Ideas for Home Decor Fabric Scraps

A lot of time and money go into choosing beautiful fabrics that help make our house feel like a home. If you're like me and hate to waste costly home decor fabrics, then these ideas can get you started putting fabric scraps to good use. There are even a couple of ideas for just a few inches of home decor fabric that typically get thrown away.

It's hard to imagine when fabrics were scarce and waste was practically unheard of. Everything was handmade and even salvageable fabric from used clothing was recycled. Every fabric scrap was put to use as a warm and beautiful bed quilt. For those of us who aren't quite ready to tackle a quilting project yet, maybe these ideas can get the creative juices flowing.

Frame the Fabric Scraps:

This is an easy way to use fabric scraps without sewing. It's also a good way to reuse old picture frames. If you have inexpensive framed prints that you don't want anymore, you can remove the print from the frame and replace it with fabric. Frames that have mats work especially well for this project.

Pick several fabric scraps that coordinate together for a group of frames. Or use one piece of fabric in a large frame as a focal point over a bed or sofa.

Iron the fabric and pull it taunt over the cardboard that came with the frame or cut a piece of cardboard to size. Wrap fabric at least an inch or more on the back side of the cardboard to prevent it from coming loose later. If the fabric has a pattern, check to make sure it's straight and smooth out any wrinkles. Use good ol' duct tape or packing tape to secure the fabric to the cardboard.

Make Fabric Appliques

This is probably one of my favorite ways to get creative with home decor fabric scraps. Like the first idea, appliques can also be used as framed art. Instead of framing a full piece of fabric, put fabric appliques on a fabric or paper background. Appliques can be used on throw pillows, curtains and even clothing. The ideas are almost endless.

Wash and iron the fabric first. Then turn fabric on wrong side and draw the applique shape. I drew simple leaf shapes freehand for the appliques in the photo, but you can always trace the inside shape of a stencil or trace any desired shape. If you're going to use fusible web to attach the appliques to fabric, then put the fabric and fusible web together so you only have to cut the shape once. The fabric appliques can also be embellished with trims, beads, ribbons or fabric paint.

If you're going to use fusible web to attach the applique to another fabric, you'll still want to glue or stitch down the outline of the applique to prevent the fabric from fraying. Fabrics joined together with only fusible web can eventually get loose if washed frequently. Fabric glues and products to prevent fraying are available in the same section at fabric and craft stores.

Make Decorative Balls with Fabric Scraps

I'm amazed at the prices of decorative balls in home interior stores. I guess I should call them decorative spheres so they'll sound more expensive! It's easy to make your own with fabric scraps and hard foam balls that are available at craft stores. These are the same balls that can be used to make a topiary. It doesn't matter which size you use or put several sizes in one arrangement. I like mixing coordinating fabrics together, especially animal print fabrics. Group several of the decorative balls in a large bowl or basket.

Cut thin strips from the fabric scraps. You don't need to be precise for this. Use all purpose glue or fabric glue to attach the fabric to the balls. Wrap each strip around the balls, securing with glue as you go. Overlap the fabric strips and continue wrapping until the foam is covered. A small paintbrush can be used to put on an extra layer of glue on the fabric strips to secure any loose edges.

Cover Desk Accessories with Fabric

Whether you have a home office or just a writing desk in the corner of a room, give it personality with fabric. You can coordinate your own desk accessories using fabric scraps.

Glue fabric scraps around a tin can, jar, small coffee can to make a stylish pencil holder. Cover different sized boxes with fabric to hold desk accessories. If you have large fabric scraps, you can cover the entire bulletin board surface with fabric. If not, glue fabric to only the frame of bulletin boards, wipe-off board or chalk boards to coordinate with the desk accessories.

Turn under small hems in the fabric scraps before gluing the pieces in place. Another option is to glue trim or ribbons to any raw edges to give a more finished look. Low temp glue guns can be used on any project where the fabric or container won't melt.

Make Sachets with Fabric Scraps

You'll only need small fabric scraps for this idea. Small sachets are great to tuck into drawers to keep clothes smelling fresh. There is no right or wrong way to make scented sachets, even three inches is big enough to add the dried lavender or other potpourri.

Sachets are like sewing miniature pillows. Simply cut two squares of fabric and place them right sides together then stitch (or use hem tape) on three sides. Turn the pillows right side out and fill with dried lavender buds or other fragrant potpourri. Stitch the fourth side closed or use Velcro tape to close the sachet if you want to replenish the fragrance occasionally.

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