Such a loaded question, but I'm going to make this easy on you!
A lot of people keep their quilt scraps and I want to talk about your 'Scrap Quilt IQ' so you can decide the best way for you to store (or maybe not store) those scraps
Read on!
*** Take the Scrap Quilt IQ test ***
Watch my video then read on!
Do you currently Make Scrap Quilts?
- Yes – be honest here, do you really make them or is it just sometimes? this will help you know how much to keep
- Sometimes – when you make them do you like them?
- No
How many Scrap Quilts?
- It’s all I make – again, be honest… do you really make only scrap quilt or is just sometimes?
- I do a few – think about how often
- I have yet to make one
*** here is your Scrap Quilt Type ***
This puts you into a category as of today (and it might change over time as your interests change)
- Scrap Queen – Makes almost exclusively scrap quilts – your whole stash needs to be sorted around your scraps
- Occasional Scrapper – how often do you make them? Do you actually use your scraps to make them or go buy lots of new fabric to ‘go with’ your scraps because it needs to be coordinated?
- Scrap wanna-be – you are planning scrap quilts, might have made a few blocks but have yet to make a whole quilt
- Scrap dreamer – you ‘think’ you need to be a scrap quilter but actually don’t like making scrap quilts but still save scraps
*** What scraps to keep ***
- Why keep in Precut sizes? There are tons of patterns already!
- 2 1/2” squares
- 2 1/2" strips
- 1 1/2" strips
- 5” squares charm packs
- 10” squares layer cake
*** Keep it Simple ***
Sometimes just keeping one type of scrap is the easiest to manage for your time and space.
Right now I Just keep 2 1/2" squares to make
- Checkerboard quilts https://blog.patsloan.com/2016/07/pat-sloan-how-to-make-a-bonus-quilt-while-you-make-other-things.html
- Traffic Jam quilts https://pat-sloan.dpdcart.com/product/193284
*** Kate shared her scrap storage ***
Thank you Kate for sharing your scrap storage!
What Kate Shared:
- Pat has a couple of videos on organizing scraps, cutting them into precut sizes and a free quilt pattern Traffic Jam that uses them. The key to using those pre cut scraps is to have projects they will go into. Pat Sloan has some great free patterns on her blog that would be great options for scrappy quilts.
- I used this concept with mix and match half square triangles. So far I have taken a pile my blue and white scraps and cut them to make into 4" finished and 2" finished half square triangles. These will go with 2.5" and 4.5" squares to make a variety of quilt blocks and blue and white quilts.
- I have a Postage Stamp Quilt project made from 2"squares that I have been using as leaders and enders that is using up a lot of my very small scraps.
- I do need to find a pattern I love that uses 2.5" strips because those leftovers are piling up.
- The top shelf has 3 bins of scrappy projects I am working on. The left is the start of a bargello tote bag, the center is my postage stamp quilt, and the right is a bin full of blue and white HSTs.
- The middle shelves have bins of scraps between 4 inches wide and 9" wide. They are not cut down yet. I got an Accuquilt Go last year so now I am leaving my scraps in chunks till I know what I will be cutting them into.
- There is a bin of 5" squares and charm packs.
- The bottom shelf has a bin of strings and crumbs on the left and the right is more parts of a English Paper Piecing project I am working on.
- On the floor is a box of hexagons ready for English Paper Piecing.
- The blue box on the floor is one of many boxes I have that have my scraps between 1/4 yard and just under a yard. They are sorted by color.
- On the left is a rolling cart with drawers that has my cut and sorted scraps smaller than 5". It is strips, squares, and hexagons. I have the drawers sorted by size for 1.5", 2", 2.5" and 3.5" squares and strips in them.
*** Get these books! ***
- Perfect Quilts for precuts https://amzn.to/318xwu0
- Big book of Nickel quilts https://amzn.to/2QpGPU5
- Perfect 10 https://shrsl.com/2v8j1
- Perfect 5 https://shrsl.com/2dtvf
69 Responses
I am a Once in a while Scrap Quilter. I have made a few string quilts also; some out of leftover flannel. I have made several kits for scrap quilts that I intend to do at some point. I was saving all kinds of sizes; but have recently cut back to 2″, 2 1/2″ squares and strips, 1 1/2 strips, and 5″ squares.
