Learn how to make a scrap fabric bookmark from even the tiniest slivers and trimmings of fabric (and thread!). Makes a cute gift!
It was basically one bag that I had filled with slivers, trimmings, and balls of thread from other sewing and craft projects. The next step of my project actually encouraged me to organise these little teeny tiny scraps a bit better in future too!
Sort Your Scraps
After that, what you need to do is cut some embroidery stabiliser to roughly the size you want your bookmarks to be. The ones I made this first time around were smaller but the one’s I made more recently I cut to 3″ wide and the height was the width of the stabiliser. I then trimmed the bookmarks down at the end. You should add about a 1/4 – 1/2″ all around as you are going to loose some of the size when you wash the stabiliser away later on.
Cut your Embroidery Stabiliser
Next, you get to fill your little bookmark envelope with all your lovely scraps.
Fill your Scrap Fabric Bookmark
I’ve tried a few different ways of filling my scrap fabric bookmarks. My current favourite is to lay the scraps down right side up, roughly overlapping each other in as few layers of fabric as possible – ideally one or two layers to keep the bookmark thin.
Lay Out & Pin Method
Next comes the start of the fun stuff! First, you want to sew up the open seams to make sure all your scraps are safely inside your envelope. If you did the sew & stuff method above then you just need to close that last seam. If you did my current favourite method of laying out and pinning then you’ll need to sew all the way around your bookmark to seal it up and remove your pins.
Sew like Crazy!
Now the really fun part. Washing off the stabiliser! I did it in a bowl of cold water, but you could also just run them under the tap. You’ll want to rub a bit to make sure it’s all washed off. Then leave them somewhere to dry and come back to them later.
Washing Off the Stabiliser