I suppose I'm another one of the "horders". I have actually started cutting foundation blocks from muslin and try to add to the "crazy quilt" blocks with scraps. I also try to sub-cut into blocks any left over strips I have. I do take 1.5" squares and sew them together as thread savers. One day I will have more than enough for a really scrapy "penny" quilt...

I always seem to find some use for those pieces or strips..
can't waste anything since hubby is on a "be frugal" trip...(he smokes and I bite my tongue!) :?

I was JUST thinking about this last night. I save all scraps, many of which are useful in scrap quilts. Tiny pieces I use as the lead to begin sewing a row. Even smaller pieces I'm going to put out on my deck this spring so the birds can use it to build nests. I'll get to see my scraps all over the neighborhood. I read that tip here and I LOVE IT!

If I know it is to small and I will never use it I collect it and put in in a bin by my fireplace. Fabric scraps make great fire starter. All my thread goes in there too along with the link from my dryer.

My MIL uses the used fabric softener sheets as her foundation piece for sewing her scraps and/or crumbs to. She was one of 11 children raised on a farm during the depression. I have learned so much about being frugal from her. She has even made quilts from old h.s. band wool uniforms thus saving them from the local landfill.

I don't generally buy large yardage pieces. Only when I buy backings. I buy per project using a pattern I get what is called for then add at least 1/2 or yard extra for errors. There have been times when I can get a real good price I will buy 3 - 4 yards. Leftovers I then make small zippered Hum Bug bags using quilted fabric I have machine quilted. These I make in all different sizes depending on the size of scraps I have (this also uses up the batting scraps). I also make coasters using 5" squares of fabric and batting as well as tissue (Kleenex) covers using 5 X 7 fabric cut for the little pocket tissues. I cut up these sizes when I finish a project and always have these items on hand if I want a small hostess gifts. The school my grandchildren go to can no longer take food treats on their birthdays and I have made these tissue covers using novelty fabrics and they just love them. One project I have in my head now is to make a Dear Jane quilt and make a block from each project I have made in the past. Hooked rugs or place matts use up a great deal of scraps as well. As one member of my quilting group always says, "remember those scraps you have also cost you up to $10.00 per yard!" I am always looking for different ways to use up my 'leftovers'. I like the mug rugs I have been seen on this board which I have made a few.

What's a "crumb?'

I feel the same!
To those who toss there will always be one of us. This is a great place to post scraps. I look at scraps even under an inch as free fabric. One year I saved all that I would normally toss to made seven lap quilts for charity that year.
Happy scrapping,postage is a small price for some great new scraps.

Maybe we should ask on out secret pal form if you accept 'crumbs'? I have seen so many string quilts on here that are just lovely, I would bet we could find homes for them.

Hi Shelly
I have like a gazillion 100% cotton fabric pieces that you are more than welcome too. I thought I would be using them, but I don't think so. PM me and we'll get something arranged. There are some really beautiful pieces that I think you will enjoy.

I've watched "fons & porter" cut fabric using their strip method. First the cut the end of the strip to even it up, and if they are cutting triangles they cut the edge of the strip to have the correct line for the triangle, and they refer to these cuts as waste.
If you are cutting a triangle using a template, and cutting individually (fussy cut as some call it) you only cut the fabric you need, you can line up the template along the previous cut.

I save ALL pieces for stuffing other items.

I have been trying to get into the habit of cutting the scraps up right away into whatever size strips or squares that work and then I keep them in individual shoe totes with the sizes marked. Any of the selvage ends or small strips I put in a bag and give to my granddaughter to use in art class at school. The younger grades sometimes paste strips on paper to make a design. Otherwise the long selvages can also be used to tie up plants in your garden.

Those long, skinny pieces left over make beautiful gift wrapping ribbons. Just dip them in heavy starch, hang them to dry, and iron--or don't iron if they dry with few wrinkles. Then use them like any other ribbon for tying/decorating gifts.

I'd be more than happy to pay postage for your waste pieces of good quilting fabrics and wool fabric scraps.
OH,to toss what a waste..with being the prices we have to pay for fabrics. I use a lot of smaller pieces of left over fabrics for applique work, paper pieceing, tooth-brush rugs, pin cushions I am looking for wools right now and not having much luck finding. I'm not willing to pay $9 and up for a few inches of wool fabric, when you are only going to cut a couple leaves etc from it,be sides if I happen to find any it is maybe a handful of colors to choose from.
Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.com has several patterns you can use these pieces in.Free downloads. Maverick Stars quilt I have made of hers and it used up lots of bits. Little 4 and 9 -patch blocks work great as fillers and corner blocks, be cute in pot holders I would thing, too. I've made QOV blocks (r/w/b fabrics) and a quilt for a organization raffle (applique w/9-patchs) both had bits of waste fabrics used in them...
JAS

There is a group of ladies that meet from time to time at the LQS to sew beds for the local humane society.

