Scraps
 

Okay, you're through with your quilt... it's all done, but there is this pile of scraps from the quilt. It's not fabric you will use again, mainly because there aren't any pieces big enough to do anything with them. What do you do with those scraps? I have little stacks from this quilt or that one and nothing to do with them. I don't have enough space to keep scraps AND my projects and stash.

I keep them and don't know what to do with them either, I have them in baggies.

There are a lot of us that use the scraps in scrap quilts. At the price of fabric, a lot of scraps add up..

Try to find a way to put them together--if not for yourself then for a charity quilt. :)

I've seen some bags of scraps in the 'for sale' section.

String quilts. Or "made-fabric"as Victoria Findley Wolf describes in her book "15Minutes Of Play

Me too, same dilemma. My scraps aren't exactly "strip worthy", just little bits that look big enough to do something with. But I don't know what to do with them. I finally got them into a shopping bag today.

i make dog beds out of the scraps that are to small for anything else ....after the good quilt and the scrappy one

There are many members, of this board, that would be happy to take those off your hands and would be happy to pay the postage...lol. I received several boxes of scraps, a couple of years ago, and I used them to make "Crumb Quilts". If you do a Google image search you will see some pics showing what I'm talking about.

If you'll really never use them again, then give them away to someone who will appreciate them or to a charity.

But they may not match at first, but once you accumulate some more, there will be enough for a scrap quilt. I keep mine in a large ziploc bag, and have them subdivided into smaller groups there. I have a baggie of 1.5" squares that I'll probably never use.

You can follow Bonnie Hunter's lead (quiltville.com I think). She cuts scraps into widths of strips, and squares, then makes scrap quilts. See web site for suggested sizes.

I also suggest you check out Bonnie Hunter' s www.quiltville.com. Her scrap users system is awesome and she has many free patterns to go along with it. I made this quilt using 1.5" squares. http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ml#post5793612. The little squares multiply quickly. :-)

I keep scraps in these formats:
2.5" strips
2" strips
1.5" strips
usable triangles
4" squares
3" squares
2.5" squares
and 2" squares of those I really like.
Most anything else that is at least a fat 16th goes into a "Usable/Random Pieces" box or gets tossed. :shock: Yeah, after 30+ years, one has to make SOME choices, LOL!;)

Jan in VA

This is where an accuquilt fabric cutter has saved me so much time. I use it and cut various shapes and store them by size. I make scrap quilts once I have enough. You would be shocked at how well these mismatched fabrics come together in a scrap quilt. Anything that is just too small or brutally ugly, I donate to the school for crafts for the kids.

There are quilters on this Board who use scraps...you can find them on the "requested" forum...they do make up into beautiful quilts!

Yep, this is what I do now. I was amazed at how many different shapes I can get from my scraps. Turns out to be a lot of fabric.

I went thru my scrap bag just today. I decided anything less than 2" square goes in the trash. I do like Jan in Va ideas of keeping strips and usable triangles also but, then where do I stop? My problem also was I have mostly batiks but a few prints. So I'm giving the print scraps away and keeping my batiks.

Mail them my way. I use any size scrap. Under 1 in goes into a pet bed mattress. It is good filling and is washable. Thanks and hugs

Pay it forward ... put first 10 PMs (personal messages with addresses ) you get. pull one, mail it. OR watch for requests from quilting board members in need or new quilters in need.

If the scraps are too small to be saved for later scrappy use, I put them in a ticking outer pillow case type thing; when full I sew it shut; then I take it to the local humane shelter for pet beds.

Extra small batting scraps go in with the fabric.

I use the same, only I use 1.5" strips and squares...so anything smaller than 1.5" goes into the trash. The other goes into scrap bags for use in scrap quilts either as strips, squares, or crazy strip quilts, by sewing the scraps onto cash register tape and then using it that way.

OP:
There are many uses--but bottom line--is this something you foresee doing? If not, then by all means, just offer them up in the give away section, and have people pay for the postage, or sell them.

Stuff a cushion or add to a cushion filling. I also make dog pillows. When puppies were very small they loved tug of war games with them. Someone told me to put outside for the birds in spring for nest material.wrapping in a piece of muslin they make a good cleaner not duster.
As you can guess I hate scrappy quilts so try to make a use for the larger pieces. I do burn as well.

