What do you do with all those scraps of fabric which are often left over from a sewing project? Sometimes I just throw them out, feeling guilty while I do so. Sometimes I fold them up neatly and put them away in a very big box I have reserved for such things (to “think about another day.”) And sometimes, if there is a sizable amount remaining, I’ll put my leftovers in a “giveaway” box, to be recycled in some charitable fashion. But recently I have come up with another solution. I have started making padded hangers with my fabric leftovers.
Remember that small amount of fabric remaining from my recent pink striped dress? I could have easily pitched that scrap (and not even felt particularly guilty about it), but I knew I had just enough fabric left to make a matching padded hanger for my dress.
I had already made a few of these hangers in various scraps, using a You-Tube video for the basics, with several trial-and-error sessions to tweak the method and pattern to my satisfaction. Feeling confident with my new-found “expertise,” I plowed ahead and squeezed out just enough for a hanger to match my dress.
Now, I should add here that I have been a fan of padded hangers for a long time, purchasing quite a few from a couple of Etsy shops in recent years. However, I have always thought it would be lovely to make matching hangers for some of my creations – or – just pretty hangers to mix and match.
Here are three I have recently made.
Two of them are made from Liberty fabrics, and the dark blue one is made from fabric left over from a skirt I made at least 25-30 years ago. There is something particularly rewarding about using Liberty scraps, as the fabric is expensive and its tight weave lends itself beautifully to being stretched over the padded wooden hanger forms.
Speaking of the hanger forms – I have yet to find a source for these raw wood hangers. To get what I need, I have purchased cheap, polyester satin covered hangers in bulk and taken off the fabric and yucky foam padding to reveal the raw wood hanger form inside it all. This works, but I would really love to find a source for basic, uniform, raw-wood hangers with the swivel, silver-toned hardware that I prefer for these small projects.
Here are a few pictures of my process, not intended to be a tutorial.
Shown here are two varying wooden forms I happened to have on hand. The unfinished – or raw – wood one is specifically intended for being covered. The other one is a “finished” wood hanger which I turned into a padded hanger.
Let me tell you why there is something very rewarding about making these hangers.
- First of all, they really don’t take much time, perhaps 35-40 minutes per hanger.
- Second, it is the perfect combination of hand and machine sewing.
- Third, as stated, it is a wonderful way to use up scraps.
- Fourth, I can use the fabric that is best suited for these closet accessories – tightly woven cottons, light-weight linens or damasks, and never anything slippery, such as satin, which causes your garment to slide off one side. I am particularly looking forward to making hangers with some of my scraps of vintage cottons and linens, a unique way to preserve samples of these special fabrics.
- Fifth, handmade padded hangers make very sweet small gifts for friends and family.
- And finally, making my own hangers allows me to use coordinating color ribbon. White is always nice, but using coordinating colored ribbon makes your hangers just that much more personal.
Often, between sewing projects, especially if they are major projects, I like to make something quick and easy and fun to “decompress” and get ready for the next big undertaking. Making a padded hanger is the perfect solution.
fiftydresses 
Karen, your excess fabric craft project is wonderful. I also plan to use my scraps as dust covers for my hangers, instead of those unslightly plastic dust covers.
That is a great idea, Peggy! Thank you for mentioning it.
What a great and useful idea!! For me and for gifts. 😁 I’m interested to see if anyone has a source for the plain wood hangers.
In case it helps, I’ve started recycling unusable fabric ends through “Trashie” – you buy online a bag which holds up to 15 pounds, fill it, use the bar code to register it, and mail it via UPS. Postage is included in the original price, which is $20 or $30, as I recall, for a single bag. It looks like a large, heavy duty brightly colored trash bag. I’ve used it for mattress pad, old curtains and tattered jeans, as well as sewing ends. Keeps it from a landfill! Google Trashie.
Thank you for the information about Trashie, Heather. Such a good idea!
Your covered hangers are especially charming. I have a few, but I haven’t made any, so I am glad you mentioned that it doesn’t take long to make each one.
I remember braiding yarn over wire clothes hangers in my youth. That was enough to keep straps of summer dresses from sliding off, but I had forgotten about those too until now.
One thing I plan to do with a few “future” hangers I make, is add a button to the top of each side of the hanger for an anchor for those wayward straps. I find these hangers very rewarding to make – what’s not to like about a quick project that is so charming and useful?
You have inspired me, thank you.
Thank you for letting me know!
What a lovely way to use your fabric scraps. I quilt so I there are always left over fabric scraps. Currently I make little cosmetic bags as a hostess gift, but may start making padded hangers.
Thanks for sharing, Mollie
Yes, you would have lots of scraps! Cosmetic bags sound very nice, as well, Mollie.
Some years ago Laura Ashley started selling really thick padded coathangers. They were gorgeous and so luxurious. I bought quite a few. Now I am going to make some of my own but I will be making sure that I very thickly coat the hanger with padding and I will be using scrap furnishing fabric in cotton/linen blends.
Sounds like a good idea, Wendy Ann. Hangers specially intended for coats tend to be much thicker and bigger, but they sure are nice for heavy coats!
Yes, you are right. They are excellent for heavy coats and jackets. They do take up room on a hanging rail in the wardrobe but they look so pretty!
Ikea used to make really good quality wood hangers but not sure if they still have them or if they’ve changed the style. I used to buy the child size and decoupage them with vintage papers and vintage greeting cards. They stopped making that size years ago but last time I was there they still had the wooden adult size in 2 styles.
Thank you for the suggestion. I am still on the hunt for the correct type of hanger form…
These hangers are a delight and I hope to make some–I will be on the prowl for wood hangers to use for my base–and the Liberty fabrics are perfect–fond memories of quilt squares in my past…. Thank you for your tutorial!
They are so fun to make, Nancy. And useful – and pretty! And they will match your quilt, too!
That’s a lovely idea, and one to bring back into use. I can second the idea of giving them as gifts. I used to have a couple my grandma made. The fabric was pure 1930s! I loved them but they’ve disappeared now I think with various moves.
I think a lot of us have a few in our closets left over from much earlier days and people. They are certainly something that never goes out of style – or usefulness!
I love this idea, Karen!
Thanks, Deb! You can use some of your quilting scraps, right?
Love this! Thanks, Karen!Deb Del Nero Sent from my iPad.
You’re welcome, Deb. I’m glad you like this idea!
Those hangers are lovely and a great way to use up scrap fabric from a project! I’ve purchased some from Etsy also in the past but would love to try making some, especially to give to clients with their custom dresses and such. Nice work!
Thanks, Stephanie! What an elegant and thoughtful gift that would be for your clients. Great idea!
Wayfair has wood blanks for this project. Sent from my iPhone
Thank you so much for sharing this information!
Hi, Karen,
I have long been a fan of your blog. It is one of only two that I have icons for on my mobile screen. My only issue: You don’t blog enough. I am often like Pavlov’s pup, endlessly clicking the icon.
I have been a vintage pattern afficionado since I fell in love with my mom’s style. She was, like you, an expert sewer. Your blog inspires me.
I would love to interview you for my blog. I have ignored it for too long, and writing about others is just the treat I need to get back to the keyboard. Here’s the address, in case you want to check it out before committing to an interview. Please let me know either way.
Thank you, Denise for your sweet comment! I’m going to send you an email in response at the address you provided, so please look for it.