10 Creative Ways to Reuse Extra Fabric from Your Wedding Dress Alterations
Keepsake Ideas Inspired by Real Adler Ranch Weddings
At Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, we’ve seen a lot of wedding gowns—and we mean a lot. From vintage lace showstoppers to sleek satin modern gowns, they all come in with a dream and leave a little trail of fabric scraps behind after alterations. But here’s the thing: that leftover fabric? It’s not just debris from your seamstress’s scissors—it’s memory-laced material waiting to become something meaningful.
Over the years, many of our Adler Ranch brides have surprised us with what they’ve done with their dress scraps. We’re talking baptism gowns, custom boutonnières, handmade ornaments. One even wrapped her bouquet in lace from her mom’s old wedding dress and her own altered train—cue the ugly cry. These ideas aren’t just adorable; they’re deeply personal, practical, and rooted in real-life love stories that unfolded right here at the Ranch.
So before you toss those trimmings in the trash, read this list of creative, heartfelt ways to repurpose your wedding dress alteration fabric. You might just find the perfect keepsake idea to carry your wedding memories into the future.
10 Creative Ways to Reuse Extra Fabric from Your Wedding Dress Alterations
1. Make a Future Baptism or Dedication Gown
A beautiful tradition with lasting impact. That extra lace or tulle can be transformed into a baby baptism gown, dedication dress, or even a sweet little outfit for a future milestone. It’s like passing down a piece of your love story—literally.
2. Wrap Bridesmaid Bouquets in It
Use strips of leftover fabric to wrap your bridesmaids’ bouquets instead of ribbon. It ties your bridal look into theirs and makes for some seriously cohesive and sentimental photos. Bonus: reuse the wrap later in a wedding scrapbook or frame.
3. Sew a Heart for Your Child’s Future Wedding Attire
Cut a small heart out of your leftover dress material, finish the edges, and save it for the day your child walks down the aisle. Have it sewn inside their wedding gown or suit jacket, and boom—instant tradition, heart included.
The Cabin at Adler Ranch
The Cabin is one of two wedding party suites for the wedding party to get ready in on wedding day.
Eric Vest Photography
4. Add Fabric to the Groom’s Boutonniere or Pocket Square
A subtle, stunning touch: use a bit of your dress fabric to wrap the base of your groom’s boutonniere or tuck it into a custom pocket square. It’s romantic, it’s symbolic, and it totally elevates the groom’s look.
5. Frame a Fabric Swatch for Keepsake Art
Cut a square (or three) from your dress scraps and frame them alongside your wedding photo, invitation, or vows. Not crafty? Give it to someone who is. This is a low-effort, high-impact way to preserve your dress in a way you’ll actually see every day.
6. Make a Ring Pillow
That extra fabric is perfect for a custom ring pillow. Use it for your own ceremony or save it for the next generation. Bonus points if you sneak a little lace detail or embroidery onto it.
The Pocket Boutonniere: Versatile and Fashion-Forward
7. Line a Jewelry Box or Keepsake Tray
Glue silk or satin scraps into the base of a jewelry box, trinket tray, or keepsake drawer. Every time you open it, you’ll get a soft little reminder of your day. Easy, elegant, and doesn’t require sewing skills.
8. Create Hair Scrunchies for the bridesmaids or flower girls
Yes, really—a wedding dress scrunchie. It’s cute, it's practical, and it’s way more wearable than that box of keepsakes you’ll never look at again. Use a strip of your extra satin, lace, or tulle to create a custom scrunchie you can wear on anniversaries, tuck in your hospital bag someday, or just rock on a Tuesday because you're a sentimental queen like that.
Even better? Make matching scrunchies for your bridesmaids and flower girls. It’s an affordable and meaningful gift that says “thanks for standing by me” without another candle or monogrammed thing they’ll never use. Add a sweet tag and you’ve got instant tear-jerker moment.
9. Make a Wedding-Themed Ornament
Whether it’s a fabric-filled clear bulb or a sewn heart ornament, you can turn scraps into Christmas memories. It’s the kind of keepsake that makes your first married holiday even more meaningful (and gives you something to show off for years to come).
Wrap Bridesmaid Bouquets in It
Use strips of leftover fabric to wrap your bridesmaids’ bouquets instead of ribbon. It ties your bridal look into theirs and makes for some seriously cohesive and sentimental photos. Bonus: reuse the wrap later in a wedding scrapbook or frame.
10 Creative WAys to Reuse Extra Fabric from Your Wedding Dress Alterations
10. Send It to an Etsy Artist
Not feeling DIY? No worries. There are tons of incredible makers on Etsy who will transform your leftover wedding dress fabric into everything from custom dolls to framed art to quilted blankets. Hand it off and let the pros work their magic.
Your Alteration Scraps Deserve Better Than a Trash Bin
Leftover fabric from your wedding dress alterations isn’t junk—it’s a built-in opportunity to stretch the magic of your wedding across the rest of your life. Whether you turn it into a baptism gown, a framed keepsake, or something secret and stitched into a future wedding dress, these are the details that hit your heart years down the road.
At Adler Ranch, we’ve seen how much the little things matter. That’s why we love sharing real ideas from real weddings hosted right here. If you're planning your big day and dreaming of details that tell your story—we'd love to show you around.
Book your tour today and see how your wedding can be unforgettable from aisle to afterparty (fabric scraps and all).
Adler Ranch Wedding Venue
Located two hours from both Minneapolis/St Paul MN AND Fargo ND, one hour from ST Cloud MN, 5 miles from Alexandria MN and lightyears away from basic!
At Adler Ranch, we take pride in being an independently owned and operated wedding venue, nestled in the picturesque lakes area of Alexandria, MN. When you celebrate your wedding with us, you’ll experience the care, dedication, and attention to detail that only a family-run venue can offer. Every detail of your day is handled with the intention to make it as extraordinary as your love story. Hosting only a limited number of weddings each season allows us to provide the personalized attention and intentional moments that make your celebration unforgettable.
What truly sets Adler Ranch apart is our unparalleled collection of vintage signs—treasures we’ve lovingly gathered over 35 years. This carefully curated collection adds a unique charm, character and history to your wedding day, offering a backdrop like no other venue in the area. The signs tell their own story, creating the perfect setting for capturing memories that will last a lifetime and offering a setting for wedding photography like none other.
For more wedding inspiration, planning tips, and engagement advice, be sure to follow Adler Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Let’s make your dream day a reality! 💕Thanks for visiting! ~Marlys
Marlys & Kurt Steidl
The friendly faces that will greet you at Adler Ranch!
Adler Ranch is a locally owned wedding venue. When searching for venues for receptions near me, we hope you’ll check out Adler Ranch! We sincerely hope to encourage couples to learn more about the value and importance of choosing a locally owned business when it’s time to book your wedding venue & vendors. With locally owned venues you will often see a higher level of hospitality, better communication and a greater desire to truly ensure your wedding exceeds expectations. We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country with a weekly shout-out in our blog.Butler’s Courtyard Blog, The Hidden Abby Blog, The 1860 Schulhaus Blog, The Ironwood Barn at Von Erich Ranch Blog, Lake Front Acres Blog, Heartland Farms Articles, Hanover Reserve Blog, Carolina Country Weddings Blog, Willow Creek Farm Venue, The Ma Maison Blog
