Before you throw those beautiful fabric scraps away, take another look! From handy little holders to everyday accessories, here are 10 useful sewing projects that can help turn leftover fabric into something worth keeping.
If you sew regularly, chances are you have a fabric scrap collection somewhere in your sewing room.
You know the pieces I mean.
Too small for a bag. Too pretty to throw away. So they end up tucked into a basket or drawer with the promise that “I'll use this one day.”
Well...today might be that day!
One of my favourite things about small sewing projects is finding creative ways to turn leftover fabric into something practical.
A little floral offcut can become a bookmark. A favourite print can become a card holder. And those tiny pieces you couldn't bear to throw away might be just enough for a cute little keychain accessory.
So before you head to the fabric shop for your next project, have a look through your scrap basket first.
Here are 10 scrap-friendly sewing projects that are small, practical and actually useful.
1. Puffy Bow Keychain
Some of the smallest scraps can make the cutest projects.
The Puffy Bow Keychain is a fun way to turn a favourite little piece of fabric into an accessory for your keys, handbag, tote or backpack.
Mix and match prints, make them in different colours or sizes (yes, my pattern comes in 2 sizes!), or sew several at once for easy handmade gifts.
→ View the Puffy Bow Keychain Pattern
2. Heart-Shaped Corner Bookmark
Book lovers, this one's for you.
The Heart-Shaped Corner Bookmark is a sweet little project that slips over the corner of your page to keep your place.
Because it's such a small project, it's also a lovely opportunity to use those pretty fabric scraps that are simply too nice to throw away.
Make one for your current read—or sew a few to tuck inside books you're giving as gifts.
→ View the Heart-Shaped Corner Bookmark Pattern
3. Lip Balm Holder
How many times have you searched through the bottom of your handbag looking for a lip balm?
The Lip Balm Holder keeps it within easy reach and can be clipped onto your keys, bag or other everyday essentials.
It's small, practical and exactly the kind of project that makes you appreciate keeping those little pieces of leftover fabric.
→ View the Lip Balm Holder Pattern
4. Pocket Tissue Holder
Turn a small piece of fabric into something you'll reach for again and again.
The Pocket Tissue Holder gives an ordinary packet of tissues a cute handmade cover while keeping them neat inside your handbag, car, school bag or desk drawer.
It's also an easy little project to batch sew when you have several coordinating scraps waiting to be used.
→ View the Pocket Tissue Holder Pattern
5. Hand Sanitizer Holder
Keep your hand sanitiser easy to find instead of disappearing into the bottom of your bag.
The Hand Sanitizer Holder is another small everyday project that can be attached to your bag or keys, making it convenient when you're out and about.
Choose a fun print and turn a little fabric leftover into something genuinely useful.
→ View the Hand Sanitizer Holder Pattern
Don't Let Your Fabric Scraps Go to Waste 🧵
Sometimes the best sewing projects don't require metres of new fabric.
They begin with the pieces you already have.
These small projects are just a glimpse of the practical sewing ideas you'll find inside the RLC Sewing Project Library.
From quick scrap-friendly makes to bags, pouches, organisers and everyday accessories, there's always something new to create.
Each project includes a printable pattern template and step-by-step video tutorial to help you get started.
→ Explore the RLC Sewing Project Library
6. Card Holder
A Card Holder is one of those little handmade essentials that can quickly become part of your everyday routine.
Use it for your most-used cards, keep one inside a small handbag, or make extras for family and friends.
It's also a great way to give a favourite fabric another purpose rather than leaving it forgotten in the scrap basket.
→ View the Card Holder Pattern
7. Sunglasses Holder
A small fabric holder can be a handy way to keep your sunglasses protected and easy to find.
The Sunglasses Holder is practical for clipping onto a handbag or keeping your glasses close when you're out and about.
It's another project where a relatively small amount of fabric can become something you'll actually use.
→ View the Sunglasses Holder Pattern
8. AirPods Pouch
Tiny tech deserves a tiny pouch!
The AirPods Pouch gives your earbuds a dedicated place instead of letting them disappear into your handbag or backpack.
Add the keychain option and you can clip it somewhere easy to reach—while turning another favourite piece of fabric into a useful everyday accessory.
→ View the AirPods Pouch Pattern
9. Money Envelope
A handmade Money Envelope is a lovely way to organise cash, budgeting categories, savings or even a monetary gift.
Instead of using an ordinary paper envelope, you can create something reusable in a fabric you love.
It's practical, simple and another clever way to turn leftover fabric into something with a purpose.
→ View the Money Envelope Pattern
10. Key Pouch
Keys are useful. Scratches inside your handbag? Not so much.
A Key Pouch helps keep your keys contained while giving you another opportunity to use a beautiful fabric scrap.
It's a small project, but one that can become part of your everyday routine—and it makes a practical handmade gift too.
Before You Throw That Scrap Away...
Ask yourself:
“Could I make something with this?”
That's one of the wonderful things about sewing.
Creativity doesn't always have to start with a brand-new piece of fabric.
Sometimes it starts with what's left over.
A small offcut can become a bookmark.
A favourite scrap can become a card holder.
Several coordinating pieces can become handmade gifts.
And slowly, that basket of leftovers starts becoming a collection of useful little things you've created yourself.
So next time you finish a sewing project, perhaps don't throw those scraps away just yet.
Your next project might already be sitting in your scrap basket.
Turn Your Fabric Scraps Into Your Next Project
If these ideas have you looking through your fabric stash already, there are plenty more projects waiting to be discovered.
The RLC Sewing Project Library brings together a growing collection of practical, beginner-friendly sewing projects—from quick little accessories and scrap-friendly makes to pouches, organisers, bags and projects for everyday life.
Every project includes a printable PDF pattern template and step-by-step video tutorial, so when inspiration strikes, you have everything you need to start creating.
→ Explore the RLC Sewing Project Library
Happy sewing!
— Regine
Beyond the Stitch — Where Creativity Becomes a Legacy.
