When I am cutting out a new project, I cut all my leftover fabric into squares and store them in craft drawers labeled with the size of the squares, to use for future projects. I use my 2" squares as anchors to sew-on and sew-off instead of clipping threads. I keep the 2" squares in a little box next to my machine and grab 2 at a time randomly. Then when I'm finished with them I toss them into a bag just beneath my table. I have a bag full of twosies. When my daughter comes over she sews my twosies into 4 patches or I sew on them when I'm between projects. I also handsew them when on a road trip. Someday I will have a scrappy postage stamp quilt top with lots of memories of past quilts I've made. The lady that taught me this many years ago is Sally, so instead of calling them "anchors" I call them Sallys!
I'm sure many of you already do this, but lately I've been asked by many of quilt class attendees what to do with their scraps. So here's one idea.

Thanks for this tip. I use small scraps for leaders and never thought about using 2 inch blocks and saving them. Great idea. This board is terffic!

Thats an awesome idea. Im going to start doing this. I love scrappy quilts. THANK YOU for sharing.

Great idea...I think I will start doing that also.

Love this idea....thanks.....

Love this idea....thanks.....

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

neat tip, thanks... getting extra sewing done with hardly a thought

How clever!!! Might need to start doing this!! Thanks for sharing!!

Good idea.

I have the accuquilt go.. they have a 2 inch die- It has become my favorite and most used die for this very reason.. Leaders and enders Quilts the best way I found to use up my lil scraps..

Isn't there a book on leaders and enders with same concept? Love your organization

I often use the left overs in another quilt or to wrap around my rope bowls.The rest are randomly stitched together for charity quilts.

This method has been taught by Bonnie Hunter (Quiltville) for years. You will be surprised how fast those "twoies" add up. I then make a 4-patch, and save them for future use.

I like your system! It beats the piles of scraps I have everywhere....might take me several afternoons, but I intend to begin cutting into squares. thanks for sharing your ideas!

Since I love scrappy quilts, your idea is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

What a fantastic idea. And here I have been using leaders and enders and just ending up with little wads of mostly flannel with muchos thread in them and then throwing those away. My "depression years" upbringing failed me on this one.

What a great idea and no waste this way.

You are way to organized. This is great idea.

What are anchors and enders?

Your very cleaver. Special memories for the two of you.

great idea. Thanks for the tip

Yes by Bonnie Hunter

Love this idea. Have been doing this for a few years, except my squares are "postage stamp" size -- 1 1/2". Almost have enough 7" blocks for a real quilt!

i use my GO! cutter and cut up all my scraps now into different squares and shapes and organize them in drawers for future quilts. i am slowly getting rid of the bags of scraps I have all over the sewing room. LOL.

What an awesome idea. My oldest daughter just asked for a scrap quilt and I think I will use this process too! Thanks!

I'm new to quilting and am clueless also!

Thanks for sharing that great idea!

Good idea. I just usually toss mine.

now this is a great idea.I am going to do this...super...Thanks alot

Super idea.

Great idea. Have bunches of scrap strips cut waiting to be put together

Thanks for this great idea from Sally, I too am going to start immediatly, wish I had done it at the start of my current project, I'd be so much further ahead of the game by now! :? :lol:

Great idea! Thanks!

I also have my scraps cut into squares of various sizes in boxes. I think I will start using my smallest ones this way.

What a neat idea. Thanks for your tip!

Thank you for the great tutorial :D:D:D

that is cleaver

This is a great idea and I'm going to cut up some scrap and start doing just that. Thanks for the idea.

I read the original post, and started doing this immediatly as I was working on a D9P quilt, now I have lots of little bits started, what a great feeling to have another project under way rather than just scraps with stitching to throw away - THANKS SO MUCH for this tip!