If you’re a sewer, you probably have a special place for them. It might be a bag, a drawer, or a colorful bin. It’s the home for all those little leftover pieces of fabric you can’t bear to throw away. And tucked in that pile are some real treasures you might be overlooking: the fabric selvages.
For a long time, these finished edges of a fabric bolt were just plain and boring. But not anymore! Designers now add cute patterns, fun sayings, and colorful dots to them. They’ve become their own little works of art.
So, what if you could turn that pile of pretty scraps into a brand-new, unique piece of fabric? Today, I’m going to show you an easy and incredibly fun guide for sewing with fabric selvages. We’re going to turn that “trash” into a treasure you can use for all sorts of amazing projects. Let’s get started!
What Are Fabric Selvages, Anyway?
When fabric is made, the edges are woven tightly to keep them from unraveling. That finished edge is called the selvage (or selvedge). It’s the part of the fabric that often has the designer’s name, the name of the fabric line, and a series of color dots that show all the colors used in the print.
The best part about a selvage is that it doesn’t fray. This makes it a perfect, ready-to-use strip for creative projects. Instead of being just a scrap, think of it as a free ribbon of possibility.
Why You Should Start Sewing with Fabric Selvages
If you’re not already saving your selvages, you’ll want to start now. This is more than just a scrap-busting project; it’s a whole new way to get creative. It’s a chance to make something completely from scratch that is totally unique to you.
Best of all, it’s a “mental health” sewing project. It doesn’t need to be perfect. There are no complicated patterns to follow. You just sit at your machine, listen to the hum, and watch a beautiful new fabric come to life under your hands. It’s the perfect way to relax after a tough project or just spend a quiet afternoon making something beautiful.
Your Simple Selvage Project: What You’ll Need
The beauty of this project is that you likely have everything you need already. We are aiming to use what we have, not spend more money. Here is a simple list of what to gather.
| Item | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Fabric Selvages | The star of the show! Gather a nice big pile with a variety of colors and patterns. |
| Batting or Scrap Fabric | This will be your base. A piece of batting around 13 x 16 inches is a great start, but any size works. You can also use a piece of muslin or other scrap fabric. |
| Colorful Thread | Don’t just grab white or gray! This is your chance to use one of those fun, colorful spools of thread you’ve been saving. It adds another layer of fun to the final piece. |
| Sewing Machine | Any machine that can do a straight stitch is perfect. |
| Iron | Some selvages can get curled or wrinkled. A quick press makes them much easier to work with. |
| Rotary Cutter & Mat | This is for squaring up your finished fabric piece to give it clean, straight edges. |
How to Make Your Own Selvage Fabric: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create your fabric? This process is a very loose “quilt as you go” tutorial. It’s simple, fun, and so satisfying.
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First, take your piece of batting or scrap fabric and give it a good press to make it flat. Next, look through your pile of selvages. If any of them are curled up or wrinkled, press them flat with your iron. This will make them lay nicely as you sew.
Step 2: Sew Your First Strip
Now, let’s start sewing with fabric selvages. Pick a selvage that you aren’t too attached to for your first piece, as it will be right at the bottom edge. Lay it along the bottom of your batting, lining up the edges.
Take it to your machine and sew a straight stitch about 1/8 of an inch away from the top edge of the selvage strip. This first line of stitching just holds it in place. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfectly straight!
Step 3: Add Your Next Selvage
Grab your next selvage strip. Lay it down so it slightly overlaps the first strip you sewed. You want to cover the line of stitches you just made, but still let a little bit of the color from the first strip peek through. This layering is what makes the final fabric so visually interesting.
Now, sew this second strip down. You can stitch right along the little color dots or text, or about a quarter-inch from the top edge. The goal of this stitch is to lock down the top of the new strip and the bottom of the strip underneath it.
Step 4: Keep Building Your Fabric
That’s it! You just keep repeating the process. Grab another strip, overlap the last one, and stitch it down. Continue working your way up the piece of batting.
Have fun with it! Mix and match colors. Make sure you feature the parts of the selvage you love most, like a cute little rainbow or a fun phrase. This is your chance to play.
Step 5: Finishing the Top Edge
When you get to your last piece, you can use a normal selvage strip. Or, for a special touch, you can use a piece of ribbon. A ribbon from a fat quarter bundle is a perfect way to top off your fabric panel.
Line it up with the top edge of your batting. Stitch along the bottom of the ribbon to secure it, and then add another stitch along the very top edge to make sure everything is locked in place.
Step 6: Trim and Square Up Your New Fabric
This is the most satisfying part. Your panel might be a little wonky, and that’s okay! Batting can shift and stretch as you sew. Lay your finished piece on your cutting mat and use your rotary cutter and ruler to trim the sides. Give it nice, straight edges and square corners.
And there you have it! A beautiful, textured, and totally unique piece of fabric that you made from scraps.
Tips for Perfect Fabric Selvage Projects
This is a fun and forgiving project, but a few little tips can make it even better.
| Tip | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Use Colorful Thread | A fun, variegated, or brightly colored thread adds an extra pop of personality and visual interest. |
| Embrace Imperfection | Don’t stress over perfectly straight lines. The charm of this project is in its handmade, scrappy look. |
| Let the Colors Peek Through | When you overlap your strips, make sure you can still see a bit of the color from the strip underneath. |
| Showcase the Fun Parts | Intentionally place your strips to show off fun text, cute little pictures, or interesting color patterns. |
What Can You Make With Your New Selvage Fabric?
Now that you’ve finished one of your first fabric selvage projects, what should you do with it? The possibilities are endless! This sturdy, interesting fabric is perfect for so many things.
You could turn it into a colorful tote bag, a one-of-a-kind zipper pouch, or the front panel of a decorative pillow. It would also make a great cover for a journal, a sturdy glasses case, or even a fun panel on a denim jacket. Think of any project that needs a small, sturdy piece of interesting fabric, and you’ve found a perfect use for it.
FAQs
How to use fabric offcuts?
You can use fabric offcuts for many things. Make small quilts or pouches. Use them for appliqué projects. You can also sew them together to create new, unique fabric.
What to do with fabric trimmings?
Fabric trimmings are perfect for small crafts. Add them to greeting cards for texture. Sew them onto a base fabric to add color. They are great for small art projects.
What are tiny fabric scraps called?
Tiny fabric scraps are often called “crumbs.” Some people also call them “fabric confetti.” They are the smallest bits left over after cutting.
Can you use fabric scraps as stuffing?
Yes, you can use fabric scraps as stuffing. It works very well for small items. Use them to fill pincushions or small toys. It is a great way to avoid waste.
How to sew trimmings on fabric?
Place the trimming onto your main fabric. Sew over it with a straight stitch. You can also use a fun zigzag stitch. This attaches the trimming firmly to your project.
A Treasure Trove in Your Scrap Bin
Sewing with fabric selvages is a simple joy. It’s a reminder that we can create wonderful things from materials we might have otherwise thrown away. With just a pile of scraps, a little thread, and a bit of time, you can create a piece of fabric filled with color, texture, and memories of projects past.
So next time you trim the edge off a piece of fabric, don’t toss it. Save it in your special bin, because you’re not saving a scrap—you’re saving a story.
What Will You Create?
Now that you know how to turn your scraps into something amazing, what will you make? I would love to hear your ideas! Share what you plan to create with your selvage fabric in the comments below. Happy sewing