Thursday Tip // How to organize your fabric scraps

Here at Winnipeg Sews we want to be thoughtful about our fabric scraps, how they are used and where they go at the end of the day. Sadly, the options for textile recycling in our city are virtually non-existent so we have to get creative with how we reuse our scraps or where we send them to get a second life. 

If you are the type of sewist that keeps your scraps and would like to use them up to the best of your ability then this tip is for you. These are purely ideas and suggestions to get you thinking. Sometimes we all just need a reminder of solutions that may be out there already.

If you are drowning in scraps, feel free to read on.

Take what is valuable and pass on what doesn’t work for you. If you already have a great scrap organization system we would love to hear your thoughts as well!

I have tried a couple of different methods for organizing scraps but I haven’t quite landed on a system that works for me consistently. I find these types of things always depend so much on how you like to sew and cut out projects, how you like to organize things generally and how much room you have to keep things for a time. I have not refined my system yet but I like to share things as I’m learning in hopes that it is helpful for someone out there in the sewing world.

I am going to share what I call the “as you go” method and the “deal with it later” method. Not very scientific but like I said, still learning, these are working titles people.

“As you go” method

As the (working) title suggests, this method has you thinking about your scraps with each project you cut out. As you cut pattern pieces there will be bits and pieces that are small and mostly unusable, whether they are part of the selvedge, too small to sew etc. These bits can be cut off as you go and put into a “scraps for stuffing” type of container. Check out this tip here for scrappy ornaments that can use up those bits and are stuffed with scraps as well. Closet Core Patterns also has a free pattern for a floor pouf that is made to be stuffed with fabric scraps of all sizes.

Once all the bits are cut off, think about the scraps that are about the size of your hand. Maybe you are into quilting too or want to try your hand at a quilt coat?! (Next quilt coat class March 2022). Even small scraps can be sewn together with other scraps to make a larger piece of fabric.

Other ideas for woven scraps are: 

contrast facings, bias binding, piping (Closet Core Patterns has a tutorial here for their Carolyn Pyjamas), makeup remover pads, pocket bags/linings, pattern weights (Alusha @Full.Fat.Milk has a great tutorial), dog bandana, or a patchwork infinity scarf!

For knit scraps I have used the smaller bits to cut out gussets for an underwear pattern I like to use. The gusset pattern piece tends to be smaller and easier to fit on a small scrap so after cutting my new project out I cut a couple gussets where they fit on the scraps. Gussets are quick to cut out so it may not feel like as much work to cut these extra pieces as you go, saving yourself some time later. Then when you are ready to marathon some underwear sewing you can pull out your pre cut gussets and colour block away! You could also have scrunchie dimensions at the ready and use those offcuts for some scrap scrunchies. These make great gifts! 

“Deal with it later” method

This method basically involves a pile of scraps of all shapes and sizes that eventually need to be organized or passed on to someone else (We wish we could recycle these scraps properly in our city!) This is the method I tend to lean towards, however I do run the risk of just never looking at my scraps and having them just sit there in a bin forever. Luckily quilts and quilted things are cool and everybody thinks so, so I think there is hope for my scrap bin!

When you are ready to tackle your scraps you could sort by colour, size, type of fabric, type of project. If you want to shred your scraps to use as filling, using a rotary cutter and mat may make the process a little quicker and save your hands from all that cutting with scissors.

Pattern suggestions:

Woven leftovers could be cut into quilt squares or triangles and then stored for a future quilting project if you are into that. For garment sewists, The Nest Sweatshirt by Sew Liberated has a super cool sawtooth star quilt block on the front of it using knit fabrics.

Dana @SewDIYpatterns has a really great improvisational quilt class where she teaches garment sewists how to put together a quilt using odd shaped scraps of all sizes. 

If you are looking for a more traditional quilt pattern then the Tiny Tiles Quilt by Purl Soho is a great one to use up little triangles that could be cut from leftover linen or cotton garment fabrics. 

A local Manitoban, Erin from The Blanket Statement also has some great quilt patterns that utilize some smaller quilt pieces and offcuts. Her work is gorgeous too!

We create a fair amount of fabric scraps in the studio because of the amount of classes we have. Our scrap bin is available to peruse for certain classes (eg. Wall Hanging class) and various projects (#WSTinySewing). We also use our scraps for the kids classes; they LOVE looking through the bin and pulling out all sorts of treasures for their unique creations.

Katherine and I have recently been talking about what we want to do with the fabric scraps we create at Winnipeg Sews and we would love your input! What would you like to see us use our scraps for? Pop an idea in the comments if you have one or three.