I cut my leftover fabric into squares. starting with 8.5, 5.5 3.5 and 2.5. the rest that are striplike I put in a bag for a future string quilt. the squares are separated and kept by sz. I have almost enough of the 8.5 of Christmas motif for a full sz quilt! and the 5.5 will be for a masculine quilt to send my dsil who will be in Aphfanistan (sp) in June. So, for me cutting the extra fabric right away, with a project in mind, helps.