7 Practical Scrap Fabric Projects People Will Genuinely Use and Love

If you sew, you probably have a growing pile of scrap fabric that’s too pretty to toss but too small for big projects. The good news? Those leftover fabric pieces are perfect for making useful, everyday items you’ll reach for again and again.

In this post, we’re sharing five scrap fabric projects you’ll actually use—not just stash in a drawer. These ideas are beginner-friendly, budget-conscious, and a great way to reduce fabric waste while creating something functional and handmade.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

Why Scrap Fabric Projects Are Worth Making

Scrap fabric projects aren’t just about using leftovers—they’re about sewing smarter. Small projects:

• Reduce waste and save money

• Are quick to make (great for busy schedules)

• Help you practice sewing skills

• Make thoughtful handmade gifts

Whether you’re new to sewing or a seasoned stitcher, these scrap-busting ideas are both practical and satisfying. 

 

1. Fabric Coasters

Fabric coasters are one of the easiest and most useful scrap fabric projects you can make. They protect surfaces from spills and heat, and they’re easy to customize to match your home décor.

Why you’ll use them:
You can never have too many coasters—especially if you entertain or enjoy cozy drinks at home.

Best scraps to use:
Cotton quilting fabric, linen, or canvas scraps

Tutorial: MommySuburbia

Fabric Yarn Coasters: This non-sew option is perfect for the beginner and seasoned crafter. First make fabric "yarn" and then turn it into a coaster. Customize with different colors. Add a layer of batting or absorbent fabric in the middle for extra protection.

Round Fabric Coasters: A simple sewing project to make fabric coasters. Follow along to make your own today. 

2. Fabric Key Fobs (Wristlet Keychains)

Fabric key fobs are small, sturdy, and perfect for using narrow fabric scraps. They slide right over your wrist, making keys easier to grab when your hands are full.

Why you’ll use them:
Great for everyday errands, school pickups, or quick trips—no more digging through your bag.

Best scraps to use:
Cotton fabric with interfacing or batting for stability

Gift idea:
These make excellent teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, or craft fair items.

Tutorial via: Lo & Behold Stitchery

3. Zipper Pouches

Zipper pouches are a classic scrap fabric project for a reason—they’re endlessly useful. Use them to store makeup, craft supplies, school supplies, or travel essentials.

Why you’ll use them:
They keep small items organized and make great gifts.

Best scraps to use:
Mix and match coordinating fabric scraps for a patchwork look.

Skill boost:
This is a great project for practicing zipper installation without committing to a large project.

Tutorial: Laura Radniecki

4. Fabric Bookmarks

Fabric bookmarks are quick to sew and make reading even more enjoyable. They’re also a wonderful handmade gift for book lovers.

Why you’ll use them:
They’re durable, washable, and far more charming than paper bookmarks.

Best scraps to use:
Small cotton scraps, ribbon pieces, or even selvedges (the bound edges of a piece of fabric)

Creative idea:
Add a bit of interfacing for structure or personalize them with embroidery.

Tutorial: Becca Plymale Creative

5. Microwave Bowl Cozy

Microwave bowl cozies are one of the most practical scrap fabric projects you can make. They protect your hands from hot bowls and add a cozy, homemade touch to everyday meals.

Why you’ll use them:
Once you have one, you’ll use it constantly—for soups, leftovers, and oatmeal.

Best scraps to use:
100% cotton fabric and cotton batting (important for microwave safety)

Important note:
Avoid synthetic fabrics or batting when making microwave projects.

Tutorial: Quilting Cubby

6. Reusable Fabric Snack Bags

Reusable fabric snack bags are a practical way to reduce waste while using up small fabric pieces. They’re perfect for kids’ lunches, travel snacks, or storing dry foods.

Why you’ll use them:
They replace disposable plastic bags and are washable and reusable.

Best scraps to use:
Cotton fabric with a food-safe lining (like laminated cotton)

Tip:
Use hook-and-loop tape or snaps for an easy, kid-friendly closure.