Stuff a cushion or add to a cushion filling. I also make dog pillows. When puppies were very small they loved tug of war games with them. Someone told me to put outside for the birds in spring for nest material.wrapping in a piece of muslin they make a good cleaner not duster.
As you can guess I hate scrappy quilts so try to make a use for the larger pieces. I do burn as well.
A person i know collects our scraps when at a class for someone who likes to unthread( no idea why) .

Ps I use the selvedge to tie plants etc.

As I can't throw away anything I make new fabric out of all the tiny stripes like this:

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And then I make some little bags out of the "new" stuff or placemats or other things...

if you are sure you will not do anything with them- pass them on. there are many members here on the board who will pay the postage to receive a box of scraps from you- there is also the local guild, the senior center, and numerous other places to donate your scraps. lots of people use scraps to quilt- and make fabulous quilts! scraps can easily 'overwhelm' (they multiply like bunnies sometimes) if just left to stack up- accumulate; but if you pass them on someone will make very good use of them. (if it's here you want to share them go to the classifieds, the offers, and post an offer- you will receive responses quickly- I usually stuff a flat rate postal box to share scraps)

such a shame you 'choose' to fill the landfill with your scraps instead of passing them on- people use those smaller pieces to stuff pet beds for local shelters, make postage stamp or confetti quilts- lots of uses- the shelter workers are always looking for the tiny pieces ...

[I too find it almost impossible to throw away small scraps,I use lots of them to use on home made cards, xQUOTE=SharonTheriault;6334474]Okay, you're through with your quilt... it's all done, but there is this pile of scraps from the quilt. It's not fabric you will use again, mainly because there aren't any pieces big enough to do anything with them. What do you do with those scraps? I have little stacks from this quilt or that one and nothing to do with them. I don't have enough space to keep scraps AND my projects and stash.[/QUOTE]

I do the same.

You could send them to me..I use scraps as small as 1". Seriously, look around for a quilting group or some group that makes quilts or comforts for the homeless and needy. I belong to a missionary group that uses all scraps to make quilts for nursing homes, fire departments, ects.

It is really hard to make anything with strips smaller than 2" but I use some of the 1" scraps for when piecing. You use it to start and end your stitching. Then after they are full of thread, I just toss them out.

how do I find the for sale section? I would gladly pay the postage to have them sent. My group makes quilts and lap robes for nursing homes and anyone in need.

Any leftovers are cut into 2 1/2" strips. I recently made a royal squares quilt from my strips! It made me realize some quilts look best in civil war fabrics! Smaller leftover pieces get thrown out.

This is my favorite thing to do. If your scraps pass the Bonnie Hunter stage, then pet beds are a wonderful thing to do with them. I almost never throw a piece of cotton fabric away....no matter how small.

postage stamp quilts can use one inch squares I make them and give them away

I too have lots of those scraps saving for the day I make a scrap quilt.

I use scraps, especially the batiks, I bought cash register tape and use it like paper piecing making long strips, sew them together, either with sashing or without. Have to admit, they are quite colorful

Sylvia

I usually have lots of scraps--I save in large clear bag and then donate to senior centers when I have finished with fabrics. They go fast .

[ATTACH=CONFIG]440244[/ATTACH]I'm not much of a scrap saver, however, I had thrown a bunch of triangles in the trash after cutting them off the edges of flying geese - but then fished them out, sewed them together, and am making a pillow to go with the quilt.

Check around the churches in your area. Lots of them make quilts for missions and local charity groups. I give mine to a Lutheran Church who has women who come in on Tuesdays to make quilts for missions. Mariah

I am making a lap quilt with that same fabric line. I love it but I'm so mad what was in my head is not looking as pretty in reality :(

I keep all my scraps in a dresser drawer that needs sorted soon. I tend to trim minimally so I end up with more in the trash because I don't have chunks of fabric left over worth saving. Usually less than an inch or smaller than the strip of selvage. Those get thrown away but now I'm going to save them to make my dog stuffed toys and to redo his dog bed. Thanks for the idea :)