I enjoyed your video on the scraps.
The favorite scrap quilt I made, completely from unsorted scraps, I made with 2.5″ X 4.5″ pieces. My Traffic Jam quilt was also made from random scraps. I feel like planning similar colors is not really my idea of scrappy. When I start sorting by size I never get more than a fourth of a tub done and get frustrated and quit. I will make more scrappies, but have to get a lot of quilting done first. My word this year is finish. (ha-ha)
I’m a Scrap Queen. Have a huge stash and have not added to it in several years. (I have purchased thread a few times.) There’s always plenty to work with. It was great when I wanted to make an extra-long quilt for hubby’s side of the bed this winter and I had everything for it, batting included. I luv the challenge. I save snowball corners and make pinwheels with some. Sew HSTs from scraps when I am not in the mood to piece but want to be productive. I made crumb fabrics for vinyl-fronted project bags for my bee friends and have made several charity quilts with scrappy pieced blocks.
I’m an occasional scrapper. I love your quilts, Bonnie’s, Pepper Cory’s, And my
very favorites are Roberta Horton’s. Roberta and her sister Mary Mashuta were among my very first quilt teachers. I have all of Sally Schneider’s books and refer to them often for inspiration. The Nickel quilt books are fun, also.
I have a bin of scraps that are really chunks left over. In late Spring I take my Accuquilt Big out on the back porch and cut most of them into 1 1/2” and 2 1/2” strips and 5” squares. The rest go back into the big bin until I need more of one size.
I like scrap quilts made of many shades of a single color or two, or a variety of plaids with a single background.
Don’t forget the 5 x 10 Jolly bars! I cut a lot of those when cutting my scraps. They can always be cut smaller. I love the jolly bar books as the quilts are fast and easy…great for comfort quilts.
a couple years ago i made a braid quilt from scraps, it turned out gorgeous. But, did I overthink things when I ironed all the scraps first before cutting the 2.5″ pieces needed for the braids? It is a huge job, an all day job to iron, cut and sort and right now it is putting me off commencing another scrappy quilt.
I meant to say I give my large scraps away.
I make scrap quilts using scraps cut into 2-1/2″ strips. I sew them together the long way and make the minute quilt using Christmas, Easter, Halloween, flowers, and any other color I have. Some are short, some long. The quilts always turn out great and people like them.
Thanks. You helped me realize Im a scrap dreamer. Lol. I definitely want ant to make the kaleidoscope quilt. I have 2 1/2” squares for a maze quilt for my grands. I may not ever get to it. But I have larges scraps from some quilts that I won’t ever use again. I have remnants and small pieces that become 2 1/2” squares. So I’m saving my scraps to a reasonable degree that I’m happy with and not hoarding. lol. Thanks for the discussion.
I make lots and lots of scrap quilts for the many charities our guild supports. Sometimes I make the scrap blocks that our charity committee puts into a kit for others to put together that don’t have a good imagination of how to use these random scraps. People give me tons of scraps and I lead a satellite group within our guild so am always making samples to inspire them. I cut and save bins of 1 1/2″, 2″, 2 1/2″ and 3 1/2″ strips and squares. I currently have 3 quilts in progress to use “down” my full 3 1/2″ bin. Bigger sizes are given to our charity committee for patterns they also kit up. We do several hundred charity quilts a year so using donated scraps certainly saves money.
I’m a scrap dreamer. I save almost all scraps, don’t have them organized very well in the last few years. I used to roll up strips for strip quilts, separate bigger pieces by color in bags (I like applique so search those for that) but that’s about it. I have donated to my Project Linus chapter and to my quilting group. But they keep growing and I hate to through them out!!!
