scraps, scraps, scraps...
 

How big of a "scrap" do you keep?
How do you store them (by color, in baggies)?
What do you do with them (crazy quilts)?
What do you do with the waste that's too small to keep?
(I heard someone say they put it in the back yard for the birds to make nests? really?)

Right now I have a really large basket of scraps and I'm wondering if I keep pieces that are too small an if I should start organizing them by color, etc...

1. 2 inches in one dimension is my size cut-off
2, sort by color in gallon ziplocks. All my ziplocks must fit in one bin -- if they don't fit, the use it or lose it rule applies.
3. I make all kinds of scrappy projects, from full sized quilts to pin cushions, pillows, wallhangings, sachets,
4. too small to keep goes in trash or recycling. Our area now has a separate fiber recycling category where you can put any textiles, clothing, pillows, etc.

Scraps are wonderful, but only if you do use them. Otherwise it becomes hoarding of trash.

I keep all scraps. Stringy pieces get put out for the birds in case they can use them for their nests. I've never seen a nest with my strings but the strings do disappear.

Sometimes the girl scouts have a paper making project and I let them use the scraps to pick out what they hope to end up with in their paper.

I don't sort by color and it goes into ziplocks ultimately but I have a round oatmeal box that I drop things into as I am cutting and quilting. Light weight and can be squeezed into small spaces easily.

I like RST's idea of only one bin full of scraps before it is time to get rid of them. I'll donate the bigger scraps to Goodwill or Salvation Army if my newly designated bin gets too full....

I throw the shreds away, but I can use pieces that are 1" wide. Before I moved, I gave the shreds to my guild for what they called "bale". I'm not sure how it was used, but at least it didn't go in a land fill. I keep my scraps (meaning anything smaller than a FQ) sorted by color and/or type of design (batik, children's, etc.) in clear plastic shoe boxes. I have mostly made log cabin quilts with them. I value them as much as my yardage, and I do use them.

You should visit Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site. She has a Scrap Users system and dozens of free scrap quilt patterns.
http://quiltville.com/scrapusersystem.shtml

I throw my scraps in a tote bag and a plastic bin. My quilting friends and I make crumb quilts t be donated. The too small scraps and shredded pieces go to one of the friends who makes dog beds and uses these scraps to stuff them. Nothing goes to waste!!

First you should decide what is the smallest size you are willing to work with. For me I don't keep scraps smaller than 1 1/2 inches, since I do like making mini quilts. Any scraps that are odd shapes and are 3" or bigger go into my applique scrap basket and they are sorted by color. Since most of my scrappy quilts are made from squares and rectangles I will cut my left over fabric into the sizes I use most frequently. These shapes are put into baskets and sorted by color. I do not make crumb quilts so and pieces of fabric that small is of no use to me and goes into the trash.

Anything smaller than 1 1/2'' goes into a basket for dog bedding.

I recently decided to embark on a mitered log cabin trip. It requires 8 strips of 8"x 1 1/2" strips of as many fabrics you can gather in lights, mediums and darks. So that is my latest attempt at taming the stash - cut the strips.
Everything else is in two bins - one for darks, and one for lights. Those are smaller than F8s and off-cuts. Anything in the 1 1/2" -8" category goes into bags by color. Those are pieces I use for applique.

I also have a friend who does leaders and enders scrap quilts so I put a scrap piece (2" or so) in a bag to hand off to her. That little bit won't matter to me but it gives her great variety in her quilts.

Anything that can't be folded, I cut into 2 1/2, 2 and 1 1/2 squares. Batiks, I keep as small as 1/2 inch wide for mini log cabins. I keep them in 2 gallon zip lock bags.

A friend gave me a nice amount of scraps today. I love them. I love making scrap quilts! We were at our little sewing party and of course they all have to tease me about wanting all scraps. I have lots of yardage, but there's just something about scraps that tickles my funny bone.

I went to a retreat last weekend and came home with lots of new to me scraps, some saved for me before the retreat and some were donated during the retreat. I like variety in my quilts and do lots of charity sewing. The only time I got teased is when I sewed a QS warm wishes with only 4 fabrics - when I had the top together I was asked if I was alright.

