So many items can be made from fabric scraps - the following is a short list. No doubt you too have your favorite list of things-to-make from fabric scraps.

Fabric book covers, to close with zipper, fasten closed with a fabric hook and loop tape, button, or tie. Instructions for fabric book covers from the Sew News Library.

Album covers to hold our cherished pictures and keep safe our memories. Instructions for album covers from Simplicity Classroom.

Kitchen accessories – Simplicity pattern #4341 has a Tea Cozy, Oven Mitt, Place Mat, Napkin, Napkin Ring, Appliance Covers, and Mini Apron that could all be made from fabric leftovers. Pattern # 5068 has tabletop accessories and pattern # 3979 has many more kitchen accessories and small appliance covers. Find the Simplicity patterns here.

Coiled scented trivets and mug mats - Cut fabric (any printed cottons or seasonal printed cottons work well) approximately 2 1/2" wide by approximately 44" long for the mug mat, longer for a trivet. Fold right sides together, sew across one end and down the long side using a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn the now sewn tube of fabric right side out, using a funnel, lightly fill to within 4 " front the top with a mixture of scented rice and/or similarly scented potpourri sachet, and securely hand-stitch the end closed. Beginning at one end, fold back about one inch of the filled tube against itself (spread out the rice within the tube to make turning easier) and hand stitch closely together; continue coiling and stitching until the end.

Fabric covered memo board - instructions from Wrights. Crisscross the fabric organizer with raffia or ribbon. Add fabric-covered or decorative buttons for a charming gift idea to make and give to a teen to personalize. Make out of a juvenile fabric scrap for a nursery room to hold baby’s pictures and small mementos. Great for a sewing space organizer too! Wrights has easy to understand instructions on how to make one out of foam board (available from your local crafts store), some quilt batting, fabric and bits of trims. Consider using heavy craft paper to glue on as a backing to hide fabric ends and staples to complete the project.

Switch and outlet cover plates can be covered in fabric; just a very small fabric scrap works! Just use your decoupage skills to cover the plastic plates with fabric scraps. Cut out your fabric scrap just ¼” larger than the outlet itself. Apply decoupage medium to the back of the fabric. Apply to outlet cover, smoothing out any wrinkles and turning edges to the inside of the plate. Let dry, and then add the decoupage medium to the outside of the plate. Once dry, cut an “X” in the rectangular hole for the light switch or outlet space, and turn to the inside. From the inside cover use a small amount of hot glue to tack down these small turned in edges.

Padded hanger covers are easy to make and great for gift-giving - instructions for padded hanger covers by Cathy Wilson from Husqvarna Viking.

Pieced or appliquéd quilts are practically a given when considering what to do with fabric leftovers! [Note: Give Bethany Reynolds' Magic Stack-N-Whack® kaleidoscope technique of quilt making a try if you have a large amount of fabric with a repeating printed design.]

Baked potato bags for a perfect, fluffy microwavable treat – potato bag photo instructions of Sherry Titzers’ version of this charming time-saver available on SewIncredible.com.

Neck ribbon caddy to keep your scissors, seam ripper, straight pins and needles handy. Caddy sewing instructions from Sewing.org.

Fabric weights to hold down paper patterns on fabric without pins - Cut 2 pieces of material out of the shape you have chosen, any geometric or cookie-cutter shape will do. Sew together to two pieces of fabric but leave an opening for turning and filling. Turn right side out and fill with rice or beans, trim with ribbon or lace if you wish. Small heavy lead sinkers work well to add to the rice or beans as weights; they can be found in the fishing aisle of any sports department.

Rice bag (microwaveable reusable heating pad)
Use a 12 inch square of closely woven 100% cotton fabric for rice bag itself (muslin works well). A 12 ½ inch by 14 inch rectangle of 100% washable cotton fabric for bag cover (terry cloth works well). 2 to 3 cups uncooked long grain white rice. Take 12” square, fold right sides together, sew or serge up both short ends to make a bag using a 1/2" seam. Carefully fill with rice. Turn in open edge of fabric for a hem across to encase the rice. Next use the larger rectangle of the washable bag cover fabric and fold right sides together -sew/serge short edges same as for the rice bag. Take this outer bag and turn under raw edge and hem edges. Use Velcro tape for closing the hemmed edges and for easy removal for washing.
Your particular microwave settings may vary according to your model. To heat your rice bag - set on high for approx 4 to 5 minutes for a hot pad, 3 to 4 minutes for medium heat, or 2 to 3 minutes for a gently warm effect. The rice bag may be re-heated over and over any number of times.

Throw pillows - Old T-shirts, those with still colorful screen prints, like a child’s favorite Disney or action hero character Tee now grown out of, works well in a recycled life as a small pillow cover. Use contrasting bias binding to make piping for an enhanced effect. Make the pillow cover envelope-style, or with overlapping straight hemmed edges on the back.

What to make with leftover fabric seems endless. The list could go on to include - tissue box covers for home, office, or gift-giving; padded fabric frames, hair scrunchies or fashion barrettes that little girls love; fabric covers for lamp base and lampshades; basket liners – just pink the edges of a square of fabric to line a pretty basket; doll clothes, soft-bodied stuffed animals; preemie clothes; Christmas stockings, patchwork tree skirt, chair pads, chair back cover-ups; potpourri and sachets; fabric gift bags are easy to sew or serge, add a drawstring or simply tie closed with ribbon; rag rugs are fun to make and so useful too.

So much to make, and with so many fabric leftovers – happy sewing!

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