A bookmark is a lovely way to use a fabric offcut that’s too small for anything grand. You only need a short rectangle, a needle, and thread, so there’s no machine to set up or complicated pattern to decipher.
Cut a simple shape
Choose a woven cotton scrap that feels sturdy but not bulky. Cut two rectangles about two inches wide and seven inches long, adjusting the length to suit the books you like to read. If the fabric has a strong pattern, turn both pieces so the design faces outward.
Place the rectangles together with their good sides facing out. If the fabric frays easily, fold a narrow edge under on each piece before joining them. You can pin the layers in place, or simply hold them carefully as you sew.
Stitch around the edge
Thread a needle with a length of embroidery floss or ordinary sewing thread and knot the end. Sew small running stitches around the edge, leaving a little space between each one. The stitches will show, so pick a thread color you like rather than trying to make them disappear.
When you reach the end, make a small backstitch or two to secure the thread, then trim it close. If your line wanders, that’s all right; a bookmark is a forgiving place to practice. Keep the needle and small loose thread pieces away from children and pets while you work.
Add a finishing touch
Tie a short length of ribbon or yarn through the top edge if you want a little tab peeking out of the book. You can also leave the bookmark plain and add a handwritten note to make it a gift. A scrap of fabric with a story—left from a shirt, a quilt, or another project—makes the present feel especially personal.
Make one for your own current read before giving the next away. A few uneven stitches are a useful reminder that the point was to make something, not to pass a sewing inspection. Keep the scraps that still have a good shape; another small project may be waiting in them.