Scrap-busters (Woven edition): Let's use up those remnants!

Posted by Sandra on 16th Jan 2024

Which sew-er doesn't end up with odds and ends of fabric here and there?  Of course, pieced or quilted versions of clothing or accessories are always an option.  In addition, here are some other projects to consider.  I'll be adding to this list from time to time as I come across more.  Happy crafting and feel free to let me know if you have any ideas to share!

Clothing

Friday Pattern Company Sports Shorts -free pattern

Classic gym-style shorts with contrast bias binding down the legs, plus pockets.  Download the pattern here.  Purl Soho has a free gym shorts pattern here which takes less fabric (about 0.5m plus bias binding), but the sizing is a bit iffy so I would go by the size of the actual pattern pieces rather than relying on the size chart.
Fabric needed: ~0.9m main fabric + 0.5m contrast fabric

Wardrobe by Me Easy shorts -free pattern

Versatile shorts pattern with a fake fly.  Each shorts leg is cut as one piece, and all edges are finished before being put together.  (Would not recommend for total beginners though as I found instructions a bit sparse and the pattern notches a bit iffy.)  Download it from the link in their Youtube tutorial.
Fabric needed: ~0.55m

Sew Different 2-hour top -free pattern

A boxy, raglan top available in UK size 12 only (other sizes may be purchased).  Easy to make and wear.  Download it here.
Fabric needed: I think I got away with 0.55m for the body and 0.45m contrast fabric for the sleeves.

Etoffe Malicieuse Espoir panties -free pattern

I haven't tried this yet, but it would be a lovely way to use up treasured fabrics such as Liberty or silk.  Download it here.  Pattern and instructions are in French but you could put it through an online PDF translator to obtain an English version.
Fabric needed: 0.25m-0.35m

Moussaillon shirt -free pattern

A charming sleeveless button-up shirt where the collar and collar stand have been fused into one piece. Download it here. Pattern and instructions are in French, use an online PDF translator to obtain an English version.
Fabric needed: ~0.75m

Maison Fauve citron camisole -free pattern

A V-neck camisole with ties at the shoulders and a chevron-shaped colour-block effect. Download it here.
Fabric needed: 0.7m for the top part and probably ~0.5m for the bottom, plus facing

Atelier Scammit Declic top -free pattern

A simple cap-sleeve blouse with gathered shoulders. I managed to squeeze this out of much less than the official required yardage, but it depends on your size, if you're willing to cut flat (not on the fold), etc. Download it here.
Fabric required: <1m 

Joli Lab Hoya pyjama set -free pattern

Cute and simple pyjama set of sleeveless square-neck top (with optional ruffle) and shorts or pants.  The top especially could easily be made in a going-out version.  English instructions are included, download it here.
Fabric required: 0.6m and up per piece

Bags

Bum bag/ fanny pack -free patterns

Bum bags are all the rage at the moment, and are good for slightly thicker scraps. Try the Fibre Mood Etta, Lisymaque Lune, Core Fabrics belt bag (two sizes), or the Petite Stitchery Frost fanny pack which comes in kids and adult sizes.
Fabric needed: ~0.25m, 0.35m-0.6m for the Frost

Schultz Apparel Asta bag -free pattern

Cute circle handbag with an optional big bow in front. Download it here.
Fabric needed: 0.55m

Sou-sou Kohabaori eco bag

Kinda croissant-shaped simple origami bag with a knotted handle, to be folded flat and kept in your handbag till you need it. Here's the tutorial, with diagrams and basic English instructions.
Fabric needed: 35cm x 106cm

Sou-sou Odayaka shopping bag

Similar to the Kohabaori above but larger, with a gusseted base and interior slip pocket. Here's the tutorial for this one.
Fabric needed: 41cm x 124cm + 35cm x 24cm

Indigobird origami bento bag

Similar concept to the eco bag but sized for a bento box, a few yarn balls, etc. Tutorial with photos by indigobird.
Fabric needed: 30cm x 82cm

Indigobird origami bento bag

Indigobird also has an origami-inspired multi-compartment snap pouch tutorial using fat quarters. I'll have to give this one a try soon myself!
Fabric needed: One fat quarter for each of main and lining, plus interfacing

