[ you can always make squares, and rectangles out of strips, right? I just don't want to waste my fabric since I spent so much money on it but its overwhelming to have it folded up into piles. What do ya'll do? Thanks in advance.[/quote]

I agree with the above, that you will accumulate scraps from other projects. IMHO I would cut the fabric as needed...find a pattern you want to do and cut the fabric as directed...and you will be able to start your scrap stash from there.

I agree with the comments on not cutting it up - you can make wonderful quilts with collections of 1/2 yards and some with 1/3 yards 9like buggy barn or crazy quilt type patterns) - I recommend the book series 6 halves make a whole. 6 half yards and some background will do amazing things.

I organize mine by color. anything purchased specifically for a project in mind gets wrapped in a "fabric pack (tied together with an old 2.5" scrap so I dont use it elsewhere), 1/2 yard or larger not specifically purchased for a project goes on the shelf, anything that is a FQ goes in little organizers I bought at Ikea. anything between 9 inches to 12 inches wide (regardless of length) is folded by color and stacked on the shelf. anything less than 9 inches wide is considered scrap to me and I usually cut into 5" squares and any remaining in to 2.5" strips. now, what do I do with all of the scrap? truth be told, I've been quilting for 20 years and have not yet made a scrap quilt with my scrap - some day I will :-) I long ago gave up saving every tiny little remnant (unless it was batki, I can't part with those :-). I also keep one small little box of "leaders and enders" next to my machine. I try and do this after every project, but honestly, usually I let the scap pile up and then when i want to sew but am feeling a little unsure of what to do or seeking inspiration, i'll cut the scraps and see all the great fabrics I've used, and that gives me inspiration to think of something new to work on!

Have fun with your fabric!

What I do is fold my larger cuts of fabric around a 6 X 24 ruler, that way the stacks are all the same size. The fat quarters I fold around a 4" ruler & sort them according to color. Much easier to find when looking for something.

I would not advise cutting up perfectly good sized fabric into smaller increments. I agree scraps will come from other projects too quickly!

Try participating in a number of swaps on this Board and on the other internet sites to get a variety of charms you want to collect.

A few months ago I hosted a 2 1/2" strip swap the width of the fabric on the Board. Hang on for that to begin again soon.

I've participated in Nickel and Dime and Candy Bar charm swaps and most recently a 1 1/2" charm swap.

I wash before cutting EVERYTHING that is washable (except the battings that specifically say DO NOT prewash or the polyester battings like Fairfield? that are not needlepunched)

Most of the fabrics come out of the dryer smooth enough to "hand-press" while folding them. I press/iron right before cutting - that way I get rid of the fold lines that I feel interfere with cutting accuracy.

My stash is "organized" - for lack of a better word - by the following - large pieces (usually three yards or more) are folded on a bed - I Spy/novelty fabrics are in plastic totes - Cat Prints are in totes - Black and White fabrics are in plastic totes - the "colors" are more or less together on shelves. Small pieces of various colors are sorted into small totes.

And then there are the couple of totes of - almost trash scrap. The pieces are big enough to make string blocks or crumb blocks - but mostly annoying.

Take into consideration that I've been accumulating for over 20 years.

My advice NOW is to spend sensibly on fabric. I went totally crazy for a while. (I've cut waaaaay back for the last 8 years - but it's still hard for me to pass up a good clearance sale)

I just went through a major re-haul of my fabric. Actually I'm not finished but it's holiday time so I'm not going to worry about it.
I have all my large pieces- more than 1 yard each on one shelf. I have all my others less than 1 yard according to color, novelty prints on another, batiks on another, Christmas, etc.
I'm still looking for a home for some that don't fit in any specific category. I always seem to have this problem!
Then I have a plastic 6 drawer unit for my fq and charms etc.
I also agree with the others about not cutting it all up. You will have scraps sooner than you can think about it! :D
Good luck. I'm still trying to get organized but I'm not a very organized person!! lol

I am new to making scrappy quilts. Saw some on here, so I started saving all my scraps. Just the other day I organized my scraps. One box of larger scraps, that I am using to make 6 1/2" diagonal blocks that when put together it makes a 12" square. Then I have a smaller box from the scraps from the larger scrappy blocks, and I'm making a small doll size/miniature scrappy blocks 2 1/2" blocks on the diagonal to make a 4" square. So I don't throw anything 1 1/2" or larger away. But I wouldn't cut up any fabric at the moment until you decide what you want to do exactly. You can always cut it but can't put it back together. My larger blocks, I make a few, then work on another quilt, go back make a few more. All my scraps are all mixed up and I just dig in a pull out fabric. No order, no color scheme, some I would never ever think about putting together, but they look really cool that way.