The way I control my stash is every time I finish a project I don’t let myself start another until I’ve cut my scraps down into 5” & 2 1/2 inch squares, 2 1/2 strips, etc. My husband built me some nice shelves up close to the ceiling and I store my scraps up there in clear plastic bins with labels on the ends. That way I’m ready to make a scrap quilt at any given time. It works for me.
i have clear tubs, they’re only about 3” deep, but probably 20” x 20”, so stacked the fit on one deep shelf. i have them sorted by size. i have my other stash that i cut into 5” strips years ago just to store, between being busy and a 6 year span of breaking bones…then recovery…one required a knuckle replacement, so sewing was not possible. i’ve been well 3 years in April, (i now take daily calcium 😂). i’m making lots of barbie clothes and am ready to make some string quilts. I like to store them by color…then once cut, since i don’t have much cut yet, it’s just by size. thanks for sharing your method, i like seeing other ideas…always room for improvement.
I cut fabric down to 10, 5 and 2.5 after every project. It really helps keep the clutter down. I now always use any leftover blocks as an "after quilt" for the backing. But even after that...there are always more scraps!! Those go to a lady in my quilt guild who either makes string quilts or uses them for stuffing dog beds for the local shelter.
If you ever decide you no longer want any of your scrapes or know anyone who want to get rid of their stash I’d gladly take some off their hands. I’m a new quilter starting out trying to learn some projects in quilting. So.. please keep me in mind. I’m disabled, with some health problems but..got me a sewing machine and would love to work on some semi-small quilts to help me to practice more. I love machine sewing in quilts. Thank you.
For the "charm pack" size cuts, for me, having them fit neatly in their storage bags would bring more joy than having them be any particular size of square. So I can imagine using a quart ziploc instead of a gallon size, to help me determine what size I want my charms to be. I'm just so happy seeing how beautifully your "layer cake" squares fit into the gallon size that it makes me want to replicate that snug, professional-looking fit. You're so right that having beautiful scrap organization is very encouraging to invite spontaneous creativity!
Scraps that I don’t think I’ll use anymore go into a USPS priority mail envelope and I mail it to Robin at RSIsland Crafts. She’s a widow on a tight budget and has lots of scrappy creativity. I think the Dollar stores should sponsor your videos and as well as her’s😉. Thanks for this very helpful video.
Everytime i watch a video of yours, i learn something new. Really !! I become better quilter. And you know what? Knowing how to be more precise makes it so much easier. Thank you lovely.!1
I was happy to see them with their new home! I’m new to quilting and I don’t have to many pieces left over, however by watching you I see it’s never to soon to organize! Thank you.
I usually cut my scraps into 2.5” strips and 2.5”squares. I make squares that can be cut into whatever, and I scrappy, crumb quilt. I just started a string quilt with 1.5” strips. I have bins of ziplocks by color, 1.5” strips, 2” strips, 2.5” strips and 3” strips. I have a huge cookie tin of 2.5” squares zip locked by color. As I cut from my “little bits”, fabric leftovers not quite a quarter yard, I’ve got my rulers and cutter to clean up what’s left. Usually, when I’m done, there’s just bits and threads. I am no way a quilter that can manage making exactly the same square until I get enough for a quilt. Scrappier the better. I also use a lot of black in my quilts. I make colorful explosions of quilts that keep me interested and make me happy. I enjoy your videos, I don’t live near a thrift store but the next time I’m in the big city, I’ll find one.
A year ago my scraps were 20 plus years of accumulated pieces but I'd seen several videos on organizing and one really 'stuck' for me: cutting stacks and stacks of 2 1/2" squares to make leader and ender pieces that would turn into simple checkerboard quilts. It helped eliminate many bins of pieces and yielded five quilt tops so far. For fun now, each month I change out the color theme I work on such as February was pinks, reds and whites. This month it is all greens. On pieces where there was more yardage I did as you suggest and made 2 1/2" strips to make my own jelly rolls...it is so nice to be able to take a simple quilt pattern and knock out a quilt top fast. Edit: definitely looking forward to your string video. I have been saving those thinking I'd do one of those diagonal block quilts but didn't far with it and the pile is mounting!
I have tried online neighborhood groups where essentially we trade fabrics but I haven't had muuch luck with that sort of involvement so now I just love to bundle them up and donate them...and move along. Makes me happy to never see them again. The fabrics that I absolutely love I will of course keep especially if they are designer fabrics.
I was so happy when a huge box of scraps was given to me! Going thru them now, I am SO OVERWHELMED, stressed. There are way too many colors, sizes, etc. It it was so packed tight. Thank you. Tomorrow I will deal, today i seperated just the strips out.😂
Phewwww....I did it. I chose to do 10 inch, 5.5 inch, and 2.5 inch strips to start. I used a whole weekend to sort and cut my scraps. I did have some small scrap pieces that didn't fit my precut criteria...I just put those in a bag together for super scrappy quilt blocks.
I'm new to quilting. I don't have a lot of scraps. If I can't get at least a 2.5" hexie, I put it in a bin for filling. Otherwise, I cut 5" to 8" blocks or 2.5" long strips.
Tracy, For three years I have been cutting scraps and why-on-earth-did-I-buy that! in just about the way you demoed. As much as I can I am leaving wof in strips, because the first time I wanted to dip into my precuts, I needed a border fabric!! I have a finished string quilt, one finished crumb quilt, and two more in the making. I have made three disappearing block quilts with the 10 inch squares. Precut sizes are really inspiring and best of all they are ready to go whenever I have time for a new project. I think the system works perfectly! Just a hint you may want to take some generic white fabric and cut them into squares so you have a contrast fabric ready to go. Have also taken your advice on the sewing table you bought last fall.
The tailor's word for the leftover fabric scraps is "cabbage" .. but "carnage" works. It works better. Those bitsy scraps can be used to stuff ornaments, bustle pads, or other things.