I save 2″ squares up! All in gallon bags saying what size they are. handy for applique, small purses or bags masks, and quilts. Always on the look out for a new scrap quilt pattern or one I can adapt to that purpose. It just is an adventure to see them accumulate into a full size quilt with maybe one other fabric that coordinates with them all.
I used to cut scrap into sq of every 1/2 in size from 2 in to 8 in, and 2.5 strips every 1/2 in long from 4in to 7in. I’m slowly eliminating some sizes, aiming to limit scrap to multiples of 2.5 sq and 2.5 strips. I have used patterns but mainly make scrappy quilts in geometric designs–a lot of hst and multiples of 4patch. I do buy yardage but mainly for borders and backing. I accept scrap from anyone willing to part with it. If I could sew 24/7 for the next 100 yrs, I probably wouldn’t get rid of even my scrap.
I am an occasional scrap quilter. I started cutting my scraps into usable sizes about a year ago and wound up with bins of 2″, 2.5″ 3″ 3.5″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″, 5.5″, 6.5″ and even some 8″ squares. Decided to stick to 2.5″ and 4.5″ because they make beautiful mix and match nine patches. Love the Road Block pattern and made one in patriotic colors for Quilts of Valor. That got me hooked. Now my yardage must feel like orphans since all I play with are scraps. Must remember not to neglect them.
Hi Pat. I’m a scrap dreamer, I have the scraps, keep them in in order…..but as yet have not started one….. one day I will…
Enjoying your chats. Bye. Pauline x
I am so new at quilting so I don’t have much of a scrap stash. I would love to have scraps to practice building my quilting skills on though! By nature I am the Scrap Dreamer! LOL!
I didn’t start organizing my scraps until I wanted to make Traffic Jam (I made 3). Now I try to keep up with cutting and sorting scraps into 2.5, 3, 4, 5 squares, 2.5 strips and miscellaneous strips (that I use to make QAYG zippered bags). I sort by batik, flannel and other cotton, then by color. I store my scraps in clear storage boxes. I like having a “go to” stash of scraps.
I stuff those in toys. Most sewing groups take them.
I love to use my leftover scraps, but I don’t buy fabric to cut into scraps. Scrap quilts are story tellers.
Every time I toss a scrap in a new bin I am sure it will get used. It doesn’t. I have so many containers and feel so bad I’m not using them up. My plan I think will be to contact the quilt guild and see if they want them
Hi Pat, I’ve never made one. I signup for a class in AZ. But they cancelled due to COVID.
Then I moved back to Idaho.
I had all my material to make a Scrappy Quilt. Called “Scrappy Hugs and Kisses”
So I guesss I’m a Wanna BE😂
Pat, I am Sooooo the Scrap Queen, I give Bonnie Hunter a run for her money except I don’t usually make my own patterns. I love scrappy quilts and make several a month. I donate a lot of them unless I make a big one. Those I keep because I love them sooo much. I collect scraps from retreaters, have gone through garbage cans, etc… and most people I am acquainted with save me scraps.I am not as organized as you are but nevertheless, I am not too bad.
I love cutting left over fabrics into scraps in various sizes and strips. Quiets my mind. Never thought I would be a scrappy quilter but I love it now. Still have problems putting them all together but that’s the fun of it.
being realistic is important or it’s no longer fun
there is nothing wrong with that option… or maybe you can find a friend that does like to work with them
I’m a Wanna Be scrapper. I have sorted piles, but not divided up into colors. I have a pile of old cotton clothing that needs to be cut up into squares. Have Traffic Jam and Little Wishes in my summer plans!!
Thanks for the video!
What you consider scraps to me are not scraps at all!
These are scraps!
I will send photo
Great video, Pat! I am definitely an Occasional Scrapper but also an Occasional Appliquér so I keep lots of scraps in a variety of shapes and sizes. I have been blessed with friends who keep me well supplied in fabrics. I keep mine in several fabric bins that are organized by color, seasonal/holidays (Fall and Christmas), flannels, leftover binding strips, and doll clothes fabrics. I envy those with organized bins … mine tend to be stuffed in (but since I also enjoy ironing my fabric pieces it works out fine for me). LOL
I save scraps to use in fun wall hangings. I don’t cut them in pieces because I might need a big piece for appliqué or to use as borders. My scraps are sorted by color into six 12×15” bins. I keep my Christmas scraps in a separate tub.
