Sew Pattern Weights from Fabric Scraps

Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

Sew Pattern Weights from Fabric Scraps

Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman
This useful project will have you searching the sewing room for fabric scraps. Toss them in a game or use them to hold down pattern pieces, these Mini Fabric Sacks can be both fun and functional. Use only a small amount of fabric and finish the project in under an hour.

Fabric, Supplies, and Notions

  • 1/8 yard laminated cotton fabric
  • 1/8 yard coordinating cotton fabric
  • 1/8 yard 1″ wide Create a Strap
  • Sew Simple with Rectangles & Squares book
  • 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge
  • Approximately two cups of bean bag pellets

Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

Construction Steps

Cut the fabric

  • Laminated cotton fabric: Cut a 4″ x 6″ rectangle for each sack.
  • Coordinating cotton fabric: Cut a 2″ x 3″ rectangle for each handle.
  • Create-a-Strap: Cut a 3″ length for each handle.

 
Create the handles

  • Fuse a 3″ strip of Create-a-Strap to the wrong side of each 2″ x 3″ handle rectangle.
Note From Team NancyNancy’s 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge from Clover is a great tool for accurate measuring!

Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

  • Fold each 3″ side along the perforations.
  • Press.
Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman
  • Edgestitch along the folds.
Pattern Weight Nancy Zieman StitchedLoop

  • Fold in half, meeting short ends and wrong sides.
Create the sack base
  • Fold the 4″ x 6″ rectangles in half, meeting the 4″ sides (short edges), right sides together.
Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

  • Center and insert the tab in the top seam, with the raw edges even.
Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

  • Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to stitch the top seam.
Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman
  • Fold the seam down along the seamline.
  • Use a Wonder Clip to hold the top seam in one direction. 
  • Stitch the side seam, sewing over the folded seam allowance.
    Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman
  • Fold a 1/2″ hem along the open edge, using the 5-in-1 Gauge for accuracy.
Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

  • Turn the fabric sack right side out.
Sew Mini Fabric Sacks/Fabric Scraps/Nancy Zieman

  • Fill the sack with bean bag pellets.
  • Use a machine straight stitch to close the sack.

Note From Team Nancy
 
 
Attach a zipper foot for this last step to easily stitch close to the stuffed area of the fabric sack.
 

Watch Sew Simple with Rectangles & Squares on Sewing With Nancy

Screen Shot 2019 06 17 at 10.57.21 AM

Show us What You’re Making! We love to hear from you, so whether youve tried one of Nancy’s Sewing Patterns, or youre planning on stitching a project you’ve seen on Sewing With Nancy or on The Nancy Zieman Productions Blog, share your experiences and photos with us on Facebook or Instagram!
Happy Sewing!
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.
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48 Comments

  • Joan
    March 3, 2015

    2″ squares!
    Thanks!

  • Peggy Winifred
    March 3, 2015

    For quilting purposes, I like to save squares that are about 3.5 inches square which are a good size for making quilts. I also like to save fabric strips, any length by the same width too, which makes them sorta compatible for quilt making and the like.

  • Peggy Winifred
    March 3, 2015

    I like to save squares that are about 3.5″ along with all lengths of fabric that are the same width, 3.5″ for quilting and crafting projects.

  • Beverly Brison
    March 3, 2015

    i keep anything that is at least 2inches wide.

  • Sandra Maxwell
    March 3, 2015

    i would have to say 3 in squares.

  • Maria R
    March 3, 2015

    I would save a 2″ scrap. Unless it was wool then any small scrap. Love the weight idea.

  • Loretta
    March 3, 2015

    I keep squares as small as 2×2

  • Jean Maumenee
    March 3, 2015

    I save 2 inch squares.

  • Virginia Shirey
    March 3, 2015

    Boy, do I have scraps! I save whatever I think could be used again like last week I stitched together a warm top for my two-year-old grandson getting the sleeves and front from scraps I used in making a tee-shirt for my mother and the back and pants from a chocolate sweatshirt remnant! Since I am in my seventies, I am trying to be more realistic in what my stash holds, but the possibilities always come to mind, especially in the hours before dawn when I can’t quit get up for the day, but don’t want to waste a “waking moment” any more! Ha! A book of ideas would be a good source of prompts!

  • Cecilia Huether
    March 3, 2015

    I like to save all sizes, but 21/2 inch is good for me. The smaller could be used for crafting.

  • Nancy C
    March 3, 2015

    I have a hard time throwing any size scrap away… giggle !
    thanks for the giveaway.

  • Dena
    March 4, 2015

    The smallest scraps I’ll save are about 1 inch square. I give most of my scraps to my daughters to use. They make all kinds of things from them.

  • Priscilla Palmer
    March 4, 2015

    1″ never know when you might need it for an appliqué!

  • Robbin Donahue
    March 4, 2015

    Why not fill with emery sand? It’s very heavy and can be used to sharpen needles and pins, too.

  • Aimee
    March 4, 2015

    Depends on the fabric…I save every scrap of batik fabric.

  • Irene
    March 4, 2015

    I have never used laminated fabric and so do not have scraps of it….so my question is why would one opt to use laminated fabric for this project?

  • Chris
    March 4, 2015

    I use very small scraps to use as tags or bookmarkers and anything else I can drum up! Sometimes I just use them to stuff a hole!

