10 DIY Scrap Fabric Sewing Crafts Anyone Can Make

Are you staring at a growing pile of beautiful fabric scraps that are just too precious to throw away? Trust me, I know the feeling! My scrap bin used to overflow with odd shapes and sizes from past projects.

The good news is, that pile of scraps is actually a treasure chest of creative potential! I'm going to show you 10 awesome and easy DIY projects to turn that 'mess' into amazing handmade gifts, useful home decor, and even things you can sell, much like these 20 easy Dollar Tree crafts to sell. Let's get that scrap bin busted!

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1. Reversible Fabric Drink Coasters

How cute are these?! This is the classic beginner project and the perfect way to use up those small, square-ish cotton scraps. They're quick, practical, and you can whip up a whole set in an afternoon.

Materials Needed:

• Fabric Scraps (Cotton works best)
• Cotton Batting Scraps
• Coordinating Thread
• A reliable Rotary Cutter & Mat Set makes cutting so much faster!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut your fabric: For each coaster, cut two 4.5" squares of fabric (for the front and back) and one 4.5" square of cotton batting.
2. Layer them up: Place the batting down first. Then, place your two fabric squares on top, right sides together.
3. Sew around the edges: Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew around all four sides, but be sure to leave a 2-inch opening on one side for turning.
4. Clip the corners: Snip the corners diagonally, being careful not to cut through your stitches. This helps create sharp corners.
5. Turn it out: Reach through the opening and carefully turn the coaster right side out. Use a pencil or a turning tool to gently poke out the corners.
6. Press and topstitch: Press the coaster flat with an iron, making sure the raw edges of your opening are tucked in neatly. Topstitch 1/8 inch from the edge all the way around. This closes the opening and gives it a professional finish. That's it!

2. Quilted Zipper Pouch

This project looks impressive but is easier than you think! It's a fantastic way to combine smaller scraps into a simple patchwork design. These pouches make amazing gifts and are a top seller if you're looking to start a small business with your crafts, especially if you're building an inventory of Christmas crafts to sell.

Materials Needed:

• Various fabric scraps
• Lining Fabric
• Fusible Fleece Interfacing for a soft, sturdy feel
• Assorted Zippers for Sewing (a 7" or 9" zipper is a good size to start)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Create two patchwork panels: Sew your scraps together to create two identical rectangular panels. The size is up to you! A good starter size is 10" x 7". Press your seams open.
2. Add interfacing: Cut two pieces of fusible fleece slightly smaller than your panels and iron them onto the wrong side of each panel.
3. Attach the zipper: This is the tricky part, but you can do it! Place one outer panel right side up. Lay the zipper on top, face down, aligning the top edges. Place one lining piece on top of that, face down. Pin and sew along the top edge using a zipper foot.
4. Repeat for the other side: Flip it over. Now, place your second outer panel right side up. Place the sewn assembly on top, with the zipper face down, aligning the unsewn edge of the zipper with the top of the second panel. Place the second lining piece on top, face down. Pin and sew.
5. Open it up and press: When you open it up, you should have your outer panels on each side of the zipper, and the lining panels on the other. Press everything away from the zipper and topstitch along both sides of the zipper for a clean look.
6. Sew the pouch: IMPORTANT: Unzip the zipper halfway! Open up your fabric so the two outer panels are right sides together and the two lining panels are right sides together. Pin all around.
7. Sew it together: Sew around the entire rectangle, but leave a 3-4 inch opening at the bottom of the lining pieces.
8. Finish it: Clip the corners, then turn the entire pouch right side out through the hole in the lining. Stitch the hole in the lining closed. Push the lining into the pouch, and you're done!

3. Woven Fabric Bookmarks

Have a ton of long, skinny strips of fabric you don't know what to do with? This is your project! These woven bookmarks are unique, beautiful, and require no sewing machine after the initial prep.

Materials Needed:

• Long fabric scraps (at least 7 inches long)
• HeatnBond Iron-On Adhesive (the "Ultrahold" is great for no-sew)
• Felt or heavy cardstock for the back

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare your strips: Cut several fabric strips to be about 1" wide and 7-8" long. Fold them in half lengthwise and press to create 1/2" wide strips.
2. Create the base: Cut a piece of HeatnBond to about 3" x 7". Lay down your vertical strips on the adhesive side, right next to each other, to cover the HeatnBond.
3. Start weaving: Take a new folded strip and weave it over and under the vertical strips. Push it up to the top.
4. Continue weaving: Take another strip and weave it in the opposite pattern (under, over, etc.). Snug it up against the previous strip. Continue this process until you've woven down the entire length.
5. Fuse it: Place the woven piece on your ironing board, cover with the paper that came with the adhesive, and press according to the package directions. This will fuse all your strips together!
6. Add the backing: Trim the woven piece to your desired bookmark size (e.g., 2" x 6"). Cut a piece of felt or cardstock to the same size. Use more HeatnBond or fabric glue to attach the woven piece to the backing. So cool!