I’m a WANNABE…I’ve been saving scraps and have (at this point) relatively small bins of scraps. I’m CURRENTLY building two scrap quilts, one scraps on adding machine tape, the other is strings of scraps on ‘sandwich paper’ my friend and I bought through a resturant supply outlet. Both of those have quite a way to go before becoming quilts. LOVE your idea and will definately copy it: saving precut sizes.
I LOVE to make scrappy quilts. I keep all my scraps in bins by color and do not cut them to any particular size until I know what quilt I want to make. I also keep a basket of small scraps but not in any particular order or cut to any size. When I need them, I just pull out, iron and start cutting.
I did cut a lot into 2.5 inch strips and sew together 5 rolls (30 yards in each roll) to make rugs. I did the same with the scrap batting and rolled that up too. I’m a pretty frugal quilter, but do love to buy fabrics when on trips.
Recently I was gifted 4-10 yard pieces of about 8 different fabrics. That has been fun to design quilts using this as the backing. In my plans is a rooster quilt and something to go with a cream/black toile.
I am a scrap queen. All my quilts are made from fabric donated to me to make quilts for charity.
I’m between Occasional Scrapper and Scrap Queen! I’ve made a lot of scrap quilts and generated a LOT of scraps making my Tulapalooza quilts in 2019. I’m currently trying to organize my fabric and my scraps. This is a big help! I’m going to gather up all my PHD’s, and donate more fabric to a local hospital thrift shop.
What a great explanation of how to use scraps and absolving us from throwing the bits away. I am a scrap queen because my guild blesses me with all of their scraps. I have made several of your traffic jam quilts for charity. I am working on one right now where I cut 5″ blocks in half , sew them to a white 2.5 x 5″ piece and sew it in a spikey pinwheel fashion around a white center square. I tend to color coordinate. I personally do not like an all over scrappy. I put a gray, black or white as a background for my eye to rest on. BTW I am one of those that saves the scraps from doing snowball corners. They usually end up being placemats for charity!! Thanks for sharing
I save 2.5” and 5” squares. I also save 2.5” strips. I have not yet made a scrap quilt. I’ve used scrappy blocks in a quilt, but never a full- blown scrap quilt. I really want to make one! I’m still collecting!
When I hear the term “Scrap Queen” I immediately think of Bonnie Hunter. I am an avid scrapper. There is little that gets thrown out. Most of the quilts I’ve made are made from everything that fits the pattern. I have never made a quilt with just one line of fabric. I so enjoy most every kind of quilt, but the scraps definitely make my heart happy!
Glad that you nudged me to act on my good intentions. My scraps have been bits and pieces all thrown into a giant box. It’s overwhelming! My first step is to sort it by Batik/Childtens prints and everything else. Then I will continue starching them then cutting into the largest precut size I can. I do love making string quilts and scraps quilts BUT my stash is A LOT of coordinated pre-cuts. So much to do and so little time 🙂
I have a special shelf I made for Dollar Tree bins (the narrow ones with a handle). Scraps are sorted by color. Then I have a basket where I take my small pieces (no less than 1 inch) and they go for my Crumb Blocks. Nothing gets wasted. Teeny tiny cut offs and trimming from squaring up blocks go into a batting “pillow”. When it is stuffed full, I use it for a pillow form. Sometimes I take the tiny trimming “strings” of fabric out to the woods for birds and littles to use in their nests.
I’ve made a queen size quilt from 4.5″ squares (no 2 alike!) and a queen size from 5″ squares (no 2 alike!) from my scrap stash. Just finished the Mystery Quilt in the Country Register 2021 and totally used scrap 2.5″ strips. Used smaller squares for doll quilts. I use 6.5″ and 8″ squares to make Nine Patch blocks the Eleanor Burns way. And when the scrap overflow the containers I put them in baggies according to size and sell them in my shop!
