How To Organize Scrap Fabric ~ Pre Cut Your Srcraps 

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.

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!

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 do my scraps into 2.5” strips, squares and 5” squares, by color. I keep my scrappies in bins light and dark for crumb.

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 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 started doing this a year ago because I was trying to prevent chaos sewing! Yay

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.

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.

String ones great I look out for them

thank you. great ideas.it was my pleasure to subscribe so I won't miss a thing you have to share.

I was drooling over the box of blues you showed.

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 collect scraps. They make me happy.

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!

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

Love the zip lock bag idea to store blicjs! A great idea!! Pat in Colorado

I really enjoyed watching this. It helped me figure out how I’m goin got organize my mountainous scrap pile!

Oh my goodness! I know you! When I saw your face on RU-vid, 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!

I started going through the small amounts I had collected. I start with 10 inch on down. If I have wide pieces then I do jelly roll sizes

Hi Tracy, just found your channel yesterday, been binge watching, thank you so much for all your tips, hacks, simple instructions for fun useful projects. Love this scrap organization plan Beverly 😊❤️

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!

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.

Yes. My scraps do upset me. They take up to much room; and, I seem to make more every time I try to use them up. However, I make beautiful projects from my scraps. I don't want tp give them away or trash them. Your idea is wonderful.

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!

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!!!

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.

I cut a bunch of rectangles that are all 4 in wide and then sew them together in long strips and roll them up. They make great strippy quilts. I just wish I had more time to make quilts because the rolls have built up.

Hi Tracy, I have those same flip top bins, only in green.9 of them packed with yardage and smaller pieces. I also started cutting scraps up and store in plastic cover shoe boxes, 1 inch squares up to 5 inch squares, plus string strips and binding left overs . I also do not like dusty fabric. You've encouraged me to start sorting through this larger bins and get some 10 inch squares going. Thanks again for your videos

As of yesterday my "Scraps to be Sorted" bag is empty. My method is similar to yours, though anything between a half meter and fat quarter are folded and boxed by colour. Anything smaller I cut into squares starting at 2" and going up by the half inch. From those scraps the strings are sewn onto long receipt tapes and the crumbs go into a bag. I even got my batting scraps sewn into frankenbatting, with the too small pieces hacked up as fill for stuffed projects like puffy quilt cat beds. I try to stay on top of my scraps, dealing with them after every one of two projects.

I think I want YOUR scraps! Lol

New sewer and new subscriber. Love this idea.

Should we be prewashing our fabric before we quilt them? And therefore should we prewash before we starch and cut them? Im new to quilting, so I just don't know. Thanks for explaining strings!

Any scraps I have leftover, go neatly in a scrap bin, folded or flat, into its color coded box (blues, greens, browns, etc.)... instead of tossed into a larger container; so now my scraps are already in color coded divided containers right at the get go - I do not precut my scraps. If I am working with a 'line' of fabric, and I still have quite a bit left, it goes into its own 'scrap bin', for that particular 'line' of fabric, to be combined with another fabric line that may complement it, Like Lori Holts fabrics, they all go together!! The boxes all are lined up on shelving in my sewing room...CLEAR containers are best as you can see at a glance, what is inside. I don't save anything smaller than 1.5", and do not save selvedges. I have thought about getting rid of my stash, but with fabric prices quadrupling since I started quilting, I decided to not get rid of it... rather....use it up and not buy any more.... it is crazy expensive to purchase fabric here in Canada... a charm pack used to be $4.00 when I started 20 years ago... now they are over $18 for one!

Brilliant

Awesome thanks

I store mine by size and color in plastic shoe or sweater boxes. When we downsized in retirement I got rid of all plastic bins/totes. I don't think they are good for any storage, they just help you to hang onto clutter.

Hi Tracey the main problem I have is I ve made a large quilt for a queen bed.how do I turn it in different directions to quilt.it bec9mes a huge problem with all that bulk.i was told one needs to start from the centre.PLEASE HELP ME with some advice.thank you soo much in advance.blessings Odette

If you have like one or two yards of fabric left over do you cut up or leave it. I want to organize my fabric like you do, but I have some big pieces?? Help!!

Hey Tracy: When it come to your rule for scrap organization, the leftover strings and tidbits that are too small to use for anything, do you same them for stuffing or for things like a dog or cat bed? Or do you just throw them out? I've got a nice size container of bits of thread and strings of fabric that is less than 1" wide and I'm trying to figure out what to do with them, if anything other than throw them out. What do you think? What do you do? Is there a project you can come up with to use them? I'm somewhat hesitant re: dog bed because dogs can be destructive. A cat bed for the Humane Society my work. Any other ideas???

💛

Did the scrap plan work

No, all my scraps make me very happy!

I’m curious why you choose to cut 5.5 inches instead of 5 inch. I’m sure you have a reason.

Why is the starch necessary?