4. Upcycled Denim Pocket Phone Charger Holder

Give an old pair of jeans a new life with this super practical craft. I made these for my kids' rooms and they're a lifesaver for keeping cords tidy and phones off the floor!

Materials Needed:

• Back pocket from an old pair of jeans
• A scrap of denim (about 4" x 10")
• Heavy Duty Sewing Needles for your machine

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut your pieces: Carefully cut out a back pocket from your jeans, keeping the pocket intact. Cut a separate piece of denim for the strap, about 4" wide and 8-10" long.
2. Make the strap: Fold the strap piece in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew down the long edge. Turn it right side out and press it flat.
3. Attach the strap: Fold the strap in half to form a loop. Position the raw ends on the back of the pocket, at the top center, facing downwards. Stitch them securely to the back of the pocket.
4. Create the hole: Fold the strap loop up and over the top of the pocket. Now, you need a hole for the charger plug to go through. Cut a large buttonhole or simply cut a hole and finish the edges with a tight zig-zag stitch right through the strap and the back of the pocket fabric.
5. Reinforce (optional): For extra durability, you can topstitch around the top edge of the pocket. Now just hang it from your charger plug and slip your phone inside!

5. Mini Fabric Storage Baskets

These little baskets are ADORABLE and so useful for organizing your sewing room, bathroom, or desk. They look so professional but are surprisingly simple to construct.

Materials Needed:

• Larger fabric scraps (quilting cotton or canvas)
• Lining fabric
• Heavyweight Stabilizer (like Pellon Peltex 71F) to make them stand up

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut Fabric: For a small basket, cut two 10" x 8" rectangles from your outer fabric, lining fabric, and the stabilizer.
2. Fuse Stabilizer: Iron the stabilizer to the wrong side of your two outer fabric pieces.
3. Box the Corners: This is the magic step! On the bottom two corners of all four fabric pieces (both outer and both lining), cut out a 2" x 2" square.
4. Sew the outer basket: Place the two outer fabric pieces right sides together. Sew down the two sides and across the bottom. Do NOT sew where you cut the squares out.
5. Sew the corners: Pinch one of the bottom corners so the side seam and bottom seam meet, forming a straight line. Sew across this line with a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat for the other corner. This creates the 3D basket shape!
6. Sew the lining: Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the two lining pieces, but leave a 3-inch opening in the bottom seam.
7. Assemble: Turn the outer basket right-side out. Keep the lining inside-out. Place the outer basket inside the lining basket (so right sides are together). Line up the top edges and side seams. Sew all the way around the top edge.
8. Finish: Pull the outer basket through the hole you left in the lining. Stitch the hole closed. Push the lining down into the basket, press the top edge, and topstitch around the top for a crisp finish.

6. Simple Infinity Scarf from Knit Scraps

Knit and jersey scraps can be tricky, but this project is perfect for them! Since knit fabrics don't fray, you can get away with raw edges, making this a super-fast and forgiving project.

Materials Needed:

• Long strips of knit/jersey fabric scraps
• Ballpoint Sewing Needles (essential for sewing knits!)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut your strips: Gather your knit scraps and cut them into long strips. The width can vary for a fun look! Aim for lengths of at least 20 inches.
2. Join the strips: Sew the short ends of your strips together to create one very long piece of fabric. A good total length is around 60-70 inches.
3. Form the loop: Lay your long strip flat. Take one end and twist it once or twice, then bring it up to meet the other end.
4. Sew the final seam: With right sides together, sew the two short ends together to create the infinity loop. Use a zig-zag stitch or a stretch stitch on your machine to allow the seam to stretch. That's it!

7. No-Sew Fabric Covered Notebook

Here's one for my friends who don't want to touch a sewing machine! This is a fantastic way to use a beautiful, larger scrap and makes for a perfect personalized journal or gift.

