What do you do with leftovers?
 

I have finally finished the BH Frolic quilt. It was a bear and I made it a throw size, therefore I have a bunch of units left over. Short of tossing them, how would you organize them for future use?
ps : in the Frolic thread I asked for quilting suggestions,got any?

I keep all my orphan blocks and units in a plastic tub labeled as Orphan blocks. When the box is full I pull the blocks out and start designing on my design wall. Adding in strips as needed to fill areas as needed. Nothing goes together color wise but it all works together if not to make a beautiful quilt, then to make a utilitarian one. I then sandwich, quilt and donate it. My son snagged one as he thought it reminded him of me - scrappy, I guess:-)

Don't have mine done yet but I am making stacks of the extra parts. When I get done I will see what there is and then look at all my "extra" parts I have stored and see what I can design. Will probably give it for a donation quilt. Too much extras from this quilt to throw away!

Don't toss those units! There are many ways you can use them. The first thing that came to mind was on the back of quilts. I donate to a charity who requests blocks every other month & any left over (orphan) blocks that aren't used in the first original quilts are put together by a very, very talented contributor who has such a special gift of being able to make those blocks look like they were specifically made for the quilts she assembles from them. It is a special gift she has that she uses to help this charity...nothing goes to waste.

Why not make a pillow to go with the throw using the leftovers? I keep my leftovers in a container cause you never know when it might come in handy for another project. Also keep my cutoffs from when I merge 2 pieces of fabrics for sashings and/or borders. I sew on a diagonal everytime though some may think this wastes fabric but if there's enough fabric to use it as a HST then it gets thrown into cutoff bucket.

Since we must take our own bags to the stores now, I dress up the bags that have commercial writing on them. I've used many orphan blocks by sewing them over the tote logo... folks even ask where I got the bag LOL

If the throw is for you, or a friend, why not make a matching pillow or 2?

Last year I cut a bunch of BHunter chevrons a little too small for Good Fortune. I had to make 100 more to get the pieces to fit. So I was left with quite a few orphans. Here's what I did.

The way the mystery was designed this year, it gave us a ton of extra pieces deliberately left over... I ended up making additional blocks out of mine and then putting them on the back of the quilt. It was basically enough partial pieces to make a crib/lap sized project. In my case, the fabrics were very distinctive and were not going to play well with others. To make your designed leftovers into full blocks mostly you need some additional 4-patches.

Not remembering your fabrics, Terry, but the sub-units are reasonable pieces that can be recombined or mixed with others into various combinations, especially if you like Bonnie's style.

Ugh, so much fabric went through my hands with Frolic, and all those little unused pieces. I went into a "hangover" after completing my top (still no ideas how to quilt it), took me almost 2 months to recover and clean up my cutting area and fabric storage and before I was ready to start something new again. When I put together my crumbs to send to my crumb quilter you can usually tell my projects by the strata in the box... had so many little frolic trims they went into a small bag of their own, in addition to the bits and pieces left from cutting that were layered.

If I have extra blocks left over from a project I always piece them into the backing. Usually in the middle of the backing where they won't get cut off after quilting.

I have a drawer full of extra blocks/blocks that I have made as samples or just to try them.

It will be a pretty crazy sampler quilt, one day!

Watson

I have a large box I keep for orphaned blocks. There is also a group of swap blocks that somehow got in there. When I have enough blocks in whatever size I make them into a sampler quilt. I made a king size quilt one time out of orphan blocks. It came out so ugly, in my opinion, that it was beautiful! People were falling in love with it while I was questioning my sanity! I'm just saying that all your extra blocks can become a beautiful quilt no matter if there is a theme or not. Hold onto them and make your swan.

If I like the way it turned out, I will make more of something to make a coordinated pillow sham for a standard pillow. If I don't like the way it turned out, I will put them on the free table at Guild.

We had leftovers for lunch today. We call them mus-go OR clean out the refrigerator. Great pot of beans.

, You mean fabric that didn't make it into the quilt:
The leftovers go into the back.
Large pieces go back on the shelf
Small pieces or fabrics I don't want to work with again go in the scrap bin. It goes to a friend who loves making scrap quilts.
Selvages go to the same friend
Strips and small pieces I really like are saved to make coasters or mug rugs.
If the project is just so frustrating I throw it in the mud, stomp on it (work off that frustration and anger, maybe wine will help) and throw it in the garbage at the curb!!!!! And have a victory dance.

