Do you have an overflowing stash of fabric scraps that you do not know what you should do with? Yes, me too, me too! ππΌββοΈ
I felt it was time to tackle my scrap pile, and as such, I researched lots of fun scrap busting ideas. I found over 30 awesome scrap busting ideas to try out when sewing clothes and accessories. I’m so excited to share all of them with you! π
Click here to watch the video, or click on the thumbnail above. Or if you prefer you can keep on reading… and maybe even pin some of your favourite ideas? π
Make fun accessories
Hats
Here we have my friend Kate from @timetosew wearing one of her many Elbe textiles Sorrento Bucket hats.
Elbe textiles also have a floppy hat design called Serpentine Hat. Kate made one for her mum which she is modelling in the picture above.
Another great pattern is the Dad cap pattern from Proper Fit Clothing, which I found through @clarasofiafalk on Instagram. Clara made her caps from fabric scraps and recycled parts of thrifted caps. I am so tempted to go thrifting caps and make some myself now! I cannot believe I never thought of using parts of old caps to make a new one. π
Then we have this FREE fun keyhole Scarf from Purl Soho.
Purl Soho has several great free patterns, as well as these cute felted wool mittens.
Fabric belts
I think making fabric belts also would be a good idea for using up scraps. I am planning right now to make a belt for a paper bag waist skirt that I have had for many years. It used to have a leather tie belt with the skirt, but an old friend many years back borrowed the belt and then I never got it back… π
I have since then used a tie belt from a dress and my leather belts with the skirt, but I think it’s time the skirt time gets its own tie belt again.
I didn’t find any tutorials for a belt exactly as I want, but I did find these two fun fabric belt tutorials:
Hair accessories
Hair accessories are great for scrap busting. I have wanted to make a hairband similar to the chunky Prada hairband that has been so popular in 2021. Worn in the picture above by @laerkebagger – who you gotta follow, for scrappy knitwear design inspiration, if you do not do so already!
You can of course also make other hair accessories like hair bows or scrunchies and so on – but I think these are already on most scrap busting lists!
Loose / detachable collars
This one made by @stolkhanneke is not just made of fabric remnants but also reversible (see pic below). The pattern is from Tilly & The buttons and it’s FREE! π Find the pattern here.
And when I was grabbing the link to the collar pattern I stumbled upon another free pattern from Tilly & the Buttons that could be great for scraps – snuggly slipper boots!
If you have any scraps of medium to heavy-weight sweatshirt, fleece, velour or woven cotton for the outer layer, and any faux fur, fleece, jersey, fleece, velour or flannel to use for the lining (+ cotton wadding !) this can be a great scrap buster that will also help you keep your feet warm.
When researching for this video I accidentally stumbled upon the idea of updating your shoes by making fabric shoelaces! I might try this out soon because it’s so cute π
Fanny packs are another great idea to make out of scrap. I especially loved these patchwork fanny packs by @sewfemknits. The pattern is Fennel Fanny Pack from Sarah Kirsten.
Make small clothes
Look for patterns that use very little fabric like underwear, pyjama shorts, tops without sleeves etc. Sleeves use a lot of fabric – so maybe even consider making patterns you already have without sleeves.
Here we have some really cute underwear that @leem108 shared on Instagram. They are all made from a free pattern from Megan Nielsen (available for both grown-ups and little ones) called Acacia.
Below are some of my favourite underwear, sleep & loungewear patterns which I think could be great for scrap busting. It is not an exclusive list just some of my favourites so feel free to let me know in a comment down below if I missed any of your favourites! π
Underwear patterns:
- Iris Knickers from Tilly & The Buttons
- Emerald Erin (Bra & swimwear patterns + Supplies)
- Stevie Knickers pattern from Paper Theory
- Maxine High Waist Panties from Evie La Luve
Sleep & loungewear patterns:
- Carolyn Pajama Pattern from Closet Core Patterns
- Fifi Pyjamas from Tilly & The Buttons
- Reef camisole & shorts set pattern (size 0-20) / Reef Curve camisole & shorts set pattern (size 14-30) from Megan Nielsen
- Lara Loungewear Set Sewing Pattern from Swim Style Patterns
Then I got another idea from @clarasofiafalk: faux polo necks! Or is this what they are called? π€
You know one of those that looks like a full-on top with a collar or hoodie – but it’s actually just the top part. They are just perfect to use when layering in the winter.