How about I pay for your airfare and you can fly out to the beautiful Pacific Northwest and help me with my scraps 😹😹😜 actually I don’t have very many and the ones that I don’t want to keep eventually I’m going to just buy some inexpensive pillowcase covers and stuff them sew them up and give them to shelters cat shelter dog shelter doesn’t matter

Brilliant

Leftovers in the sewing room are just as good as those in the fridge ))

I cut my fat quarters that were stuffed in bins into 10 and 5 in squares and Target has the perfect square bins with lids that fit 10 in squares perfectly and are 4.00 i have over 100 in one of them. They come in 2 depth sizes. Check them out “Room Essentials medium storage bin”

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.

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!

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

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!

Until I go back to sewing and when I get the junk/ crafts room straightened to where I can walk in, my material will stay in the closet as it is.😱🤦‍♀️. If you have a $ tree close by ,you can get 1 1/2 or 2 gallon bags for $ 1.25 . There’s 5 bags to a box and they really come in handy…I think I’ve got 6 boxes. When I go in there, if they have them , I try to get 1-3 ( sometimes 4) . They’d be great for your pre- cut goodies and a little bigger too in case you decide to make some bigger squares .

I dont sort my scraps into colours they just go into a plastic box depending on their size,My odd sized strips go into another box the 2,5 strips into another box,Then i have a box for just for crumb pieces,I also have a box for each size cut square ranging from 2,5 to 6,5 inch squares.My other bigger pieces of fabric are also in a plastic box,i bought the plastic boxes that i could see what is in them didnt sort them into their colours.Then i just go get what i want from the boxes i also labeled them

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

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!)

It's a good idea for lots of people, but I find that I don't like precuts, so if I cut my fabric a certain way, I have regrets because I could have used it for something else....

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.

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.

Great video I need to do this or something, I have scraps everywhere. Thanks for sharing

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.

Do you wash and dry material to begin with when making a quilt? Does Harvey spray starch prevent material shrinkage if material is not pre washed and dried? Impressed with your idea. Thanks

What a great idea! I can’t wait to see SEVERAL of your tutorials on using up some of these scraps. ❤️❤️❤️

I gathered scraps (4 bins and bags) and startched and irone eack piece then cut 2.5, 5.5, 8,and 10in squares and put them in my orphan block bag for that day. Once I am able to afford more bins I will sort into a better system. Foe now they are in ziplocks

Im relatively new to quilting so my current situation is a paper bag under a sewing table. I never thought to add somewhat larger pieces. Ive always folded them up and put em away. Maybe i need to rethink that.

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 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!

Thanks Tracy. I'm going to try your ideas. The problem before was even when everything was cut into systems, sorting through them later for projects just meant a crumpled mess. The plastic bags looks like a solution to this thanks.

My scraps are anything smaller than 5 inches. And any strips no larger than 2 1/2 inches wide down to 1 inch wide. Yes, all of our ideas of scraps are different.

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!

Often I make a judgement call on how much is left and I cut scrap blocks (like X blocks or Spot in the middle) from Karen Brown's scrap block video. Then everything is cut and ready to go on blah days when my brain isn't working.

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

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.

Why 5.5" instead of 5"? I just cut all my scraps like that but wondering why 5.5"

I’m fairly new to quilting so my scrap situation isn’t out of control - yet. I’m hoping to get what I have organized so I will have a handle on it going forward.

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.

Not for nothing but it's ok to bag some up and sell em on eBay. I bought some just to introduce more color into my stash that I don't have.

I’m a hand bag and clothing seamstress…..any tips other than quilting sizes?

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'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!

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.

If you people saw what I threw out because there are just too many scraps, you would choke 😂

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.

In need of trying to get rid of scraps

Do you precast, dry and press material prior to making quilt? Does starching prevent shrinkage of quilt if not pre washed etc. Your idea is fabulous, looking forward to implementing the idea! Thanks

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 have bags of snibbles ready to go to a good home!

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.

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

I’m overwhelmed with scraps Tracy.. 😳😬 I actually cut up a bunch of them today! Funny you came out with this video as we were both thinking the same thing. 😂🤣😂 I’m making a scrappy quilt and doing the prep work for it. Good luck working on the scraps this weekend. 🥰 Chris

I even use those leftover scraps you threw into the trash can. I use those to make firm neck pillows

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.

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.

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 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

Great idea, I am going to try this

Starch is starch. Starch may bring bugs into your fabric; because, many bugs eat starch. Unless you have found a starch that will not draw bugs (or kills bugs). I will cut mine without the starch. Turning scraps into precuts is a wonderful idea. My acraps are in bags and plastic boxes. They are a mess; but, I'm trying to use them up.

Great idea!

Exactly what I’m getting ready to do in my sewing room! Just watched Tge sewing room channel and Sherrill made a hanging organizer which would be great for storing some strips, fat quarters or whatever! You gals rock and thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas!❤️