If you love sewing, you know how quickly fabric scraps can pile up. Those little leftover pieces; too pretty to toss but too small for a full project- often end up in drawers or bins, waiting for their moment to shine.
Well, that moment is now! 🍂
Fall is the perfect season to turn your fabric remnants into beautiful, functional, and festive creations. Whether you’re decorating your home or making handmade gifts, these projects prove that even the smallest scraps can make a big impact.
✂️ 1. Patchwork Pumpkins & Fall Décor
Turn leftover cotton, linen, or flannel into adorable fabric pumpkins that last all season.
Simply cut circles from your fabric scraps, gather the edges with a running stitch, stuff them with batting, and tie off the top. Add a small stick for a stem and twine for texture, and you’ve got instant farmhouse charm!
You can mix patterns for a playful look or stick with warm tones like mustard, rust, and ivory for a classic fall vibe.
Bonus idea: Use scraps to make matching mini pumpkins as napkin rings for your Thanksgiving table.
🧵 2. Coasters & Mug Rugs
Cozy season means warm drinks, which makes fabric coasters and mug rugs the perfect small project.
Cut your scraps into 5” squares, layer two pieces right sides together, sew around the edges (leaving a small gap), turn them right side out, and topstitch.
They’re quick, giftable, and a great way to showcase favorite prints or seasonal fabrics, plus they help protect your tabletops in style.
🪡 3. Quilted Wall Art
Small scraps become stunning art when pieced together. Sew simple patchwork squares or shapes and stretch them over a canvas or embroidery hoop for instant fabric wall décor.
This is a fun way to display your favorite remnants, especially jacquards, cotton prints, and embroidery fabrics that deserve to be seen.
Try mixing textures like cotton and velvet for contrast, or frame a piece of embroidered fabric for a subtle, elegant touch.
🌻 4. Reusable Gift Wrap & Ties
Forget paper waste, this fall, wrap your gifts in fabric!
Use larger remnants of cotton or rayon to wrap boxes, or cut smaller pieces into ribbons and ties. Fabric gift wrap is reusable, eco-friendly, and looks beautiful under a tree or at a dinner table.
Patterns like florals, plaids, or solid neutrals all work perfectly for fall and holiday gifting.
🧶 5. Fabric Bookmarks & Tags
For book lovers (or stocking stuffers), fabric scraps make adorable bookmarks.
Cut narrow strips (about 2”x6”), fuse interfacing between two layers for stability, and topstitch the edges. You can even add a small loop of ribbon or lace at the top.
Smaller pieces can also be turned into gift tags by gluing or stitching fabric onto cardstock and adding a name or note.
🪴 6. Mini Accent Pillows
Even small remnants can make mini throw pillows or sachets. Pair two small squares, sew around three edges, fill with stuffing or lavender, and stitch the last side closed.
They’re charming as decorative accents in baskets or shelves, and they smell amazing when filled with scented stuffing.
💡 A Few Scrap-Saving Tips
Before you start your next project, here’s how to make the most of every piece:
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Sort by size: Keep larger cuts separate from tiny trimmings.
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Color coordinate: Organize by warm/cool tones for easy matching.
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Pre-cut useful shapes: 5” and 10” squares are the most versatile.
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Store in clear bins: So you can see what you have (and stay inspired).
Even small remnants of velvet, lace, or linen can add texture and detail to larger projects. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
🍁 Final Thoughts
Your leftover fabric has more potential than you think. With a little creativity, scraps can become unique handmade pieces that add warmth, style, and heart to your home this season.
Whether you’re making patchwork pumpkins, cozy mug rugs, or reusable gift wraps, every piece tells a story, and that’s what makes handmade décor so special.
Shop our wide selection to start your next project. You’ll find new inspiration (and maybe your next favorite scrap) at All About Fabrics.