I like to make scrappy blocks. My scrap situation: all colors in a plastic tote where I just pull out a scrap and stitch it to another. I actually gave someone a half garbage bag of scraps last week and it didn't make a dent in my stash!
As soon as I cut my fabrics to size, any leftovers get cut to 2" x 3.5" to make a scrappy quilt (shout out to Sew Very Easy) and any odd pieces are kept to make string blocks, both in two separate boxes. I start making gift quilts in the Autumn for Christmas - it's so nice to just grab and sew bits of fabric without having to think.
I have a children's toy organizer, currently $50 on Amazon, and I have sorted all my scraps into the bins. Pink/red, greens, beige/brown, whites/black, blue/purple, orange/yellow. But it's a mess. I've cut down fabrics before but they sit in their boxes. I like your method and will definitely try it. I think that 5.5'' is an excellent size since they make a great quilt, especially for novelty fabrics that you need a bigger piece. That and the 2.5'' strips for bindings and 10'' squares. I laughed at ''you better get busy''. I'm trying. Word of the year is ''wrap-it-up.'' BTW, I save all the bits of too-small cut-off fabric and one day they will stuff a pillow.
I dedicate one week a month towards my scrap bin. (the fifth week, which comes every other month or so).. I cut/ press and place in trays I made out of foam board. And I can fit three trays into a container with snap tight lid. Just updateing my bin that one week every couple months has worked great. The only drawback to my scrap bin method, is I am not separating them by color. But at the moment I don't have a lot of scraps so it doesn't matter. If I had tons of blue or green ,etc. then I would prob. have a scrap bin (with the three trays in ea. bin) for ea. color. : ) Also... a side note. I dedicate one week (weeks one through four) for different scrap projects. For example. week one is churn dash blocks. I do them as leaders/enders while sewing other projects or some day's just making them when I feel like sewing an don't want to have to get to involved in a detailed quilt project. Second week I have a little fish block Im doing. Third week ea. month I am working on red/wh/blu squares to make a fourth of july quilt. and fourth week, I'm making a scrappy log cabin type block. I also, on the fifth week (when they come up) besides adding to my scrap bin, and pressing, cutting and organizing, I sometimes will have extra day's in that week, to take receipt papers and sew down strips for scrappy borders. I have enough browns done to prob. make a queen size border right now... and am working on pinks, blues and greens little by little. So that is five projects going all the time, but you dont feel like it's five projects. I love scraps. : )
I am firmly in declutter mode with my fabric stash. I used a rolling bin to very roughly sort by color for other than strips. The strips went into a plastic container, and I spend any spare 20-30 minutes making string blocks 8x8. The goal is to have a bed quilt made entirely of string blocks of my leftovers. The sorted non-strips are used to be the base of quilt tops to donate. It is a freeing experience!
I started doing this a couple years ago. I love scraps! And I had bags and bins full.... So many I could not manage them. I took about 3wks, and that is all I worked on. Every night after my daughter went to bed, I would sort, press and cut scraps for several hours. Anything under a FQ gets cut up. I do 10", 6.5", 5", & 2.5" squares. 2.5" strips. Strings and crumbs. Anything smaller than 1.25" is trash. I have a separate lidded bin for each size. And my 7yr old and I love to use them often. I am not good at processing scraps after each project, so I have a laundry basket under my cutting table and when it's full, I force myself to spend and evening or two cleaning it out. I actually also do the same with my batting. I buy my batting in bulk on huge rolls, so there is almost always cut off when I quilt my quilt together. But I also make zipper & tote bags, and so I consistently use the use the same size pieces. So when my pile of trim offs from my quilts starts to get high, I cut them up into bag size pieces and then they are ready to go when I need them!! Batting also has its own set of lidded storage bins, so that it stays clean. I find for me, and organized sewing room lets me be more efficient and enjoy my time in there even more. 😊
I have always kept my scraps folded and flat in a large plastic bin. Then I donate them. Once to a guild that made quilts for a women’s shelter and once to the Hopi Indian tribe in Arizona. There is always someone who will be happy to use scraps. And that way, I don’t have to deal with them…lol
I love scraps - so much hidden potential and possibilities. My favorite part is trimming them down, after giving them a good press. (I'm currently going through my stash and am donating bigger pieces, but not my scraps!)
Also, I’ll only keep the good cotton scraps. I am trying to purge my less expensive material and give it to my sister to make play items for her grandkids. A win win for me. Love your idea.
My scrap situation is pathetic! I will shortly be hunting all of them down and going through the stash. My grandson has agreed to help which will make the process easier. Thanks for the tips. This makes the process doable!
Just discovered your channel today and I've been binge watching all day. I have learned so many things before cutting into my fabrics. Teaching myself to quilt. Learning it the right way first. Thanks Tracy
I live Full Time in a RV. I have very limited space available. Right now my scraps are mixed in a fabric bin in a closet. I like your ideas very much and will try to cut my scraps into the suggested sizes. Putting them in the baggies is an excellent idea.
I have a large bag for scraps that don’t have a1/4” seam allowance, save up to make pet beds for local pet shelter. Large scraps I leave as it because I make bags for gifts. Quilting scraps are used both for bags and quilts, I keep those in bins with lids, neatly organized in sizes and colors. I do not cut them to specific sizes for bags or quilting because I don’t know what size fabric I will need for future projects. I don’t buy fabric to make a project, I use what I have. I don’t just quilt, I make bags and clothes and housing goods.
As space is at a premium in the bedroom, I cut scraps into 2 inch to 5.5 inch squares. I recycled small cardboard boxes per size of scrap to make holders for these. A clear plastic food container holds 6 inch square scraps. I use Command hooks to hang a shower shelf holder on the outside of a pantry style cupboard. I will be changing that as soon as I make space inside the cupboard to hang it inside over the door. My strips less than 1.5 inch/any length are stored in a plastic organizer, 2+ inch strips are in a small bin and some odd shapes are in another small bin beside my sewing table. I have a microwave stand with hutch and glass doors in the living room that houses my larger scraps neatly folded in older small CD holders at the ready for cutting. Comic boards keep larger pieces of fabric organized. Thanks for such a great video.
