When I did more appliqué mine looked like that!!

wow- if that bugs you -- you should see a peice of fabric that's been fussy-cut! it looks like swiss cheese.
i have plenty of fabrics with all kinds of odd shaped sides- and fussy cut pieces too-
it's not always practical to cut a whole piece-salvage to salvage- if you only need one small piece from a fabric.- i cut what i need- and fold up what is left...the fussy cut pieces do tend to land in the scrap baskets.

So many times I've need just that tiny little bit extra to give me the length I needed for a strip - I'd have had it if I had not trimmed; so mine never gets squared up - I hate to have an added on piece to my strip right near the end.

When I have my quilting projects finished "completely", I then cut the scraps into 5", 4",3", 2-1/2"squares, or cut strips 2-1/2 inchs, nothing smaller. I have containers I put these all in and when I need any of these sizes, I just have to get them out. When there are enough scraps of 3, 4 or 5" squares, then I make a scrappy quilt. Same with the 2 -1/2" strips. Then you are left with different lengths of strings (less than 2-1/2"for a string quilt. I waste very little.

Looks like my stash LOL. Every time I cut the ends straight across..guess what? that's the little extra amount needed for the next cut so I leave it

I do lots of machine applique projects so leave the scraps as I have cut them. They are also very useful for paper piecing when I do that. I will place them inside a larger piece if I have it. If not, it goes in my applique scrap box so it's readily accessible when I need small pieces.

I do not cut mine across...I try to conserve as much as I can...just in case I might need that extra! I also roll all of my scraps back up with the original so they are all together.

I like my ends neat and tidy! I use Bonnie Hunter's method also for my scraps-works great for those messy ends! :)

I cut out my pattern, then cut across and get some very interesting shapes which are used as is.

I agree with you. Much easier to store. I don't always do it, but should just get in the habit.