What I mean is: the scraps that are oddly shaped, do you go ahead and cut them into squares and strips? Do you just leave it in it's wonky state?
I'm asking b/c I have 4 large tote boxes full of fabric. I am new to quilting but have had a year long love affair with wanting to quilt. So, I don't want to go out and purchase fabric when I have such a huge stash. This is overwhelming me.

Check out Bonnie Hunter's method of using scraps at Quiltville.com

I cut them into 2.5 inch blocks or 1.5 inch blocks that I am saving in a plastic shoe box. Then if they are beyond use, put them in the pile for stuffing for dog beds for the Animal Shelter. I cut off the salvages and am saving them in an envelope to send off to another member on the board.

What does the other member do with the selvages? Very curious.

I seperate them into light and dark scraps and do not cut them until I find a scrappy quilt pattern that I like.

Same here. I feel like I'd rather not do the work of cutting them until I know what I'm going to use them for, especially since what I end up making may use different sized pieces from what I would have cut them into.

i leave all of my scraps as they are... i never know what i'll need it for, so the shape comes later

I don't usually cut mine into squares until I find a scrappy quilt pattern I like, and then I work away at cutting those sizes when I have time. But the only reason I don't cut mine is because I love to appliqué and you can use some pretty small odd shaped pieces up when needing to only cut one small leaf or whatever.

I don't cut mine either, just leave as is.

Have a question though, about scraps... when is a piece of fabric actually considered a scrap?

Some I keep in a box that I use when I am working on a sewing machine (I sell a lot of old sewing machines...), that way I can see how it is stitching and make samples using the different attachments.

I don't like the ones that are all kinds a shapes so I straighten them up a little with my rotary cutter and put them in another box. I sometimes seperate them by color or theme, keeping all kids fabrics seperate. I keep the cottons seperate from the flannels too.

I have an old buffet in my basement I use as a cutting table and I store lots of scraps in the drawers and UFO's in the one side door and stuffing in other.

Go to Quiltville
http://quiltville.com/scrapusersystem.shtml
She cuts into specific pieces and gives an explanation. If it can't be cut, then do a search on crumb quilts!

I leave them as they are until I decide the pattern.

I use them for scrap quilts whatever shape they are. I'm not sure what they call it but I use a muslin foundation and just use the flip and sew method. I just keep working around a center piece until I fill a 9" sq of muslin. I always have a stack going and as I finish a project all the bits and pieces that are to small for another project go into these blocks.

I sew them onto a foundation block or something like a dryer sheet any way they want to go. I am now working on a ticker quilt where you sew them on top of a quilt sandwich and when you are done sewing them on you are done! I adore scraps, they are my favorite!

I put mine in very pretty baskets and stack them all over my sewing room then never use them. LOL. I'm trying to change but I just never seem to figure out what to do with them. I did cut hundreds once before of them 5.5 wide and different heights ranging 2.5 - 5" and made rows similar to Chinese Coins for charity quilts. They were very pretty

Two and half inch strips are good too - like in my Avatar (Field of Dreams). I started cutting my scrap fabric into scrap sizes, but decided to wait til I decide on a pattern before I cut more. I haven't done a scrappy yet! I like the idea of sorting color and color mediums. Have fun!

I have two bins - one for lights and one for darks. When the bins get full, I make a scrappy.

I just recently started saving my scraps. I don't think I will cut anything until I am ready to use them. It would be my luck to have cut them, and then they would be 1/4 inch too small. Besides when you cut them, you have more scraps only smaller.
Sue

I use alot of 4 and 5 inch squares so I tend to cut into those sizes. Then I cut into 3 inc and on down until it's too small to be used as a square. I'm not doing much that uses anything else right now so that's I how do it. Put those into boxes or ziplocks until I find a project. I will separate into colors if I have enough. I have another basket of bigger pieces I keep for other things.

use mine to fill up pillowcase i made out of craps to take to vets for animal beds that are washable. little pieces that i know i wont use. Used some others, glued them on sweatshirt , put decorative stich got nice q uilted jacket.Use lot for paper piecing projects. and want to try it on muslin foundation like other ladies were saying. link to sweatshirt jacket http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-55714-1.htm

I just started using the Scrap Therapy system. I spent all day yesterday and the better part of today cutting my pieces into small squares. There are several Scrap Therapy patterns that use the squares they suggest cutting. Anything smaller than a 2" square, I've been tossing. I found it hard to do at first, but I'm getting use to seeing my mess get smaller. :)

Use what I can then give the rest away to people on this board.

I cut mine into 2" strips, or what ever size square and retangles. I then sort them by size and make a scrapy quilt. Fun!

I just leave them as is. sometimes I throw them away. I can't get anything done with my yardage, so I don't see me using the scraps.

Some cut them into uniform sizes and shapes. I leave them until I decide what I want to do with my scraps. Then I cut accordingly.

Same here. I keep a big basket under my sewing table and drop them in there until it's full, then I empty it into a blanket chest or vinyl bins. I have lots of scraps, but since I primarily make scrap quilts I go through the basket frequently looking for a few scraps.

I save all scraps as is until they're too small to be worked with comfortably. No pre-cutting because I like many variations of patterns therefor the sizes will change immensely.

By the time I'm finished with the quilt I never want to look at the fabric again. I will keep enough to do a repair to the quilt, usually only a couple patches of the fabrics tucked in behind the quilt label. I'll store what scraps are left in a ziploc bag, then bury it in my stash tote until I can pawn them off on the unsuspecting. I shipped out a box this week, some were mine, some were found in another box of fabric.

Do a Scrappy for sure!!

I am so unorganized.. seems like all I have is scraps. I have very few pieces. I am making a scappy quilt now..
So here goes the crazy thing... When I am ready to work on the quilt I dump the box out on the recliner (I sew in the tv room) and then just grab and cut whatever size piece I need.. I really hate the cutting part.. When I am done.. I put the leftovers back in the box.

You should do a scrappy and just leave the pieces as they are and start sewing them all together until you get enough for the size square you want and then cut, and start all over for the next square. They are fun and very pretty when finished as you will have lots of different fabrics/prints/colors/etc. in the quilt. :roll:

Welcome from Illinois! I separate mine into strips, squares and odd sized pieces. Use the odd shaped pieces for crazy quilt blocks.

cut mine into strips and squares. left overs from there are stored to stuff into toys for kids.

I have several bags full again...I use to give them away...this time I am going to cut them up in to 5 inch squares and make a scrap quilt for my brother. I am going to just make a simple quilt. 4 patches and them sash them. (I think). I also am thinking of making the backing with all of the scraps. A reversible quilt. I normally make my quilts with flannel backing but for his I am going to do the scrap backing.

I keep my scraps for scrap quilts, and smallest pieces I use to make crumb blocks with! :)

I like to hand applique especially sunbonnet sues..small scraps are good for her pieces. Also for flower petals to applique..I don't cut mine til I am ready to use them.... that would be much to organized for me *L* crafty_linda_b

Same for me as I like to make scrappy quilts!!!

There have been several posts about thing created with selvages. You could try a search using the 'button' at the top of the page. My favorite is leaves done with selvages.

I iron them flat and put in a tote until I think of what I want to do with them.

Yes, this!