As a follow up to the virtual I Love my Fabric Party a couple of weeks ago, I thought I’d share how I go about sorting and organizing my fabric scraps. While I’m working on a project, I tend to just throw all my scraps into a basket and ignore them for a few months. Then, when the basket becomes particularly unsightly, or I have some motivation to tidy up, like the virtual party, I will set up tackling the scraps. In this video, I share some ideas on what you can do with your scraps, how to sort through them efficiently and share tips for how to store them later.
How to conquer your fabric scraps in three easy steps
Step 1 Define categories for the scraps
Mostly, you’ll need to determine if a scrap can be used for another project or if it needs to find a new home. Other projects can include quilts, small garments, color blocked garments, accessories or household goods. Another way to give like to leftover fabric is to dye it. Check out this post for more ideas.
If the fabric is not useful in a project, you may want to donate it to a fabric recycler or a charity that accepts fabric scraps. If your fabric is made of natural fibers, you can compost it. And if none of those options are available to you, you can throw the scrap away.
Step 2 Sort scraps by category
Get some bins or bags and start reviewing your scraps. Evaluate the scrap for fabric type and size and decide which category it belongs in. Maybe put on a podcast or some music to pass the time.
Step 3 Store or stitch
Now that the scraps are divided into categories, you need to decide if you want to start stitching right away or save them for later. If you are looking for sewing projects that use scraps, I have a blog post with a list of 101 ideas right here. If you are going to store your fabric, I recommend trying to store the scraps as flat as possible so that there’s less ironing for you to do later on.
If you’d like more ideas for using your fabric scraps, I have a list of 101 Ideas for Using Fabric Scraps. You can download the pdf for free when you sign up for the newsletter via the link below. When you sign up, you’ll receive an email pretty much immediately with the pdf. After that you’ll receive four more emails, once a day, with more tips and advice for sewing more sustainably. You can unsubscribe at any time at the bottom of the email and your email will never be sold.
I hope that you enjoy this video. Make sure to check out my blog post with 101 ideas for using fabric scraps. And if you’re looking for a pattern that uses just a yard of fabric, the Lou Box Top and the Lela Skirt are both great options.
These semi-fitted tops and sundress feature a square neckline, side bust darts and are fitted at the back with a combination of narrow elastic and criss-crossed lacing. View A is a crop top that ends at the waistline. View B has a ruffled peplum and ends at the high hip. View C is a dress with a calf-length skirt and ruffle at the hem.
The pattern is a hybrid of a traditional pattern that you need to print and a zero-waste style pattern. You will need to print (or project) the front bodice and front facing pattern pieces. The remaining pattern pieces are rectangles that you can draw directly on your fabric (or paper) and then cut out, saving you paper and fabric.
This digital pattern includes an illustrated, step-by-step instruction booklet, a print-at-home layered pattern for letter or A4 size paper, a US copy shop pattern, an A0 size pattern and a projector pattern. All pattern files have layers. Pattern files are separated by cup size so that you can easily print only the pattern pieces that you need.
Visit the sewalong for more information, tips and tutorials.
Model is 5’11” and is wearing a size 12 C/D cup.
THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. After checkout, you will receive a link to the pattern that will be active for 24 hours after you click it. Prices are in USD.