Ruffle cosmetic bag -free pattern

Very cute zippered cosmetic bag which could be used as a clutch too. The sample at the Hemmers Itex website is made with double gauze but you could use a variety of wovens. Be sure to click the "Tutorial" tab to access the instructions to go with the pattern.
Fabric required: 50cm x 20cm each of outer, lining and batting (or similar material for padding)

Hobo bag -free pattern

Slouchy hand-bag with no closure. Hemmers Itex recommend using old jeans or pleather to make it, or you could use some other substantial material such as this coated linen blend in the WtW shop. Here is the pattern, and be sure to click the "Tutorial" tab to access the accompanying instructions.
Fabric required: About 0.5m each outer and lining fabric

Flat tote bag

"Just" a simple flat tote bag, but it can be nice to have a set of instructions to follow and a sample to look at! The Fabric Store's bags look like a great size and the instructions are to-the-point.
Fabric required: 0.6m

Hats, home decor, etc.

Boro coasters

Here's the tutorial that inspired me.  Beautiful little works of art that are almost too lovely to use.  Gather your scrap bag and a friend or three and have a relaxing artsy day-in! 
Fabric needed: Squares of thicker cotton/ linen and lots of scraps

Hand-rolled hankies

As the name would suggest, this is great for practicing hand-rolling your hems.  Here are two different methods I've tried: this is the first one I learnt and is good for slippery/ soft and/or fine fabrics such as silk, it is also very satisfying to pull the thread and have the hem "magically" roll itself up; and this one by Sewn Company is a bit easier to do and works well with a fabric you can press into place as you go (such as a crisp cotton or linen).
Fabric needed: Around 25cm to 35cm square, depending on your preference, of cotton, linen or silk

Make continuous bias strips, then turn them into bias binding

I was amazed when I first saw that continuous bias strips could be made relatively easily from a square or rectangle of fabric.  There are various tutorials online for making the strips, I found this one by Geta's Quilting Studio easy to follow.  And once you have your strips, you don't need to have a fancy bias tape maker to turn them into bias binding!  As seen on the Colette blog (now known as Seamwork), a pin in your ironing board can achieve much the same effect.
Fabric needed: Virtually any size square or rectangle of plain weave fabric.

Needle book

Kinda old-fashioned, but I've been using the same one for over 15 years, so... :O  It makes it easy to access the exact needle or pin you need, and to bring a selection along for sewing on the go! Here's a tutorial by 5 out of 4 and one by The Spruce Crafts.
Fabric needed: About 2 hand-sized pieces, plus a little felt

Sewing roll

Similar to a needle book but roll-shaped to keep a spool of thread as well.  Bookhou has a video and downloadable pattern for a beautiful hand-stitched thread holder/ sewing kit.
Fabric need:  Few small scraps, the largest about 8x17cm, plus a little felt

Bucket hat -free patterns

Try the Maison Fauve Bob hat or the Merchant & Mills Bucket Hat (comes in 3 adult sizes), the construction methods are slightly different.  And the Waves & Wild Sandcastle hat comes in a large range of sizes starting from baby!
Fabric needed: 0.55m by 0.6m piece for the Bob, 0.35m-0.5m for the Bucket Hat

Sun hat -free patterns

Gina Renee offers a different hat style for ladies, it can be accessed after signing up for her newsletter.  Closet Core also has a free sun hat pattern which is available here.
Fabric needed: 0.3m (Gina Renee) to ~1m (Closet Core)

Purl Soho square coasters

Here's the tutorial and eye-candy samples made with Liberty fabric.
Fabric needed: 15cm square per coaster + felt/ wool for padding

Scrap fabric twine

I like this idea as I would buy baker's twine to wrap presents, now I can use fabric scraps for the same purpose.  Be sure to watch the video which explains the method better than the written directions at My Poppet Makes.  It's perfect for someone like me who always wants to keep their hands busy. (・ε・)

Fabric needed: Long strips 2.5cm wide or narrower

Knotted rug

I saw this hand-knotted mat made with an inexpensive non-slip rug pad as the base on Artist Endeavours 101 - so clever!  Theirs uses strips of bedsheets, but you could use whatever scrap fabricyou have, even knit fabric might work.  
Fabric needed: Lots of narrow strips about 15cm long

