Fabric Scrap Christmas Crafts: 19 Clever Ways to Turn Leftovers Into Holiday Magic

Fabric scrap Christmas crafts are the happiest way to use up that bag of leftovers you have been saving for years. You know the one: bits of cotton from old projects, a worn shirt you loved, the corner of a tablecloth. Fabric crafts are having a big moment right now, and one video of traditional fabric ornaments from Hobby Crafting passed 11 million views in just two weeks. People love the cozy, homemade look, and they love that it costs almost nothing. Most of the ideas below need no sewing machine at all, just scissors, glue, twine and a free afternoon. Gather your scraps, put on some Christmas music and turn those little leftovers into ornaments, garlands and gifts your family will treasure..

Fabric Scrap Christmas Crafts That Cost Almost Nothing

There is something special about decorating with fabric that already has a story. That red print might be from a dress you made years ago, and that green check from your grandmother’s apron. Turning those pieces into Christmas decor keeps the memories close and keeps the scraps out of the trash. The best part is how forgiving fabric is. Edges can fray, stitches can wobble, and it still looks charming. You will be surprised how far one small bag of scraps can go..

You will need: A bag of cotton fabric scraps, sharp fabric scissors, fabric glue or a hot glue gun (adult help), twine and buttons.

How to make it: 1. Gather every scrap you have in one place. 2. Pick a color story, like red, green and cream. 3. Choose three projects from this list to start with.

First, Sort Your Scrap Stash

Before you start cutting, take ten minutes to sort. Pile your scraps by color, then by size: big pieces for stockings and runners, medium for stars and hearts, small strips for garlands and wreaths. Press the wrinkled ones with a warm iron so they lie flat. You will see right away which colors you have plenty of. Sorting also makes crafting with kids or grandkids so much easier. Good fabric scrap Christmas crafts always start with a tidy stash. Which colors fill most of your scrap bag?

You will need: Your fabric scraps, a few bins or baskets, an iron and a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Sort the scraps into color piles. 2. Split each pile into large, medium and small pieces. 3. Press them flat and store them in labeled bins.

Stacked Fabric Circle Trees

This one went viral on YouTube Shorts this fall, and it is easy to see why. Cut circles of fabric in shrinking sizes, from about four inches down to one inch. Poke a hole in the middle of each and slide them onto a wooden dowel set in a wood slice base, largest at the bottom. Fluff each circle slightly so it ripples like branches. Add a small wooden star on top. A row of five on the mantel looks adorable. How tall would you make yours?

You will need: Fabric scraps, a circle template or cups in different sizes, scissors, wooden dowels, wood slice bases, wooden stars and glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut 10 to 12 circles in shrinking sizes for each tree. 2. Poke a hole in the center and stack them on the dowel, largest first. 3. Glue the star on top.

Rag Garland on Twine

If you can tie a knot, you can make this. Tear or cut your scraps into strips about one inch wide and six inches long, then tie them tightly along a length of jute twine, pushing each knot close to the last. The torn edges fray a little, which gives it that farmhouse charm. Mix prints and solids for the best look. It is perfect for a window, a mantel or the tree. It is also a great job for little helpers. Simple fabric scrap Christmas crafts like this are perfect for a family craft night. How long will yours be?

You will need: Fabric scraps torn into strips, jute twine and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut or tear the fabric into strips about 1 by 6 inches. 2. Tie each strip onto the twine with a simple knot. 3. Push the knots close together until the garland is full.

Patchwork Star Ornaments

Patchwork stars look like little quilts for the tree. Sew a few small scraps together into a patchwork square, or simply glue pieces onto felt. Trace a star shape on top, cut two matching stars and stitch or glue them together with a little stuffing inside. Add a twine loop at one point. Each star turns out different, and that is the charm. They make lovely gifts tied onto a present. These are some of the most giftable fabric scrap Christmas crafts of all. Who would you give the first one to?

You will need: Small fabric scraps, a star template, a needle and thread or fabric glue, a little stuffing and twine.

How to make it: 1. Join small scraps into a patchwork piece large enough for two stars. 2. Cut two stars and stitch them together, leaving a small gap. 3. Stuff lightly, close the gap and add a twine loop.

Scandinavian Style Fabric Scrap Christmas Crafts

Folded fabric ornaments are a Scandinavian classic, and they are what made that 11 million view video so popular. Small squares of fabric are folded into triangles and pinned in rings around a ball, creating a star pattern that looks far more complicated than it is. Red and white cotton is the traditional choice. They take a little patience, but the result is stunning. If you love this cozy look, our felt Christmas crafts gallery has even more ideas. Will you try red and white, or your own colors?