I keep usable scraps in gallon zip bags in a rolling cart that fits under my sewing table. When I get a free day, I cut a few to charm size, layer cake or 2.5 inch strips. Then when I have enough I build a few blocks . Later this becomes a scrapy quilt
I'm finally going to finish off all the 70s and 80s fabric pieces I've been saving for.... what? Who knows? There are so many patterns using charm squares that is what I will cut. The odd bits will go into crumb quilts. Your video is inspiring. Thanks, Tracy.
After 2 very busy sewing days, I get to watch you work with my heating pad on my shoulders and back. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Thank you for your talent, inspiration and posting this video!
I WISH I had that few scraps. I collected scraps from my sewing friends to make dog beds and quilts for shelter dogs and cats. I couldn't keep up. I roll small scraps like a tootsie roll and with the strips I sew them end to end and it ends up in a roll. I then make scrap quilts for the shelters. All the scraps that are to small end up in the dog/cat beds.
I am a scrappy quilter and have a lot of scraps (bins and bins). I've tried sorting by color and/or size, boxes, totes, and baskets, etc. But if its too much to maintain or be able to find anything then that defeats the purpose of keeping the scraps. I like your ideas for sorting and making your own precuts. I can't wait to give this a try! Thank you!
I use freezer One Zip bags, 1:1/2: gallon for ten inch squares,1 gallon bags for strips and one for strings, and quart bags for five and 2:1/2': squares. You can write on freezer bags, which is handy for putting these bags in totes.
I have recently done what you have done , I was feeling all proud of myself until I found another bin , so I'm back to cutting again lol , however I have already made one project from my scraps so I'm very happy .
My auntie gave me a huge garbage bag of scraps. Luckily with my OCD I sat & sorted by colors. I then noticed some were HST or strips that matched. I managed to make 3 small quilts from that bag. Smaller pieces? I gave a special box I keep for the granddaughters who love cutting. It helps with hand dexterity
My scraps do not bother me but I want to use them and have never figured out how. I think making pre-cuts is a great idea. AND making them the size you want is even better. Thank you so much!
I started cutting my scraps into 2.5, 5, and 10 squares and 2.5 steps a few months back. Anything smaller (crumbs) I put in zipock bags by project. I plan to make a crumb quilt with all crumbs in each block from a specific project to help me remember what I used them for years later.
Oh my goodness! I know you! When I saw your face on RUclips, I was so excited. Look at what you are doing!!!!! I don’t quilt right now, but I’ve subscribed. I like to see what’s going on in the quilting world, especially the tricks and hacks. And I love your attitude! God Bless!
Hi Joyce!!! Good to see you in my comment section💛 Thanks for subbing😉 And thank you for supporting my sewing channel by watching....I appreciate it sooooo much💜
Hi Tracy, my scrap situation? It's a scraptastrophy. Boxes and bags "everywhere". And even when you showed what you tossed I thought "This could still be used!" ☺️ Currently my stash vs. sewing time ratio is Out of Control as we are modernizing a house. But there will be a time - sometime - when I'll turn these scraps into something beautiful 😉 Regards from Germany Stephanie
Thank you for this video. It was what I needed as I felt overwhelmed and not knowing what to do with all this fabric. I attacked it after watching this video and consolidated so much fabric that I now have empty buckets! Yay!
@@TheSewingChannel that's what happens when you work as an RN and never know when you have to work a double. Retired now, so time to go through them, thank goodness
Very good idea! Nice and neat! Sometimes it is just little things like this that eat away at you. Plus, you get to play with your fabric a little bit. 😄
I've been working on it a little bit every day...and I'm seeing progress...and it feels so good to get it under control✅ I will do an update video when it's done✅
I seen a post on Pinterest that takes cut off scraps (like what you thew away)put them on top of a piece of fabric &put wash away interfacing on the scraps to stabilize them,stitch to keep all the scraps down to make a custom fabric.
I consider myself pretty smart, yet I hadn’t thought of this brilliant idea. I guess that’s why you make your wonderful videos and I watch them. I can’t wait to try this. Thanks!
Hi Tracy. I really don't have a lot of scraps right now. I did recently cut up some orphan solid white fabric into 2" strips but I honestly don't have a definitive home for scraps. I'll let you know when I find one. LOL ~~Lynne
My scrap situation is very similar to yours. I love your method of organizing them for future use. i think I will follow your example and try to wrangle my mount scrapmore.
I love using trolleys rather than boxes for storing fabric . I sort by colour having fat quarters on the top tier ending up with the biggest yardage on the bottom. A very good video on tackling scraps and yes you do need to think about what you'll use. I tend not to use 10" squares so I'm currently cutting them up to make rick-rack type charity quilts for 2023 to use them up. I always cut up left overs and love the strings of varying widths so think I need to expand that storage.
I take my scraps after each project and if I can cut it into a 10 inch square then I do that or a 5 inch or 2 1/2 inch strips because they can be cut into squares or left as strips
after each quilt I cut my scraps into 8 in squares, 5 inch, 4 , 3, 2 1/2 and a few other sizes. When I want to make scrap quilts for charities Im ready They are in bins with labels at the end. I see K Sharpe does the same.
My scraps are in a carrier bag . I will now make a big effort to deal with them and have them all cut out to use when i want . Thank you for this Idea. x
Your encouraging me to start a string quilt have never made. I made a baby quilt for my nephew 30+ yrs ago, he had that thing for years, I'll have to see about maybe making him a quilt again, probably would shock the heck out of him.
Thank you! I’ve just gotten back into quilting, so my stash is quite manageable, but your tips give me a great foundation for starting NOW and not waiting until I have bins of scrap fabric. I also am challenged when it comes to matching colors - so this will make that process easier for me, too. ❤
I love your scrap storage method. Your rolling cart is a great idea, too. Thank you for so much good information. You never fail to please your viewers.🥳
I use that system for all my fabric and I find now that I can pull out the carts I can see more fabric at a glance so they are more likely to get used.