First, Clara made one for herself in a black wool jersey, and then her daughter also wanted one so she mixed and matched different leftover colours of wool jersey. I just thought they turned out amazingly! I especially love the one she made for her daughter.
The original pattern that she altered is the Juno hoodie/jacket/sweater from MΓΆnsterfabriken. However, she used the collar add-on design which you will need to buy separately.
Clara then altered the pattern to create this faux polo neck design. You can do this with any pattern you might already have to create your own version.
And of course, you can make clothes for the little ones in your life. I do not have any little ones right now to make clothes for so I am not including any specific patterns.
But I would love to hear from you if you have any favourite scrap busting kids clothing ideas! Let us all know in a comment down below! ππ»
Get scrappy with quilting & patchwork
I must admit that I have a bit of a quilted jacket obsession right now. There are so many beautiful ones on Instagram – both store-bought and me-made. I would love to make one, but I honestly do not know when I will get around to doing it (too many projects on the back burner!).
One popular sewing pattern to make quilted patchwork coats and jackets out of is the Hovea jacket/coat pattern from Megan Nielsen. Not everyone who has followed this pattern has made theirs as patchwork coats or jackets – but many have and I want to show you all of them! π However below you can see some of my favourites:
@raehells
Check out the hashtag #MNHovea over on Instagram for more inspo, and get your own Hovea jacket & coat pattern (size 0-20) here. If you want the Hovea Curve Jacket & Coat Pattern (Size: 14-34) instead click here.
I am also totally in love with this patched denim jacket from @sewmuchaerial π
I also fell totally in love with this Ayora Jacket from Pauline Alice Patterns made above by @sewdiypatterns. You can buy the pattern here.
I also love the Karri Dress from Megan Nielsen Patterns (pictured both above and below). I have had my eyes on this pattern for a while and eventually, when I have enough of the same quality fabric in a similar colour scheme I think I will make it. We will see… π
Follow a patchwork pattern from a quilter, or just experiment by sewing the scraps together until you have a piece of fabric big enough for your pattern of choice.
@sewlike made this awesome Durban Jumpsuit with all patched denim. π
Play with block colour!
Another great scrap busting idea is to play around with colour block designs. For example, making a sleeve in one colour, the front bodice in another, and the back piece in different colours.
This skirt inspired by Mondrian’s painting just shows how fun block colour designs can be. π
A great designer to be inspired by when it comes to block colour designs is the designer Mara Hoffman.
@sewlike shares on her Instagram so many great makes using blocks, and smaller pieces of fabrics joined together to create fun playful designs. Above are some of my favourites! π
You can even pattern-match fabric scraps from the same fabric so that you have a bigger piece. Just look at these Frida Khalo pyjama bottoms made by @melissalowrydesigns from the Closet Core Carolyn Pajama pattern.
Or utilize that seam as a design feature. You can topstitch, make an embroidery stitch, add some lace or just keep it as is.
As always when combing pieces of fabric bear the grainline in mind – cutting on the bias will make it stretchier! But as always you can use this to your advantage too. π
Asymmetrical designs
Another thing you can do to utilize your scrap pile is to play around with asymmetrical designs.
You can make one side is longer than the other like this skirt that Kate from @timetosew is wearing here.
Or do an asymmetrical shirt design like this one that @ohsewmargy made from the Butterick 5786 pattern.
