Ever since I started my sewing journey, fabric waste has always been a conscious thing to me. No one likes the idea of wasting good quality and expensive fabric, especially not business owners! Maybe you’re looking for a small project to get you back on track? Or maybe you just need to use up your remnants and scraps? Luckily we have plenty of beautiful fabric remnants in our Black Friday sale waiting to be made up into something creative. So here are some great projects to use up your remnants.
10 Ways To Use Your Fabric Remnants
A Simple Drawstring Bag
Drawstring bags must be one of the most useful things out there as well as the easiest to make. They are ideal for gifting, storing jewellery, your face mask, you get the point. The best thing is, you can completely customise them and only need a small piece of fabric. For each bag you will need a rectangle of cotton fabric measuring 40cm x 18cm, and ribbon or twill tape, 50cm x 2 (1cm or less wide). Generally all fabric will suitable, but we suggest a softer fabric like craft cotton or linen. Browse our selection of remnants here.
Cotton Wool / Make Up Remover Pads
Something that is included in your daily routine shouldn’t be single use, reusable cotton pads just make sense. It’s as easy as it sounds, either rinse them out or throw them in the wash after using them. This is a great project for beginner sewers who need to practice their precision and circles without the added pressure from mistakes. We suggest using a towelling fabric or flannel for the exfoliant side, and a craft cotton or jersey for the softer side.This project can be done using either an overlocker or a sewing machine, whatever you are most comfortable with.
Want a step-by-step tutorial? Find this project under sewing projects for the home in The Sewing Studio.
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Needle Storage Book
No one wants to lose or damage their needles, and what better way to store them than in a handmade book. My favourite thing about this project is that you can embroider someone’s name and personalise the fabric choice, another fabulous gift for the festive season. You will need 2 pieces of fabric 25cm x 18cm, interlining 25cm x 18cm, 2 pieces of felt 11cm x 20cm, scraps and Bondaweb for decoration (optional), 1 piece of cord/ribbon and button for the fastening. You can use almost any woven fabrics for this book, from craft cottons, denims to a lovely linen.
Follow the step-by-step tutorial here.
Quilted Pencil Case
Our quilted pencil case makes a great back to school gift or one for the office, perfect for keeping all your stationary in, or even your cosmetics. This project is great for people who need to practice installing zips and binding. We suggest using soft fabrics like linen and cotton.
Fabrics used:
Don’t forget we are offering 50% off on all fabric remnants until midnight Monday 29th November. Get yours here.
Twisted Turban Headband
This has to be one of the simplest sewing projects to do in my opinion, perfect for beginners or just to use up your fabric stash. I love making these up for friends and family, especially babies and children, so cute! All you will need is 2 Jersey fabric strips measuring 17cm (W) x 56cm – 61cm (L). Length is determined by your head circumference. (Measure head circumference and minus 2.5cm = length of jersey).
Follow the step-by-step tutorial here.
Not a member yet? Join here.
Advent Bunting
Feeling festive? Of course you are, who doesn’t love a Christmas craft, even if it is still November. Waking up every December morning to an Advent treat is almost as exciting as the actual day. I used to love doing this for my children when they were little, therefore I want to share this project with you alongside the same happiness it brought me. To make the bunting you will need; bias binding, which you can find in our shop here, 2 different fabrics – 3/4m per fabric Craft Cotton is ideal,12 x 25cm squares of white felt, and 24 buttons.
Shop our fabric remnants here.
Christmas Stocking
Yes, another Christmas project, what did you expect? I’m all about adding special touches to my festive decor, there’s nothing better than making something you’ll use year after year. One of mine being the stockings I make for the family, you can totally personalise them, then fill them up with lots of goodies. Here’s what you’ll need: 1/2m fabric for body of stocking, 1/2m fabric for the stocking lining, Fat quarter for Top panel, Fat quarter for stocking toe, Matching thread, Decorative ribbon (optional).
Half Square Triangle Quilted Cushion
The Quilted Cushion is one of those really lovely items to have in your home and even better when you’ve made it yourself. The tutorial (in The Sewing Studio) for this cushion takes you through each step, guiding you to making the perfect personalised home accessory! This project is for more advanced sewists who are comfortable with quilting, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go if you’re a newbie. To make a 17.5 inch cushion to fit an 18 inch cushion pad. Use a craft cotton if you are new to patchwork and quilting or use up your leftovers from your dressmaking projects.
Find the step by step tutorial in The Sewing Studio, not a member? Sign up here.
Embroidered Lavender Hearts
This has to be one of my favourite projects to do, so simple and so effective! They look great and smell even better. Alternatively, they do not need to contain lavender, instead you could swap it for some stuffing to make a decoration or other dried flowers providing a different scent. Here’s what you will need; 3 x 18cm x 30cm fabric (we have used Linen), lightweight Interfacing to back the hearts, Bondaweb if you plan to make an appliqué heart, 4 x embroidery threads, stuffing, lavender and ribbon.
We also sell the kits to make 3 embroidered Lavender Hearts here!
Sir Toby Belch Bowtie
These bow ties are really simple to make and can be made in so many different fabrics that your colour options are endless. It’s a great handmade idea for a quirky gift or for a special occasion. Suitable fabrics for this are; smooth lightweight silk, light cottons, raw silk, craft cotton and linen. Follow the step-by-step tutorial and download the pattern in The Sewing Studio.
Take a look at the fabric remnants we have left in stock here, with 50% off you’ll be sure to find a great deal. Be quick, as the offer ends on Monday 29th 2021 at midnight.
We hope you enjoyed our 10 ideas for what you can do with your fabric remnants, there are so many other ideas of how you can up-cycle those left over bits of fabrics. We’d love to hear your sewing project ideas, you can share your photos with us on our social media channels @sewmesomething
You can access step-by-step guides and photo-tutorials on how to make all of the projects featured in this blog by joining our Sewing Studio. To find out more about how to learn to sew online and our Online Sewing Studio, take a look here.
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