Great video. I just spent a week washing,pressing and cutting 2 large boxes of material from our church yard sale including scraps into 10,5 “ squares . 5 and 2.5 inch strips and then all the odd strings. I added more scraps to my crumb stash. It was so satisfying to finally develop a system. I even have a small stack of 4x4’s that were just under 5 inches. Minimal waste and now I have cleared out the piles of fabric. My sewing space is minimal so no extra carts. Stored in sterilize see thru containers will label with sizes and maybe sort into colors now all together. Thanks for the video. I enjoyed your thoughts.
I am working hard to get precuts done for my scraps. I love doing this and having a stash for charity scrap quilts. Since I use them mostly for scrap quilts, I don't sort by color once they are cut down. I use even the crumbs to make strips. I do 5", 3.5", 2.5", 2" and everything less but at least 1"
I LOVE scrap sewing, especially small crumbs. To pre-cut them had never occurred to me...don't ask me why!?!? Your tips are spectacular. Thank you so much for this. Also, thanks for the tip about the spray starch at Dollar General. I'll be visiting them tomorrow to grab a few cans. Love your videos, Keep 'em coming!
I just yesterday started working on my scraps. I usually do crazy quilting as I get them but lately it has overwhelmed me. I NEEDED! this video ty Ty TY THANK YOU!!!
You are so welcome Mackie.....💛 I needed this video too....I didn't realize how emotional scraps could be....for me it is the overwhelming part. Feels good to get some of my scraps in order. You can do it too....keep me posted✅
I love those 3-tiered carts. They are really useful. (By the way, they are available on Amazon for about what you paid on sale.) Since I am in a wheelchair, I use several of them in my small mother-in-law suite. I push them ahead of me with my feet. In a pinch, they are sturdy enough to be used as a "walker." I have one color for daily use items, (Kindle, phone, tissues, medicine, etc.). Another holds all my sewing things (my current project, and containers for scissors, rotary cutters, basting and straight pins, etc.). A third cart is for my kitchen/meals. I made a quilted hot pad with Insulbrite to fit the top to move meals from the kitchen to the table, another shelf has quilted placemats, paper towels, extra silverware, etc. Thanks for sharing the cart idea with your viewers.
The way I control my stash is every time I finish a project I don’t let myself start another until I’ve cut my scraps down into 5” & 2 1/2 inch squares, 2 1/2 strips, etc. My husband built me some nice shelves up close to the ceiling and I store my scraps up there in clear plastic bins with labels on the ends. That way I’m ready to make a scrap quilt at any given time. It works for me.
Nice system you have going on✅
i have clear tubs, they’re only about 3” deep, but probably 20” x 20”, so stacked the fit on one deep shelf. i have them sorted by size. i have my other stash that i cut into 5” strips years ago just to store, between being busy and a 6 year span of breaking bones…then recovery…one required a knuckle replacement, so sewing was not possible. i’ve been well 3 years in April, (i now take daily calcium 😂). i’m making lots of barbie clothes and am ready to make some string quilts. I like to store them by color…then once cut, since i don’t have much cut yet, it’s just by size.
thanks for sharing your method, i like seeing other ideas…always room for improvement.
Leftovers in the sewing room are just as good as those in the fridge ))
I cut fabric down to 10, 5 and 2.5 after every project. It really helps keep the clutter down. I now always use any leftover blocks as an "after quilt" for the backing. But even after that...there are always more scraps!! Those go to a lady in my quilt guild who either makes string quilts or uses them for stuffing dog beds for the local shelter.
The scraps seem to never go away! LOL😂
oh my goodness. THANK YOU! I have been trying to figure out how to NEATLY store my scraps! Cut them to a uniform shape.....so simple. So genius!
I have bags of snibbles ready to go to a good home!
Awesome!!! I've never heard them called snibbles before but I like it!!!!✅
If you ever decide you no longer want any of your scrapes or know anyone who want to get rid of their stash I’d gladly take some off their hands. I’m a new quilter starting out trying to learn some projects in quilting. So.. please keep me in mind. I’m disabled, with some health problems but..got me a sewing machine and would love to work on some semi-small quilts to help me to practice more. I love machine sewing in quilts. Thank you.
If you would still like some scraps, respond to this message, please.
For the "charm pack" size cuts, for me, having them fit neatly in their storage bags would bring more joy than having them be any particular size of square. So I can imagine using a quart ziploc instead of a gallon size, to help me determine what size I want my charms to be. I'm just so happy seeing how beautifully your "layer cake" squares fit into the gallon size that it makes me want to replicate that snug, professional-looking fit.
You're so right that having beautiful scrap organization is very encouraging to invite spontaneous creativity!
Scraps that I don’t think I’ll use anymore go into a USPS priority mail envelope and I mail it to Robin at RSIsland Crafts. She’s a widow on a tight budget and has lots of scrappy creativity. I think the Dollar stores should sponsor your videos and as well as her’s😉.
Thanks for this very helpful video.
That's wonderful how you donate your scraps💛
Everytime i watch a video of yours, i learn something new. Really !! I become better quilter. And you know what? Knowing how to be more precise makes it so much easier. Thank you lovely.!1
I was happy to see them with their new home! I’m new to quilting and I don’t have to many pieces left over, however by watching you I see it’s never to soon to organize! Thank you.
It happens before you know it!
I usually cut my scraps into 2.5” strips and 2.5”squares. I make squares that can be cut into whatever, and I scrappy, crumb quilt. I just started a string quilt with 1.5” strips. I have bins of ziplocks by color, 1.5” strips, 2” strips, 2.5” strips and 3” strips. I have a huge cookie tin of 2.5” squares zip locked by color. As I cut from my “little bits”, fabric leftovers not quite a quarter yard, I’ve got my rulers and cutter to clean up what’s left. Usually, when I’m done, there’s just bits and threads. I am no way a quilter that can manage making exactly the same square until I get enough for a quilt. Scrappier the better. I also use a lot of black in my quilts. I make colorful explosions of quilts that keep me interested and make me happy. I enjoy your videos, I don’t live near a thrift store but the next time I’m in the big city, I’ll find one.
