7 Ways to Use Leftover Fabric Scraps in Your Next Quilted Throw Blanket

If you’ve been sewing for a while, you probably have a stash of fabric scraps too pretty to toss but too small for big projects. Don’t let them go to waste! Those little pieces of fabric hold big potential for adding charm and creativity to your next quilted throw blanket. Here are 7 fun and practical ways to incorporate your leftover fabric scraps, transforming them into a masterpiece.

1. Patchwork Squares

Patchwork is the classic way to use fabric scraps, and it’s a staple in quilting for a reason. Mixing and matching scraps creates a colorful, one-of-a-kind design full of personality.

Picture this: A vibrant quilt where each square tells its own story—polka dots, florals, and stripes stitched together in a cheerful mosaic.

How to Do It:

• Sort your scraps by color or pattern to create a cohesive look.
• Cut the fabric into uniform squares (4×4 or 5×5 inches work great).
• Arrange them in a grid pattern and sew them together into rows, then assemble the rows into your quilt top.

Tip: Add a neutral border to balance bold patterns and tie the look together.

2. Appliqué Designs

Turn your scraps into shapes and motifs for appliqué, adding artistic flair to your quilt. Think flowers, stars, hearts, or even abstract shapes.

Picture this: A cozy quilt adorned with whimsical flowers and swirling vines, each one made from colorful fabric scraps.

How to Do It:

• Cut your scraps into desired shapes using templates or freehand.
• Attach the shapes to your quilt top with fusible webbing, then secure with a zigzag or blanket stitch.
• Use contrasting thread for a playful, handmade look.

3. Scrappy Binding

Scrappy binding adds a playful, colorful edge to your quilt, showcasing your scraps as the finishing touch. It’s a charming way to frame your throw blanket.

Picture this: A quilt bordered with a rainbow of fabrics, each strip a little surprise of color and texture.

How to Do It:

• Sew your fabric scraps into a long strip, about 2.5 inches wide.
• Fold the strip in half lengthwise, then press with an iron.
• Attach the scrappy binding to the edges of your quilt for a fun, patchwork finish.

4. Strip Quilting

Turn your scraps into long strips for a striped quilt design that’s easy and stunning. This technique is great for using up narrow pieces of fabric.

Picture this: A quilt with horizontal stripes in every shade of blue, evoking the calm of a seaside cottage.

How to Do It:

• Cut your fabric scraps into strips of varying widths.
• Sew the strips together lengthwise to create a striped panel.
• Trim the panel to size and combine it with solid fabric for a balanced quilt design.

5. Crazy Quilt Blocks

Crazy quilts are perfect for using oddly shaped scraps in a freestyle, no-rules design. It’s a creative playground for quilting and a great way to let your imagination shine.

Picture this: A throw blanket made of kaleidoscopic blocks, each one a collage of patterns and textures stitched together in joyful chaos.

How to Do It:

• Start with a foundation fabric piece as your base.
• Sew scraps onto the base at random angles, overlapping edges as needed.
• Trim the finished block to size and assemble multiple blocks for your quilt top.

6. Improv Piecing

Improv piecing is all about sewing scraps together without a strict pattern, creating unique, modern designs. The result? A quilt that feels fresh, artistic, and effortlessly cool.

Picture this: An abstract quilt with bold, geometric shapes, pieced together like a painter’s canvas.

How to Do It:

• Grab scraps of various sizes and sew them together randomly.
• Trim the sewn pieces into neat squares or rectangles to form your quilt blocks.
• Arrange the blocks in a grid or scatter them for a more playful layout.

7. Mini Quilt Accents

Use your scraps to create mini quilt panels as accents within your larger quilt. These tiny quilt blocks can serve as focal points or add texture to the design.

Picture this: A quilt with small, intricate stars and pinwheels scattered across the design, each one lovingly crafted from leftover fabric.

How to Do It:

• Sew scraps into small quilt blocks, like flying geese, pinwheels, or stars.
• Incorporate the mini quilt blocks into your throw blanket design as decorative panels.
• Frame the accents with solid fabric to make them pop.

Let Your Scraps Shine

Every piece of fabric holds potential, no matter how small. By incorporating these creative techniques, you can turn your leftover scraps into a stunning quilted throw blanket that’s as unique as you are. Which idea will you try first? Grab those scraps, and let’s get sewing!