i think to a degree it depends on how and what you sew.....because I do a fair amount of applique work where I may need a piece of orange for a snowman nose or a piece of white satin for a fairy wing, I keep anything down to maybe a 2" square. I sort by color and type, ie....all my flannel together and all my holiday together....but when you need just a piece of black velvet for a nose.....its a sin to but into a fat quarter....On the other hand if you do not do applique or postage stamp quilts, then only save pieces that you could use in your smallest quilt.....I have a whole box of just strips for my string quilts.....just depends on what you do as to what your needs will be..............