Coffee Sacks and Fabric Scraps

ScrapHappy February 2026

by Jan

We can't bear to throw away scraps, but sometimes they do start to take over. This is especially the case in the shop - the stashes we acquire can contain loads of lovely fabric that's easy to measure and to price up, but also there can be boxes full of interesting scraps, oddities (in terms of shape or material) and 'unfashionable' pieces (crimplene anyone?). Not only that, but we also accumulate little bits of fabric and yarn as a result of running classes. Every so often we have to have our own destash and sort out all these bits and bobs and decide what to do with them.

In the throes of sorting fabric

In January this year, during our shut-down, we had a bit sort-out and separated a huge amount of pre-loved fabric into various categories, one of which was 'random big bits that we're not sure anyone will want'. After some discussion, we decided to put these out and charge £2 per piece - a bargain for anyone who was inspired and a great way to make a bit of space in our stockroom. But there was a problem. How do we stop this huge heap or fabric falling off the table we want to put it on in the shop? We eventually settled on making a big hessian doughnut. I used an old coffee sack, cut into two lengths and stitched into a very long sausage, which I then stuffed with fabric and yarn scraps. I joined it together to make a ring and then anchored it to the table with string, woven in spokes under the table.

Bags of scrap fabric

Coffee sack sausage

It's been in use for a few weeks now and very successful it is too!

Fabric table with hessian doughnut in place

Grab a bargain!

And, as it turns out, one person's scrap is another's treasure and we've sold lots and lots of fabric pieces and inspired a few people about the use of old coffee sacks (which we sell too). Plus, as you can see under the table in the picture, we have a pick and mix for smaller fabric pieces, which have also proved very popular.

-oOo-

On the 15th of each month a group of bloggers share their ScrapHappy activities, encouraging others to get creative with scrap. You can check them out by following the links: Kate, Eva, Sue, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Tracy, Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen, Sunny, Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera, Ann, Dawn 2, Carol, Preeti, Viv, Karrin, Alissa, Hannah and Maggie