This is so funny. Thanks for all the ideas on things to make. You have Given me some good ideas. However what I was looking for was actual organizing of the orphan units do you do it by color or shape or how? Thanks for all your ideas.

The first thing I'm asking myself these days is why do I wish to keep something. I've found a lovely person here who takes my cutting scraps as I have decided to no longer keep anything smaller than 6.5" square. You don't need to keep them at all, you can bundle them up and donate or otherwise pass them on and that's perfectly ok.

Mostly I used plastic bags with whatever seems best, keeping like with like. I use a sharpie to write the dimensions on the outside of the bag. So if you have subunits of the 4-patches completed, I'd keep them together. If they are 2-units or I call them dominoes, those would go in a bag. Likewise all the same sized strips go together by size, not color.

When you get a bunch of them you put them in a bigger bag/container or figure out what to do with them. You can decide to go full scrappy and put together whatever you have that finishes 3" or your desired size, whether that is a square, HST, or 9-patch.

I get baggies in different sizes at the dollar store, starting with sandwich bags, and then maybe I'll group a particular set of scraps in a gallon bag. The clear zippered bags that things like mattress pads come in are nice for larger groups.

Plastic bags slip around so you do need to keep them in a drawer or box. If you don't store them well or have easy access to them you are not likely to use them which defeats the purpose of keeping them in the first place.

I didn't keep small scraps. Recently, I began keeping strips. One gallon ziplock bag has 2.5 inch strips, for a future jellyroll, and one bag has other strips. My "scraps" are usually the extra backing trimmed after sandwiching my quilt, about a foot wide sometimes. I have them folded and sorted into two stacks: solid/not solids. I haven't made a scrappy quilt, yet, but am quite inspired by the onesI see here.

I have recently "upgraded" my way of how I handle scraps, I read a few ideas on this board that I really liked the sound of, so decided to give them a try and so far so good. For many years I only kept 2.5 inch strips or partial strips, everything else went into the trash. I am not a fan of scrap quilts, I have tried some different techniques of squares with scraps, but I just cannot get myself to enjoy it, you know, the guilt of throwing away those expensive fabric pieces........ So to get rid of my guilt: My preference is still a 2.5 inch strip, but I have now added 5" blocks. My thought behind that was charm packs, we pay for those, and yes they do generally coordinate when you purchase a packet. I bought one of those shoe box size plastic bins, and I can put two stacks in, and can generally match enough for a project. I read on here at sometime about the various sizes and how someone managed their scraps, and adding the 5" block made sense to me, and so far it has worked well. I enjoy PP, so have lots of odd scraps, and various odd scraps from other blocks, I used to throw those away, but again, read on here, .... I now have a flat rate box in my closet, I toss my decent size scraps in there, and will mail it someday to someone who enjoys crumbs for whatever their technique is to use them. Lots of various things to do with your scraps, and this is what works for me. I feel I waste very little now. Hope this helps spark some ideas for you.

And another idea, I don't do this, but I have read on here also, for those smaller scraps, toss them in a plastic bin or basket once you have enough, pile them on your cutting mat and cut randomly to very small pieces to use as filling in donation dog/cat beds. I myself thought that was brillant.

QuiltnNan - I like your idea of putting them over advertising on bags. Never would have thought of that.

Thank you :)

That's really pretty Mkotch! You made lemonade!

How about making some mug rugs, or use them as an inset to an apron? Both would make great gifts.

~ C

Oh...organizing them. I put them in old pillow cases, or make little bags for them out of the fabrics in the quilt.

~C

I save all my scraps. Cut them into largest usable size. Squares or strips from 2” up to 6.5” size. Put them in plastic containers labeled by size. 2-2.5-3 etc. I use empty cat litter buckets from sams but any will do and stack on closet shelf.

Mine are categorized by size first. Scraps are smaller than a Sweet 16 (about the size of a sheet of computer paper) down to about the size of my hand. If I have yardage of that same fabric, they're folded into that. Otherwise they're in plastic bags in the box for that particular color.

Smaller than my hand (too small to cut into a 2.5" square) I call bits. They are sorted by shape into one of four plastic bins: long strips; short strips (under a foot or less than 1.5 inches wide); triangles; weird shapes. I found that I enjoy the mindless piecing of crumb blocks. No measuring, no worries about "do these pieces go together?" no finicky cutting, just match edges until I've filled the foundation. They make great leaders-and-enders.

