I use batting scraps for making coasters, place mats, table runners, and Hot pads. But mostly I practice my stitches to get into a rhythm before quilting a quilt. Then I will practice by drawing in the air three or four times and I am good to go! When I do my Free Motion Quilting looks so much better. I also try out new stitches with different stitch lengths and or widths before deciding how to do the final quilting on my project.