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81 Unique Things To Make With Fabric Scraps For Adults

Inside: Transform your fabric scraps into stunning crafts with our collection of 81 ideas! Whether you’re into sewing, quilting, or upcycling, find inspiration to turn those scraps into valuable, handmade treasures.

Like many of you, discarding anything, especially leftover fabric scraps from previous sewing projects. It feels like a missed opportunity for creativity. That’s why upcycling and repurposing have inspired me to dive in. Now, joyfully transforming what some might consider rubbish into something remarkable.

This exploration has led me to compile over 80 easy sewing projects and scrap fabric craft ideas. They are perfect for using those tiny pieces in our scrap bins.

From simple patchwork quilts to charming zipper bags, these ideas are not just about making do; they’re about creating something beautiful and functional. Whether looking for a great project to use up piles of scrap fabric stack or seeking the perfect gift idea that adds a personal touch, there’s something here for everyone.

The beauty of these scrap fabric projects lies in their versatility. They embrace different patterns, colours, and techniques, from fabric flowers to bowls. There are many ways to reduce waste while expressing your creativity.

What’s exciting is that many of these projects don’t require the constant use of a sewing machine, making them accessible to crafters of all skill levels. And, if you’re inclined towards sewing, many great ideas await you.

Each project offers a lot of fun and the chance to create useful things like a pencil holder or a scraps pinboard, turning your excess fabric and little pieces into extraordinary things. Most other materials you might require will be part of your craft essentials and nothing fancy.

Things to make with fabric scraps

What Fabric Scraps To Use

  • Scrap bin trimmings and leftover material from other sewing projects are great for patchwork. Even the smallest scraps of fabric can be patchworked to make larger pieces.
  • Un-donatable clothes: If I have an old shirt that has seen better days, and it’s in a particular pattern that I love, I will cut up the good bits of fabric into scraps to use.
  • Fabric remnants, samples and swatches.  I keep all the material swatches I get for free from furniture and interior stores.  These are excellent ways to get free small fabric samples for projects.
  • Fabric scraps can be used for decoupage and sewing. Check out these decoupaged IKEA Moppe mini drawers.

If you regularly visit this site, you will know I’m passionate about upcycling denim. For these projects, I use every part of a pair of jeans. Scrap denim fabric upcycled crafts can be seen with these no-sew jeans projects, what to craft with jeans seams, and upcycled jean pocket ideas.

The Best Things to Make With Fabric Scraps

Do you have a pile of fabric scraps from other craft projects or fabric sample swatches?

This is a list of over 70 beautiful ideas for the scraps. Make them for yourself or give them as gifts; from practical and applicable to fun, decorative and frivolous, various fabric crafts inspire everyone.

You might want to check out these awesome leather craft ideas if you have some leather scraps.

Don’t forget to check out many of my other cool adult craft ideas and ideas for upcycling sweaters for Christmas.

scrap fabric craft ideas pin

Jennifer Wise

Thursday 28th of March 2024

The feathers are amazing, but there are so many things here I'd love to make. I think if you have (or have ever had) fabric, you must have scraps! :) Pinning this to save and share. Thanks for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #31 linkup. Hope to see you next week, too.

Claire Armstrong

Thursday 28th of March 2024

Thank you so much, the feathers are a favourite craft of mine too. I even make them out of denim scraps too!

Michelle Leslie

Tuesday 12th of October 2021

Those denim moths of yours are still one of my all-time favorite scrap fabric ideas. They're just so awesome., but I've pinned this wonderful collection of other ideas because if there's one thing we have a lot of in this house, it's fabric scraps :D

Claire Armstrong

Wednesday 13th of October 2021

Thank you, it's amazing the fun things you can make from fabric scraps. The moths are also my sons favourite.