Time to empty scrap drawer
 

The drawer is so full that
It won't close
Can't find anything

What criteria do you use for cleaning out scrap drawer

Well, what sizes of scraps are we talking about? I tried all sorts of methods for scrap control and finally decided I simply didn't want to deal with little bits and pieces. My designated storage has 6.5" strips, anything smaller than a 6.5" square and I toss (or put in my crumb quilter box). A consistent size or width really helps storage. Some people like 2.5" strips as the smallest they save. I figure I can always cut down a 6.5" piece, but I can't really cut up a 2.5" piece.

I created projects specifically for scraps. Made lots of string "fabric" to use in that sort of design. Log cabins are another good way of cutting down pieces.

And then there is simply looking at the fabric and do a "love it" or "not so much" and keeping only what you love and/or think you will actually use.

Best of luck!

I have found that I'm better able to use up my really small scraps (and I keep stuff that's 1.5" square, even) when I sort them/store them by colour. If you've got the time to start a project right away, maybe pick a few colours that could go well together and just focus on getting those out of the drawer and see what you can make from them. 9- or 16- patches are easy, or fence rails if you've got strips, and I really like tiny hourglasses for the bitty-bits.

When my scrap bin is full I take it to retreat for anyone that wants to take from it. I have never used all my scraps even when making a scrap quilt. Scraps are never ending.

I finally did a clean out of my bits and pieces. I only keep pieces that aren't yardage, that are cut to these sizes:

2.5 x 4.5 (for potato chip quilts)
5 x 5 (charm square size)
10 x 10 (Layer cake size)
2.5 x width of fabric (wof) (Jelly roll size)

Leftovers are cut to these sizes if they are not part of yardage (for yardage I consider it a yard or more). If the scrap can't be cut to at least one of those sizes, the scrap is tossed. No more wringing my hands over fabric laying around in bits and pieces that are just taking up space. With the sizes I keep, I can easily reach for the size I need for a pattern. Since I keep the like sizes together, stored neatly, its easy to find the color or colors I'm looking for.

When my scrap drawer is full, I smash everything into a plastic grocery bag or bags, and set aside to give to a quilty friend who distributes things among the several groups she belongs to. I don't have the energy to deal with scraps, but at least I know they are appreciated.

I have started being picky about scraps. If it's smaller than my hand, toss it! I have tried to sort by color, but most stash is blue! So, then I thought, singular-ish color versus colorful. I discovered that I love scrappy quilts!

I use the "bin is full to overflowing" method of determining when to start scrap piecing. I have some bins devoted to common block units, for example: I have 4.5" HST's, 2.5" HST's, strip blocks, and bins of 2.5", 1.5", 3" strips. I sew the block units primarily when I just have to sew something but lack the discipline and focus to work at length on a specific project. The scraps are winning the war, but I occasionally win a battle!

I keep a small waste can next to my cutting table. When I’ve cut out all the quilt pieces, I put the remaining fabrics in the can. If necessary I can pull a fabric from the can to recut a pieces. When the can is full, I cut them into the sizes I use most often. Keeping the can small keeps me from spending days without end cutting fabrics into those useable sizes.

Pet! I love the haiku!