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Turn Your Scrap Fabric Stash Into Stunning Art with These Mixed Media Fabric Blocks

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Scrap fabric blocks

Got a basket (or five) overflowing with fabric scraps you just can’t bring yourself to toss? Same here. That’s why I was so excited to come across the Mixed Media Fabric Blocks tutorial from Thermoweb. This project is a total game-changer for anyone looking to breathe new life into their leftover fabric bits.

Instead of throwing away those tiny pieces you’ve been hoarding — the selvages, the odd-sized squares, the trims that were too pretty to toss — this tutorial shows you how to transform them into mini masterpieces. Think of it as an art journal made with fabric.

A Creative Way to Use Every Last Scrap

What I love most about this project is how scrap-friendly it is. Seriously — there’s no need for perfectly matched prints or pristine cuts. In fact, the more variety, the better! You’ll layer fabrics, add paint, experiment with stencils, and throw in stitching and embellishments to create totally one-of-a-kind art blocks.

Using products like HeatnBond fusible web and Deco Foil Transfer Gel, you can blend your scraps into a textured, vibrant collage that’s equal parts quilted art and mixed media magic. And since each block is small, it’s the perfect low-pressure project to try something new.

Endless Ways to Use These Fabric Blocks

Once you’ve made a few blocks, the sky’s the limit. Turn them into wall hangings, art quilt panels, journal covers, bookmarks, or even greeting cards. They make thoughtful handmade gifts and are a fantastic way to showcase your favorite fabric prints — even if you only have a tiny sliver of them left.

Whether you’re a quilter looking to do something a little “outside the box” or a crafter with bins of scraps begging for attention, this tutorial is the perfect creative outlet.

Ready to Get Crafty with Your Scraps?

If your fabric stash is starting to take over your space (guilty!), this is the perfect excuse to dive in and start using it in the most creative way possible. You’ll reduce waste, explore mixed media techniques, and end up with something beautiful and uniquely yours.

Check out the full step-by-step tutorial here:
Mixed Media Fabric Blocks – Thermoweb Blog

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Etsy Spotlight – Classic with a Twist: A Dreamy Dress Pattern You’ll Sew Again and Again

Welcome to another edition of our Sunday Etsy Spotlight Series, where we at CraftGossip.com shine the light on some of the most delightful indie patterns you can get your hands on—while championing the small businesses that keep our creative community thriving.

This week’s gem? A beautifully balanced Dress with Sleeves and a Gathered Skirt sewing pattern that’s just the right mix of timeless, wearable, and charmingly DIY.

It’s the kind of project that beginner sewists will find approachable, but even seasoned makers will appreciate the clean lines and customizable details. Want to shorten the skirt? Add a belt? Try it in a patterned linen or a silky solid? Go for it—this pattern is your new canvas.

What we love most? It’s all in the little things. The pattern includes helpful tips and detailed instructions that make it smooth sailing from print to final press. The sleeves are the perfect Goldilocks length—modest, practical, and totally stylish. And that gathered skirt? It’s forgiving and flattering all in one.

Whether you’re sewing for yourself, your teen, or a friend, this is one of those patterns that feels just right for everyday wear.

This dress is like the sourdough starter of your handmade wardrobe—it keeps giving. Make it casual with cotton chambray, elevate it with voile or tencel, or keep it comfy with soft double gauze. Play with prints, add lace trims, or make it monochrome for a minimalist look.

Seriously, once you sew one, you’ll be itching to make five more.

Here at CraftGossip, we believe in celebrating the magic behind handmade—and that includes championing the pattern makers who make it all possible. Purchasing from Etsy means supporting small businesses, indie designers, and passionate creatives. You’re not just buying a PDF file—you’re encouraging someone’s dream.

This spotlight series is our way of giving back, and giving you fresh inspiration each week from the talented folks who deserve to be seen.

Tell us below: would you make this in florals, solids, or maybe a fun gingham? We’d love to see your creations!

Join us again next Sunday for another Etsy Spotlight, where we keep the indie sewing love alive—one irresistible pattern at a time.