Tutorial: Domestic Fashionista

7. Fabric Headbands or Hair Scrunchies

Hair accessories are fast, fun scrap fabric projects that don’t require much material and are always useful.

Why you’ll use them:
They’re practical for daily wear and easy to coordinate with outfits.

Best scraps to use:
Soft cotton, jersey knit, or lightweight woven fabric

Trend bonus:
Scrunchies are always popular and sell well at handmade markets.

Tutorial (headband): Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Tutorial (scrunchie): I Can Sew This

Make the Most of Your Scrap Fabric

Scrap fabric projects prove that you don’t need large cuts of fabric to create useful, beautiful items. With a little creativity, those leftover pieces can become everyday essentials you’ll actually reach for—saving money, reducing waste, and making your sewing time more rewarding.

From coasters and bowl cozies to zipper pouches, key fobs, and reusable snack bags, these projects help turn your scrap bin into a source of inspiration instead of clutter. They’re quick to sew, perfect for skill-building, and ideal for handmade gifts or craft fair items.

Before buying new fabric, take another look at your scraps—you might already have everything you need for your next favorite project. Happy sewing! 

Final Thoughts on Scrap Fabric Projects

Scrap fabric projects don’t have to be clutter creators. When you focus on useful, everyday items, your fabric scraps become valuable sewing resources instead of leftovers.

These five projects are proof that even the smallest pieces of fabric can be turned into something functional, beautiful, and worth keeping.

If you’re looking for more ways to sew sustainably and creatively, start with your scrap bin—you might be surprised by what you can make.

Easy DIY - How To Make Fabric Yarn Drink Coasters

Recently, I was looking for birthday gift ideas for my sister that would be useful, unique, and look cool. I really wanted to make her something but I wasn't sure what, so I started searching on Pinterest looking for inspiration. My search led me to fabric yarn/twine coasters and I knew this would make the perfect gift!

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

I've made regular fabric coasters before, check out this tutorial, but this time I was looking for a "twist" (pun intended) to the common fabric coaster. I found the answer to my coaster dilemma with these easy-to-make fabric yarn coasters. 

I love fabric coasters because they can be customized, are washable, and are fairly inexpensive (if you make them yourself). 

What is Fabric Yarn

What is fabric yarn or fabric twine and where do you get it? Fabric yarn isn't actually yarn like the skeins of yarn you can buy in the store, instead, it's made from long skinny strips of fabric twisted together into any length you need. It is a great way to use up leftover scraps of fabric since you can add shorter lengths of fabrics together to make a long strand of fabric yarn. Fabric yarn is also customizable too because you control the colors of the yarn by using different colors of fabric.

Make sure to follow me on Pinterest for more inspiring ideas!

How To Make Fabric Twine Drink Coasters

Using fabric yarn to make drink coasters is an easy sewing project for beginners and can be done as a no-sew option too if you don't know how to sew. 

Now that you have some fabric yarn it is time to make a coaster!

Supplies Needed:

• Fabric Twine (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 yards)
• Sewing machine
• Heavy duty sewing machine needle for denim/jeans
• Thread (heavy duty preferred)

* Optional: hot glue & hot glue gun (for the no-sew version)

Fabric Twine Drink Coaster Tutorial

1 - Take one end of the fabric twine and start to coil it into a small circle using a pin to hold it together. Set your sewing machine to the largest zig zag stitch setting so that the thread will catch both sides of the fabric twine. 

tip - use a heavy-duty sewing needle like a denim/jeans needle to help prevent your needle from breaking as you sew through the thicker fabric twine. 

2 - Place the small coil on the machine, insert the sewing needle into the center of the coil, and slowly start sewing the twine into a flat circle. Continue wrapping the twine around the circle as you slowly stitch it together. 

3 - When your coaster is to the size you want it cut the fabric twine and tuck the ends underneath the circle stitching over the cut ends a few times to secure them. 

Optional No-Sew Method 

Instead of sewing the twine into a circle, you can use a hot glue gun and hot glue to secure the edges of the fabric twine as you wrap it into a circle. When your coaster reaches the size you want, cut the twine then tuck the ends under the twine and secure them with more hot glue. 

