So, I like to think I've gotten better at determining accurate yardage per project. Yes, patterns list an amount to purchase, but they normally (yet wisely) estimate more than you'll actually need. Still, I think figuring out how to get away with less is a learnable skill, not even through creating more efficient cutting layouts, just knowing intuitively beforehand. Minimizing waste gives me some peace of mind.
The keyword is "minimizing" here, not "eliminating." With a few of the pants I made this year, I've been able to reduce some yardage but there's always a little leftover because my legs are always shorter than what any pattern will draft for. I was getting a little bothered by the neatly rectangular scraps I'd accumulated with no plans to use them, but then! I found a perfectly-shaped bag pattern in the Apex Pouch by In Complete Stitches. The design is just right for using up those larger scraps I wouldn't want to cut up for patchwork pieces, and outer pockets' geometry lends itself to colorblocking well. A great application for using smaller scraps and combining different fabrics. Finally, that it's a bag pattern means my bottom weight twills and denims would be useful for maintaining strength and structure.