I also found this asymmetrical hem dress from Vogue Patterns (1490) made by Lylytif.
You can also make asymmetrical pattern pieces like in this Butterick 5852 Fitted Asymmetrical Color Block Dress sewing pattern.
Here is another really cute dress with Asymmetrical Bias the Butterick 6047 sewing pattern.
Another idea is to add an asymmetrical section to your skirt like in this Mukzin skirt design, and I also think that the pleated detail at the waist could be a great thing to use your scraps for.
If asymmetrical hems are not your thing you can make the front and the back pieces in different lengths – this is perfect for shirts, shirt dresses, dresses and tops. Play around with the shape to create an appealing design!
Another fun design I found was this Butterick Vintage Sewing Pattern the 4645 Womenβs Dress with a couple of different Asymmetric designs details on the skirt.
Fun details!
Use scrap fabric for garments details like linings, neckbands, neckband facings, cuffs, waistband, pockets, pocket bags, straps, button plackets, collars, hem bands etc.
Scraps are perfect to make the insides of your garments beautiful. I try to always use fun pocket bags and add some fun bias binding if possible to make me happy looking at the insides of my me-made garments!
In my opinion, this is where you really can elevate your own me-made garments and at the same time use things you already have.
You can also totally mix and match. Just look here at this Carolyn pyjama set that @starsthreads made where she used three different fabrics from her stash which she mixed and matched for different parts and details of her garments. How beautiful! π
I was also so inspired by @matteo_sofia_ who recently made this Yates Coat from Grainline Studio mixing this fun pink and camel coloured plaid Harris tweed with plain camel coloured Harris tweed.
Now I do NOT think this was a scrap busting project, but I think this would be a great idea if you had a mix of wool coating or tweed remnants in your stash.
Creative Trims
Turn your messy scraps into different trims! This is especially a great idea to do if you feel very uninspired by your stash.
One thing I already do is to make my own bias binding – perfect to use to finish seams or use in place of facings and a great fabric buster. You can also make your own trims such as ruffles, piping, pleated trims, flounces etc.
Tilly and the Buttons have two tutorials on their Youtube channel that can be helpful if you want to make ruffle details. One is how to make a Ruffle hem at the bottom of their Jaime PJs:
The other is all about how to make a lettuce hem on an overlocker for creating a finish suitable for knit fabrics that you can use on ruffles, the edge of bodices, sleeves etc. I also love how Tilly placed her ruffles on the shoulders.
Tutorials on how to make your own trims:
Please leave a comment down below if you know of any other good tutorials on how to make your own trims.
Or be creative with your trims and make something like this cute bubble fabric trim from Threads magazine.
Why not make this Rocco ruffled fabric trim from The Pragmatic Costumer?
…or a Rouleaux Trim?
There are so many fun trims out there that you can make yourself using fabrics that you already have. I especially love the idea of turning uninspiring & messy scraps into beautiful and inspiring trims.
Play with fabric!
Dare to experiment – if itβs scrap fabric leftover from previous projects do you actually have anything to lose if your idea doesnβt work out? π€·πΌββοΈ
Get yourself one of my favourite book’s The Art of Manipulating Fabric and start experimenting with different fabric manipulation techniques – if it turns out well you might be able to use it in your next project?
I have recently been working on a blazer dress refashion project. As part of this project, I am making a pleated skirt. As I am working with a limited amount of upcycled fabric I had to sew together several pieces of fabric to create a big enough piece to pleat. That made me think that pleating could be a great way to use up scraps as you will anyway need to hide the joined seams inside the pleat – and nobody will know that it was made from scraps (or upcycled fabrics in my case). π
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Save it for later? Pin it!
If you have done any fun scrap busting recently – let us all know in the comment down below. Let’s inspire each other to bust those fabric scraps!
I really hope my suggestions got your creative juices going on what to do with those scraps. If you know anyone with a fabric stash overflowing with scrap share this video with them! π
