damaquilts

I just spent almost a month doing this. First decide what is the smallest and largest piece you will keep. 1/2 yard and up went on comic book boards. Any thing smaller was cut first into Fat quarters which were folded and put in baskets. Then I started cutting squares and strips.
Squares 10,5,3.5,3,2.5 Strips 2.5 and any smaller or bits went in a scrap basket but no smaller than 1 inch strip because at some point I will make a strip scrap quilt again. I tossed anything smaller or that wouldn't cut nicely . I don't have them separated into color yet. I will get to that eventually.

themachinelady

I'm still working on organizing my scraps. Trying to use Bonnie's method somewhat. I take the scrap of material and cut the biggest block out of it I can starting with 7 inches, then 6 1/2, 6, 5 1/2, 5, 4 1/2, 4, 3 1/2, 3, 2 1/2, 2, 1 1/2. I have found a use for most all of the sizes somewhere along the way, but I don't go any lower than 1 1/2 as I figure when finished that will be a 1 inch square. Some day I hope to do a postage stamp quilt, but that is going to a ways down the road at this point.

As for strips, most of my strips are short, from cut bigger strips that were used. I have lots of ideas, but getting them into practice is another thing. I don't keep anything less than a fat quarter, the rest go into my scrap box to be cut into squares etc.

As for organization, they are all in boxes by sizes and when I need them I look for the colors I want. I keep telling myself when I get a sewing or quilting room of my own, I will be better organized all the way around, but that is someway down the road at this point.

Do what works for you, I have taken ideas from the board, modified some to better suit me, and used some as listed. One thing for sure this board is great for ideas on most anything.

dreamboat

I have a 1" box and a 2" box.

hhcreate

Thanks for your great ideas. I try to use all my scraps as soon as possible too, but when I can't, I use the rolling plastic drawers and identify what's in them (i.e., Christmas/Holiday fabric, children's fabric, etc.)

HillCountryGal

I don't cut up my leftovers, as I never know what I'll want to use them for...
And I sort by color.

So far, it's working for me. However, I'm always looking for a better way to organize "stuff".

caspharm

Thanks for the link.

My time

I just put my scraps by colour in 6 plastic roller drawers that I bought at Canadian Tire. I never know what my next project will be. Yesterday I went through my scraps and cut 178 - 51/2 inch squares. I need 400 squares but it's a start. Point is I didn't know until last month that I wanted to make this quilt. If I'd precut it all I wouldn't have the variety .

nstitches4u

Bonnie does recommend cutting some strips of various sizes. You can plan ahead and cut them the width you need for sashing and binding.

sewingsuz

I don't cut my scraps until I decide what to make with them I bundle sorted like kinds, example, little girls, boys, babys, woodsy, xmas, patrotic, and so on. I tie the bundle with string and put a note on the top of bundle and put the bundles in a plastic tub.