What ..one do with orphaned blocks, strips, scraps, and, most recently, about 4 ft x 8" piano keys left from another quilt. Using an orphaned 6" square, I cut a pentagon ( 5 side) from a. Coordinating fabric. I lined up the straight edge of the keys with the pentagon and stitched it down, trimmed, pressed, and placed and stitched keys to a second side. Repeat until done. (I now have a large enough modern looking piece of fabric for the front side of a throw pillow.). Press well and using your preferred ruler, cut this " new" fabric into your desired size block. This method works well for.Creating crazy quilt blocks, blocks for potholders, patchwork stuffed toys, and realize your options are only limited by your imagination. Instead of quilting each block of the potholders, I made my sandwich and used a machine decorative stitch on all seams. That line of stitching pulled together all my mismatched colors and fabrics, creating a planned or intended look and " quilted" at the same time. I still have enough leftover material from the potholders to applique my oldest son's name to the front of his new grill apron and know I have a nice birthday gift of apron and pot holders for his birthday.
I plan to quilt my piano keys fabric today using a metallic thread and then cut to my desired size.
My scraps are in many shapes and sizes. I use scraps and strips from and foreverything from applique, doggy clothing, string quilts, and pillow or pet bed stuffing.
Enjoy!.

A couple of you mentioned quilting the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilts....I have noticed she generally just does an edge to edge all over design...and as her quilts usually are fairly busy without white space to show off any quilting, I generally do the same thing...I use a finer thread that will blend in with it the most...usually a cream....and just meander all over it...with a few motifs sprinkled in like loops or double and tribble loops or hearts or leaves....This holds the quilt together, is hardly noticeable and lets all this little pieces shine....I do have a long arm with no computer...so this type is the fastest and easiest for me to do.

Leftovers
 

I try to make other things out of the leftovers. My first choice is NICU quilts. I've also made doll quilts, table runners, potholders, mug rugs and bags as well as pillows, pillow cases and wall hangings. I don't pre-cut scraps, just sort them by color and put them in plastic bins that are a size bigger than shoe boxes. They are my applique go to or for paper piecing. I also give away to my guild's free table and garage sale. I have a drawer cart for orphan blocks.

I overbuy and usually can get at least two quilts out of the fabric I select for a quilt and I often make two at a time. One for the original purpose and another for charity.

From leftovers of Christmas fabric hand sewed 2 blocked pillowcases. And from smaller leftover small prints Xmas fabric hand sewing cocktail napkins nearly finished a 7th want to make a dozen maybe baker's dozen.
My Album here has pictures one is poinsettia and a pair gold/cream those have tiny embroidery cocktailglass in corner.

I keep my orphan blocks and cutoffs as they're large enough to be used elsewhere......someday. Sometimes I'll put the orphan blocks onto the backside especially if I don't have enough of the backing material. Otherwise I have a plastic bin labelled "cutoffs" and/or "orphans". So far they are not filled to the gills yet.

Mkotch, that is a lovely quilt! And Iceblossom, once again you've made me feel better. Knowing it took you two months after quilt fatigue to clean up the sewing room made me feel better about taking 7 months to finish the last quilt. Thank you!

Orphan blocks make great potholders or heat pads for setting hot things out for a buffet. I always put 2 layers of batting and a heat resistance fabric in them.

Our quilters at church get donations & sometimes we find orphan blocks so this is what we do with them. Given to food pantry.

MKotch, that is stunning what you made with the left overs.

Lately, I have been repurposing some of my orphans into placemats. Our LQS collects them and donates to Meals on Wheels. I like to think of MOW recipients getting a cheerful placemat with their meals. Perhaps you can start such a program in your area?

Nan, I've done this too. In fact I sent 4 bags to my daughter for her GG and 2 nieces. I was worried they would be too big for the little girls but Amy said they loved them. Perfect for sleep overs. I have several more that I got at quilt shows...when
we cold go. Used my orphans for pockets inside and out.

Great idea!

this is a great idea! Thank you....

And another idea, I don't do this, but I have read on here also, for those smaller scraps, toss them in a plastic bin or basket once you have enough, pile them on your cutting mat and cut randomly to very small pieces to use as filling in donation dog/cat beds. I myself thought that was brillant.

Quiltahmama ~That is what i am currently doing. I got a new puppy and the breeder gramma makes a pillow for each puppy with her scraps and I liked the idea. So I am chopping up mine and gathering them for that reason...

I also used orphan blocks to make bowl cozies and hot pads.