Lori S

My advise ... pick your pattern first! That will dictate what size your cuts into your precious scraps should be. I once cut mine in advance .. and the pattern I just feel in love with did not have the cooresponding dimensions of my ready cut scraps. Pick a flavor after you pick your pattern.. do you want modern, bright, earthy... that that be your guide in your scrap sorting. Then review the pattern one last time .. then cut.
I completely disagree with the concept of cutting scraps with no clue at hand of final pattern choice... My view is that it took me years to accumulate a good amount of scraps... and I find my scrap bin to have value .. just like my regular stash... I would not cut my regular stash without knowing what I was going to make.. so why would I do it with my scraps?!!

Tartan

I go through my scraps and anything big enough to do a tissue holder out of goes in a different drawer. These are the pieces I save for small applique projects, tissue holders and I do raid it for scrap quilt projects. Everything else I cut into 2 and 1/2 inch strips or pieces for my Spiderweb scrap quilt. Anything narrower goes into a pile for a string quilt. It does help to have a pattern in mind when sorting your scraps. Did you see the post of That Thirties Thing quilt? I want to do that one after my Spiderweb quilt is finished.

kateyb

About a year ago I went through my fabrics and anything under a quarter yard/fat quarter I put in drawers that are 14"x 10"x7". I filled 12 drawers. Then I notice this year that they were beginning to overflow so I divided them again I put them in four bags 2 were for those odd shaped strips, 2 were for smaller weird shapes. I have made a strippy scrap and the other is 12" squares of all those funny little shapes. The rest I'm leaving in bigger pieces until I decide what I want to make.
Just go for it and have fun.

donnalynett

I enjoy dumping my scraps in a big pile, reaching for a piece, start sewing and don't bother looking or matching. It makes a "real" scrappy quilt.

bearisgray

Makes sense to me!

Luv Quilts and Cats

Plunge in and cut! Trust in the quilting goddess that if you need that fabric later on in another quilt, you will either have it in another piece of fabric, or find one on sale that suits the bill. Have faith and cut, cut, cut.

Chicca

When my scrap bin was overflowing and I could not find what I was looking for; I decided to cut all of my scraps into squares ranging from 1 and a half up to 6 inches. I really like my new scrap storage method and have made several quilts. With the attitude that there is always going to be beautiful fabrics to buy. Love scrap quilts and have a blast cutting and creating a spectacular quilt!

Debbie C

only God is perfect - our quilts don't have to be. I purposely add a 'mistake' to each of my quilts just to see if the recipient can find it. With scrappies, it just doesn't matter!

lclang

I don't cut my scraps until I am ready to use them. I often go to the scrap pile for a specific size or color to round out what I already have and it can be any small size. If I cut them, they are usually the wrong size. When I get too many scraps I just make a strip quilt or cut what I want from the pile. Also like to keep pieces whole for use in appliques.

Geri B

since I do not do applique my theory is to cut small pieces with my GO into either 2" or 2 1/2" squares, triangles and strips. I use these squares/triangles as leaders and enders and then piece those together to make scrappy quilts while working on whatever project I am working on and that seems to control my scraps pretty much..........right now I am working on taking those 2" squares which have been paired ( a whole basketful) and making larger blocks out of them, going to sash with natural muslin and then border and it will make a great "utility" quilt for the winter....my scrappy project of this year.