Storing the Scraps...Ideas?
 

OK, to all of you that have those fabulous stashes stored on boards...I'm totally envious. Personally, I just don't have that much yardage. But, what I do have is a lot of scraps. Big ones (1/8 yds.,) to little ones (1" squares,) they're flying all over the place and getting mixed up. I'm planning on making a scrappy quilt, but there's 3 others ahead of that project. In the meain time, are there any ideas on storing the scraps?

THANKS!

Sorry my scrap storage is just to stuff them into one of the drawers in my plastic rolling cart. Once I can no longer close the drawer, I make a scrap quilt.:D

I use old fashioned tin kitchen canisters to hold different sizes.

For the bigger pieces, I use Bonnie Hunter's scrap user's system - once it it less than 6" wide, it gets cut down into strips - 5", 4.5", 4", 3.5, 2.5", 2' and 1.5" - short pieces get cut into squares of those sizes. Anything smaller than a fq gets folded by color in a plastic drawer, and I go there first for small projects.

I use zip lock bags for the small scraps, and write the approximate size on the bag with a black Sharpie. Then I put the bags in a bin.

Go out to www.quiltville.com and read Bonnie Hunter's information on what to do with scraps (Scrap Users System). I have some cut up and ready to go but more just stuffed into plastic bags. I have a big Rubbermaid Tub that I use for my bits and pieces. Some are larger than others.

I am not the most organized of people though. I swear that my scraps all breed the minute I walk out of the house. There always seems to be more when I walk back into the room. How else can it be explained? :p

Scraps absolutely do reproduce - just like dirty laundry! :) I found a book this fall called Cut the Scraps by Joan Ford. She recommends cutting any scraps into 5", 3 1/2" and 2" squares. Then I sort according to size and color (dark, light, etc.) in plastic containers. I don't have my sewing area totally clear but its much better! I will have to look into the Bonnie Hunter info listed above.

Bonnie Hunters way is really awesome!

well I did that, I cut a bunch of scraps into many diffrent sizes. Now I created a MONSTER! I have scraps everywhere, I can't keep up with them. I have rolling cart where I keep pieces smaller than a fat quarters. I also have small pieces in baskets, when the sraps gets too small, they go in a large wastebasket for doggie bed material. I like the idea of putting pieces in ziploc bags, but isn't that hard on the material?

I keep mine in plastic bins (totes) according to size: 1.25", 1.5", 2.5", etc. so they are sorted and ready to go.
Do check out Bonnie Hunter's site www.quiltville.com She has great storage ideas, and lots of fun patterns!