What to Do With Leftover Scraps of Fabric

Easy Crafts Ideas with Textiles

Sewers and crafters often end up with leftover scraps of fabric. Rather than throw them away, check out some of these easy craft ideas.

There are hundreds of easy crafts that can be done with leftover scraps of fabric. All it takes is a little imagination. So try some of these or come up with your own craft projects that can be done with leftover textiles.

Cover a Bulletin Board in Fabric

Bulletin boards are practical, but not very attractive. To make them prettier try covering them in fabric. Fold a piece around the board and then use a glue gun to make it stick. A pretty border can be added in the way of decorative ribbon. Use a glue gun or double sided tape to attach.

Make Lavender Sachets

Treat yourself to a lovely scent when opening drawers. Simply cut two pieces of fabric the same size and sew the pieces together (right sides facing) leaving a 2- to 3-inch opening on one side. Turn the fabric right side out and fill the pillow with dried lavender and, if you wish, flax seeds or rice (both of which have a nice texture and weight). Hand-stitch the opening closed. These are great because they can be made with very small pieces of fabric, and the two sides need not be the same.

Cover a Lampshade in a Pretty Textile

Covering lampshades is easily and can add a real decorative punch to a room. Cut the fabric to fit the shade and glue around the edges. Make it look more tailored and finished by adding ribbon borders in a complimentary color at the top and bottom. If the fabric is a solid color it's also fun to create vertical or horizontal stripes with ribbon.

Line Drawers or Boxes with Fabric

For a pretty surprise every time they're opened up, try lining drawers and decorative boxes with leftover fabrics. Cut the pieces to fit and attach with double-stick tape or removable mounting squares. That way the fabric can easily be removed and/or switched.

Frame Leftover Fabric

Beautiful fabrics deserve to be showcased. Try framing them and hanging them on the wall. If there's only a small amount, use smaller frames and hang a few different fabrics on the wall together. If there's a large piece, hang it in a large frame. Framed wall art doesn't always have to be paintings and photographs.

Cover a Chair Seat

This one is kind of a no-brainer. If the leftover piece is big enough, try covering a chair seat. If the entire chair is upholstered, a contrasting color on the seat can be a great, unexpected surprise. The fabric doesn't have to match, it just has to compliment the existing fabric.

There are so many things that can be done with leftover scraps of fabrics that it's a shame to throw them out. Rather than do so, try some of these craft ideas or see if there's somewhere in your area to donate them. Places like daycares, seniors centers, and other places where people do crafts should be considered so that others can try these projects. They're a lot of fun and they look great!

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