You will need: Two inch squares of cotton fabric, a 3 inch craft ball, sequin pins, an iron and ribbon for hanging.

How to make it: 1. Fold each square in half and then into a triangle, and press it. 2. Pin the first four triangles around the top of the ball in a square. 3. Keep adding rings of triangles, slightly lower each time, and finish with a ribbon loop.

Scrap Fabric Wreath

A rag wreath is the perfect project for using up a mountain of scraps. Cut hundreds of strips about one inch by six inches, then tie them tightly around a wire wreath ring. Keep going until the ring is so full it looks fluffy. It takes an evening or two in front of a movie, but it lasts for years and never drops needles. Add a big fabric bow at the bottom. Few fabric scrap Christmas crafts use up as many leftovers as this one. Where would you hang yours, the front door or inside?

You will need: A wire wreath ring, lots of fabric strips about 1 by 6 inches, scissors and a fabric bow.

How to make it: 1. Tie each strip onto the wire ring with a double knot. 2. Push the knots close together and keep going around all the wires. 3. Fluff the strips and tie on a bow.

Fabric Strip Gift Bows

Skip store bought bows this year. Long strips of fabric tied around plain kraft paper look fresh and charming, and the recipient can reuse them. Cut strips about two inches wide and as long as you need, then tie them in a big bow. Gingham, florals and small prints look lovely together under the tree. You can even tuck a sprig of greenery into the knot. It is also a nice way to wrap gifts with less waste. Which prints will you pair together?

You will need: Fabric strips about 2 inches wide, kraft paper and greenery sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the gift in kraft paper. 2. Wrap a fabric strip around it and tie it in a bow on top. 3. Trim the ends at an angle and tuck in a sprig of greenery.

Fabric Yo Yo Garland

Fabric yo yos are gathered circles that look like little flowers, and grandmothers have been making them for generations. Cut a circle about twice the size you want, fold the edge in a little and sew a running stitch around it. Pull the thread tight and the circle gathers into a puffy yo yo. String them together for a garland that looks wonderfully old fashioned. It is a relaxing project for evenings. How many yo yos can you make in one movie?

You will need: Fabric circles about 4 inches across, a needle, strong thread and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Fold the edge of a circle in a quarter inch and sew a running stitch all the way around. 2. Pull the thread tight to gather, then knot it. 3. Stitch the yo yos together side by side to make a garland.

Mini Stockings for Gift Cards

Gift cards can feel a little plain, but tucked into a tiny handmade stocking they become a real present. Cut two small stocking shapes from fabric scraps, stitch or glue them together and add a white cuff. Hang them on a twine line with mini clothespins, or tie them right onto the tree. They also work for cash, candy or small notes. Teachers, coworkers and neighbors will love them. Who on your list could use one?

You will need: Fabric scraps, a small stocking template, fabric glue or a needle and thread, white fabric for cuffs and twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two stocking shapes for each mini stocking. 2. Glue or stitch them together, leaving the top open. 3. Fold a white strip over the top as a cuff and add a twine loop.

Patchwork Tree Topper Star

A patchwork star on top of the tree feels warm and personal, especially if the fabric comes from family clothes or old quilting projects. Cut a star from sturdy cardboard, then glue small scraps over it in a patchwork pattern. Cover the edges with a narrow strip of fabric for a clean finish. Attach a cardboard tube on the back so it slides onto the top branch. It is light and safe, even for a wobbly tree. Whose old clothes would you use?

You will need: Sturdy cardboard, fabric scraps, fabric glue or decoupage glue, a narrow fabric strip and a cardboard tube.

How to make it: 1. Cut a large star from cardboard. 2. Glue scraps over both sides in a patchwork pattern and wrap the edges. 3. Glue a short cardboard tube on the back to slide over the treetop.

Cozy Cocoa Coasters

Square coasters are one of the fastest things you can sew, and they make sweet gifts in sets of four. Cut two squares of fabric and one square of felt or batting, stack them, stitch around the edges and turn them right side out. A quick topstitch makes them neat. If you do not sew, glue fabric onto cork squares instead. Pair a set with a mug and cocoa packets for an easy gift. Which mug would you pair with yours?

You will need: Fabric scraps, felt or batting, a needle and thread or sewing machine, or cork squares and fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut two fabric squares and one felt square for each coaster. 2. Stitch around the edges with right sides together, leaving a gap. 3. Turn out, press and topstitch the edges closed.