Fabric coasters make a great gift for any occasion like a housewarming gift, birthday present, or Christmas gift. There are so many creative ways to use fabric twine besides making it into a drink coaster. 

I'd love to hear from you and what you made with your fabric twine! Please leave me a comment or follow me on Facebook to share your finished project with me!

Looking for good quality fabric?

You can find quilting fabric and quilting supplies for your project at Fat Quarter Shop.

How To Make A Hooded Bath Towel Tutorial

When each of my kids were born a friend of our family made a personalized hooded towel for each child that had their name embroidered along one of the sides. These towels were my kids' favorite bath towels and we got years of use out of them beyond just the baby stage. Because these hooded towels were made from full-size bath towels our growing kids could keep using them well into their elementary years. 

I remember bath time when my kids were babies and toddlers. They loved splashing and playing around in the tub and were always sad when bathtime was done. After their bath, I would scoop them up and wrap them in a hooded towel to keep their wet head and body warm and cozy. They loved their hooded towel just as much as I did. 

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

You may have noticed the hooded towels you can buy pre-made at the store. Forget these! They are always super thin which means they don't absorb much water and they are small so you can only use them for a little baby. Little babies don't stay little very long! You will definitely want a hooded towel for your child that fits their growing body, is super absorbent, and lasts for years to come!

After falling in love with these amazing and practical hooded towels I started making them and giving them as gifts for baby showers knowing my friends and family would love them just as much as I did. Just recently I was invited to a baby shower and of course, I made a set of hooded towels to give as a  baby gift! 

How To Choose The Right Bath Towel

I'm sure you are wondering what kind of bath towel works best since there are so many to choose from. Over the years I have tried several different kinds of towels from super thick bath sheets to thin and flimsy towels. What I have discovered is that a bath towel somewhere in the middle range of thickness works best. The super thick towels are difficult to sew but they are also hard to wrap a small slippery wet child in after a bath! An ultra-thin bath towel won't last long if you plan on using it regularly so I suggest staying away from these kinds. 

My favorite bath towels are found at Walmart! The Mainstay brand is not only super inexpensive but it is the perfect weight to use for a hooded towel. Walmart also has matching hand towels! For this project, you will need one hand towel to make two hooded towels so make sure to pick one up before you head home to start this project.

Since we are talking about Walmart, did you know that the store has a sewing and crafting section? How convenient especially since I was about to make some hooded towels and needed matching thread! 

Great Beginner Sewing Project

This is a great sewing project for a beginner and doesn't take much time to make your first hooded towel from start to finish. The most challenging part of this tutorial is figuring out how to place the hood and towel together. Once you master this part the rest is very simple!

How To Make A Hooded Bath Towel

Gather up the following supplies and sewing notions to get started making a hooded towel.

Supplies

2 full-size bath towels

1 hand towel

coordinating thread

sewing machine

scissors

pins

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1 - We are going to start by making the hood. To do so fold the hand towel in half matching the short ends of the towel together - the folded towel will look like a square now. Cut the towel in half at the fold. 

2 - Lay the cut hand towel on a flat surface with the right side facing up. Fold the finished edge of the towel opposite the cut side back about 3 inches and stitch it in place. 

3 - Next take one hand towel piece and fold it in half lengthwise matching the long sides together and making sure the right sides of the towel are facing each other. The folded piece should look like a rectangle. Sew along the cut end of the folded towel. Turn the hood right side out then spread the hood open to create a triangle shape. Set it aside

tip - I like to reinforce this seam by sewing over it two times. This is optional however it will help ensure a strong seam.

4 - Fold the bath towel in half matching the short ends of the towel together to form a large square. Press the center fold with your hands to create a visible fold line. Open up the towel with the right side up and lay it on a flat surface making sure you can still see the center fold line you just made. 

5 - Match the seam line of the raw edge of the hood to the top edge of the towel matching the seam line and the pressed center mark of the towel together. The hood should be placed so that the hood opening is face up. Pin the hood to the towel.