I love Bonnie Hunters scrappy quilts! I cut into squares - 6", 5", 4" etc, 2 1/2" strips & into clear boxes. The rest is sorted by print or solids & used for string quilts, crazy piecing to trim to 8" or 9" blocks. I am saving smaller squares for a friend who is making a postage stamp quilt.

I use to keep all scraps and realized one day I had more yardage to cut then I'd ever use anyway so why was I saving scrap pieces. I take my scrap bin to my guild sew days, there is always someone that wants them.

I use Bonnie Hunter's method but I also cut 5" squares.

Like Onebyone, I used to keep all my scraps. I almost NEVER used them. Sooooo a couple months ago I folded anything bigger than a 1/2 yard on comic boards, folded fat quarters into ribbon boxes sold at Michaels, and cut any other scraps (except batiks, for applique, which I don't have a lot of) into 2 1/2" strips, 5" squares or 2 1/2" squares. Everything is sorted by size and then color, in clear containers in the closet. I decided I would never "paw through them" unless they were organized by color. The scraps were put in a pillowcase for someone who collects for dog beds at the shelter. No guilt and I feel like I have more control and will actually use what I have. Only you can decide what you are willing to live with, what sizes you will use etc. Good luck.

I have friends who love any scrap of batiks even an inch wide but cottons only last in my scraps if they are at least 1.5" wide, otherwise they are stuffed into doggie beds.

Sew teeny pieces together randomly, cut that into 5" squares, make a scrap quilt out of them.
Die cut tiny pieces into 1.5" squares, save for the Postage Stamp swap that they have here quarterly.
Die cut bigger pieces into squares....2.5", 3", 5". Save for something. I don't know what.

Bigger chunks, 1/4 yard or larger throw into a drawer. When that fills up, start another drawer.
When that overflows, buy a wire rack and start keeping boxes of fabric scraps on it. When that fills up, start storing the scraps in plastic tubs in the garage.

That's all the farther I've gotten with it. I may have to sell the car to make room for my scraps. But that's ok.
I have this awesome new sewing machine and when I retire I'm going to be quilting like crazy and I won't have time to be driving around.

I keep 2 1/2" strips and 5x5" squares. Anything else goes in a tote to give to my DGF and either she keeps it or gives it to her DM to use.

I think I've found my system that fits my personality. Here's how it goes:

1. During a project, I drop all scraps into one big (3gallon?) open rolling bin under my my table. I don't want to burden myself with decisions or more cutting then. If it's 1-2" wide and pressed and a decent length, I put it into a shoebox called Strings, for string quilts.
2. When the rolling bin is half full, I have a pressing session and decide if it's worth pressing or if I'm tired of it. If worth pressing, I then drop it into a shoebox. Clear plastic shoeboxes separate my scraps by color. (If I wait till the bin if totally full, then I'm overwhelmed and start hating the stash, the room, the mailman, the color yellow...).
3. If I decide I never want to see a certain scrap (or larger) again, I either host a game in the Offers section of this board, I sell it, or donate it to my local church-sponsored thrift store.
4. Tiny scraps go into a little ziplock bag. I use it for pillow stuffing for doll quilts.

Ask me in two months if my system is still working. Seems I'm always trying to find a new, improved system!

:D:Dtoo funny Nanax4....happy retirement....someday

I'm often the recipient of pieces smaller than 2 1/2"; they do not understand the concept of birth control...one must keep them under control or they will be out of control...I do sort down to 3/4"...why? Because I make minis. The variety of fabrics I get from my quilt friends allows me to step out of my color box. I know I can and will use that size of pieces...If you won't...save the smallest you will use or like, then get rid of the scraps by giving them to someone who will. Many board members are willing to pay postage on a box of scraps. RST is so right in regards to hoarding.

I sort by size if the pieces are cut...when I cut I trim to the closest size I use and throw into my "precut" bins. Non sized pieces go into small plastic shoe boxes sorted by color. It's easier to find what you are needing. The too small pieces go into the trash, but my pieces are pretty small. I figured I have used the life out of the fabric.

If my fabrics were not sorted I wouldn't use them, so sorting is essential for me.

I am fond of making string blocks. Any scraps I receive is cut into 2 1/2 strips and goes in a bin for scrappy jelly roll quilts. Narrower pieces are cut into strips for string quilts. All leftover are used for pet beds. Since I make a lot of charity quilts, the jelly roll quilts work up quickly and the pet beds are always welcome.

