I have a bunch of long strips that I could sew together and make mixed blocks, but some of them are very narrow. My question is... how big of a seam allowance do you use because some of mine are barely more than 1/4in wide. Thanks for your help.

1/4" strips are not wide enough because you should be using a 1/4" seam, but you could do what I do and I save all the little strips and scraps and put them in an old pillowcase and use a ponytail holder to tie the pillowcase shut. Instant dog bed! I use the ponytail holder so that I can keep adding to it. My dog loves it.

That is a great idea, Glad to see someone else absolutely hates to throw away any scraps.
I also use the fabric and the batting that I trim off my quilts to stuff hand made fabric toys for my pugs. the batting itself can be used for stuffing hand made crafts also, rreally comes in handy when you need alot. :D

You could always use the really small ones for bits of applique.

Oh my goodness Mar I LOVE the pic of your dog. He looks a lot like our beagle copper. My boys are going to flip out when I show them that picture!! :) That is a great idea to make dog toys....and He needs a new bed as well. Thank you for the tips! :D

One idea would be to do a strip type quilt. See the raffle quilt for this year's Guild Show:
http://www.lincolnquiltersguild.org/

I believe they did it fusible, then quilted over.

The local volunteers at "Sewing for Others" collect ANY size scraps and use them to stuff "draft dodgers" (to stop the drafts at the bottoms of the doors) for the local needy. They also collect any types of donated fabrics and old sewing machines which are taken to Indian Reservations in the Dakotas.

what a great idea.

Go to
www.quiltville.com

she has tutorials on scraps and string quilts..

They would be great for applique. I save scrapes but nothing that small.

If anyone doesn't have a dog, or the dog doesn't need a new bed - consider making a bed (or 2 or more!) for your local animal shelter. They are so appreciative. You don't have to use a pillowcase - you can make one from some of your ugly fabric that you wonder why you bought to begin with. Or you can stitch together larger scraps. The animals aren't fussy!

A gal at work uses these skinny scraps to make landscape wall hangings. She just lays or glues them down and then FMQs them down.

I too hate to throw away scraps but several years ago I discovered a pattern called Mile a Mnute. It makes use of strips and odd sized or shaped "chunks". The results are quilt blocks that look like Crazy Quilts. Add sashing or plain blocks between and the uses are endless. last year I made one with beige blocks between the colorful crazy squares and it sold for 250.00 at a church yard sale. Not bad for scraps?

What a fantatic way to use up scraps