How to ORGANIZE your FABRIC SCRAPS!

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[@paulabeeman4370]

I also want to thank you for not making every video an infomercial. I know this is your business and you have to sell and market your products but there are some well known business on KZbin I’m finding hard to watch regularly anymore bc nowadays they have just become more like an infomercial than informative concerning quilting and fabrics. ( love run-on sentences lol) Maybe that’s the natural progression 🤷‍♀️. But I’m really enjoying all that you are posting and I know it’s a lot of work, thank you for all that you do 🥰

[@erica_arndt]

You're welcome :)

[@rosinyberg8747]

Completely AGREEEEEEEE!!! Thank you for saying my words too!!!

[@maxwellstudio19]

I just heard one lady takes the actual throw away scraps and puts them in a pillowcase...when full she sews shut and donates it to a pet shelter. I thought that was a great idea!!!

[@erica_arndt]

Great idea!

[@trinam2503]

Check with your local pet shelter 1st. Some love this idea, some dont. Where I lived before, they request that these not be donated to them bc when wet they are so heavy they unbalance their washing machines so they have no way to clean them. Pet shelters that have the larger industrial machine can usually wash them though.

[@brendabornsheuer5172]

Yes! I've seen this done with batting scraps as well

[@brendabornsheuer5172]

@@trinam2503 I can totally understand that!

[@SewAndTellwithDori]

YES!!! I've got a big bin of tiny fabric scraps that will eventually become a dog or cat bed. It's amazing how quickly the bin fills up with odds and ends that would normally go in the trash. 🐈 🐕

[@vickytheviking9913]

Love the video, organising scraps is so relaxing for me and I'm glad I'm not the only one! An idea for the tiny scraps you're getting rid of to minimize waste: I keep a bin of tiny/misshapen scraps and when it gets full, I use it to fill a home made fabric doorstop. I then gift the doorstop(s) as a Christmas present. 😊

[@bfama2578]

More organizing for larger pieces, please. This was great.

[@karenstclair3725]

I have watched many scrap organizing videos. I like how you got to the point and didn't drone on and on. Thank you! You have inspired me!

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I have been making 4 patches with 2-1/2 scraps. I add a scrap piece of batting and backing and finish the edges. Now I have them in a separate bin. They are so pretty and make quick hot pads, pillows, etc. Because I make them after each project, they will be a memory quilt. I save fat quarters back with my fabric bins. I especially like using up batting scraps since I don't trust sewing them together inside quilts.

[@barbaraandrews402]

I find the sorting and slicing into useful sizes so therapeutic. Sometimes when I just need to sew I will make qayg log cabin.coasters or perhaps sew 2½ squares into big enough pieces for zipper pouches.or drawstring bags. Great stress relievers !

[@brendabornsheuer5172]

I do too!! Yay, I'm not as weird as I thought 😜😜

[@donhardman6919]

Thelma writes: Yes, touching fabrics and looking at different colours are very very therapeutic 👌and peaceful. Often times it is moments when you can connect with God during quiet time.

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

Same here! Chain piecing is so good for this.

[@vickiking2060]

I have a similar system to you, sorting 2.5 inch, 5 inch and 10 inch, anything smaller including tiny pieces and selveedges I keep colour coded in small bags and when I want to use them I arrange onto an upholstery weight piece of fabric, pin a piece of organza on top and free motion quilt. So far I’ve made bags, rotary cutter holders, junk journal covers, framed pictures etc. It feels good to be able to make something out of these little scrap pieces.

[@jfergusonk12]

Great idea! I've been rinsing anything smaller than what I consider a crumb (less than an inch). Right now I don't have time to do those kinds of projects but love the idea!

[@jennishirley1114]

I’d love to see a picture of that! Do you have an IG account?

[@erica_arndt]

me too!

[@christinamo7]

1 1/2 inch strips make such lovely log cabin blocks

[@connielindholdt9043]

I try to cut up leftovers after each project, once you’ve started it’s much easier to keep on top of it! I love to cut while watching tv too! Great job!

