for extremely small spaces! I'm collecting lots of scraps (to me) and I need to know how to organize them! Space is very very very limited too. Thank you!

If they are very small, I would put them all together.

I started out storing my scraps by color in plastic shoe boxes, putting some colors together, pinks, reds,and yellows and oranges with browns, blues and greens by themselves. I have now graduated to big totes. They multiply at night ya know??

Cut them up into usable sizes and you will use them.
I like 5 inch charm size and 2 1/2 inch strips.

Go to this website:
www.scrap-therapy. com/
I took a Scrap Therapy workshop at my LQS, since ...... like you ...... I was beginning to feel like my fabric stash was out of control! Basically, what you do is sort your stash by color value: dark, light medium. Any large pieces of fabric (like fat quarter size) are neatly folded and put into separate storage. I happen to use a pie safe for my FQs because the shelves are narrow and it works for me. Now the Scrap Therapy comes in: Scraps smaller than FQ size are then cut into 5", 3 1/2" and 2" squares and neatly placed in shoe box sized plastic bins, according to color value (See the photo on the website). I bought my plastic shoe box bins at the dollar store. These shoe boxes stack well and occupy little space. And you'll be surprized at how many fabric squares they hold, if you arrange the squares as shown in the photo. There are alot of patterns out that call for charm packs ...... well, guess what? You now have your own little stash of charm packs/pre cut5" square. Now, if you sew the 2" blocks into a four patch block, guess what? It will be a 3 1/2" block. You can alternate the four patch blocks with your pre-cut 3 1/2" squares and, voila, you'll have a beautiful scrappy quilt! Now, if you take those 2" squares and sew them into a nine patch block, guess what? You will end up with a 5" square. Again, you can alternate those nine patch blocks with your pre cut 5" squares and, voila, you'll have a wonderful scrappy quilt! I happen to love scrappy quilts, so this works well for me.

Yes I agree. Even 3 1/2 in. squares. Whatever you think you will use so they don't take over. :lol:

My Hubby put up on the wall of my sewing room a couple of the wooden shoe box cubbies that you can get a home builder stores. They have about 16 slots each for lots of scraps. They're out of the way, up high on the wall yet I can see into them easily for sorting and finding colors.

Another way... I work with a lot of fabrics with my crafts and have leaned to cut and trim my scraps as I go. Then I sort them into large baggies that I have marked for 1", 2.5", 4" whatever. Then when I need that size, I go to the bag and find the color I want.

Ginnie,

I'm glad you asked this question! I'm new, too, and picked up some great ideas from the responses!

Sharon

Great idea.

It's mind-boggling that there is a web site to fit our every need. Guess my computer is second only to my sewing machine, but this web site is #1 with me. I have learned so many ideas and hints from all of you. My sewing projects bring me so much more satisfaction and pleasure since joining all of you. Thank you for all you have shared.

Wow... thanks for the idea! I'll need to work thru my scrap. I do have a lot. I can't believe they accumulate.

http://quiltville.com/scrapusersystem.shtml

check out the above web site from Bonnie Hunter.
I think you will find alot of useful information

I tried to click on to view this, but message came up that "Wesite cannot be displayed"

:? :cry:

try this one scroll down on the right under tips and techniques look for scrap users system
http://quiltville.com/index.html

There's another thread (still ongoing?) about organizing a sewing room, etc. Someone posted her room and she had the clever idea of using a clear plastic pocket shoe hanger on the wall behind her door. It probably isn't good for keeping out wrinkles but it is one way of storing scraps, even into color groups. Just a thought.

That website displayed okay. THANKS! Bonnie Hunter's method of scrap organization is similar but different from Scrap Therapy, in that she prefers to cut strips rather than squares. Whatever works .... "To each his own", as my Mom loved to say! I have found it helpful to cut 2 1/2" strips in addition to the 5 - 3 1/2 - 2 inch squares, especially with all the jelly roll pattens available. One thing I like about Bonnie Hunter's method is that she only sorts by darks & lights, rather than than darks, lights and mediums. It's all relative, anyways, when you get around to piecing. To save on "decision time", I think I will adopt that theory and just sort by darks & lights. Learn something new every day. Thanks for your input on this subject.

okay but what about when you have fabric that could go either way? I have some brown plaid.....looking at the brown its dark but its also beige! Oh and I'm cleaning today....the sewing area. I'm so flusterated (my own word :-) ) that what should take me an hour or two is taking forever. I appreciate all the tips....I kind of like the idea of bags. I wouldn't have to buy anything else that way and right now money is past being tight!

dont give up ginnie..you will be so happy when it is all done and you will find you will be spending more time sewing when you love being in your lovely sewing room!

I think the idea of darks, lights and mediums is good..i might have to try that..