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.

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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.

For creating vibrant patchwork squares, consider these pre-cut fabric bundles:

• 50 Pieces Multi-Colors Fabric Patchwork Mixed Squares Bundle
  A variety of colors to add personality to your quilt.
• StashBuilder Sit N’ Sew 2.5 inch Fabric Squares
  840 precut squares in coordinating colors for a cohesive design.

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.

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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.

To add artistic appliqué designs, these fusible webbing options are ideal:

• Stitch Witchery Fusible Webbing
  20 sheets of 8″ x 12″ fusible webbing for easy appliqué.
  
• FlexiFuse Lightweight Fusible Web
  25 sheets of 8″ x 10.5″ fusible web, hand and machine sewable.

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.

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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.

For scrappy binding, consider these options:

• Wrights Double Fold Quilt Binding
  7/8 inch wide, 3 yards long, easy to apply.
  
• Tewadoo Bias Tape Double Fold
  1/2 inch wide, 55 yards, suitable for various projects.

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.

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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.

For strip quilting, these fabric strips are perfect:

• Jelly Roll Fabric Strips for Quilting
  40 strip assorted bundle, soft cotton for quilting.
• Soimoi 40Pcs Batik Print Precut Fabrics Strips Roll Up
  1.5″ x 42″ strips, 100% cotton, premium quilt quality.

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.

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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.

For crazy quilt blocks, these fabric bundles are ideal:

• 50 Pcs Quilting Fabric Bundles 8″ x 8″
  Solid colors, pure cotton, pre-cut squares.
• Quilt Shop Only Elliot Crazy Quilt Cotton Fabric 53788

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.

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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.

For improv piecing, consider these resources:

• Scrappy Improv Quilting: 22 Mini Quilts to Make
  Step-by-step instructions on improv piecing.
• Stash Statement: Make the Most of Your Fabrics with Easy Improv Quilts

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.

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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.

For mini quilt accents, these charm packs are perfect:

• Mini Charm Pack Set of 64
  2.5″ squares, floral and geometric patterns.
• 2.5-Inch Mini Charm Pack, Set of 64

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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!