Any scraps smaller than 2-3" square go to my friend who makes doggie and cat beds from them for our local animal shelter. They are washable and greatly appreciated, especially in these hard financial times when our local government agencies are truly struggling to keep up their needed services.

Fat quarter and bigger in my stash, anything smaller goes in the scrap bins. I sort by color not size in my scraps and in my stash. If its bigger than one inch I save the rest is trashed, and that kills me, I use to put them out for the birds but I became tired of the mess in the yard. So they only get scrap strips in the spring.

A few years ago when I was dabbling with quilting I would just throw away anything left over. Fast forward to today and after joining this board I do things different. Being more serious about quilting I see the reason for keeping scraps. You really can do alot with them. With the price of fabric going up and no longer pulling a paycheck I just may need every scrap I can get my hands on if I want to continue learning to quilt. After joining this board I realized how many quilters are willing to take your scraps off your hands. They are more then willing to pay postage. If I don't use my scraps at least I know someone will and I won't have the guilt of just throwing them away. I have a 18 gallon tub full of 4,5 and 6" squares that I have no idea what I will do with all of them. Some good fabric and some not so much but I know when I'm ready to part with some, someone on this board will be more then happy to take them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is please don't throw your scraps away. Fill up a small box or envelope and offer them on this board for shipping only. There are folks on this board who love to create but just can't afford to buy a lot. At least they will be able to do what they love. :thumbup:

I keep them all.

To me, a scrap is about the size of my palm. Any smaller gets tossed before it can add to the mass/pile of just plain "stuff" that is sagging in the middle some shelves that have marvelous fabrics stored on them.

anything smaller then a FQ is a scrap and if its less then 1 inch i toss it.

I keep pretty much everything. BUT smaller stuff or stuff I didn't like as much as I thought I woud goes in a small bin next to the sewing machine. I pull out a piece and use it to test stitch before starting on piecing or whatever. Because my machine is super finicky about the bobbin winding, etc. that the tension can easily go out of whack. I swear I think if I blink at it too many times it messes up the tension. I do this anytime I start with a new spool of thread, new bobbin, change presser foot, etc.

Then it goes in the trash.

I cut scraps into either 2.5x6.5" strips, 1.5" squares or 2.5" squares. So anything that I can't get a 1.5" square from gets tossed.

Good idea. Thanks.

the smallest that I keep is 1/2 inch strips that I use to make those bowls with clothline rope. Have several boxes of strips already cut up. Have made 4 bowls so far. Check them out on my webshots below.