How big are 'fabric crumbs'?
 

I am starting to save these to give away but I'm not sure how small is too small.

Remember to subtract 1/2" for seam allowance. I probably wouldn't use anything smaller than 1.5" To me, it is just another type of crazy quilting. Good Luck ! No rules either !!

Anything smaller than 3/4" is no good. It all depends on how small you want to work with. My limit is the smallest.

You can barely use that for a bonnet tie.

smallest ill ever use is 1/2in HST...

How are they going to be used? A lot of folks use the tiny scraps to stuff pet beds. In this case, there's probably no 'too small'. If they are going to be used in blocks, like a crumb quilt, then 3/4" would leave you with 1/4" useable.

I have no clue how they'll be used. I was about to throw away a bunch of small scraps after using a sizzix die and thought maybe people wanted them. That's why I want to know what to save. I don't want anyone paying postage for something that they can't end up using.

Maybe it would just be easier to toss it all. ;)

and some use anything cut off in pet beds for rescue

Never thought about pet beds for rescue nice idea.

I save ALL scraps!! I get old pillowcases stuff one- takes quite some time! When full as i want, i stitch close. use other case for cover. i hate to waste!!!!!

I can't throw anything I try to make new fabric out of all the tiny little scraps: for example sewing all the small stripes one inch wide together and using the "lasagne method" I'll get new fabric:

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And then I made some place mats out of this "new fabric":

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Or I use even smaller stripes like this: some are only 1cm wide!!

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And they give nice little bags:

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And if there are "crumbs" that I can't use I give them to the Kindergarten: they can sort for color or shape and glue them on paper to make some pictures out of them!!!

Has anyone used tiny scraps for dog beds and then tried to wash it? I wonder how long it would take to dry in the dryer.

I think it depends on what they will be used for. I make crumb blocks, so I tend to use at least 1 1/2 inches. But if someone was making a miniature quilt, they may have a different criteria. I say, bag them up, and the recipient can pick and choose what to keep and what to pass on...

I was wondering the same thing,but I think the shelters throw them away when they get dirty. Not positive though.

I don't use pieces smaller than 2 inches or strips smaller than 1.5 inches.

1000 I love what you did with all the scraps. Never waste.. Hugs to you,

1000scraps, what clever ideas! I never thought to sew scraps together but now I am going to try it! thanks for the ideas.

great, looks cute, and all those scraps are good in quilts that only need a few small pieces and I use them also in paper piecing ,, but you hae taken it to a new level. thanks for sharing.. never heard it callled Crumbs, creative .. thanks for sharing :o

Are the crumbs pieced on a foundation or are they sewn together?


Anita

I have a big tub full of scraps, they are great for applique' work. Tiny flowers, leaves, butterflies, little bears, rabbits etc.

I think you mean the new fabric for the little bags: yes, they are laid on fusible web and then ironed on!!! After that I put some net lace over it, Thermolam on the backside and then I stitch the raw edges with the fancy stitches I have on my machine!!! Besides I can use up the remains on my yarn spools: if one is empty I take the next one!!!

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Laying out the stripes

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Ironing on

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Laying some tulle over it

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Using all my fancy stitches!!!

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A look on the backside!!!

And here are some more pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1172541...eat=directlink

I absolutely love your "new fabric".

I just paid postage from a fellow quilter on this website from Ohio- got a great box of crumbs. I make lots of crumb blocks with little pieces. I have sorted some of the goodies in the box and the too small stuff goes in a bag for the dog beds. Yes you need seams in crumb blocks, and I am careful. Some of my 4" blocks have over 50 pieces.....there is no quilt police with these. My quilting buddies think I'm nuts for wasting time making fabric- BUT they sure love seeing what is created from their castoffs. I appreciate them--I also have a pretty hefty stash which I pet on occasion-but I'd rather play with crumbs and strings.

I'm in the process of making a crumb quilt. 9.5 inch blocks, some of which have 37 pieces. I only counted one. LOL The 2 inch corner stones have at least 3 pieces, most have 4 or 5, and some have 7.

I'm using 1/8 in. seams in most of this, so a strip 1/2 inch wide goes in. Whether or not I save some of these really smaller pieces and strips has everything to do with the fabric and color. If it's blah, I put it into the cat pillow basket.

Well, after reading these post I pulled out my scrap box and separated it into colors, took me two hours. What a chore. Now I've been thinking about another Sun Bonnet Sue and another Butterfly Applique'. The first ones I made were testers and they came out pretty good, so if I use the better fabrics I think they will be nicer looking.

Contact your local quilt store and see if they know of anyone who makes pet beds. The one I found in my area, will take anything, nothing is to small. She also will take old sheets, pj's, batting, clothing and material. If it can be used for a quilt top or back she uses it that way and everything else is cut up to go inside of pet beds. Nothing goes into the recycle bin any more for me.

I am so in love with these! How do you stitch them together when they're this small?

Never mind . . . I see you already answered my question. ;)

I keep pieces that I can cut a 1-1/2" square from, and strips that are at least 1" wide. I keep selvages too. Love those! :thumbup:

Anything else gets tossed.