what to do with scraps
 

I have been quilting for just a little over a year now and I cannot believe the large box of left over material that I have accumulated. Does anyone really use left overs to make quilts? Do you cut strips or 5" blocks? I don't know where to start - any hints will be greatlty appreciated.
Thanks
NormaBeth

do a search for 'scrap therapy' there are tutorials for (organizing) your scraps into usable pieces- also there are TONS of books on scrap quilts-
many many people use scraps---all the time---some people do not care for scrap quilts and choose to pass on their scraps to others- there are a number of groups who love and put to good use other's scraps (such as the senior center) there are small sewing groups of people who do not have much money- but have a desire to learn- who also appreciate donations- and scout & 4-H groups.
start with looking at scrap quilt books/patterns and decide if you are interested- then check out the scrap therapy tutorials- which show you how to cut and organize your scraps- if you decide you have no interest (or need) of all your scraps-pass them on :)

Think outside the box, er block. Scrap quilt, applique, confetti. I don't cut fabric until I know exactly what I will do with it. And the possibilities are endless. Happy quilting.

I cut mine into 5" squares, 10" squares and 2 1/2" strips. These are the common pre-cut sizes and You can find lots of patterns that use them.

I usually do mine in approximately those sizes as well.

This is what I do too, anything that isn't big enough I cut into 2 1/2" squares with my Accuquilt. I really going through the scraps, brings back memories of the projects.

There are a lot of beautiul patterns that require small pieces of lots of different fabrics. Here is one of my DH's. he loves just sewing 2 1/2 inch blocks together. I like simple, yet complicated looking patterns.[ATTACH=CONFIG]300970[/ATTACH]

Almost all my quilts are scrappy, a log cabin is a great pattern to use them on.

I just bought a book on Scrap Therapy and it sugests 5", 3 1/2", and 2" squares. Has some very pretty patterns in it using these sizes. Been working on that. Little teeny peices I put in a plastic bag and save for stuffing toys etc. I have just cut a big square denim pillow for my cats and I'm using these scraps to fill it. Waste not want not as they say!

Bonnie Hunter specializes in scrap quilting. She has a few books and lots of free patterns on her website. You will no doubt find something inspirational there!

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/free-patterns.html

I cut whatever the biggest size i can get out of the scrap.. so it can be anywhere from 10.5x10.5 to as lil as 2x2.. each size, Accuquilt shape have it own Sterilite see thru drawer.. Ill either rotary cut or use my GO dies.. Whatever utilizes my scraps the best with less waste..

Edyta Sitar is another that uses a lot of scraps, http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/Shop/shopindex.htm
Also see if your library has any books on scrap quilts, there are lots of designs out there

Anything under a fat quarter and over a 5" square, I fold and put together in one drawer. If it's just over 5" square, I go ahead and cut and I have a stack of 5" squares. I recently made a large disappearing 9 patch with just my 5" squares. Fabric under 5", I place in plastic drawers by color. They come in handy for applique. Small strips of 2" or less, I am crocheting into a rag rug. If it's less than 2" square, I usually toss unless it's green. They make nice leaves for applique. Hope this helps. What to do with scraps is one of the harder things to figure out.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t135936.html Here is a scrappy quilt show from the QB. Grab a cup of coffee sit back and enjoy!:) Most of my quilts are from scraps.....love scraps:)

I am a scrappy fan. Just finished a purple pinwheel quilt for my grand daughter and next I will make a quilt for her dolly with the leftover scraps! I also enjoy going through the scraps, there is a memory attached to each and every one of them!

One of my favorite sources for scrap inspiration is the series of books called Nickel Quilts. I think there is a total of three in the series. All of them have some great quilts.
I don't cut any scraps till I have identified the pattern, I do keep them sorted by type and color.

I personally love scrappy quilts and there are so many patterns out there. Don't cut the scraps until I know what I plan to make. Right now I am working on some Mile A Minute blocks to make soldier quilts for our guild. But the sad thing is the boxes of scraps don't seem to be going down, in fact it looks like they are having babies. lol

If you cut your scraps before you know what you want to use them for they probably won't be in a sufficient size to use for applique blocks. Therefore, before you cut into blocks or rectangles be sure you don't like to do appliques. However, many people think they are the prettiest of the quilts.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t135936.html
Go to this post and see all the beautiful scrap quilts you can make with your scraps! Also, Quiltsville.com has directions for many more. My avatar is a scrap quilt. Scrap quilts are beautiful!

I keep mine separated by colors and at some point I will get around to making a scrap quilt I got a magazine called Scrap Quilts Throughout the Season it's done by "The Quilters Magazine" and they've got some wonderful ideas for scrap quilts. Good luck!

trim points and skinny pcs....set aside...
is the pc more than 1/4 yd? put back in stash, after trimming points and pcs
is the pc less than 1/4 yd? cut as many 2.5" strips (whatever length) as possible (my strips are color sorted into pizza boxes, ready to use), put leftovers with the points and pcs
put all points and pcs in a pile and slice with rotary cutter over and over to produce confetti, put in that color baggie and store for later or for your kids or for a friend who does do confetti quilts..

this method has 2 distinct benefits for me...when i want to make a small gift or go to a class, i just pull 2 or 3 pizza boxes and the colors are all the right size and color sorted for me.... and IF a pc is on my stash shelves, i KNOW it has to be more than 1/4 yd, so no opening up a scrap to find there is 6inches there with big whacks out of it... so saves time... i put all scraps into bankers box at end of table till project is done, then trim, strip, confetti, fold and put away AFTER i know i won't need one more pc... if i start another project, i use another banker's box...no combining...too difficult to find if i need something...

When I get done with a quilt, I use my accuquilt go and cut my scraps up then. That way I don't have to do it later. I use 2.5"square, 6.5" square, 6.5" tumbler, and my 2.5" strip dies. I have plenty enough cut now to make SEVERAL quilts.... Just not enough hours in the day to do it lol

I am new to quilting and it was amazing how quickly your scraps add up. This has been a great thread for me, Thanks

I cut squares at 1/2" intervals - 1 1/2" up to 4 1/2", then 5 " squares
Triangles (from pieces that won't make squares) that will sew to squares = above cut squares
Rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" and by 6 1/2"
2 1/2" strips

I'm a depression baby, so it
kills me, but if my scraps won't work for any of the above they're tossed.

I have A LOT of scraps. A recent event prevents me from spending any money for fabric. I read a post about Bonnie Hunter. I now LOVE string quilting. Yesterday, I spent hours cutting scraps to strips. I know that will make it easier to use the scraps at the drop of a hat. This is my very first string from scraps!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]301081[/ATTACH]

Check out the scrappy quilt pictures we have here on the board, maybe you will find something your may like to make.

I love scrappy quilts! However, I'm afraid to cut my scraps into specific sizes -- I never know what size I'll need. So, I divide into small totes, according to size of scraps. I consider scraps to be smaller than a FQ.

scrappy quilts are my favorite kind.lots of good tips given to you on here already.

What a great resource, Thanks for sharing. I love scrappy quilts.

I sort mine by color and don't cut them up either because I want the flexibility of how I use them. I have bags full of ones that are too small to fold and organize. One bag has light and the other dark. I think I may use them for a crumb quilt.

Fons and Porter has some wonderful videos for free on QNNTV.com...they take you step by step through making some scrap blocks...two that are nice are the "cray cray nine patch" and "Worlds Fair" block. I see they have a book on blocks that looks nice and think I will buy it! I bought some fat quarters when I first started quilting and the colors won't really have a consistant color repeat often enough as I bought one or two at a time (duh) so I am looking at different patchwork scrap patterns that don't need repeating of colors....I guess I will need to buy fabric to add to make a primary or color that repeats. This is a challenge for a new quilter. Any suggestions for patterns or ideas will be appreciated from you lovely quilting ladies out there!

I cut mine in to all sizes, starting with 2.5 and going up to 5 inches. make 2 and 2.5 strips. when have enough start to sew. All kinds of patterns on the net to find.

Using your scraps for quilts is great but there are so many things you can make--hot pads, grocery bags, purses, use pieces for applique. Just sew strips or blocks together to make these. Use your imagination.

Here is a link to a Scrappy Medallion quilt that I find very pleasing to the eye...

http://www.aroundoz.com/a_craft_arch..._quilt_one.htm
http://www.aroundoz.com/a_craft_arch..._quilt_two.htm

It comes in two parts, so you need both links.

Also, you can use the really small scraps for string quilts. There are many free patterns and tutorials for string quilts on the web.

I have bins of 2" & 2 1/2" strips, also 5" squares. Share or trade with friends to multiply variety. I love scrappy too!!!!

There is a tutorial on this site called Rocky Road to Kansas which uses the smallest of scraps. I had never done this type of patchwork before but now I am hooked. I have just made a holdall for a friend out of scraps, where the pattern said "cut 2 pieces of fabric 18" x 20" and 2 pieces 10" x 10" I just joined scraps and then cut out these sizes. It turned out fabulous! Happy scrapping!

Pretty quilt...I made one something like this one....without a medallion.

Those sizes that were previously mentioned are great to start with. 5" and 10" squares along with 2 1/2" strips are what I use most of. Since the 2 1/2" strips are the same as jelly rolls, there are a lot of patterns for those. I belong to a charity group and we sew baby quilts for those in need and so we use almost all scraps. It's amazing how many tops you can make out of scraps.

Reading this thread with interest. My scrap can is full.