Go to http://www.susancarlson.com/Welcome.html and look at her "collage quilts" They are to die for! Its all done with little snippets of cloth.

I like to use my scraps that size to make Yo-Yo dolls.

You can send them to me and I will add them to my collection. People give my mom scraps. What she can't/won't use she gives to me after adding her own scraps. Bonnie Hunter has great scrap patterns. All the above suggestions are great. When I have used the larger areas of the scrap I add to my strings on adding machine. Thank you Sue Fish for getting me addicted to that!

I've been using mine for the crumb quilts (WIP) and also for crazy quilt squares using muslin foundation. Great fun when I'm wanting to work on quilting but am too tired do work on anything that requires me to be focused & measure. Main thing is to have fun.

I would use them to make string blocks..I use dryer squares for my backing..cut in 6" squares..

If you don't have projects to use them for you could donate them to the Linus group if you have one in your area. They sew for children's hospitals.

Unfortunately, we live in a VERY rural area, so I don't know of any Linus groups in this area. And, as quilters, we all know that fabric is HEAVY to mail. Maybe I should start a Linus group, or some type of quilting 'ministry'. Guess I should start making some quilting friends in the 'real world' somehow. The fabrics would be perfect for children, as most of them are brightly-colored and cartoon-ish, although they also do some kitchen-themed types of trivets, too.
;)

Now I've got to pull up a "crumb quilt" pattern. Never heard of it. But will also investigate Bonnie's Quiltville. Thanks folks.

Crumb blocks!! Bonnie Hunter's website has lots of scrappy ideas!! www.quiltville.com

I just took a class in It's a Wrap where you use scraps around clothesline to make baskets, purses, trivets, table runners, etc. They are beautiful and the most different colors of fabrics you have the better it looks. From the picture you posted it would be perfect for these scraps. They make great gifts to everyone.

Miniature quilts and small paper pieced blocks come to mind. They are a love of mine. Lots of possibilities.

Ohhh, I LOVE minature quilts & freezer paper piecing.

I've also been pondering, I lost my mom 2 years ago at age 89 and over the years have spent a LOT of time inside geriatric wards of hospitals. She could never stay warm, and we always had to layer the cheapo/thin cotton blankets on her. I know many people do the quilts for children's wards, and I think the older population are sometimes forgotten about or discarded. Many of these people have families who have 'disowned' them (like my own family, the rest of the 4 brothers & 2 sisters didn't bother with my mom), and maybe a bright crumb quilt would cheer up an older ornary person. They'd only have to be a twin size or lap-sized quilt. The only real probably (other than time!) than I can foresee is the backing fabric & batting, which could really get expensive. I'm curious, about how quick do you think a twin-size-ish quilt could be made?

You can do flip & sew blocks. Cut muslin squares the size you would like your block. Start by stitching the 1st strip,flip it over,add another strip continue until you have your block completed. When finished sew all your blocks together. I usually put my scrap bag next to me and just reach in and pull out a scrap. No color arrangement.

you could use a sheet for the backing and/or use old blankets from the dollar store or goodwill as batting. My mom and grandma have used both with really nice results.

Also, I think this is a fantastic idea and I think I will put this on my to do list. As right after I hit the respond button a few minutes ago I heard a voice clear as day say "Project Grace".

That's a great lot of fabric. For the circles you could make yoyos out of them.

Well, I sat down and took a break from work today and attempted my very first crumb blocks. I think they're really cute! Maybe adding a black border all around the perimeter of each one would make them a bit bigger. I only have a 5" square to cut them. The other thing I'm learning is it would be much easier to sort via long skinny piecs vs. short stubby ones. I grabbed each one and had to trim to make them fit. I'm going to try a crazy log-cabin block next.

I did call the local hospital and spoke with the activities coordinator. She really seemed to like the idea of quilts for the geriatric department (they don't even have a peds dept because it's so small). They said there were a few quilts donated via a local church but it wasn't an 'on going' thing. Maybe God's opening this door for a reason.