Here's what I do with my scraps. I use them all the time now.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t263177.html

I have a 9-cubby shelf with the fabric bins in it. Each bin is a different color, and scraps go into a bin of the same color. Anything smaller than a fat quarter and large enough to cut 2 1/2" squares from goes into the bins. I use the scraps for applique, and my 8 year old granddaughter loves to sort through them for her projects. Anything smaller goes into a trash bag to be donated to make dog beds with. ☺

Donna

It all depends on what you do and what you are willing to do. I've starting cutting scraps that are less than a fat eighth into squares. I have one drawer with 2 1/2 squares and one with 3 1/2 squares. I figure with then get fullish I'll start making scrappy quilts out of them. I also have a drawer for all my extra or orphan quilt blocks with a similar plan. My last step before I consider a quilt finished is cutting the left over scraps and binding length into squares for my drawers. I feel much better about my stash since I started doing this. Now I don't have random odd pieces all over the places. My totes are for yardage, fatquarters and jelly rolls. Everything else gets cut down to squares. Everything left from the trim down goes into a box and when it is full I give it away or find a home for it.

Bonnie Hunter has a great method, that's actually where I started but I only do what I know works for me.

The smallest scrap that I keep is 2.5 square. Over time I have discovered that very seldom use anything smaller. I have a BIG clear plastic bin that I keep all scraps in I also have a number perhaps 10 of those plastic shoe boxes that I use to store standard sized cuts that I know I use, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 long strips that are 2.5, misc. pieces of binding odds and ends and so on. I love scrappy quilts and use so more scraps than anything else. I do not sort scraps by color.

I have never given scraps to the birds but I have used snippets of yarn to the birds in the spring. I have had some very colorful nests in my area.

PLEASE do not give fabric scraps or yarn to birds. For one thing, the threads can get wrapped around the bird's leg(s), cutting off the circulation. The leg(s) will eventually die and fall off. Secondly, if the fabric scraps are used in a nest, they stay too wet, causing mold and mildew. Baby birds are very fragile, and this can make them ill. :(

Source: Personal experience! I used to raise finches, and yes, they do enjoy fabric scraps ... until the day a loose thread got tangled around one of their legs. Luckily I noticed it before any damage was done. No more scraps! Another time, I bought some nesting materials from a manufacturer, and didn't notice it had tiny hair-like threads in it. One would think that it would've been checked for safety before it was advertised for sale! By the time I noticed that one of the threads was tangled around one of my bird's legs, it was too late. The leg was too far gone to save it. :(

Paper Princess, Thank you for that link, I am getting ready for a BIG move to Ok, and want to go through 3 large plastic bins, cut those scraps down to useable, and sort by color. Hopefully before I have to go. This was a great help

I'm starting to make more and more scrappy quilts. No sooner had I cut most of my scraps into 2.5" strips than I found a pattern I really loved … that called for 3" squares :(. With the exception of "strings" (strips less than 2" wide), I'm learning not to cut up my scraps 'til I need them.

Thank you you for the warning. It never would have occurred to me. I just haven't put out scraps because my vet warned not to let my dog get anything (rope like) shorter than two feet to play with . Pit could get wrapped around the intestines. I wouldn't want that to happen to any wild animals either on the ground. Our house backs to woods so there are woodland critters all over the place.

I like the Gourmet Quilter's method of cutting scraps into the widest width of the scrap. That way she has more choice when making quilts as you may need rectangles, etc.

interesting reading! they're not scraps until you can't use them! i don't cut prior to having a pattern any more -- i have all 4" strips i can't use because i'm cutting 4 3/4" in one of the patterns i'm working on now!

I usually cut semi-large pieces into strips, 1 1/2" and 2" and anything that is left I just cut it into a strip, whatever size. Then I store the strips in boxes by size. Any small pieces that would usually go into the trash I now keep. There is a women in one of my guilds who has requested that we make dog pads for animal shelters. You put two fat quarters together (could be the ugliest fabric), leave an opening and stuff it with all my fabric/batting pieces that I wouldn't save. Then sew up the hole and we now have pads/beds for animals. The shelters welcome them and they can easily just toss them into a washer and dryer to reuse.

