I like to keep a piece of batting at the sewing machine to use as a thread catcher while sewing, also have one at my ironing station.

Recently I. Used the odds and ends as stuffing in a package of cookies which
i mailed across the USA. Worked great and NOT heavy.

So many great ideas here. Scraps of poly batting I use to stuff small items--Christmas ornaments, small toys, etc. Cotton batting I use for many, many things, but I've discovered a couple of new ones by reading this thread. You just never know what you're going to learn from the QB gang!

I save my pieces and merge them together for totes, potholders,and practice pieces. I always remember the old saying of waste not want not.

I enjoyed reading everyone's response and I saw a couple of new ideas. I do not throw away batting and 2 of my fellow guild members give me their leftovers too. After the holidays, I plan to make several pet beds for the local animal hospital and the shelter. I do have one very small use to add. When you are hand sewing or quilting, use a piece to keep you needle in when not in use. It lets you see where it is easily and keeps it from leaving any marks on your project. I have also been cutting small pieces to use on my swifter floor duster and on my reddi-mop (one that has cleaner in a bottle that sprays). The bigger pieces are great for charity baby quilts for the local children's hospital.

If they are about 5 or 6 inches wide, I have used them to make microwavable heating bags (AKA "magic bags") I only use cotton batting, as they are getting heated.

Anything about a foot or bigger I keep for potholders, rag quilts, small projects, etc.

The itty bitt scraps go into a (cloth) bag and when the bag is full I sew it shut and toss it into the dog's crate! They seem to like their lumpy pillows just fine. :)

I save them until I watch an edpisode of "Hoarders" and see all the stuff they have that they think they will use, or might need SOMEDAY. Then I go in and give my room a good cleaning! Out go the odds and ends of batting, thread jangles that I think would be ok for layering and appliqué, pieces of tissue from patterns that I think I could use and old magazines. I feel much better!

I use them to fill in for puffier spots on applique, and also to stuff pillows but I have to line the lining with a thick batting first to keep it from being too lumpy.