Recycle scraps of fabric: the 15 best ideas

Recycle scraps of fabric: upcycling with scraps of fabric

When sewing, scraps of fabric accumulate in abundance and one by one you are sitting on a large box full of remnants of the most beautiful fabrics. Most of them are too small to be cut to size for a large sewing project – but throwing them away would be a shame! Your creativity is required: There are countless small projects for which you can recycle leftover material.

All the nicer when you can then draw on a wealth of different fabric patterns and colors – this guarantees cheerful, colorful little things that make everyday life more colorful. The word upcycling is capitalized: Even the smallest leftovers can still be used for a patchwork blanket or an application. And the small sewing projects are always suitable as gifts or souvenirs! We have put together great ideas for you here.

Recycle scraps of fabric: the best ideas

Sew cosmetic pads

Make-up removal in the evening is very important so that the skin is cleansed and can regenerate. Unfortunately, the cotton pads create a lot of waste. If you are looking for a sustainable alternative, you can sew your own cosmetic pads. After use, these simply go into the washing machine with the next wash load and are then ready for use again. Find out how to sew cosmetic pads here!

Beeswax cloths

Sustainability is also very important in the kitchen. The washable wrapping cloths with beeswax are best available in different sizes. They keep food fresh and transport the snack from A to B. You can find out here how you can make a beeswax cloth yourself!

patchwork

Patchwork is the keyword when it comes to small scraps of fabric. With a little patience, a new large whole can be put together from many small individual parts. You can play with shapes and colors: Put the little scraps of fabric together as you like or even arrange them in a new pattern. Basically, patchwork can be expanded into many sewing projects: picnic blankets, pillow cases, table runners, baby blankets, etc., cosmetic bags, etc. … Here you can find out how you can sew a patchwork blanket.

Sew on applications

Appliques are small pieces of fabric that are sewn onto another fabric. So that the small scraps of fabric are strengthened a little and are therefore easier to sew, they can also be ironed onto fleece for application. They can then be cut into shape and applied with a zigzag stitch. So you can reassemble entire motifs and decorate things you have sewn yourself.

Cover buttons

You can never have enough buttons! In a well-stocked fabric shop you will find coverable buttons that can be filled with small scraps of fabric.

Sew cherry stone pillows

Comfortable warmth with the power of nature! Grain pillows relax our muscles, offer relief to the strained neck or relax the aching stomach. And if you are still looking for a last-minute gift, your best friend, mother, father & and the rest of the family are sure to be happy too. Instructions: Sew a grain cushion.

Make scented sachets

Small scented sachets can give off a bewitching scent with dried lavender. They keep moths at bay or serve as a gentle sleep aid next to the bed. Instructions: Sew a scented sachet.

Sew the book cover

Whether diary, organizer or notebook … there are books that are among our loyal companions. In return, they deserve a special cover, which also protects the important content so that coffee stains, dog-ears and the like don’t stand a chance. Here is the DIY: Sew the book cover.

Wrap gifts with fabric

Saving resources, reusing old things and rethinking disposable items towards reusable items is becoming more and more important. Even small steps help to avoid rubbish. An alternative to disposable wrapping paper are scraps of fabric: this is ideal for wrapping small gifts. The piece of fabric can then be reused. Here’s how Furoshiki works.

Sew a pincushion

A pincushion is essential for all sewing enthusiasts and keeps everything in place. Instructions: sew a pincushion.

Beautify jam jars

Such a decorated jam jar looks great! Simply cut out a large circle of fabric and pull it over the glass with a small rubber band. Voilà – your souvenir is ready!

Sew a hair band

We don’t just decorate our heads with hats in winter, we also need something suitable for summer! A hair band is an eye-catcher. It plays around our head in bright colors and also holds back our hair! This quick DIY project can be sewn in no time. Find out how to do it here: Sew a headband.

Sew pot holders

You don’t need a lot of fabric for pot holders either! Alternatively, several pieces of fabric can be put together to form a patchwork piece and then pot holders can be sewn on it. For sewing instructions: sew pot holders.

Sew a pennant chain

The balcony or garden looks much happier when colorful pennants flutter in the wind. But a pennant chain also creates a festive atmosphere in the apartment! The pennants can be sewn in a wide variety of sizes and from different fabrics. The best thing to do is to double the fabric, sew a triangle over it and trim the edge with pinking scissors. All you need to connect the pennants is bias tape. You can read the complete instructions here: Sewing a pennant chain.

Sew a pencil case

A colorful pencil case that can be sewn from scraps of fabric in no time at all ensures that your desk is tidy and is sure to put you in a good mood. You can find the step-by-step sewing instructions here: Sew a pencil case.

Looking for more sewing projects or gift ideas? Here we explain how lavender printing works, how you can make a mobile and what you can do with potato printing.

If you would like to exchange ideas with others about DIY and creative projects, take a look at ours Community.