Cutting up scraps
 

For years now, I've been saving my scraps from left over strips, bindings, quilt borders etc. Basicially just shoving them in a drawer (out of site, out of mind) until the drawer no longer closed. These are all strips of 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/2", some have wonky edges that need to be trimmed. Started trimming into useable sizes on Wednesday, but my hip doesn't like sanding at the cutting table for more than 30 minutes, so I work for a while and then go do something else. I may be finished by Monday evening if I'm lucky! Have plans for the 1 1/2" strips, other sizes will work into scrap quilts somewhere along the line.
My Sterlite drawer is still half full and the baskets are what I've cut so far. How do you handle your scraps?

I spent years dealing with scraps in various ways. Least favorite was the hamper, stuff full of wadded up stuff that you had to spread out and then iron and on and on to use. Tried cutting into consistent sizes/shapes, but whatever I wanted wasn't what I had. I made strings with ragged trims. I did all sorts of things, some of which made me happy and others not so much.

I decided that I just don't have time or interest to deal with small bits. I get carried away, everything has to have perfect placement/perfect meaning and in the big picture -- it doesn't!

I decided that while I can cut down, I can't cut up, and I no longer save anything smaller that 6.5" strip -- that is, something longer than a square. I have one tub for the strips, it was getting full so I did a project specifically to take fabric out of there. The strips are roughly sorted into colors you can grab a handful at a time and look for whatever color/theme you want without too much effort.

Smaller than that and it goes into my crumb box. I keep a medium rate flat postage rate box on my cutting table and fill it up with the bits and pieces. I then send the box when it is full to someone who likes playing with little bits.

I used to keep all of my scraps, but realized that all I was doing was just letting them pile up. Now I cut scraps to pre-cut sizes.

Anything smaller than a yard gets cut into these depending on how much of the fabric is left after making the quilt. -- 10" layer cake size, 5" charm size, and 2 1/2" strips (22" long or longer) Anything that is a yard or more, is kept whole. The rest is tossed as I've found that I never use the smaller pieces.

I keep the pre-cut sizes in separate plastic containers and when I get enough of a size, I make a quilt with that pre-cut.

About 6 months ago I really did a job on my scraps. Got rid of tiny pieces and cut a lot into smaller squares and strips. But then I got into other projects which are waiting for me to quilt them and my mojo is gone for now. I don't worry about it - we have travelled and have had each of the grandsons to visit, and done other things. I think once all goes back to normal my mojo will return and then I can play in the scraps. My favorite kind of quilt anyway is scrappy patchwork.

I only save larger useable scraps. I cut them into 2 1/2, 3 1/2 and 5 1/2" squares (I cut the largest square possible from the scrap. They can always be cut down) or leave them as strips and put them in the strip box. I've found that I use up a lot more scraps this way.

I have been on a log cabin kick. So a lot of the scraps get the 1.5 inch by 2.5,3.5,4.5 etc. treatment. I prefer to have my logs cut to length. It sure saves a lot of time for me.

I do not cut up my larger scraps because they always used to end up being the perfect colour for some project....and cut too small.

I do have a bin of 2.5 inch squares and strips. I have a couple of go-to patterns for donation quilts that take those sizes. And also a smaller bin of 3 inch squares for HST's.

I also have a box of strings that needs to be culled. But my guild is having a workshop on rope bowls next week. I think I'll bring that box and 'share' :D

I used to keep every little scrap. Then decided it had to be as big as my hand (3”X5”). Then I cut them into 1 1/2” strips as I use them a lot. I like small blocks. I also cut 2 1/2” strips and squares, 5” & 10” squares. I found I didn’t use the 5” or 10” so last year I forced myself to find a use so they would go away. I cut the 10” down to 5” and found a scrappy pattern I like and they are now used. I keep yardage on the shelf arranged by color. And have labeled bins for 1 1/2” & 2 1/2” strips and 2 1/2” squares as these are the sizes I often use. Figure out how you use your fabrics most often before you start cutting them into sizes. I wasted a lot of time cutting some of mine only to find I didn’t like using those sizes. I was able to cut them down into sizes I do use but could have cut them once and be done with it.

Any long strips leftover from cutting too many or just leftover from a project will get put on a hanger and hung up so they don't get all wrinkled. When I start up a new project and I'll need strips of 1.5, 2.0, 2.25 and/or 2.5, I head for these hangers and see what I have. It's the same pole I use to hang my quilt tops, backings and battings until I have time to start putting the quilt together to quilt. Keeps them from getting too wrinkled up also.

Hanging strips is a good idea. I'm using a bunch up on a scrap project. I'm going to think about hang the ones that are left when I'm done.

I keep and have been able to use pretty much everything and anything in various projects... and am still trying to figure out the best way to organize my stash. I do not have a sewing room so my fabric can be found in various rooms and closets around the house which does make things a bit more challenging. The one time I decided to cut my scraps into specific sizes (many years ago), those pieces sat untouched in a couple of shoeboxes for about 10 years before I gave them to a friend to pass on to her quilt group. I've found that the sizes/shapes of some of my smaller scraps can inspire a project so I hang on to them as they are. :-)