[@zormier2002]

I love your supervisor! I approve. I have a few of my own supervisors

[@rosechirkin7298]

One thing that you mentioned really stood out to me: you put them together by designer. That was something that I was missing. That makes total sense. I always enjoy you, your great energy and your beautiful patterns. I love them all ❤️ I made one of your cute truck patterns into a memory quilt using the plaid shirts of a friend’s husband that passed for the 9 patches. It came out really attractive and she absolutely loves it. Thank you 🙏

[@vivancolemire4930]

Doing this has been something that I’ve wanted to do forever. It will be the first thing I do for some winter days when I don’t want to get outside.

[@carlenehall2979]

🤗 Great job Erica and I know you couldn’t have accomplished your it without Jax help!!!

[@jeanettewithrow9641]

I love 11\2in strips for 6in log cabin. So much fun

[@erica_arndt]

Oh good idea!

[@stacylarsen1795]

This video inspires me to tackle my scrap pile. I keep saying I am going to do a crumb quilt but realistically I will never get around to it. There is always a new project, or sew along coming out. So thank you.

[@karenpalmer9988]

You could make Crumb Quilts with all those tiny scraps...I've watched videos of people making them, and it looks really fun, and you won't waste any of those beautiful fabrics...

[@gailacook5102]

You inspire me to stay on top of my scraps! I’m new to quilting ( less than 10 completed) and my scraps stash is ever growing! Thank you!

[@trinam2503]

I also do my own scrap management system. It makes scraps so much more usable!! I love scraps and am given them a few times a year by family members who also quilt. My 7yr old daughter is learning to quilt. I dont sort by colors. Just by size. I have a bin for 10" sqrs, a bin for 6.5" s sqrs. 5" sqrs. 2.5" sqrs. 2.5" strips. Then bins for strings which are less then 2.5" but it least 1.5". And crumbs which are smaller than 2.5" sqrs but it least 1" wide. And a bin for HST's, since I hate wasting those cut offs. Anytime I need to cut off triangles, I double seam so that I have the HST. I do a lot of scrappy projects and these are the sizes I use the most. And the bins are so easy for my 7yr old to go thru and pick what she wants since we are still working on straight seams. I also have a bin for FQs and everything else gets neatly folded on the shelves. This has truly changed my quilting game!! Now if I want to do a scrappy quilt, I just grab the bin for whichever size I want to use, and I'm ready to go!

[@jfergusonk12]

Trina - we have almost the exact same system!! I have a few other sizes added in because I had purchased a big bag of scraps from a quilt shop and they were already there so I have some 6, 7, 8, 9" that I just didn't see the need to cut down. I have done some crumbs quilt projects that I love, so anything smaller than 2" becomes either a crumb, a string (less than an inch), or a shred (less than a quarter inch. I have a 3 small baskets that I keep close to me as I am cutting up scraps - one for each. When shreds & strings get full, I'll bag them and donate them. Love this method!! Have been crumbs how to implement by color too.

[@trinam2503]

@@jfergusonk12 I always used to say, "why cut it up? What if i need this fabric in a larger size?" But then I realised I wasnt using them anyway! It was to time consuming to dig thru trying to find something the right size. Once I started this system, I actually use so many more scraps than I ever did before!! I have people ask me "but arent you wasting fabric this way? What about what you cut off to make your precut sizes?" But honestly, I have very little waste! No more than if I was cutting from yardage for pattern. I also have some odd sizes that I keep in a separate bucket. Theres always something that your truly dont want or need to cut up. 🙂

[@erica_arndt]

That's a great idea for kids!

[@erica_arndt]

same, I wasn't using them at all, and my bins were getting so full, I couldn't find anything anyway. It was too overwhelming. Now I can grab the exact size I need so I'm way more likely to use it!

[@FrogWhizzer]

Oh my gosh,those aren’t unusable scraps. I want them lol. I love making fabric with them! So relaxing!

