I've been lucky just lately, I've matched the leftovers with remnants and been able to make a second. I would have had enough to make another top on my latest, if it had not been for having to make another sleeve. But there was enough left to make, in my opinion, a jumper for a child, so I've offered it on my local Nextdoor site, which is where my leftovers go, not straight away, I hang onto first.
I must admit pattern companies generally exaggerate the mount required. Fortunately when I started sewing I was cash poor so I soon learned how to put a pattern on correctly and not waste fabric. I think they round it up 1.7 lets call it 2 meters.
I have done tops and used a different fabric neckline, which works well but doesn't use much. I've yet to go with
@SewRuthieSews idea, but have considered it.