Sew Pattern Weights from Fabric Scraps
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
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.
- Fold each 3″ side along the perforations.
- Press.
- Edgestitch along the folds.
- Fold in half, meeting short ends and wrong sides.
- Fold the 4″ x 6″ rectangles in half, meeting the 4″ sides (short edges), right sides together.
- Center and insert the tab in the top seam, with the raw edges even.
- Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to stitch the top seam.
- 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.
- Fold a 1/2″ hem along the open edge, using the 5-in-1 Gauge for accuracy.
Watch Sew Simple with Rectangles & Squares on Sewing With Nancy
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Happy Sewing!
Team Nancy Zieman
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Joan
2″ squares!
Thanks!
Peggy Winifred
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
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
i keep anything that is at least 2inches wide.
Sandra Maxwell
i would have to say 3 in squares.
Maria R
I would save a 2″ scrap. Unless it was wool then any small scrap. Love the weight idea.
Loretta
I keep squares as small as 2×2
Jean Maumenee
I save 2 inch squares.
Virginia Shirey
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
I like to save all sizes, but 21/2 inch is good for me. The smaller could be used for crafting.
Nancy C
I have a hard time throwing any size scrap away… giggle !
thanks for the giveaway.
Dena
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
1″ never know when you might need it for an appliqué!
Robbin Donahue
Why not fill with emery sand? It’s very heavy and can be used to sharpen needles and pins, too.
Aimee
Depends on the fabric…I save every scrap of batik fabric.
Irene
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?
Nancy Zieman
Laminated fabrics are durable, yet are optional. Feel free to use the fabric scraps you have on hand.
Chris
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
At least 2×2
Brenda
At least 2×2, but I bet I’d find smaller stuff in a tote hoping one day to make a quilt…
Karen payton
If I love the fabric I will save even the 1in. Pieces, they are good for covered buttons!
Karen payton
As small 1×1″
Kim Harrington
I love these cute little weights! Great idea!!!
Suzan
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
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
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
I keep strips as small as 1″, length varies.
Linda Mattson
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
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.
I’ve watched both episodes of this series and really enjoyed it. I would love to win the the book and dvd!
Diane S.
The smallest size scrap I would save is about 2″ x 12″.
Christina Gonzalez
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
the smallest scrap of fabric I keep is 2″X 2″
Karen L.
I save just about everything bigger than 1″. The smaller scraps can always be stuffing for dog beds.
Sandra Nettles
I keep any scraps wof and also 2×2 if pattern is interesting!
Marty
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
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
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
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
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
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
1 1/2″ square
Ellen
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
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
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!