[@Sewmuchtodo]

What do you do for the scraps you didn’t find use for? As someone who hates throwing anything out, I’d hate to think those pretty scraps end up in the trash. I know I would loooove to get a goodie bag of some of those tiny scraps. Maybe a giveaway idea? Or even selling them on Etsy. Lots of people find use for the smaller sizes for appliqué work, textile art, and more.

[@erica_arndt]

Some people stuff them into dog beds, or another viewer suggested using the for teddy bear stuffing to donate.

[@mariasoler7826]

Love how you went through and organized your scraps. Would love to see how you organize your larger fabric

[@wendyhalonen-dowhan3275]

Great video! So sensible and clear and this is gonna be a game changer for me to organize my scrap bins! Thank you Erica! You're the best!

[@illawallaroo]

Inspiring! I loved watching/hearing your thinking process. So helpful!

[@deannamey5986]

another wonderful watch. great organizing idea. you always make me smile. thank you!

[@lindabrown7005]

Such a beautiful collection of fabrics! I’d love to see a video on how you store your main fabrics. Thanks

[@honeybunnystitchery]

Thanks for the ideas for organizing scraps! Really helpful and fun to watch. I’m thinking of doing a crazy quilt with some of my scraps.

[@bethdeck9825]

Thanks for the idea! Love to see what you do with your larger fabric. I have a ton of assorted 2.5 inch blocks…looking forward to use for them!,

[@gracejohnston5612]

I’m so glad to see a new video from you! I recently found your KZbin channel, so I’m catching up on past videos. Thanks for all the great scrap sorting tips; I need them!

[@littlequiltsong9576]

Loved how you organized your scraps and kept the bigger designer pieces together in one basket. Great video!

[@estherh.1508]

Yeah!! So excited for this one! Moving soon and want to start out organized!

[@debbiehays9794]

That’s wonderful and a great tutorial on how to store your scraps. I struggle with scraps. I never know what to do with the larger scraps as well. So color seems to be the way to go. Thank you and yes I would love to see how you store the larger sizes. Thank you Erica!

[@dianeheiken9303]

You have inspired me to get organized with my scraps. I have been struggling with how to do so and this was the perfect video. Thank you for sharing.

[@pkfamily7297]

Love this topic! Just finished taming my scraps, as well. I cut 2.5” strips, strings, 1.5” squares, 2” squares, 2.5” squares, and 2 x 2.5” rectangles.

[@laurarenda8383]

Love the tutorial! I have been organizing my quilt room throughout the pandemic. I have a closet filled with transparent shoe boxes which are filled with precuts fabric scraps from the past five years. It is so satisfying to organize, sort and cut these scraps. Love your KZbin channel! Very inspiring.

[@chrisb5391]

Very neat system. Love the bloopers at the end of the video!

[@cc83jc85]

after 12 of patchwork/quilting..I have kept EVERYTHING..but decided this year that less than 1 1/2" is not worth it. It's a very slow process (that's why I watch these videos to encourage me ;-) but I'm slowly getting there!..thanks for your video!

[@erica_arndt]

I’m starting to wonder about the 1-1/2” strips too! But I haven’t gotten rid of them yet. You can use them for binding strips for small projects.

[@mariacastaneda5202]

How I wish I had your fabric stash. I loved this. I need to organize my scrap bin.

[@faithsmith7431]

Great video. One suggestion I have. I have a plastic shoebox that I keep extra binding strips in, it has come in handy many times. Also good to make a scrappy binding.

[@grams5580461]

I just got my batting scraps organized. I love the way you got all your scraps sorted. It is amazing to me how we can come up with so many scraps. I am no longer keeping tiny scraps.

[@janmorrison7924]

Love. Your kitty and always enjoy your videos

[@cindywagner4623]

I’m organized with my scraps but! I have a big flat bin for those scraps you’re going to toss for my crumb quilts. Love making those. Then and only then if they’re too narrow, too small only then will they go into an old pillowcase for pet beds. No garbage here.