The LQS puts out a weekly newsletter and when their supply of scraps donated by area quilters and crafters gets low, she puts out a plea in her newsletter for a few weeks and they get a wonderful resonse.

They just ask that you cut your scraps into no bigger than 2" squares and that would just take a snap and be part of your cleaning up after a project. Check with your local HS to see if they have this type of program going.

:thumbup:

We have a lady at guild that takes anyone's scraps and makes beautiful placemats, runners etc. She always wants scraps.

Shelly,
Send me an address & I will ship a box ASAP. [email protected]

If you didn't see my latermpost, send me an address & I'll pack up a box asap. [email protected]

Gee, Edie I think most people missed what you were asking.
I read every word . I am not able to calculate for you but I too have had this dilema.
At least we had a discussion on scraps as I too hate to see
anything go to the landfils when some others have a need.

I should have included my [email protected]. I will be away for 10 days but will respond to any messages later.
Quilts of Valor is such a wonderful program, we send quilts to injured servicemen and women in hospitals all over US and Eur. They are really appreciated; we know, we hand delivered some in spring to Ft. Knox, KTY. Many tears were shed by both givers and receivers. Any and all 100% cotton scraps and strings are used up in my scrappy quilts---the more colors the better! This QoV program has become my 'mission' in my retirement, also my joy. Thanks for listening to my plea!

I pretty much save anything 1 1/2 and bigger of course. Smaller snips I save for a friend who might want to use to make dog/cat pillows. Or I've start putting them in my compost bin.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

If one needs to figure out waste here would be one way:
Weigh out the fabric ..
Divide the total weight of the yardage into the waste weight that equals the % of waste.(it will come out in a fraction example : .40) now multiply that fraction times the cost of yardage and the product is the amount of $ wasted..

Example : 1yd @ $10.00 weighing out at 16 oz. total
say your waste weighs out at 3.2 ozs. total

Divide the 16 ozs (yardage) into the 3.2 ozs (waste) that would equal .20 (or 20%). Now take the .20 (waste percentage) multiply times the $10.00(yardage cost) this will equal $2.00 (cost of waste).

WOW, when you actually answer the original question, and put it into dollars and cents that way, it really does make an impact. Now I will be even more aware of every scrap that tries to jump into the trash. I need to locate a local end source for my strings and things since I don't make critter beds, etc. I gave both our dog and cat quilties and pillows and they turned their little noses up at them. LOL
The only ones they want to lay on are the ones that are meant for people.

I hoped it did not sound way over done...

It also comes down to what the pattern is.. Curves would likely give you more waste.

I really like to try to not waste any fabric, so what can not be used in this top can find a home in another project.. I would say anything under a 1/2" wide likely does get tosssed and even those someone may have come up with a project for...


Our h- pup likes to be with us so a doggie bed he would laugh at..but a blanket on the bed would be just fine...I surpose the bits of waste used for bedding it economical, but I have concerns about them swallowing the bits...our house dog would not, but our out side dog(kenneled) would eat it. no joking...I can not believe fibers would digest well... he prefers a bed of straw and shavings and anything else in his kennel is just fair game...

I figure an inch the width of fabric is .028 of a yard. Multiply that by the price per yard and you get the value of just 1" wof, ie .028 x 9.00 = $ .252 an inch wof or .028 x 10.00= $ .28 an inch wof. I don't like to throw quarters away if I can use them!

On one of her shows Georgia Bonesteel had some stuffed items -can't remember but might have been a cat or dog- sitting on her shelf or mantle. Any way she would save her "dog ears" corners trimmed from triangle patches-etc. and used them to stuff her shelf sitters.

Another good way to look at it...Yes and it only takes 4 of them to make that dallor.
Reason I figured by weight is we have odd shapes/sizes left over and it would be hard for me to figure it in inches...

I love doing applique work and bits fit right in...the more the you save the more you have to choose from...

I would love to have any scraps anyone wants to be rid of. I will pay postage.