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What do you do with your scraps (of varying sizes) when you have no idea or design for them in mind?
Do you
(1) Cut into strips - 1.5 or 2.5 inch wide?
(2) Foundation piece it - what shape/size?
(3) Let it sit, leave it alone.
I ask this because I am getting a little uneasy with my scraps. I feel like I'm not maximizing them.
Thanks.
I don't cut any, as I find cutting them limits my potential design for scrap quilts. I do sort them by color and type . I have three types that I use as categories. Batiks, metalics, and everything else.
Pick a pattern first , then your colors/fabric type, then make a cutting decision. If you are getting uneasy ... get started. Pick a pattern and go for it.
i just sort them into tubs with darks in one and lights in another. i don't cut for future use.
Nancy in western NY
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I'm with Nancy. I do sort them into strings and chunks and then by light or dark. If you like to make more scrap quilts than any other, you might like to cut them into sizes you normally use. But that's not as helpful, especially if you do applique`.Originally Posted by QuiltnNan
I let them pile up, and if I need them for a quilt I cut them to an appropriate size. I have gone through my scraps at one time and recut them in to 5" squares, and now wish that I had left them larger. If you only have a 5" size scrap, then go ahead and cut it square, but I'd be cautious about cutting up stuff you aren't sure about. Same with strips. If you only have a thin scrap, by all means, even it out, but don't just cut up a large piece into strips till you're ready to use it.
I have a big plastic tub under my cutting table and throw them in there (but not tiny ones) and then once a while I sit on the floor and sort them out and put into large ziploc bags, I have Christmas, fall, Thimbleberries, others when I have enough to make it worth while to separate out.
quilting with my dogs
Right now I am working on about 8 quilts. When I get some scraps, I throw them into a pile. I made a cat quilt in July from that pile of scraps. I needed to cut up about 800 pieces of fabric for my DGS quilt so I used some of those scraps if they suited the design. I say scraps when they are about 7 inches x 7-10 inches long. I will use this fabric in many of my scrap quilts. Right now I sure don't have time to cut them all up. Wish I had that kind of time.
I also just sort by colors and cut when needed. The ones I consider too small I put in baskets that i mark with strip or block size
I haven't exactly settled on anyone system yet!
Linda
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see. [John Newton (1725-1807)]
http://sewextremeseams.blogspot.com/
I've been quilting for two years and now have a grocery sack full. I leave mine as they are & when I need a little piece I love pawing through all those beautiful fabrics I've used & memories of quilts I've given to family. I always seem to find just the right piece for what I need.
Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply,Speak Kindly, Leave the rest to GOD
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