Scrap saving
 

Seriously, I just read a post about saving every little scrap, or cutting everything you have into strips or squares for scrap quilts. Well and fine if you have a large sewing room/studio with lots of wall space for storage in those Sterlite 3 (or larger) drawer containers. But when every ounce of wall space is used up already what do you do if you want to stay organized and neat? I do have a large white hamper in my sewing room for leftover strips....but it just isn't large enough to hold everything. Suggestions please.

I don't have a large sewing room. Scraps are limited to the double stack scrapbook boxes. (12x12). One holds pieces that are almost fat quarter size and the other holds smaller pieces. Scraps are starched and ironed. I do use them for machine embroidery.

Earlier this year, I sent 3 zip loc bags full of scraps out to someone that will use them for charity quilts. I haven't missed one piece yet. Honestly, I don't do scraps so quite happy to pass them along.

It's time to use up that hamper of scraps and make some pretty quilts. If they overwhelm you, send them on to someone else and bless others. Either choice is Win-Win!

I have a large finished basement room that houses all my quilting including a longarm. I have purged numerous times because 2 quilters have died and my friends thought of me and gave me their stash. My quilt guild has a free table that is always full. I contribute monthly. The only thing I like to keep are long leftover strings. I’m obsessed with string quilts. Scraps smaller that a charm square are given. Charm squares go to my volunteer job where I teach young mothers how to make a baby quilt. If my studio looks like I’m a hoarder, it’s time to purge. Let it go if you will not live long enough to use it!

I just finished my fourth scrap quilt. My scrap pile is a little smaller but I still have a clothes hamper full. No suggestions except sewing faster.:D

Scraps do create a dilemma. The scrappy quilts are beautiful, but I truly am not inspired to make them myself. There are members of this quilting board who would gladly take them, so that is always an option. My very small scraps (under 2 1/2" for me) I put into a pillowcase-lined garbage can and when full, I sew it up to make an animal bed which a local shelter will take.

Anything I think I will not use I pass on to a member on the board who can use them. She has gotten several boxes full and if she's as happy to get them as I am to get rid of them, it's a win win. I even have friends donating to the boxes now. I don't have space to save everything.

That's the best "solution" I've heard so far but I'm afraid I could never sew fast enough to stay ahead of my scraps. I've tried to do the method where I cut them down into 2 1/2" squares, 5" squares or 2 1/2" strips until I have enough to do a scrappy quilt but they always seem to multiply faster than I can sew.

It all comes down to what we value. I value space more tiny scraps. Since I don’t use anything smaller than a 2.5 square- anything smaller is clutter. I save one of each smaller scrap for a specific board member - I send them to for her postage stamp quilt in which she is putting literally thousands of 1.5 inch squares. Other than that, I trash bits for sanity’s sake. I like to give away whatever I no longer like or want- again, a value judgment, which is personal. Too much of my house has larger clutter I’m dealing with(ad nauseum).

That said, if anyone wants my tiny bits, just let me know. If you value them, I will send them as I go.

We will be leaving for Arizona in about 4 weeks so yesterday I started going through my stash to leave behind anything I won't work on for the next 6 months. I created two piles to donate yesterday, one for the group I quilt with and one of poly-cottons and uglies that was given to me. But it can be difficult. Do you have any uglies? Most of us have so much fabric why keep anything that you don't think is pretty. There is always some who will be happy to take your donation. I know of one group that donates their scraps to one member that apparently could not afford to quilt otherwise. I like bits so I have had some donated to me and it was fun. I made a crumb quilt with only a couple of pieces from my own stash and I have donated the rest of it to others. I am trying!!! not to buy more fabric. As some one mentioned Priorities. What do you like to work with? Do you like scraps and scrappy quilts? Perhaps the best advice is from Tartan, "Sew Faster".

I have only a few sizes I save. 5 inch charms---10 inch layer cake ---2 1/2 inch strips. When they start to build up I make a top.

I work with a charity group that gets alot of donated fabric for their charity quilts. I have an abundance of it and do not want to spend time of a huge cutting system for scraps. And then have to store them,.

We each have to find our own way.