Figured I'd share some pics of what I'm working on!

Good luck with your project your scraps are wonderful! I wondered if your friend had a web site so I could see what she makes?

Nope, I don't think they have a web site. They make little trivets with silicone having the fabric inside for 'pretty'. Really neat little things. :)

Those are really cute..and I bet the residents will love seeing all the designs of fabric..maybe they were quilters at one time..keep up the good work..and keep sewing those squares..bless you

Thanks! I was thinking that probably many of the quilts they grew up sleeping under were scrap quilts out of necessity. I really think they'd get a kick out of knowing they were actually quilted on a 100-year-old treadle. Maybe I could even bring in an old hand crank to spark some memories. :)

it looks like you have big enough pieces to cut strips from them. they would make nice strip quilts .

How about sending them to some iof us -ie me

?yo yos

Crumb quilts??? OK, I think they are what I would called "crazy" quilt blocks.

They are perfect for string quilt blocks...

I gave a huge Rubbermaid container full of scraps to a new quilter to use in a sampler quilt she was making in a quilt class. She would call me and ask if I wanted them back because they were soooo pretty. I also received the gift of seeing her progress in her quilting. Great trade-off.

Beautiful - You might be able to use them for mini quilts

Susan Carlson does fantastic fabric collages with glue and then quilts them. She uses crumb scraps as you describe. Some of her pieces are very well known - the rhino,the turtle etc. Perhaps you could give it a go. She was on the Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims and the episode inspired me. You can see some of her stuff at this link:

http://www.susancarlson.com/Welcome.html

I would leave the size (you never know what you might need) but sort by light and dark and medium.

wow..i'll take a bag if you want to give me one...lol i do paper peicing and that would be great to work with...and that an idea for you to use up some of them....

String quilts, crumb quilts, crazy quilts, Postage stamp quilts---you have a ton of choices. I love scrap quilts so I see endless possibilities. Have fun sorting, shaping and sewing.

Bonnie Hunter I do believe narrows it down to anything under 2" is for crumbs or crazy quilts, Things long but thin go for string quilts. She has some beautiful ones. The there is a gal here in QB who takes a roll of adding machine paper and sews the material across it, makes beautiful quilts about what 3 inch accross the paper. I bet she had done miles of them.... some of the prettest I've seen. Have fun

I have bags of the same thing and you can come get them anytime. I'm not going to ever use them!! I have tried to donate but noone wants them. When I cleaned out my Mom's house she had bags of scraps from the local Ethan Allen drapery scraps. I wasn't a quilter then (she was) and probably would not have used them anyway. No one would take them, not even Goodwill.

what a lucky person you are to get these scraps....i love scraps,.....i buy them everywhere i go........i use them for applique, scrappy quilts, small projects....1" square (3" finished) block of nines, just a ton of stuff.........have fun with all of those bags.....gina

Love your blocks. Its very relaxing doing the crumb blocks and the crazy quilt blocks. You just go for it.

I'm so excited because I found my 6.5" square last night, and this great tutorial on the Quiltville site: http://quiltville.com/barbscrumbs.shtml I think with the bigger blocks I can make the lap quilts much faster. The smaller 4.5" square is perfect for coasters, which would be perfect for putting on all of my old sewing machines where hubby & kids continually set down their cups. Anybody know if you bind coasters the same as a quilt?

I think this scrapy/string/crumb quilting will help me to express myself with color and add some fun to my quilting. It is so much fun not to have to worry about following a set pattern, and the whole thing is so liberating. :)

You would be surprised how much fun these quilts are to make! I feel great using up the smallest pieces of fabric.

Join the 1.5" swap going on!

Do you do any applique? I use a lot of very tiny pieces that way. I'm so jealous of your new "stash" of scraps.

Check out some scrap quilt designs. I agree that Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.com is an excellant place to start. She is so good at explainign the steps.