I sort them by color and keep in gallon sized zip looks. Periodically, I will spend 30 or 45 minutes a day cutting some into squares or strips. That is when I get rid of the bits that cannot be used. I use them with fiber fluff and shredded batting for stuffing critters, etc. It works great. I try to stuff the mixture in the center of things and use the fiber fluff nearer the outside of the project which I want as smooth as possible. I learned this trick from a quilt guild that made critters and blankets for kids.

Thanks for posting this info.

I cut narrow selvedges (3/4" or so) off and keep those in a jar marked "ribbons" - I use them for all sorts of things around the house - the prettiest ones get set aside to be used when wrapping handmade gifts; I have a bowmaker template thing I can wrap them around, put in a stitch or two to secure and pop it off to make a selvedge bow that I think looks neat. They're also great for tying plants to stakes out in the garden. DH uses them to tie up cords and hoses and things in the garage. I've used them for things like tying around tupperware to make sure the lid won't pop off during travel. All sorts of uses!

I make foundation-pieced crazy quilts, so I will save very small and odd-shaped fabric scraps for that. Anything I deem too small or too frayed goes into a trash can I have lined with a fabric bag and when it gets full I stitch the bag shut and give it to my pets. Batting scraps and thread snips go in there too. I have 3 dogs and 2 cats and they all like sleeping on my scrap-bags. They usually survive about 3 washings and then need to be tossed because they get too lumpy inside; it seems to work out that I have a new one ready to go right about when one is needing to be tossed out.

I think the batting scraps help keep it fluffy - I notice if I have a larger than normal amount of poly batting scraps the bag seems to last longer. I snip up batting scraps - usually my batting scraps are long strips about 4-5" wide, I fold it up and chop it up with my big industrial scissors so it'll mix around better. I don't bother to do anything with the fabric scraps because usually only very small scraps make it into the bin in the first place.

I DON'T put fabric or string out for birds...my largest dog is a lab/husky mix, I just brush her on the back patio and leave the fur there for the birdies. They LOVE it, and there's a ton of it! I don't know how that dog isn't bald, so much fur comes off of her...

From Sewnoma: I cut narrow selvedges (3/4" or so) off and keep those in a jar marked "ribbons" - I use them for all sorts of things around the house - the prettiest ones get set aside to be used when wrapping handmade gifts; I have a bowmaker template thing I can wrap them around, put in a stitch or two to secure and pop it off to make a selvedge bow that I think looks neat. They're also great for tying plants to stakes out in the garden. DH uses them to tie up cords and hoses and things in the garage. I've used them for things like tying around tupperware to make sure the lid won't pop off during travel. All sorts of uses!
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Great idea Sewnoma. I usually cut my selvages 1" and had a whole bag FULL so decided on my last retreat to sort by color (as close as possible) and sew on paper foundation sheets from MSQC (10" sqs). So far so good (I have 15) and I think I will have enough for a picnic quilt or throw. Love your ideas though, so will use that for my leftovers, before I start again. Especially like the tip about making a ribbon. Would love to see a picture.
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i sort my scraps the same way. easy to find what i need when looking for just the right scrap for projects. my shreds tho now get saved. they make great kitty toys tied into a bundle and attatched to a strip of selvedge. i also lay them flat and zigzag back & forth over them to use as embelishments on cutsey projects. ie .. bundle of scraps became the magpie nest on the top of the chimney on a block i designed last year. birdhouse condo, titled "those new people upstairs!". the recipient loved it and my humor. i'd load a pic, but even tho i follow the tips for using ipad, my pics are waaaayyy over large.

I do a lot of scrappy quilts, actually mostly scrappy ones. I try to cut the "scrap" to the biggest size I can, which means 1 1/2" squares for my postage stamp quilt, 2", 2 1/2" mostly, I also cut scrap fabrics to these "string" sizes- if possible, as well as charms. Anything bigger gets folded by color. I make LOTS of string quilts and crumb block quilts from the excess and use as much as I can, after that it goes into doggie beds. I am very lucky that my quilting friends gift me scraps- sometimes I trade their scraps for yardage if I have something they want! I prefer playing with scraps over yardage most of the time.