What to do with tiny fabric scraps? Try making fabric yardage from them, it’s really cute and easy. You know those trimmings from strip pieces or from projects using layer cake precut fabric? This short post will show how you can turn your scrap bits into fabric yardage. I’ve done this a couple of times and love the results. Let nothing go to waste, let me show you how.
Recently, I shared a DIY denim beach bag tutorial and used some scrap fabric yardage for the fabric lining. I thought I would show you how I made that lining plus another lining from a quilt project.
Make sure you check this out!
After you read this post, make sure you also check out How To Learn How To Quilt: Beginner Quilting Guide. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free quilt patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
Grab a copy of my Quilt Planning Journal, filled with graph paper and note pages to help you design 4 quilts or sewing projects! You can jot down ideas as I see them, draw mock ups of quilts and write your cutting dimensions and finished quilt size for future reference. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process! Click the bar below.
What to do with Fabric Scraps?
Leftover Strip Ends
Go to your fabric stash and grab those small bits that are the trimmings from any strip piecing project. It works best when the strips are the same size when they were cut. Examples would be 1.5 to 3 inch strip trimmings or leftover fabric but any size works.
There is no rocket science to this at all, just start chain piecing two pieces together. Once you have those sewn, trim apart and start sewing those together. Keep repeating this process until you have reached the desired length or width you want.
Use the selvage
Using the selvage adds one more layer of charm. Now this picture below was my first attempt at making yardage with my scraps. I ended up trimming the right side with my ruler and rotary cutter and attached another piece I had started onto this one. No rules, just make it up as you go until you have fabric that is large enough for your project.
When I made my log cabin block tutorial there was about 18 different fabrics used for variety. I’m weird that way and when I go scrappy, I take it to the max! I made a lot of different project with all those log cabin blocks. Here’s a list of all the patterns made with these in case you are interested, did I mention the patterns are all free?
Cabin block patterns to check out:
Instead, I decided to try making some fabric yardage out of it for sewing project lining but you could use it for anything really. These log cabin strips were only 1.5″ so the scrap bits were very tiny but so colorful and unique to me. Isn’t that the beauty of being creative? Handmade items aren’t all unique but this makes it unique to me. No one else will ever have this scrap fabric.
Leftover Precut Pieces
What to do with fabric scraps from layer cakes? Well my Charm Square On-Point Quilt had leftover pieces and these were just some of them. The pieces were 2″ if I remember correctly but they were just taking up space in my fabric stash and I really wanted to make something out of them. My second yardage from fabric scrap project.
Made the same way as before, chain piece two pieces together until all are sewn. Then sew these pieced together and so on until done.
You can use any fabric scraps to make yardage. And I’m using the word yardage loosely. It’s really to turn the scraps into a piece of fabric you can use for other sewing or quilting projects. Don’t be limited to my examples. Charm square fabric scraps or 2.5″ square scraps are another scrap to make yardage and would work up much faster than my examples. Here are some fun projects to use your new yardage from.
Fun projects to use your scrap yardage:
I have one more thing for you since you are into scrap fabric. Here are some scrappy project and more ideas to use up your stash below:
More scrap project and ideas:
I hope you enjoyed this short post to show you what to do with fabric scraps. You can use the tiniest of pieces to make scrap yardage. Be creative and try this for yourself or leave a comment if you already do this but have other tips or tricks for the community.
What to do with Fabric Scraps – BEGINNER SUPPLIES
Here are some quilting tools and supplies I recommend. I make a small commission if you purchase through the links, this helps to support this free content. For more info, check out Supplies for Beginners (Best Tools To Start).
Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)
28 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
45 mm Rotary Cutter with Sharp Blade (start with this one)
45 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades (start with this one)
60 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles
12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks
Sewing Machine Beginner (see my about me page for more info on sewing machines for beginners to the one I use today).
SAVE THIS PIN FOR LATER
This post contains affiliate links and ads, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. While the ads are annoying, it pays to keep my blog alive. See my full disclosure here.
ABOUT SEW NIKKI
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. I’m a weekend quilter, have a super small sewing space and taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! Just print this post for the free pattern. My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.
Follow me on social media (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) so you get notifications when new patterns and tutorials are posted.
Want to learn how to crochet? Check out this post, How to Learn How to Crochet – Guide for Beginners.
Sew, quilt, crochet and repeat!
Patti
Quality fabric can get expensive these days & repurposing ‘left overs’ is wise & cost effective! Thanks for showing us how it’s done