I can't answer how small is keepable. My advice is to do your best to minimize scrap but don't let those concerns compromise your current project. If you end up with more waste than you wanted then that's ok, just be happy with your finished results. That is the bigger priority to me.
Woodturning is one of my hobbies. Often there's more wood chips than there is wood in the finished product when you're done. Fortunately wood does grow on trees and the fabric store will always have more fabric for you.
Rodney
Rodney