Cindy - Thank you for sharing your scrap organization with everyone💛 I hope you have fun thrifting🎉
A year ago my scraps were 20 plus years of accumulated pieces but I'd seen several videos on organizing and one really 'stuck' for me: cutting stacks and stacks of 2 1/2" squares to make leader and ender pieces that would turn into simple checkerboard quilts. It helped eliminate many bins of pieces and yielded five quilt tops so far. For fun now, each month I change out the color theme I work on such as February was pinks, reds and whites. This month it is all greens. On pieces where there was more yardage I did as you suggest and made 2 1/2" strips to make my own jelly rolls...it is so nice to be able to take a simple quilt pattern and knock out a quilt top fast. Edit: definitely looking forward to your string video. I have been saving those thinking I'd do one of those diagonal block quilts but didn't far with it and the pile is mounting!
I like the way you color code with the month✅
I have tried online neighborhood groups where essentially we trade fabrics but I haven't had muuch luck with that sort of involvement so now I just love to bundle them up and donate them...and move along. Makes me happy to never see them again. The fabrics that I absolutely love I will of course keep especially if they are designer fabrics.
I was so happy when a huge box of scraps was given to me! Going thru them now, I am SO OVERWHELMED, stressed. There are way too many colors, sizes, etc. It it was so packed tight. Thank you. Tomorrow I will deal, today i seperated just the strips out.😂
I even use those leftover scraps you threw into the trash can. I use those to make firm neck pillows
Phewwww....I did it. I chose to do 10 inch, 5.5 inch, and 2.5 inch strips to start. I used a whole weekend to sort and cut my scraps. I did have some small scrap pieces that didn't fit my precut criteria...I just put those in a bag together for super scrappy quilt blocks.
Awesome!! Great job Heather✅
I started doing this a year ago because I was trying to prevent chaos sewing! Yay
Chaos sewing seems fun at the time until it births the scraps!!! LOL😂
I'm new to quilting. I don't have a lot of scraps. If I can't get at least a 2.5" hexie, I put it in a bin for filling. Otherwise, I cut 5" to 8" blocks or 2.5" long strips.
I was drooling over the box of blues you showed.
LOL😂
I'm seriously going to try your method. It sure makes sense. It's bad when you don't even know what you have. I think this may save me some money too!
I think it makes sense too✅ I have already made a string quilt from the pre cut strings I've cut💛 Totally doable👍🏻
Tracy, For three years I have been cutting scraps and why-on-earth-did-I-buy that! in just about the way you demoed. As much as I can I am leaving wof in strips, because the first time I wanted to dip into my precuts, I needed a border fabric!! I have a finished string quilt, one finished crumb quilt, and two more in the making. I have made three disappearing block quilts with the 10 inch squares. Precut sizes are really inspiring and best of all they are ready to go whenever I have time for a new project. I think the system works perfectly! Just a hint you may want to take some generic white fabric and cut them into squares so you have a contrast fabric ready to go. Have also taken your advice on the sewing table you bought last fall.
Great idea Merrie on cutting up some white fabric.....I didn't even think about that....✅
The tailor's word for the leftover fabric scraps is "cabbage" .. but "carnage" works. It works better.
Those bitsy scraps can be used to stuff ornaments, bustle pads, or other things.
You are singing my song, girl.....I am overwhelmed and need to do something...I like this idea....thanks
I’ve adopted the Lori Holt method! Good work, Tracy. You’ve accomplished a lot this past year.
I like to make scrappy blocks. My scrap situation: all colors in a plastic tote where I just pull out a scrap and stitch it to another. I actually gave someone a half garbage bag of scraps last week and it didn't make a dent in my stash!
Somehow the scraps just multiply no matter how much we give away🤷🏻♀️
As soon as I cut my fabrics to size, any leftovers get cut to 2" x 3.5" to make a scrappy quilt (shout out to Sew Very Easy) and any odd pieces are kept to make string blocks, both in two separate boxes. I start making gift quilts in the Autumn for Christmas - it's so nice to just grab and sew bits of fabric without having to think.
This is the BEST scrap organizing advice ever! TYSM!!
You are so welcome!💛 (check the comment on your jelly roll quilt I left...I have question on it for you✅)
I have a children's toy organizer, currently $50 on Amazon, and I have sorted all my scraps into the bins. Pink/red, greens, beige/brown, whites/black, blue/purple, orange/yellow. But it's a mess. I've cut down fabrics before but they sit in their boxes. I like your method and will definitely try it. I think that 5.5'' is an excellent size since they make a great quilt, especially for novelty fabrics that you need a bigger piece. That and the 2.5'' strips for bindings and 10'' squares. I laughed at ''you better get busy''. I'm trying. Word of the year is ''wrap-it-up.'' BTW, I save all the bits of too-small cut-off fabric and one day they will stuff a pillow.
Wrap it up!!! I love that saying!!!✅
I dedicate one week a month towards my scrap bin. (the fifth week, which comes every other month or so).. I cut/ press and place in trays I made out of foam board. And I can fit three trays into a container with snap tight lid. Just updateing my bin that one week every couple months has worked great. The only drawback to my scrap bin method, is I am not separating them by color. But at the moment I don't have a lot of scraps so it doesn't matter. If I had tons of blue or green ,etc. then I would prob. have a scrap bin (with the three trays in ea. bin) for ea. color. : ) Also... a side note. I dedicate one week (weeks one through four) for different scrap projects. For example. week one is churn dash blocks. I do them as leaders/enders while sewing other projects or some day's just making them when I feel like sewing an don't want to have to get to involved in a detailed quilt project.
