Last week I shared with you this book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which helped me clean up my place including my sewing station.
It was great to hear many of you are also starting spring cleaning and have seen the awesome effect of the Konmari Method explained in the book 😀 If you haven’t tried, I highly recommend you check it out.
When I cleaned my sewing station, I found lots of LOTS of fabric scraps, small and big. I sorted them using the Konmari Method so I only keep ones that spark joy.
But still, what do you do with fabric scraps?
So here is a roundup of 8 different projects you can do to recycle fabric scraps that you decide to keep after tidying up your sewing table 🙂 They are organized by the size of usable fabric.
8 Projects to Recycle Fabric Scraps
If you have less than 1/2m (1/2yd) of fabric…
- Banner / Garland – You can make this garland with any size of fabric. If your fabric is short, you can make short strands. You can also make strands at random lengths to make a fun banner! This garland is great as decor or as a backdrop for photos. Find the tutorial here.
- Armbands & wristbands – If you have half a meter of stretch fabric, you can make a pair of both of these armbands and wristbands. Great addition to costumes you already have! The tutorials and free pattern here.
- Shrug – Another idea for using stretch fabric. Make a custom fit shrug, great as a practice wear or costume, using this tutorial.
If you have 1/2m – 2m (1/2yd – 2yd) of fabric…
- Overskirt – This tutorial is one of the most popular projects at Sparkly Belly. With about half a meter of stretch fabric, you can recycle fabric scraps to make this overskirt in less than 10 minutes. Very minimal sewing. Here’s the tutorial.
- Spiral Ruffle Fringe – If you have irregular shapes of fabric scraps, try making flounce ruffles. These can be added to a belt or skirt as cute decoration or make lots of these and make a skirt with them. Tutorial here.
If you have more than 2m (2yd) of fabric…
- Harem Pants – If you’ve been holding onto 2m or so of lightweight fabric, make harem pants. You can make them very easily using this tutorial. If you want a pair with side slits, see this tutorial.
- Baladi Dress – 2m of stretch fabric can turn into a beautiful baladi dress. Find the tutorial and free pattern here.
- Kaftan – If you have 3m of lightweight fabric, you can make a kaftan dress, perfect as a coverup to wear before and after performance. Step-by-step tutorial here.
Lots of ideas for you 🙂
OH! Next week, I’ll have a brand new DIY for you and you can use fabric scraps for that too. I’m super excited about this one. It’s curly, sparkly, and a super versatile decoration item. Sign up for the newsletter if you don’t want to miss out on it! (And if you want to get access to a special page with additional costume patterns etc.)
But don’t hold onto every piece of scrap fabric. Keep only ones that you love and that you can use. Say goodbye to pieces that don’t excite you anymore, and keep your sewing station tidy.
Then make beautiful things with the fabric scraps that inspire you. And surround yourself with things you love.
At least that’s what I’m trying to do myself 🙂
Happy Spring Cleaning!
Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!
P.S. If you create any of the above, share your creations on Sparkly Belly’s Facebook group. 😉 It’s truly an awesome group with lots of supportive, helpful & crafty dancers.
P.P.S. Pin the below photo for a future reminder! 😉
Want to make more costuming bits yourself?
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