
Thimbleanna
March 19, 2012 at 6:51 amSome really great suggestions Amy! I love the quilt you made to take to class. Thanks for consolidating all the ideas into one post!
wtpooh11
March 19, 2012 at 8:00 pmWho knew you could make so many great things with the scraps. I will look at them in a new light.
Melanie@Crafty Cupboard
March 19, 2012 at 10:32 pmI think Rita's scrap quilt was the second quilt I ever made, and I LOVED it. Still do. I'm saving scraps to make another one just like it! Actually, with all the fabric scraps I've accumulated, I could make 7 of those…
Mary DeBar
February 20, 2015 at 6:57 pmI cut 6" squares and when the stack gets large enough, I sort into piles of colors that work together for simple lap quilts for a prayer shawl ministry. I feel good about using up the scraps, the quilts are small and simple so go fast, and someone not feeling well knows someone is thinking of them.
Using Fabric Scraps
January 14, 2017 at 12:05 pm[…] If you’re looking for other ideas for using up scraps, this post is full of ideas for using your fabric scraps. […]
Penny Wilkens
January 15, 2017 at 6:48 amIs there a pattern for the American Jane quilt with instructions for the size of the blocks. Such a cute quilt!