Projects for fabric scraps | Make a personal care gift pack
What to do with fabric scraps.
If you sew, alter clothes, or attend upcycling workshops, you will know how quickly fabric scraps can accumulate. Too small to make a garment but too good to throw away, these offcuts are often the most versatile materials we have. One of my favourite ways to use them is by creating personal care gift packs, which make beautiful, practical gifts while keeping textiles out of landfill.
These handmade gift packs are ideal for Christmas, birthdays, or simple thank you presents. They are useful, personal, and a great example of how small scraps can still have a second life.
What’s included in each gift pack
Each personal care gift pack contains a few simple but thoughtful items:
- A small drawstring bag
- Reusable makeup remover pads
- A fabric hair band to hold hair back while washing your face
- A comfortable eye sleep mask
Each item can be made from small pieces of fabric, often using scraps that would otherwise go unused.
1. Making the drawstring bag
The drawstring bag is the perfect size to hold all the items together and is very forgiving when it comes to fabric choices. It also becomes a handy laundry bag that can be thrown into the washing machine to contain small items.
To make the bag, you will need two pieces of fabric roughly 15cm wide by 20cm high. These measurements can be adjusted depending on the size of your scraps. You can even mix fabrics, using one design for the front and a different one for the back.
You will also need two lengths of ribbon or cord to create the drawstring closure. Threading the ribbon in opposite directions allows the bag to close neatly.
What I used: I used cotton fabric scraps left over from previous sewing projects and some ribbon I had in my stash. I am not even sure where the ribbon originally came from, which is often the case when you start collecting offcuts and trims.
2. Creating a comfy sleep mask
Eye masks are a lovely addition to a personal care gift pack and can easily be customised for comfort.
The outer layer should be made from a pretty fabric that is visible when worn. Cotton or linen scraps work well for this.
The inner layer needs to be softer and more comfortable against the skin. A darker colour, such as black, is ideal for blocking light. Soft fleece works well for warmth, while satin or a smooth polyester fabric can feel cool and comfortable, especially in warmer weather.
You might even choose to make one eye mask for summer and another for winter.
What I used: The outer layer came from an offcut of a top I made using donated fabric from a local dressmaker. The inner layer was recycled from the shiny polyester back of an old men’s waistcoat.
3. Sewing the hair band
The fabric hair band is simple to make, practical for everyday use, and pretty enough to wear well beyond your skincare routine.
You will need two long pieces of fabric approximately 40cm long, along with a 20cm length of elastic. The elastic is attached to the end of the fabric tube to create a comfortable stretch band.
What I used: I used cotton fabric scraps for the outer fabric. The elastic was salvaged from the waistband of an old pair of tracksuit pants. If you do buy elastic, it lasts a long time and can be used across many projects.
4. Reusable makeup remover pads
Reusable makeup remover pads are a great alternative to disposable cotton rounds and are easy to make from small scraps.
For the soft side, choose a gentle fabric such as fleece.
For the front, cotton scraps work well. Making them reversible gives you two usable sides and helps extend their life.
What I used: The soft side was upcycled from kid’s fleece tracksuit pants, while the front was made from cotton fabric scraps. This combination creates a soft, washable and durable pad.
A thoughtful and sustainable gift pack
These personal care gift packs make wonderful Christmas gifts and are a practical way to use fabric scraps that are too small to turn into garments. They are thoughtful, reusable and demonstrate how small actions can make a meaningful difference.
Of course, you do not have to use recycled or upcycled materials. That is simply my personal approach. Through my sewing and clothes upcycling classes, I naturally accumulate a lot of fabric scraps, and projects like this are a great way to put them to good use.
If you have a pile of offcuts sitting in your sewing room, this is a perfect project to start with. Small scraps, simple sewing skills, and a little creativity can turn waste into something genuinely useful.