Second week I have a little fish block Im doing. Third week ea. month I am working on red/wh/blu squares to make a fourth of july quilt. and fourth week, I'm making a scrappy log cabin type block. I also, on the fifth week (when they come up) besides adding to my scrap bin, and pressing, cutting and organizing, I sometimes will have extra day's in that week, to take receipt papers and sew down strips for scrappy borders. I have enough browns done to prob. make a queen size border right now... and am working on pinks, blues and greens little by little. So that is five projects going all the time, but you dont feel like it's five projects. I love scraps. : )
Sounds like you have a great strategy for scraps!!! Keep up the great work!!!✅
could/would you share your fish block I love fish.
@@johilpert9149 It is the scrappy fish block on Bonnie Hunters site "quiltville". Super easy to make. : )
@@rlgillette thank you I will look for it.
I am firmly in declutter mode with my fabric stash. I used a rolling bin to very roughly sort by color for other than strips. The strips went into a plastic container, and I spend any spare 20-30 minutes making string blocks 8x8. The goal is to have a bed quilt made entirely of string blocks of my leftovers. The sorted non-strips are used to be the base of quilt tops to donate. It is a freeing experience!
I collect scraps. They make me happy.
Thank you for your ideas… scraps are overwhelming…
Yes they are!✅
I started doing this a couple years ago. I love scraps! And I had bags and bins full.... So many I could not manage them. I took about 3wks, and that is all I worked on. Every night after my daughter went to bed, I would sort, press and cut scraps for several hours. Anything under a FQ gets cut up. I do 10", 6.5", 5", & 2.5" squares. 2.5" strips. Strings and crumbs. Anything smaller than 1.25" is trash. I have a separate lidded bin for each size. And my 7yr old and I love to use them often. I am not good at processing scraps after each project, so I have a laundry basket under my cutting table and when it's full, I force myself to spend and evening or two cleaning it out. I actually also do the same with my batting. I buy my batting in bulk on huge rolls, so there is almost always cut off when I quilt my quilt together. But I also make zipper & tote bags, and so I consistently use the use the same size pieces. So when my pile of trim offs from my quilts starts to get high, I cut them up into bag size pieces and then they are ready to go when I need them!! Batting also has its own set of lidded storage bins, so that it stays clean. I find for me, and organized sewing room lets me be more efficient and enjoy my time in there even more. 😊
You have a great scrap system set up!!! That's awesome!!✅
I have always kept my scraps folded and flat in a large plastic bin. Then I donate them. Once to a guild that made quilts for a women’s shelter and once to the Hopi Indian tribe in Arizona. There is always someone who will be happy to use scraps. And that way, I don’t have to deal with them…lol
What a great way to give away scraps💛
I love scraps - so much hidden potential and possibilities. My favorite part is trimming them down, after giving them a good press. (I'm currently going through my stash and am donating bigger pieces, but not my scraps!)
Nice!!!!💛
Also, I’ll only keep the good cotton scraps. I am trying to purge my less expensive material and give it to my sister to make play items for her grandkids. A win win for me. Love your idea.
My scrap situation is pathetic! I will shortly be hunting all of them down and going through the stash. My grandson has agreed to help which will make the process easier. Thanks for the tips. This makes the process doable!
I think this is a great idea. Precuts are actually a lot more expensive then yardage but there are so many patterns for precut.
You're right Debbie...lots of patterns out there for precuts.✅
I learned the hard way that not all pre-cuts are cut to actual size. I won't buy them anymore. Rather do my own.
You’re absolutely right. Cutting them myself is the only way I know they’re cut properly!
Just discovered your channel today and I've been binge watching all day. I have learned so many things before cutting into my fabrics. Teaching myself to quilt. Learning it the right way first. Thanks Tracy
Awesome! Thank you!
I live Full Time in a RV. I have very limited space available. Right now my scraps are mixed in a fabric bin in a closet. I like your ideas very much and will try to cut my scraps into the suggested sizes. Putting them in the baggies is an excellent idea.
I have a large bag for scraps that don’t have a1/4” seam allowance, save up to make pet beds for local pet shelter. Large scraps I leave as it because I make bags for gifts. Quilting scraps are used both for bags and quilts, I keep those in bins with lids, neatly organized in sizes and colors. I do not cut them to specific sizes for bags or quilting because I don’t know what size fabric I will need for future projects. I don’t buy fabric to make a project, I use what I have.
I don’t just quilt, I make bags and clothes and housing goods.
Thank you for sharing Racer Girl💛 I sew other things like you too....so I do have my "yardage" in waiting for other projects!! so much fabric LOL😂
@@TheSewingChannel Sew much fabric, sew many projects, sew little time. 😃
As space is at a premium in the bedroom, I cut scraps into 2 inch to 5.5 inch squares. I recycled small cardboard boxes per size of scrap to make holders for these. A clear plastic food container holds 6 inch square scraps. I use Command hooks to hang a shower shelf holder on the outside of a pantry style cupboard. I will be changing that as soon as I make space inside the cupboard to hang it inside over the door. My strips less than 1.5 inch/any length are stored in a plastic organizer, 2+ inch strips are in a small bin and some odd shapes are in another small bin beside my sewing table. I have a microwave stand with hutch and glass doors in the living room that houses my larger scraps neatly folded in older small CD holders at the ready for cutting. Comic boards keep larger pieces of fabric organized. Thanks for such a great video.
I keep usable scraps in gallon zip bags in a rolling cart that fits under my sewing table. When I get a free day, I cut a few to charm size, layer cake or 2.5 inch strips.
Then when I have enough I build a few blocks . Later this becomes a scrapy quilt
I'm finally going to finish off all the 70s and 80s fabric pieces I've been saving for.... what? Who knows? There are so many patterns using charm squares that is what I will cut. The odd bits will go into crumb quilts. Your video is inspiring. Thanks, Tracy.
