I was also afraid to pre cut my scraps. I had mine divided into batiks & quilting cottons, so I decided to cut the batiks, which was a smaller pile. I modified the Bonnie Hunter system a bit, cutting everything into 6.5, 5, 4.5, 3, 2.5, 2 and 1.5" strips. I start with the largest strip I can get out of the scrap, then continue cutting the largest strip until it's less than 1.5". I didn't cut anything smaller than that, but did save the strips that were down to about 1" for strip quilts. I will say that it does make it pretty easy to just grab something pre cut to one of these sizes, and have been using them up quicker than before I cut them. I like quilts where you use multiple fabrics of the same color group. I do not do applique. I would also like to cut my cotton scraps, but I have lots and it does take a while.