I have messy bags full of scraps but haven’t made a quilt!
I am a dreamer. ☹️
Hi Pat, I have a question sort of in keeping with the scrap theme:
Some time last year you mentioned doing a quilt-as-you-go sew-along using precut batting squares. Did this happen and I missed it? If so, can you give the dates/titles when you posted about it? If not, will you consider adding it to calendar sometime this Fall? Thanks
I guess you could say I am a scrap wannabe. Last year I was using my scraps to make the Blockheads 3 quilt blocks. I only got about half way through but I probably have enough to put them together into a throw quilt at least. Right now I have them just in shoebox size containers sorted by color. But I’m seriously thinking about cutting them all up into 2.5″ squares and strips and maybe some 3.5″ squares to make HSTs to go with the 2.5″ squares. I love the look of scrappy quilts though. I also try to use up as many scraps as possible from a project in the quilt back so that uses quite a bit up as well and allows me to have less left over to put into the scrap bins.
I am definitely a “Scrap Queen” (not to mention a huge Bonnie Hunter fan!). One tip I have for those who “Occasionally Scrap” and want to limit the space they devote to scraps is to pick your scrap project out FIRST. Once you know what you want to make, review the pattern to determine exactly what specific sizes you need to collect and in what specific values or colors. Then you need just a (gallon sized) baggie (putting a copy of your pattern in it first) to start collecting for your project. Eventually you may need to expand that to a bin once you start piecing your blocks or the scrap collection gets beyond what a baggie will hold. From the start, I loved scrap quilts but always read about quilters who collected scraps but never used them. For a long time I collected mine that way so I knew that once I had enough to start, I would put them right to use!
Not sure I call myself a scrap quilter. But I used to make mostly crazy quilts and always seemed to buy way more fabric than I needed.
So of course I had leftovers. So I made a quilt or two using them.
I have a favorite one I called the World is a Rainbow after a child’s song from my preschool teacher days.
I am between an occasional scrapper and a wanna-be. I have made a few rows of traffic jam made but get distracted with other projects. I have my scraps in clear shoe-box bins mostly in 2.5 inch squares and then the 4.5 inch for the traffic jam and they are in color order. I also have a pile of 5 and 10 inch but really haven’t used from those piles much. I’d like to finish the blue and white traffic jam one so I can gift it to a beloved Aunt.
I cut them in 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and I have a box of cutoffs from making those sizes. I just made a purple and white quilt picking out 4 inch purple prints. That’s at The Spa now. My Mom has claimed it as hers as its a lap sized. My plan is to make a crumb quilt Soon with the cutoffs.
I’m the occasional scrapper. Although I have never finished a quilt from all one fabric line, so all my finished quilts are called scrappy because I like to mix up my fabric choices. I use to throw away all corner cuts, but I have started sewing them together immediately after cutting and saving them. Leftover fabric from projects have been cut into precuts and stored. My desire is to one day make a postage stamp quilt. So I save squares as small as 1 1/2”.
I regularly make scrap quilts. But I’ve recently realized I don’t need to save every corner cut from an HST. My new rule if the original square is 2.5 or less I throw away the cut off. However I do have a bag full of HSTs already sewn together ready to trim. Do you realize it takes a gazillion little squares to make something? So I’m thinking I will sew them into strips to use as borders. Too many possibilities with scraps.
I love scraps! Starting with the basket we were allowed to freely dip into to ‘sew’ Barbie clothes (heaven)! Because I love appliqué, NO scrap is too small. I have scraps in plastic drawer systems roughly by colour. When inspiration hits I dive in. This usually creates a curated box or basket of yummy scraps destined to bring some image to life. When the mini-collections get out of hand, I have fun reassigning the leftovers to the main scrap drawers. Of course, this is usually another occasion to spark a new project idea-LOL.
Kate definitely has her scraps under control and a plan to use them. Right now I’m cutting almost all my scraps into 21/2 ” squares. I have 2 small containers of strips for a string quilt. But what I would really like to do is throw them all out if I’m honest.