I totally agree with your thoughts Sarah......."saving fabric for what?"✅
I wish I had scraps! I have one small basket of scraps and now I know how to make them usable! Thank you!
I should probably start giving some of my scraps away! I have too many Patty!
@@TheSewingChannel You are rich in scraps.🤣 I have too many clothes! Piled in dark places. They must be my scraps
I might be millionaire rich in scraps lol 😂
@@TheSewingChannel 🤣🤣
After 2 very busy sewing days, I get to watch you work with my heating pad on my shoulders and back. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Thank you for your talent, inspiration and posting this video!
Heating pad sounds heavenly ✅
thank you. great ideas.it was my pleasure to subscribe so I won't miss a thing you have to share.
Awesome! Thank you!
The efficiency of this method is a joy to behold!
This is great! I not only found a way to manage my scripts but also learned new terms and tips. thanks!
Glad it was helpful!💛
I WISH I had that few scraps. I collected scraps from my sewing friends to make dog beds and quilts for shelter dogs and cats. I couldn't keep up. I roll small scraps like a tootsie roll and with the strips I sew them end to end and it ends up in a roll. I then make scrap quilts for the shelters. All the scraps that are to small end up in the dog/cat beds.
That’s great how you use up your scraps✅
I am a scrappy quilter and have a lot of scraps (bins and bins). I've tried sorting by color and/or size, boxes, totes, and baskets, etc. But if its too much to maintain or be able to find anything then that defeats the purpose of keeping the scraps. I like your ideas for sorting and making your own precuts. I can't wait to give this a try! Thank you!
Keep me posted on how it works for you Betty✅
I use freezer One Zip bags, 1:1/2: gallon for ten inch squares,1 gallon bags for strips and one for strings, and quart bags for five and 2:1/2': squares. You can write on freezer bags, which is handy for putting these bags in totes.
Thanks for sharing how you store your pre cuts ✅
Great video I need to do this or something, I have scraps everywhere. Thanks for sharing
I had to do something Beverly.......it's the "scrap stress" for me!!!✅
I have recently done what you have done , I was feeling all proud of myself until I found another bin , so I'm back to cutting again lol , however I have already made one project from my scraps so I'm very happy .
Wonderful! I have already made a few projects myself out of the freshly cut scraps✅ I still work a bit everyday to get it all straight....💛
My auntie gave me a huge garbage bag of scraps. Luckily with my OCD I sat & sorted by colors. I then noticed some were HST or strips that matched. I managed to make 3 small quilts from that bag. Smaller pieces? I gave a special box I keep for the granddaughters who love cutting. It helps with hand dexterity
That's awesome Janice💛
My scraps do not bother me but I want to use them and have never figured out how. I think making pre-cuts is a great idea. AND making them the size you want is even better. Thank you so much!
I started cutting my scraps into 2.5, 5, and 10 squares and 2.5 steps a few months back. Anything smaller (crumbs) I put in zipock bags by project. I plan to make a crumb quilt with all crumbs in each block from a specific project to help me remember what I used them for years later.
That's great Susan! Way to get organized!💛🥳
Oh my goodness! I know you! When I saw your face on RUclips, I was so excited. Look at what you are doing!!!!! I don’t quilt right now, but I’ve subscribed. I like to see what’s going on in the quilting world, especially the tricks and hacks. And I love your attitude! God Bless!
Hi Joyce!!! Good to see you in my comment section💛 Thanks for subbing😉 And thank you for supporting my sewing channel by watching....I appreciate it sooooo much💜
Hi Tracy, my scrap situation? It's a scraptastrophy. Boxes and bags "everywhere". And even when you showed what you tossed I thought "This could still be used!" ☺️ Currently my stash vs. sewing time ratio is Out of Control as we are modernizing a house. But there will be a time - sometime - when I'll turn these scraps into something beautiful 😉 Regards from Germany Stephanie
Scraptastrophy lolol. 😂 mine too!
Brilliant!
Accuquilt dies for those scraps make it so easy!!!
Thank you for this video. It was what I needed as I felt overwhelmed and not knowing what to do with all this fabric. I attacked it after watching this video and consolidated so much fabric that I now have empty buckets! Yay!
Scraps all around in bins is a heavy burden to me too. So happy the video helped you!💛
Thank you! Thanks you! Thank you! One of the best videos I’ve seen on scrap management! I continue to learn so much from you!
Can't wait to see the string quilt
Could be soon for sure LOL😂
A woman after my own heart. I also keep 2.5 squares. Other than that I am totally with you!
It's a lot of work to get it all organized...it's wearing me out LOL😂
I've started to work on my scraps, some are very old. Can you say 20 years! I am using a creative grids stripology ruler to cut mine.
wow...20 year old scraps would be so fun for me to go through LOL😂
I am glad I read your comment. I just bought one of those and haven't used it yet.
@@TheSewingChannel that's what happens when you work as an RN and never know when you have to work a double. Retired now, so time to go through them, thank goodness
I have a crazy bin of shapes. Thank you for this video
You are so welcome Pamela!🌸
Very good idea! Nice and neat! Sometimes it is just little things like this that eat away at you. Plus, you get to play with your fabric a little bit. 😄
Playing with fabric is sooooo much fun!
I want to see a pic when you get it all done! I've been trying to to get my scrap situation straighten out also. It can get stressful.
I've been working on it a little bit every day...and I'm seeing progress...and it feels so good to get it under control✅ I will do an update video when it's done✅
@@TheSewingChannel I'm looking forward to seeing it 🧡
I really enjoyed watching this. It helped me figure out how I’m goin got organize my mountainous scrap pile!
I seen a post on Pinterest that takes cut off scraps (like what you thew away)put them on top of a piece of fabric &put wash away interfacing on the scraps to stabilize them,stitch to keep all the scraps down to make a custom fabric.
Thanks for the tip!✅💛
I have two sewing rooms, one in Connecticut and one in Texas, time to get organized! Thank you 😊
I consider myself pretty smart, yet I hadn’t thought of this brilliant idea. I guess that’s why you make your wonderful videos and I watch them. I can’t wait to try this. Thanks!
