It's not a bad problem to have...
 

Recently we had an excellent speaker at our guild about scrap quilts. Man, did it make me get the scrap bug. I want to make monochromatic slabs from all my scraps and put together a modern top like all the ones she showed.

Uh, except I don't have scraps. I rarely piece, most of what I like to do is quilting, so I've spent the past 2 years on a single quilt, and it was from a single cut of fabric. The few quilts I have pieced, I don't buy extra. I have a bit of a 'stash' but it is still small enough the few quilters I know have looked at it and laughed at me calling it a "stash". So even if I cut a piece off all of those fabrics, it doesn't give me much.

I'm so sad :( There just really don't appear to be scrap quilts in my future unless I start collecting, and I just don't think I can spend the money on charms and fat-eighths just for the ability to have scraps :(

But man- those scrap quilts were cool.

Do you doing quilting for others? If so, they might have scraps they would be willing to give you if you knock a couple of dollars off their quilting price. Heck--some of them might just give them for nothing.

For scraps you only need to buy a 1/4 yard here and there, maybe 1/2 if you really like it. That way, you only spend a few dollars at a time. That is how I started. Now I think I have too much. But I haven't sewn since my accident in June. Started feeling better last week, so starting to get the itch. With all that I have seen here lately, my head is swimming with ideas!

Just remembered: One of the online stores (Keepsake, Connecting Threads maybe) sell scrap boxes. Also some quilt stores sell scrap bags.

I pick up some nice small pieces from the remnant bin at JoAnn's, and they usually write fiber content on the pkg. Sometimes the remnants are 1/2 off.

Look here on the QB...that's where I've gotten my stash. Most are willing to cut down to 1/2 yard and the prices are half or less. #1piecemaker has beautiful fabrics at awesome prices. Can you guess where I've gotten most of my fabrics? Good luck!!!

At my quilt guild meetings, there is always a "free" table. People bring their scraps, patterns, magazines, even UFO's and "what was I thinking" fabrics and leave them for others who might use them. I have brought, and I have picked up. Perhaps you could suggest that your guild do something similar.

If you were in my quilt guild and asked for scraps, I would deliver to you a huge garbage bag full! I am sure many other quilters would do the same. Some of us have way more scraps than we will ever use and would be delighted to free up the space in our quilting pantries!

And if you watch here on the QB you will see people offering scraps for the cost of postage. I've done it twice so right now I'm rather low on scraps.

Go to the different stores and look at the amount of fabric on the bolts, especially where the discounts and sale aisles are. Often there is little over a yard that still remains on the bolt. you can often get the remainder for another discount. Also check the remnant bins. Check your own closets of clothes or sheets or whatever that don't fit any more. Clearance racks in stores are great. For a couple of bucks you can pick up a piece of clothing. When I buy fabric, if there is even another yard or less left on the bolt, I'll take it and often they've given me another discount. Estate sales are great. I've gone to an estate sale and come out with large garbage bags full and only paid a few bucks. Had one guy help me carry out a really heavy garbage bag full of material and clothes weighing 20-30 # and only paid $5-10. That is a lot of material. Ask friends and relatives for clothes they don't want.

Just get two scraps. Put them in a dark place and wait for them to multiply. You'll soon have more than you know what to do with. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking with it.

My LQS packages up scrap bags and sell them very reasonable. The scraps are various sizes and very good for scrap quilts.

If you are really desperate, check out yard sales or fill a bag for $1 sales and look for all cotton shirts.

Check up on Good Will and other used clothing stores for shirts, skirts or dresses that you could cut up for scraps...and yard sales, where blue jeans are on sale....who says you have to buy new fabric??? Quilts are scrappy, made from what is available in your area...ask others who quilt in your area, and you may find your bins overflowing. I am surprise that this group has not PMed you yet, offering up their scraps....get creative! When there is a strong desire, you will find a way. Think outside the box...where o where are the scrapes hiding??? Bedspreads, etc., can be cut down for scraps, used curtains, and the list goes on.

Charity quilting groups can be another source. They often have more scraps than they can deal with. Offer to take the scraps off their hands, then make a top for the charity and a top for yourself.

Check out rummage sales, too. As long as it is 100% cotton, and not thick decorator fabric, that's all you need.

All good ideas :). Most of them though are going to get me a lit more than just scraps (less than a fat eighth).

I'm with you! But I have lots of fabric, just not many small pieces. And I seem to have this aversion to cutting into big pieces for just one square or triangle or circle or rectangle.

I was amazed the woman who did the talk had a quilt with 300 different squares in it and she said they were all scraps: she never cut into her stash for them at all.

How does one get 300 different scraps!

Some fabric stores (departments) will cut as small as 2" WOF. Also, there are many of the members on the board that would be glad to send you scraps in exchange for the cost of the postage. There is a section on this board called (I believe) "In Search of". You might post a thread in the section.

go to thrift shops on bag day and stuff it with mens shirts - they make excellent scrap choices.

You can buy tons of scraps on eBay. I have bought them before and they turn out pretty good.

Post in the " In Search of " category" .. and offer a swap ... I am sure lots would offer boxes of scraps in exchange for a fat quarter or more. Some would just want the money for postage.

Go to craftconn.com, they have several bags of scraps for sale. They are divided into different types, such as animals, flowers ect.

When ever you go to the fabric stores check the mark down aisle. Take the ones that have less then a yard-Most FS's will give you an end of bolt price cut on top of the reduced price. 2nd hand stores will have fabrics or pick out some large dresses-skirts and men's shirts. It does not take long to get enough fabric to do a scrappy or even to start a stash for future scrappy's.

Thank you so much! I ordered 4 pounds: 2 pounds of solids, a pound of brights, and a pound of pinks. I think this will be better than soliciting donations where the colors might not fit my style. Shipping was expensive (so used to free shipping) but probably realistic.

Very excited :)

When I first began quilting, I would order the scrap bags from Keepsake Quilting - they had a wonderful assortment of fabrics and colors. I'm pretty sure that Moda has them available from a variety of quilt stores on line. Also, check the remnant bin at JoAnn's or any quilt store, they are bound to have something you could use.

A lot of my scraps originally came from swaps. For example, right now I am cutting for a two inch swap ... 2.5 inch "noodles" are also very popular. When those squishy packages start arriving it always feels like Christmas!

Lol! You are still so funny!

You said your friends laugh at your idea of a stash and not one offered to share? I think most quilters would have buried you with scraps if only you ask.

Keepsake Quilting sells scrap bag's cheap. They are scraps left from all their beautiful fabrics.

I have found a lot of scraps in Thrift stores. A whole bag for 2.99. A lot of the pieces are a yard or more. There are ways to collect fabric at low costs.