This may be a dumb question but . . . .
 

Can someone tell me what leaders and enders are and what they're used for? I've seen passing references to them, but have no idea what they are.

Use Google to search "Bonnie Hunter leaders and enders", and you will have your answer.

oh neat idea! Thanks for asking this question - now I have something to learn and read about. :) I hate to get rid of scraps! :)

That's correct, that way you don't waste a lot of thread and it helps to feed the beginning of the fabric so it doesn't get stuffed down into the machine when you start to sew.

I cut scraps in 2 1/2 inch squares then I sew a light to a dark then I sew 2 together for a row when I have enough for 4 rows I sew them into a block. I start and end my sewing doing these . Often I will en up with enough to make a block while putting a regular block together. The one i am doing now is separated by navy sashing and will post a pic if I ever figure out how. Iuse 16 squares for these scrappy blocks.

don't overlook the longarm leaders.... we use canvas attached to the machine frame to pin our quilts to inorder to produce tension and control the quilt backing and top...

I call my leader/ender quilts "the quilt that makes it's self"

That was a lot of little blocks to keep straight! Excellent Job! You deserved a Blue Ribbon, that's for sure.

Bonnie's book is really inspiring.