Headband

As a bonus, this particular tutorial makes use of short lengths of foldover or soft elastic, too, and a link is included to the kid's version.  
Fabric needed: 2 pieces each 33cm x 6.5cm for adult version

Scrunchie variations

You've probably made a scrunchie with your leftover scraps before, but maybe you've not tried a giant puffy scrunchie, or a scrunchie with a removable bow?
Fabric needed: About 15.5cm x 102cm; About 9cm x 43cm for each of scrunchie and bow 

"Petal square" ornaments

The downside to these ornaments is that they look better from one side, but they are very fun to make, perhaps whilst chatting with friends.  Here's the tutorial and a video.
Fabric needed: Two circles about 20cm wide for each

"Scandinavian star" ornaments

I call these "ketupat stars". (≧∇≦) They are no-sew ornaments, but you do need an iron and fabric glue.  I really like the beautiful William Morris fabrics used in this particular Youtube tutorial.
Fabric needed: 4 rectangles each 4"x 16" or 3" x 14"

Face masks -free pattern

You probably have a favourite pattern of your own by now, in 2023.  Even if lockdown is behind us, it's still nice to have some on hand for when we invariably catch the flu, in crowded areas, etc.  Here's a pattern & tutorial if you are looking for one, by Japanese Sewing Books.
Fabric required: 1 A4 size for both outer and lining

Patchwork pouch

Does anyone do petite and beautifully detailed like the Japanese? This isn't a unique idea but it is so wonderfully done here that I wanted to highlight it.  Please use it as inspiration.  The video also shows every step of how the pouch is made, so you can follow along.  
Fabric needed: Small squares of lightweight cotton for the front and back, thicker fabrics for the side panel

Pojagi

Korean traditional method of piecing fabric together with reversible seams that look good from either side.  Typically it seems that ramie is used, as it is translucent, a bit stiff and presses very easily.  The finished products are often curtains or wall-hangings that catch the light beautifully.  Here is a tutorial on the traditional hand-sewing method, and a clearer one that uses linen instead.  If you prefer to sew by machine, this tutorial includes some simple layouts, and this one shows how to incorporate triangles.
Fabric needed: Remnants of fabric that creases easily, traditionally ramie but linen could work too

Pattern weights with handles -free pattern

I like these particular pattern weights as they include "handy" handles in the design, so they're easy to move about on your pattern pieces.  Here's the pattern by In Complete Stitches.
Fabric required: Two 12cm squares per pattern weight

Heat pouch

Reusable little baggie filled with rice or other grains, to be heated in a microwave and used to relieve neckaches, cramps, etc.  Here's one set of instructions for example.
Fabric required: 6" x 18" or any other small sizes

Storage boxes

Again, even for something that looks relatively simple, it's nice to have good instructions and pictures to "hold your hand".  These boxes by The Fabric Store look great.
Fabric required: 34cm x 21cm for the medium box

Baseball cap -free pattern

Baseball cap pattern by fabric producer Hemmers Itex in various adult sizes, suitable for thicker wovens and even boucle or teddy.  Also great if you have some specialty notions to use up, such as horsehair.  (Website is a bit tricky to navigate - the instructions are found by clicking the second tab around the middle of the page.)
Fabric required: Not mentioned but looks like <0.5m for each of main and lining fabric

Padded case -free pattern

Padded case pattern and instructions by The Assembly Line for laptops, tablets, glasses or other small items.  Instructions are given for quilting your own fabric if not using pre-quilted fabric.
Fabric required: 45cm or less x2 for each of main and lining fabric (or 45cm or less of pre-quilted fabric), depending on size

Expandable storage bags -free pattern

Fabric storage bags which pack flat and can be expanded into box shapes to store shoes, craft projects, packing cubes for luggage, etc.  The edges are nicely finished inside, making these quite giftable, too!  Pattern and instructions at Apple Green Cottage.
Fabric required: Half yard or less

Tiny pinch purse -free pattern

Another video tutorial by the wonderful bookhou with a free template for cutting out.  This one is a little purse without closures for putting tiny treasures.
Fabric required: Scraps, + felt and recycled cardboard and plastic

Note: Fabric yardages mentioned above are just my experience from my own attempts and/or official pattern recommendations, it will vary depending on your size and how you like to cut your fabric.