Scrap Buster Tutorial: Mini Ornaments

Scrap Buster Contest at Sew Mama Sew

Finding projects to use up scraps just a few inches square is always a challenge, and since many of my scraps are from treasured fabrics, I can never bring myself to throw them away. This little ornament project I created is quick, easy, and can use up even some of the tiniest scraps. It's also a very versatile project. You could decorate your Christmas tree with some of these ornaments or use them on your packages as gift tags. Try adding a few sprigs of lavender to them and throw a few in with your wool sweaters. At a finished size of 2" square, the small canvas is also great for trying out new embroidery or quilting techniques before approaching a larger project.

Tutorial follows below, enjoy!

1. What you'll need:

• Two (per ornament) fabric scraps that are large enough to be cut into 2.5" squares
• A scrap of fleece batting large enough to be cut into a 2.5" square
• 7" of yarn or ribbon
• Matching sewing thread
• Embroidery Floss for decorating your ornament, if desired.

2. Cut two fabric scraps into 2.5" squares. Cut the fleece batting scrap into a 2.5 square.

3. Embroidery Option Only (if you wish to add quilting, then you'll wait until later in the project): Sketch your embroidery design on the the solid scrap (for a faster option, use a rubber stamp and fabric ink in a light color).

4. Embroidery Option Only: Pin the scrap to the fleece batting and embroider (go through both layers with your needle).

5. (All options) Now it's time to 'make a sandwich'. Fold your yarn or ribbon in half and position on the right side of one of your scraps with about 1/2" of the ribbon hanging off the side. (see photo to ensure correct ribbon placement). Place the next fabric scrap (right side down, so scraps will have their right sides together) and place your fleece batting on top of that. (note that for the embroidery option, your fleece batting will already be attached to your second scrap).

6. Sew the 'sandwich' together, leaving a 1.25" opening on one side. After sewing, you may wish to trim the corners a bit to allow for neater corners when turning your ornament.

7. Turn the ornament right side out and poke out the corners with an orange stick or similar. Sew the opening closed using an invisible seam.

8. Add any quilting you may desire to your ornament. I used a blanket stitch around the edge of some my ornaments and added a basic running stitch to a few as well. Be creative with this part! You could add buttons, rosettes, charms, or even initials to customize your ornaments.