Once you make a scrappy you be hooked! So many patterns you can make from HST!! Go for it girl!

I have done both controlled and random. I really loved both!! My "controlled" I found the backing first and pulled colors that went with the colors on the back. This one was done in 1" (finished" strips )
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This one was completed random, cut squares, thru in paper bag, sewed them one at a time, only rule, no two colors side by side.

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It really depends on the look you are going for. Both quilts use 1" (finished) squares.

Like DogHouseMom, I usually pay attention only to value when making a scrappy quilt. I love looking at the quilt later and seeing all the very different fabrics playing nicely together.

I think a scrappy quilt is what you make it. I have done one that I just starting sewing pieces of all shapes and sizes onto a foundation then quilted as normal. I made another where I took all my same size squares and made a 9 patch. I do not think a scrappy quilt has to be as precise as some on here make them.

If you look on Bonnie Hunter's website "Quiltville" you will find FREE patterns that call for HST.

I say do anything you want. I have used up a lot of scraps making charity quilts and no matter what the colors or the sizes or how well anything goes together, I always remind myself that someone will love it and be warm with it over them. I really don't think it matters. Do whatever you can to use up the pieces. We have a girl in our guild that always reminds us "the scraps cost just as much as the fabric by the yard".

Here are 2 scrappy quilts from the same pattern.

Sorry hit the enter key before adding photos. Here are my 2 scrappy quilts from the same pattern. The really scrappy one was my very 1st scrappy ever and made me change my mind about scrappies. Never liked them before till now.

Sewbizgirl has a good point. As long as your values work: light medium and dark, there are no rules for scrappy quilts, I like kind of organized color, others do not. Its your quilt make it fun and enjoy the process

I agree that it's all about the value and contrast.

But I also find that the more diverse and discordant the fabrics, the smaller the pieces should be. you can blend pretty much anything into a pleasant whole so long as the pieces are small enough and there is a lot of variety. If you have 98 % flour sack prints and 2 % batiks, those batiks will look out of place, but if you have just a huge mix of every color and style of print under the sun, it can work.