Not too long ago, American Apparel, the LA-based clothing company known for its vertically integrated manufactured scheme and hipster-raunch advertising, firmly secured itself as the go-to-spot for people who are looking for "basics" but who wish the GAP sold more items in florescent colors and spandex. I've never been a huge fan of the brand, but they do make a nice men's organic cotton V-neck T-shirt. 

 

Turns out, AA now sells a one pound Bag-O-Scraps, an $8 mishmash of scrap fabric (about 75 pieces) collected from the company's Los Angeles factory. The Bag-O-Scraps also comes with a instructional project booklet printed on scratch paper, naturally. It's actually a great idea considering that AA's young and DIY-savvy following may not be into grandmotherly quilting-type projects. The scraps can obviously be used to make clothing accessories like ties, headbands, jewelry, etc. but there's also the possibility for DIY home projects as well ... dish soap apron made from tie-dye stretch pant fabric, anyone?

 

Here's some other ideas: