I pretty much keep all of mine, cutting the larger ones into sizes. The grandchildren love playing with them, they make great spaghetti or whatever and yes I do have to clean it up, but worth the effort!

Hi Mama, glad you liked my idea.

Inspired by this thread, this afternoon I've been trying crumb blocks and am really enjoying myself - the results are great. Suddenly I wish I had more scraps...and need to totally reorganise what I've got...

if i think i can put them in a quilt i save them but if they are to small i get rid of them

I throw away anything smaller than 1" wide. I find that if I cut my scraps immediately, instead of putting in a bin for later cutting, I will use them. I have containers for 2.5" WOFs, 10" squares, 5" squares, 2.5" squares, 2" squares and 1.5" squares, as well as strings that are less than 1.5" wide and at least 6" long. I also save my selvedge edges (cut 1" wide) - just reupholstered my daughter's dining room chairs with them!

I really keep almost everything. I spent 3 weeks sorting through my scraps and cutting them into blocks and strips a year ago. They are now all in bins or boxes, the leftovers, too small for a block are in "Strings" or "Crumbs" to be made into thread bowls or fabric. I also have a gallon jar that I stuff all my threads into to incorporate into thread bowls or add to the hand made fabric.

To make it into fabric squares to be used for applique, postcards or embellishment,
- use a layer of Solvy, sprinkle your crumbs or strings over the surface, covering every inch (you can add more if you need to).
-place a layer of black bridal tulle over it (this allows the colors to shine through)
-Pin with straight pins all around and inside (pull them out as you get to them)
-stitch around the edges to contain your little pieces, (I use up partially empty bobbins of thread and spools) and straight stitch the livin' daylights out of the thing. I go diagonally, use the back stitch to change directions.
-Rinse out in warm water and dry on a towel....Ready to use!

I then keep them in a little drawer in my sewing room labeled "Hand made fabric" and use them to make bowls, little treasure pouches for gifts, fabric postcards, applique, etc. I don't waste much of anything.

I cut mine into 6 inch squares, 2.5 x 6 inch strips, 2.5 inch squares and 1.5 inch squares. Anything smaller gets pitched.

As to disposing of scraps, there are LOTS of charity type organizations that would probably love to have your left-overs. Check out on-line or thru Craigs list and let someone make use of it. I know I do Quilts of Valor for our wounded military and we do use scraps a lot to make our finished works of art. We also do quilts for Kids with Cancer and Project Linus.

I'm currently going through my scraps from a wedding ring quilt that I already cut all the pieces for. I'm cutting out 1" squares and then if I feel the leftover is big enough to use again I keep it. If not I'll toss it.

The scraps that I keep after cutting out the 1" squares I plan on using in I guess it would be crazy quilting. I plan on just buying some plain canvas bags and sewing them on the outside either randomly or in some sort of pattern like a mosaic.

I cut scraps into 6.5" squares, 2.5"x5.5" strips, and 2.5" squares. What I have left that is too small to fit into those categories I keep if the pieces are at least 1" wide. That gives me a variety of sizes for scrap projects. This way I can cut the 6.5" squares into smaller pieces if needed, and I can cut the rectangle into 2 2.5"squares if needed. But scrap management takes time!!