Materials Needed:

• A pretty fabric scrap, large enough to cover your notebook
• Blank Composition Notebooks
• Mod Podge Fabric Glue
• A foam brush

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the notebook: Open the notebook and lay it flat, cover side up.
2. Cut the fabric: Place the notebook on your fabric and cut around it, leaving about a 1-inch border on all sides.
3. Apply glue: Paint a thin, even layer of Mod Podge over the entire front, back, and spine of the notebook cover.
4. Adhere the fabric: Carefully place your fabric onto the glued cover, smoothing it out from the center to eliminate air bubbles.
5. Fold the edges: Close the notebook. Trim the corners of the fabric diagonally. Apply a line of glue to the inside cover edges and fold the fabric border over, pressing it down firmly, like you're wrapping a present.
6. Seal it: Once the inside is dry, paint a top coat of Mod Podge over the entire fabric cover to seal and protect it. It will dry clear!

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8. Reusable Fabric Snack Bags

Go green with these awesome and washable snack bags. They are super popular, easy to make, and a great way to reduce plastic waste. Making eco-friendly choices is a key part of building a sustainable lifestyle!

Materials Needed:

• Cotton fabric scraps for the outside
• Food-Safe Waterproof PUL Fabric for the lining
• Velcro Strips

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut fabric: Cut one rectangle of your outer fabric and one of the PUL lining. A good size is 7" x 14".
2. Attach Velcro: On the outer fabric, sew the "hook" (rough) side of the Velcro near one short end. On the PUL fabric, sew the "loop" (soft) side near the other short end, but on the "right" side of the PUL.
3. Sew together: Place the outer fabric and PUL fabric right sides together. Sew along both long sides and the short side that has the Velcro on the outer piece.
4. Turn and topstitch: Turn the bag right side out. Fold in the raw edges of the open end and topstitch it closed.
5. Form the bag: Fold the bottom of the bag (the end without Velcro on the outside) up about 5 inches to form the pocket.
6. Finish the sides: Stitch up both sides of the pocket you just created. And you're done! The top flap will fold over and close with the Velcro.

9. Simple Patchwork Pillow Cover

This project introduces basic patchwork and creates a high-value piece of home decor, making for one of those easy DIY Christmas gifts that feel store-bought!

Materials Needed:

• A variety of coordinating fabric scraps
• A larger piece of fabric for the back
• Pillow Inserts (e.g., 18" x 18")
• Invisible Zipper Foot and an invisible zipper (optional, for a pro finish) or create an envelope back.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Design your front: Cut your scraps into squares of the same size (e.g., 5" x 5"). For an 18" pillow, you'll need a 4x4 grid of squares. Arrange them in a pattern you like.
2. Sew the rows: Sew the squares together into rows, using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seams in each row in alternating directions (row 1 to the right, row 2 to the left, etc.).
3. Sew the rows together: Pin and sew the rows together. Your alternating seams should "nest" together nicely, helping your points match up. Press the finished patchwork top flat.
4. Create the back: For a simple envelope back, cut two pieces of backing fabric that are the same width as your pillow top, and about 2/3 of the height. Hem one long edge on each piece.
5. Assemble: Lay your patchwork piece right side up. Place the two backing pieces on top, right side down, with the hemmed edges overlapping in the middle.
6. Sew it up: Pin around all four sides and sew around the entire square. Clip the corners, turn right side out, and stuff with your pillow insert!

10. Fabric & Twine Key Fobs

This is the ultimate quick-win project! It's one of those perfect crafts to make and sell in under 30 minutes, and uses up the tiniest strips of fabric. These are perfect for craft fairs or as a small add-on to a gift.

Materials Needed:

• Small fabric strips (approx. 2" x 11")
• A piece of fusible fleece (approx. 1" x 10")
• Key Fob Hardware with Pliers

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the strip: Press your fabric strip in half lengthwise. Open it up, then fold the two long raw edges in to meet at the center crease. Press again.
2. Add fleece: Tuck the fusible fleece strip inside your folded fabric strip and press to fuse. This gives the key fob a nice, sturdy feel.
3. Topstitch: Topstitch down both long edges of your fabric strip.
4. Attach hardware: Fold the fabric strip in half to form a loop. Place the raw ends into the clamp part of the key fob hardware.
5. Crimp it closed: Use the special pliers (or cover the hardware with a cloth and use regular pliers) to squeeze the hardware tightly closed. Add a key ring, and you're ready to go!

That's All There Is To It!

See? Your scrap bin is full of possibilities! I hope you're feeling inspired to tackle that fabric pile and create something amazing.

Not only did you just find some awesome new projects, but remember:

• You saved money by using materials you already have.
• You helped the planet by reducing fabric waste.
• You made beautiful, one-of-a-kind items for your home or as gifts!

What are you going to make first? Let me know in the comments below! And if you make one of these projects, be sure to tag me on Instagram! Happy sewing, friend!

Want to save this for later? Pin this handy guide!