  • Katie
    March 4, 2015

    At least 2×2

  • Brenda
    March 4, 2015

    At least 2×2, but I bet I’d find smaller stuff in a tote hoping one day to make a quilt…

  • Karen payton
    March 5, 2015

    If I love the fabric I will save even the 1in. Pieces, they are good for covered buttons!

  • Karen payton
    March 5, 2015

    As small 1×1″

  • Kim Harrington
    March 6, 2015

    I love these cute little weights! Great idea!!!

  • Suzan
    March 6, 2015

    The smallest scraps can be used for applique pieces to create texture or the glint in an eye so I keep everything. I have three scrap collections; one for reasonable sized pieces (an inch or more), another for scraps that can be used for filling shapes or fusing colors for experiments, and the third for pre-fused fabric scraps. I know the day I throw them out I will need them. Fortunately I have the space to store them. Anything 2×2 isn’t a scrap to me, it’s a proper shape.

  • Denise Penn
    March 6, 2015

    I keep scraps that are as small as 1 1/2″ which I throw into a bag by my sewing machine. When the bag is full I plan on using a roll of calculator paper (used, recycled from my office) to paper piece a long strip of ‘made’ fabric which will then go into a quilt. It’s going to be crazy random!! Pieces will all be different sizes and shapes and colors. Planning on bordering the strip of crazy fabric with grey on either side and then cutting it into blocks that are rotated 1/4 turn to each other.

  • craftygramma
    March 6, 2015

    The only scraps I can bear to toss are those I sliver trim. I keep all others for string piecing.
    I have made a larger version of this with a zipper and wrist strap for my meds and color swatches! It is so cute and was so easy. Try it!!

  • ROBIN
    March 6, 2015

    I keep strips as small as 1″, length varies.

  • Linda Mattson
    March 6, 2015

    I have been known to deep 1″ pieces. What would I ever do with them? I don’t know, but I just cant seem to throw them away.

  • Pat
    March 6, 2015

    I have tried not to save anything smaller than 4 inches square but now I may have to reconsider. Hope to win the book. Looks like a lot of great ideas!

  • Diane S.
    March 6, 2015

    I’ve watched both episodes of this series and really enjoyed it. I would love to win the the book and dvd!

  • Diane S.
    March 6, 2015

    The smallest size scrap I would save is about 2″ x 12″.

  • Christina Gonzalez
    March 6, 2015

    I will keep a scrap of fabric that is 2″ x 3″. Love to go through my fabric stash and be inspired by Sewing with Nancy.

  • Lori Smanski
    March 6, 2015

    the smallest scrap of fabric I keep is 2″X 2″

  • Karen L.
    March 6, 2015

    I save just about everything bigger than 1″. The smaller scraps can always be stuffing for dog beds.

  • Sandra Nettles
    March 6, 2015

    I keep any scraps wof and also 2×2 if pattern is interesting!

  • Marty
    March 6, 2015

    I keep 1.5″ squares in containers by dominate hue; all scraps smaller than that go into a bag to use for “stuffing” or as applique features on doll faces.

  • Tammy Wright
    March 6, 2015

    I keep all scraps. They are great for birds outside for there nest. they are wonder for fiber arts and rugs and pincushions. I never throw any fabric in the trash. There is always some being that needs them.

  • Susan Lewis
    March 7, 2015

    At this time I am devoid of scraps! Just started quilting & have not collected much fabric. So I’ll save all scraps to use in projects! Want to make a pincushion next! Happy sewing! Love your shows & website, Nancy.

  • Alice Cornelson
    March 7, 2015

    I keep my scraps for small projects, applique, quilt blocks, and crazy quilts. I toss scraps I don’t think I can use into a plastic bag for stuffing for dog beds for one of our local shelters, and, my uthread ends go to the birds. Thanks, Nancy for sharing this neat project. I plan on making several of these for me and for our grand kids.

  • eginter
    March 7, 2015

    I love making purses, but am having some hand problems,,but wonder why I couldn’t make my own FABRIC from men’s ties ( I used to make my husband’s ties) see I g the hobo pattern gave me the ideal also am going to try to make some wine baGA from ties, did a couple of pursesfrom his sports coats.spring is coming and i will be outside so need to get the sewing going thanks

  • Linda Okrina
    March 7, 2015

    I keep all scraps because I usually end up needing them for something. I love everything you do Nancy. You are so creative, and always present it in the simplest possible way. Thank you
    for your many years of dedication to our mutual love of sewing, quilting and embroidery.

  • LoAnn T
    March 7, 2015

    1 1/2″ square

  • Ellen
    March 7, 2015

    Although hard to part with any fabric scraps, I am able to recycle selvedges with my quilt guild in Oregon and other scraps are dropped into donated pet beds with my quilt club in AZ.

  • Louise Johnson
    March 8, 2015

    I’ll save fabric scraps as small as 2 X 2; I’ll go even narrower with a longer piece. This applies to all types of fabrics — not just cottons.

  • Mila Kette
    August 12, 2016

    I generally give the scraps to a friend of mine. She makes beautiful flowers with almost any size, so long as it is long enough. So, they generally have to be 18″ long. I love your website, by the way. I am going to suggest my library buy your books; they seem enticing!

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