piecing sizes
 

What are the size of pieces, you most often use? I am cutting up fabric into precuts like jelly rolls, charms, mini charms even layer cakes. What would you cut more of? I am going through fabric that was passed on to me and I thought I could store it better, until I use, in precuts. May not take as much space, I don't know.....

Yours is a good question. Some of us don't cut anything up until we have a pattern and I am in that category. I am interested in what others have to say.

I would cut into the largest piece possible. You can always cut down when needed. So if possible I would make layer cakes and jelly rolls

I agree with Barb, don't cut until you need it!

I also leave the pieces as large as possible. They do not stack always stack nicely,but so what?

When I clean up my scrap basket or other times when I am doing precuts for "projects down the road" I cut 2 1/2" strips, 5" squares, 4 1/2" squares, and 10" squares. I also cut pieces for double wedding ring quilts. I do more of these as wedding gifts. and I am always in need of these smaller pieces. I have made 6 Queen size and 1 King so far. This is a great scrappy quilt too. I will also cut 3 1/2" squares. I will cut from my scraps as much as I can down to 2 1/2" squares. I do NOT cut other shapes than these at this time. Who knows what the future will bring. I am always open to change.

I never cut my large pieces until I need to. I come up with a pattern idea, and go from there. I haven't used many strips, or layer cakes, charms etc. I'm not a scrappy quilter. I have an abundance of scraps, leftovers and smaller pieces that I will never use, but don't want to toss!

I agree...don't cut it until you need it! I made that mistake once.

Give them to someone like me willing to use, because leftover smaller pieces is what most of this is, although there may be a WOF that's 10 inches or less. It will be Scrappy tops or I Spy tops because it's not enough of any fabric collection. I think the jelly rolls could be subcut into half hexies, or JR sewn into rows and then cut into 9P, etc. Also the 10 in layer cakes can be made into the Double Slice like my Cottage Joy quilt in Pictures, or subcut into (4) 5 inch charms.
I am not cutting MY fabric yardages, just these scraps given to me, but was just wondering how other quilters usually cut. I am like you, not willing to toss, so I will cut up for use. I make charity quilts too, so it will be worth my time.

This is exact sizes I have been cutting. Nothing will match in pattern or color, but I think I can make something pleasing eventually. Thanks!

I don't cut yardage until I need it.

My scraps usually get cut into strips from 2-1/2" to 1-1/2" for basket weave scrap quilts.

If I decide to sew 2-1/2" squares then I cut them to that size. They finish at 2".

I haven't done that too many times.

For my donation quilts I find 7-1/2" squares work nicely. 6 across and 8 down. I alternate them.

when cutting up scraps....I usually cut them into the larger sizes first and then go on down unless I have a project already in mind to do scrappy. For longer scraps at least 12 inches long, I cut 2.5, 2, and 1.5 inch strips on my accuquilt. for my squares I cut 5, 3.5, 2.5,and 2 inch squares. I generally keep larger scraps (less than a fat quarter or less than 1/2 yard width of fabric) sorted by color intact until I have a specific project. I find keeping the larger scraps intact gives me more options when a project comes up...but it is fun to some already cut up to make 5 and nine patches when I have time. I also have a large box of strings, a box of selvage edges, and a box of crumbs...which are pretty small like left over triangles or odd shapes.

I don't cut down scraps either. I have a large pretzel jar that I throw the small pieces in and when it is full I usually ask who wants it. A friend of mine is in an assisted living facility and hasn't been able to quilt for years. Her daughter has given me all her fabric. There were so many bins of fabric she never touched. So another friend, Carol (who is my quilting buddy) and I went through each bin, we split the fabric we liked and gave what we did not want to a local thrift store. (I still have so much fabric that I am contemplating cutting out a fat quarter of each piece and give the rest away. There is so much I know I will never use - and why not put it in the hands of people that will. I would love to send it to folks here but it would an arm and a leg.

For cutting sizes check out Bonnie Hunters scrap savers method. Works for her. She churns out scrap quilts like the scrap Queen she is! I just tend to toss fabrics by color into bins until I find something to make with them.