Using your scraps is like free fabric. The little peices I sew a few every other block in a chain . Don't worry about matching grab two pieces that are about the same size and put them through.Just keep adding . Then choose a size. I like 6 inch, iron and use template cut off every little bit that sticks out. I was told this was called a crumb block. At the end of my first year I made 8 lap quilts with what I used to through away. I donate most of them.
Make it fun!

I usually get frustrated with the mess and give mine away. But I think this year I may cut into squares or strips and sew them together into blocks. I saw a tip this morning in a news letter to cut left over batting into 6 inch squares and stitch the scraps to those. Use up both at the same time.

I like to take scraps and just sew them together and than cut them into a rag quilt blocks using the Accuquilt rag dies for the GO and STUDIO. With all those dies you can create all sorts of styles of rag quilts from simple with an X in the center using only squares or using rectangles along with squares and free motion quilting as you go each block and create a Take 6 Rag quilt, to also using rag dies such as butterflies, flowers, whatever and appliquing it in center of those rag dies. CAN YOU TELL I LOVE TO DO RAG QUILTS and create my own one of a kind design.

I read the past two posts and like the ideas!

I have to confess I've never kept scraps...but that is going to change since I saw the quilts by Edyta Sitar. Oh MY!!

http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/Shop/shopindex.htm

Here is one of thousands of ideas. Do a search for scrappy quilts and youo will find so much stuff to inspire you to use those scraps. use them fast cause they multiply fast!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...ml#post5366206

I make a scrap quilt once a year (on average) to use up all my scraps from the previous year. Pick a pattern. Then throw on an audiobook or music and press, press, press, then cut, cut, cut. With any leftovers, make a string quilt. That will eliminate all your scraps and get you ready to start over.

You can also cut into predetermined sizes. I cut into 2 inch, 2.5 inch squares and strips. I only save blue fabrics in 5 inch blocks because of a planned quilt. In the past, I also cut out shapes (triangles, tumblers), but I have completed those quilts so no longer save them.

Some of my scrappy patterns have turned out better than others. This quilt was made from thousands of precut 2.5 inch square and 2 7/8 inch triangles cut over many years from my scraps. The diamond pattern actually doesn't show that well in a sunny area, but my Mom has east and north windows in her bedroom and it looks GREAT! [ATTACH=CONFIG]349592[/ATTACH]

This one, needed to have a solid or near solid background. I used various beige/tan fabrics, but too busy for me. Fortunately, the recipient likes it just the way it is (lots of halloween fabrics).
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Finally, this triple irish chain was made with floral strips. I am currently making it again just using scrap 2.5 inch strips I have been saving. The white helps everybody play nicely together. You need 60-80 strips to make a full sized quilt.
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