I consider a crumb any thing smaller than 1 1/2” square, and even a little larger if irregular shaped. But I mostly throw them out.

also my guideline. that small they go in the round file next to my foot. I do save my 1.5" scrap squares and used them in quilts, they make stunning borders 5-6 wide.

For me, a crumb is anything small enough that a sane person would throw away instead of saving. But then, I'm a quilter so by default I'm not exactly the sanest person around LOL.

I keep a basket by my cutting table just for all those odd shapes and small pieces (anything over 1.5") and periodically as the basket fills up, and I'm in-between projects or don't know what I want to work on next, I just start randomly reaching in the basket and sewing pieces together. When I get a big enough collage of fabric sewn together then I cut it down to a 9" block. When I have enough blocks they get sewn together. I find the process very relaxing because there's no thought process invoilved: no measuring, no planning, no pattern... just sew and trim.

I actually use pieces that are just 1/2 inch. I make 1/8 inch seams in most of my crumb quilts. I start with my two smallest pieces and sew them together. Find or make a straight side and sew something onto that. If I can't find a piece large enough, I pick through and find pieces the same width, sew them all together in a row, and now I have a strip to sew onto the block. I've made four of these quilts now with black sashing. My cornerstones are 2 1/2 inch squares, and they have anywhere from four to 10 pieces in them. At least four of strange shapes and sizes.

Theresa Down Under posted this tute today.. https://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/20...ideo-tutorial/

Kalama—thanks for posting that . It was fun to watch. Makes a lot more sense to me now , seeing that she lines up multiple pieces along a long straight edge piece rather than two by two. I still don’t kniw if I’ll venture into crumb quilt making; aren’t the pressing and quilting a pain with all the seams?

I love crumbs... for me, anything bigger than an inch is a crumb. I want to be able to see it when I sew it into the block. I have a friend from guild who gives me hers, and I am always looking for more. For me, to toss it in the trash is wasteful. I do not dedicate time to sew crumbs, but when I want to sew and not think too hard, I sew crumbs

Ive tried crumb quilting 3-4 times now. While I love the work that ive seen other do - when I do it myself I hate the results. So now I throw away anything smaller than 2.5"

A few things--if you use a foundation--whether it is muslin or an old sheet or fusible lightweight interfacing, you really can get away with 1/8th inch seam. I steer away from used dryer sheets because most of my quilts are for charity and I worry about the residual chemicals and scents in the sheets.

If you have 'larger' crumbs, consider slab blocks. Crumbs on steroids.