cutting scraps question
 

I'm organizing my scraps and (pretty much) using the suggetions garnered from Bonnie Hunter's system as well as that of the person that wrote the "cut the scraps" book.

Pretty much what I'm doing is cutting them into 5 1/2, 3 1/2, 2 1/2- inch long strips, if they are big enough. OR if not, I'm cutting them into the squares suggested by the above ladies.

I have a question for those that do this type of thing. I have several big pieces and I don't know whether to strip them into the 5 1/2 inch strips or leave as is.

For example: one of my pieces measure about 18" by 17". Leave or cut? What would you do and why would you make that decision?

Looking forward to the answers you get on this.

I would leave the larger pieces intact - until you have an actual use for them.

Why - for example: if the pattern calls for 4.5 inch squares, and my strips are 5.5 inch strips, then I would be wasting an inch, and if the strips are 3.5 inches, then they are too small.

I'd leave them intact. Cutting them up limits what you can do with them.

I don't cut that size piece until I'm ready to start a scrap quilt. Then I know what I'll need.

I agree with Dunster..... I keep sizes about that size in one container and the smaller ones in another. At the end of sewing, I always run a small scrap thru so I don't waste the thread and I don't have to hold onto to the bobbin thread. GOOD LUCK with getting organized!!

I leave pieces that large alone util I am ready to use them. I KNOW if I cut them I would want them bigger.

If charm size+ a tail I cut the tail. If it has a tail but I can get a charm or bigger out of it, I cut the tail off. It that tail is long enough for a strip then I put it into the applicable scrap size bin. If the tail is 5" wide then I may put it into a charm bin. A piece 18x 17, I leave intact. You may want that for 9 charms +. I have pieces like that and pin a post it on it with the size.

If it approaches FQ size, I would leave it alone

I cram all my scraps in scrap drawers so why am I in this conversation....pure curiosity about organized people :)