Last Minute Fabric Scrap Christmas Crafts: Gift Tags

Even the tiniest scraps have a job. Glue small pieces of fabric onto kraft cardstock tags in simple shapes: a tree, a stocking, a heart or a strip across the middle. Punch a hole and tie them onto gifts with twine. They take minutes, use up pieces too small for anything else, and make every present look handmade. Kids can help with these, too. How many tags do you need this year?

You will need: Kraft cardstock tags, tiny fabric scraps, fabric glue, a hole punch and twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut small fabric shapes. 2. Glue them onto the tags and let them dry. 3. Punch a hole, add twine and tie them onto your gifts.

No Sew Fabric Scrap Christmas Crafts: A Tree Skirt

This tree skirt is made the same way as the rag wreath, just bigger. Make a ring from thick rope or an old hula hoop, then tie fabric strips all the way around until it is full and fluffy. Lay it under the tree and it frames the gifts beautifully. It is a great project for the whole family, because everyone can tie knots at the same time. It also covers the tree stand completely. Will your family make one together this year?

You will need: A thick rope ring or a hula hoop, hundreds of fabric strips about 2 by 10 inches, and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Make a ring a little wider than your tree stand. 2. Tie strips around the ring, pushing them close together. 3. Fluff and trim the ends so the skirt lies flat.

Mantel Bunting

Triangle bunting brings instant cheer to a mantel, a bookshelf or a child’s room. Cut triangles from your scraps, about six inches tall, and either sew or glue them along a ribbon. Mix red, green, white and a touch of gold for a festive look. Pinking shears give the edges a pretty zigzag and stop fraying. Hang it above the stockings and you are done. Bunting stores flat, so you can use it every year. Easy fabric scrap Christmas crafts like bunting look great in photos, too. Where would your bunting go?

You will need: Fabric scraps, a triangle template, pinking shears, ribbon and fabric glue or a sewing machine.

How to make it: 1. Cut triangles with pinking shears. 2. Space them evenly along the ribbon. 3. Glue or stitch the top edge of each triangle to the ribbon.

Button Heart Ornaments

Fabric hearts with a few buttons sewn on are simple, sweet and very old fashioned. Cut two heart shapes, stitch them together with a little stuffing, and add two or three buttons from your button jar. A twine loop at the top finishes it off. Hang them on the tree, on bare branches in a vase or on cabinet knobs. They are lovely gifts for grandparents, too. Sweet fabric scrap Christmas crafts like these are a lovely way to use mismatched buttons. Which buttons from your jar would you use?

You will need: Fabric scraps, a heart template, a needle and thread, a little stuffing, buttons and twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two matching hearts. 2. Sew them together, leaving a small gap, then stuff lightly and close it. 3. Sew on the buttons and add a twine loop.

Wine Bottle Gift Bags

A bottle of sparkling cider or a homemade syrup looks so much nicer in a fabric bag. Sew a long rectangle of patchwork scraps into a tube, close the bottom, and tie the top with ribbon. It takes about twenty minutes with a sewing machine, and the bag becomes part of the gift. Make a few at once so you always have one ready for a host. Who will you bring a bottle to this season?

You will need: Fabric scraps sewn into a rectangle about 14 by 16 inches, a sewing machine or needle and thread, and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and sew the long side and bottom. 2. Hem the top edge. 3. Turn it right side out, slip in the bottle and tie with ribbon.

Embroidery Hoop Ornaments

Small wooden embroidery hoops make perfect frames for your prettiest fabric scraps. Place a scrap in the hoop, tighten it, trim the extra fabric on the back and glue it down. Add a ribbon at the top and you have an ornament. If you like embroidery, stitch a tiny tree or snowflake in the center. They look lovely in a group on a wall or on the tree. Framed fabric scrap Christmas crafts can stay up all winter, long after the tree comes down. Which favorite print deserves its own frame?

You will need: Small wooden embroidery hoops, fabric scraps, scissors, fabric glue and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fit the fabric tightly in the hoop. 2. Trim the extra fabric about half an inch from the edge and glue it to the back. 3. Tie a ribbon at the top for hanging.

Big Fabric Scrap Christmas Crafts: A Patchwork Table Runner

Save your biggest project for last. Sew squares of Christmas fabric scraps into a long strip, add a backing and quilt it with simple straight lines. You get a patchwork table runner that holds memories from years of sewing. If quilting feels like too much, glue squares onto a plain linen runner instead. It will be the star of your holiday table, and maybe a future family heirloom. Which of these fabric scrap Christmas crafts will you make first?

You will need: Fabric squares about 5 inches, backing fabric, thin batting, a sewing machine and thread.

How to make it: 1. Sew the squares into a long strip about 14 inches wide. 2. Layer the top, batting and backing and pin them together. 3. Stitch straight lines through all layers and bind the edges.