Thank you for the kind feedback Sharon💛 I hope it works for you.🤓
Hi Tracy. I really don't have a lot of scraps right now. I did recently cut up some orphan solid white fabric into 2" strips but I honestly don't have a definitive home for scraps. I'll let you know when I find one. LOL ~~Lynne
That's a good thing not to have a bunch of stressful scraps...✅ and yes keep us posted Lynne😂
My scrap situation is very similar to yours. I love your method of organizing them for future use. i think I will follow your example and try to wrangle my mount scrapmore.
What a great idea! I can’t wait to see SEVERAL of your tutorials on using up some of these scraps. ❤️❤️❤️
Oh tutorials are absolutely on the way✅
Great way to attack my scrap basket! Already use the zip loc bags. Thanks for your suggestions.
You're welcome Cindy💛
I love this idea for scraps! Thank you!
You’re welcome Diane!💛
I love using trolleys rather than boxes for storing fabric . I sort by colour having fat quarters on the top tier ending up with the biggest yardage on the bottom. A very good video on tackling scraps and yes you do need to think about what you'll use. I tend not to use 10" squares so I'm currently cutting them up to make rick-rack type charity quilts for 2023 to use them up. I always cut up left overs and love the strings of varying widths so think I need to expand that storage.
I take my scraps after each project and if I can cut it into a 10 inch square then I do that or a 5 inch or 2 1/2 inch strips because they can be cut into squares or left as strips
Yes Pamela...those were my thoughts as well✅
after each quilt I cut my scraps into 8 in squares, 5 inch, 4 , 3, 2 1/2 and a few other sizes. When I want to make scrap quilts for charities Im ready They are in bins with labels at the end. I see K Sharpe does the same.
You sound so organized Brenda! Way to go!✅
My scraps are in a carrier bag . I will now make a big effort to deal with them and have them all cut out to use when i want . Thank you for this Idea. x
Your encouraging me to start a string quilt have never made. I made a baby quilt for my nephew 30+ yrs ago, he had that thing for years, I'll have to see about maybe making him a quilt again, probably would shock the heck out of him.
Great ideas
This method is genius! Thanks! Now I'm off to organize my scraps!
Love the zip lock bag idea to store blicjs! A great idea!!
Pat in Colorado
Thanks for watching Pat💛
Great idea! Thanks 🙏🏿!
You’re welcome Sandra!!!💛
Thank you! I’ve just gotten back into quilting, so my stash is quite manageable, but your tips give me a great foundation for starting NOW and not waiting until I have bins of scrap fabric. I also am challenged when it comes to matching colors - so this will make that process easier for me, too. ❤
I love your scrap storage method. Your rolling cart is a great idea, too. Thank you for so much good information. You never fail to please your viewers.🥳
Awe you are very kind Mary Ann. Thank you💛
I use that system for all my fabric and I find now that I can pull out the carts I can see more fabric at a glance so they are more likely to get used.
Great video. I just spent a week washing,pressing and cutting 2 large boxes of material from our church yard sale including scraps into 10,5 “ squares . 5 and 2.5 inch strips and then all the odd strings. I added more scraps to my crumb stash. It was so satisfying to finally develop a system. I even have a small stack of 4x4’s that were just under 5 inches. Minimal waste and now I have cleared out the piles of fabric. My sewing space is minimal so no extra carts. Stored in sterilize see thru containers will label with sizes and maybe sort into colors now all together. Thanks for the video. I enjoyed your thoughts.
Sounds like you have a great system Connie! keep it up✅
you have some really great ideas. I love your videos. Thank you so much for making them.
Thank you so much for the kind feedback Debbie🧡
I am working hard to get precuts done for my scraps. I love doing this and having a stash for charity scrap quilts. Since I use them mostly for scrap quilts, I don't sort by color once they are cut down. I use even the crumbs to make strips. I do 5", 3.5", 2.5", 2" and everything less but at least 1"
New sewer and new subscriber. Love this idea.
Welcome to The Sewing Channel Melody!!💛
String ones great I look out for them
I LOVE scrap sewing, especially small crumbs. To pre-cut them had never occurred to me...don't ask me why!?!? Your tips are spectacular. Thank you so much for this. Also, thanks for the tip about the spray starch at Dollar General. I'll be visiting them tomorrow to grab a few cans. Love your videos, Keep 'em coming!
Thank you for the kind feedback Pj💛
I love making precuts from my scraps. I have a GO cutter and have several dies for usual precuts. I’m working on that and reorganizing my bins.
So nice to have a cutter to help in the sewing room✅
I just yesterday started working on my scraps. I usually do crazy quilting as I get them but lately it has overwhelmed me. I NEEDED! this video ty Ty TY THANK YOU!!!
You are so welcome Mackie.....💛 I needed this video too....I didn't realize how emotional scraps could be....for me it is the overwhelming part. Feels good to get some of my scraps in order. You can do it too....keep me posted✅
Nice organizational tips for scraps!!👏
And I got a lot of them!lol😂
I think you're onto something! Great idea. I even have one of those little carts. Thank you for the video 😊👍💕
The carts are super handy!✅
I love those 3-tiered carts. They are really useful. (By the way, they are available on Amazon for about what you paid on sale.)
Since I am in a wheelchair, I use several of them in my small mother-in-law suite. I push them ahead of me with my feet. In a pinch, they are sturdy enough to be used as a "walker." I have one color for daily use items, (Kindle, phone, tissues, medicine, etc.). Another holds all my sewing things (my current project, and containers for scissors, rotary cutters, basting and straight pins, etc.). A third cart is for my kitchen/meals. I made a quilted hot pad with Insulbrite to fit the top to move meals from the kitchen to the table, another shelf has quilted placemats, paper towels, extra silverware, etc.
Thanks for sharing the cart idea with your viewers.
Thank you for the Amazon tip✅