6 - Sew the hood to the towel. I recommend sewing over this seam two times and backstitching over both ends of the hood to ensure a strong seam. 

I hope you enjoyed making a hooded towel and I know you will love using this for your little ones or giving it as a gift to someone special!

If you liked this sewing tutorial I'm sure you will enjoy these other easy beginner sewing projects too! Make sure to check them out today.

How To Make A Rag Strip Quilt

How To Make A Fabric Banner (Bunting) - Sew & No-Sew Options

How To Make A Modern Hanging Kitchen Towel

Have you ever been hard at work in the kitchen, your hands caked in flour as you put the finishing touches on your latest concoction only to realize that after you rinse off your hands there is no kitchen towel to be found anywhere to dry off your dripping hands? 

So frustrating, right!? 

I'm pretty sure my kitchen towels are in cahoots with all the single missing socks in my house sneaking off to some mysterious hidden place to party like it's 1994. Well, I haven't figured out how to solve the missing sock problem yet but I did come up with a great way to keep those kitchen towels in line and I'm excited to share it with you today.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

When you think of hanging kitchen towels you probably remember those country kitchen style crochet towels your grandmother used to have hanging from the handle of her stove. As convenient as those crochet hanging towels are I think they could stand a little makeover. Hanging kitchen towels don't have to look like granny's because I'm giving them a modern update so they fit with your kitchen decor. 

Modern Hanging Kitchen Towel Sewing Tutorial

To make these modern hanging kitchen towels you only need to be able to sew a straight line on a sewing machine making this the perfect beginner sewing project. Gather up the following materials and let's get started upgrading your kitchen towels! 

Supplies:

• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Cotton fabric
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter & self-healing mat (optional but very handy!)
• Kitchen towel 
• Iron & ironing board

Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions:

Step 1:  Cut the cotton fabric into a 36" x 8" rectangle folding right sides together into a long narrow rectangle and pressing with a hot iron. Along the edge of the fabric opposite side from the fold, measure and put a mark 4" from each of the fabric ends towards the center. Starting at your mark lightly draw a tapered line from the mark to the end of the fabric to create a tapered line. 

Step 2: Sew around the perimeter of the fabric rectangle. Make sure to sew a tapered line at both ends of the rectangle (the picture above only shows one side but make sure to taper both ends! - sorry!!), 

Also, make sure to leave a 2" opening along the straight edge so you can turn the rectangle right side out after sewing. Turn the entire rectangle tube right side out and press. 

Topstitch around the perimeter of the rectangle with a 1/4" seam allowance making sure to stitch the 2" opening closed.

Step 3: Open the kitchen towel up with the right side of the towel laying face down. Fold each long edge on both sides of the towel under to the right side of the towel about 2 - 3 inches (depending on the width of your towel you may need to adjust this a little). 

Now, carefully grab the folded edge you just created and fold it (the folded part) back to the center of the towel on the wrong side. You want the finished edge of the towel to line up with folded section you just created so that it isn't overhanging and visible from the right side of the towel. See the pictures below to help you with this step!

Do this to both long sides of the towel. 

Step 4: Carefully flip the towel over so the right side is facing up. Find the center of the towel by carefully folding it in half, finger pressing it, and opening the towel back up so it is laying flat. 

Now, fold the fabric rectangle tie in half to find the center. Place the fabric tie on top of the towel matching up the center marks of the towel and fabric tie. 

Pin the tie securely to the towel's center line. Starting at the edge of the towel, sew across the width of the towel and over the fabric tie center mark to securely attach the tie to the towel. I recommend repeating this step a few times to make sure the tie is secure. 

To hang your new modern hanging kitchen towel simply tie the fabric sashes around the handle of your oven door or towel bar. These hanging dishtowels make for great Mother's Day, Christmas, and birthday gifts too! 

Easy Sewing Tutorials

If you enjoyed making these modern dishtowels make sure to check out these other easy sewing tutorials too! 

How To Make A Fabric Banner (Easy Sew & No Sew Tutorials)

How To Make A Rag Strip Quilt

How To Make Seat Belt Covers