My first quilt teacher said never to throw anything out & let me tell you that stuck with me! I saved, I saved & I saved! I did use some of it & later when I started applique, it came in handy! But you have to draw a line as to how little of pieces you are going to save. I think we all go thru this. I had a girlfriend that saved 1-1/2 - 2-1/2" strips for later use like others in this thread. Then later used them for another scrappy quilt. Just depends on the sizes I guess......

I save as much as possible, making mini blocks for future projects,
and cutting scrap into 2" up to 6" squares, strips: 1 1/2" - 6", etc.
and store in containers. When wanting to sew, but not having a
special project in mind, will make simple 4 patch/9 patch/pinwheel blocks
and set aside. I try to keep stash more or less "organized" by color and
planned project.

This does not answer the question as to how much waste you will have but I have a suggestion for using the waste when it comes to tiny pieces... if you have a Humane Society or Pet
Shelter in your town or near by - make pillows out of the left over pieces and donate those pillows for puppies, dogs and cats to lay on - they love pampering too - and most places will lovingly accept any donations like that, that you might have to offer; they are easily washed, and dried and reused once again... Just a thought. My sister-in-law does many quilts, and custom sewing - so she has many scraps! She also reupholsters furniture - so the old seat covers, she washes, regardless of what they look like after they've been washed, and stuffs them with left over fabric and sews them up into a nice pillow and she has taken a pickup load to the shelters and they just give the biggest smiles - their animals will have nice fresh new beds!

I agree totally with the "waste not" but I am not a saver, so I give them all to the local quilt shop which loves when they see me come in the door :) I'd never qualify for a stint on "Hoarders" and my daughter is a professional organizer specializing in hoarders. ha ha

Make a string quilt, so nice and always turns out great, make some minatures to donate to ami simms altzheimer web site, such an easy way for her foundation to make monies to donate for research, a win win situation, and save squares and triangles for future projects. JUST DON"T agonize ! life is way to short.
Donna

Small strips or pieces of batting can be used for puff quilts or pulled apart and used for stuffing animals.
Small squares are saved for log cabin pieces, strips an inch wide or more for strip quilts but I do throw away selvedges. When you run out of room, you have to get rid of something.

Carol J.

I never feel like there is any fabric "waste". Even the tiniest of pieces I give to the local Elementary School and the teaches let the kids use them in collages, or some other form of art work, even the selvage edges, its amazing what an imaginative child can do with little pieces of color

I love the idea of pillowcase pet beds my hubby has even offered to help. I am just to promise not to bring home any creatures. BUMMER/

I am very conservative, especially with my fabrics.
I cut my quilt pieces carefully, so there is little waste.
Making my blocks smaller/larger to fit the fabric I am using.
If I run out of a fabric, I head for my stash instead of my LQS
for a fabric to subsitute that will coordinate with the
fabrics I am working with.
The scraps are saved for scrap quilts/crazy quilts.
Small pieces I know I won't use, under 2 inches, I toss
or save for starters when piecing triangles.
Being on a fixed income and fabric $8.00-$10.00
I don't waste fabric. :thumbup:

Here is a thread on my string quilts. I also have some for sale.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-74944-1.htm

I will post some of DH's in the Pictures section - they are amazing.