[@sarabeaudoin8174]

Thanks for the motivation in tackling down the ongoing scraps. I too like the target baskets. I started saving the really small pieces to make a doll quilt for grand baby, we shall see. I sort my fabrics by designer too. I wish I had your Christmas stash 🤩

[@melissaalexander5192]

Love the inspiration of organizing the scraps! Thanks for the inspiration, would love to see your organization of your fat quarters you talked about!!

[@sarah-bethhogg]

I love that you have open bins...mine all have lids and it's annoying to have to keep opening and closing them and I don't like that they are all clear - I feel like it just looks so messy. So, it looks like that container shopping is in my immediate future. :) Great video. Love your channel. Love from Canada

[@gwensmith7024]

This is a great idea and a little modification to the Lori Holt scrap bin organization. The trick for me would be to maintain the organization! Yes, would love to see how you organize your larger fabric pieces - thank you!

[@deemac6142]

Hi Erica... your great teaching so well including organizing room .. as for dumping the pieces away. Toss them this way to me. 😃😊🙂 I use those for hobbies for my grandkids to learn how to sew fun hobbies as they call it. Lol. For their friends or mom and dad. Too cute. Thank you for teaching me (and my grandkids for fun)

[@cindypeterson1629]

Omg!! I love organizing especially my fabric!!

[@donhardman6919]

Thelma writes: I wish I had an extra bigger room that I can occupy it as a decent sewing room. My sewing room is pretty cozy, but just a little too small to house all my favorite stash of all sorts. Good to see you Erica.

[@aniaemge]

Thank you so much foe this!! Yes please share how to organize bigger size and maybe how to fold yardage to make it neat :)

[@suzyinstitches273]

Love the beach quilt on the wall❤️

[@MimiSew-Sew]

Each time I finish a project, I cut the fabrics into 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5, & 7 inch square and strips. I have baskets by size. I love these. Constantly go to the baskets for precuts. Right now I am piecing the "Sew With Me" blocks. I got to my precut scraps first. It takes a long time to get the boxes of scraps cut, but it is doable if you work at it an afternoon each week. Thanks for the videos!

[@molliemcmaker]

Yes more organization!! Show it all to us!!

[@susangenry6497]

Love your organization

[@heidiyazwa6985]

Erika - thank you for doing a Scrap organization video. It was awesome. I love your stackable bins. Did this exercise take you down memory lane revisiting fabric from years and quilts gone by? Please do a larger pieces organization video when you have a chance. That one would be very helpful for me. Thank you again. That cat!!! Sooo cute!!

[@angiemcdermid4845]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@ellebrown6560]

Oh, definitely yes please!! Main fabrics!! Sorting by designer? No wonder I'm having such a problem matching what looks good together. I just buy fabric that jumps out at me. Yes, I'm new at all this. I am really really limited with space. Think studio apartment, no bedroom. I have a high boy (filled with fabrics) my mother's cedar chest (4-5 across) (& in some places 2 piles deep so I can't see what's in behind, which doesn't fair well), next to it and stacked high with fabrics. My other problem is folding 2-3 metres of fabrics. Do I stack yellow and orange together? Teals and greens (?), blues?

[@suzio6571]

I'm trying to get in the habit of coding up my leftover fabrics after I finish a quilt. Now I just need to find good ways to store them in a container or basket system. I actually enjoy cutting fabric😊

[@Vintage_Recreations]

what a cute little stash.

[@susannethompson5364]

Thanks, Erica. Would love to see how you use your bins from Target. Love your videos.

[@bethhoppe3446]

Just recently found your channel. Loving all your videos!!

[@annas.r.p.5835]

I do something similar with my scraps but I keep my 2-1/2 inch squares separate in baskets. They become my leaders and enders for other projects... I make them into 4, 9, 16 and 25 patch blocks that usually end up in a ARKANSAS CROSS ROAD block. I have made one of those practically every year.

[@rachelmiller495]

Great idea. I had my scraps in coffee cans and tissue boxes. I just took them out and decided to organize by color. Now to cut to sizes u suggested and put into containers but I don’t have room for all kinds of bins/containers

[@mitzibud6908]

Another awesome video!!

[@cherylsmith1561]

Love this. I am in process of sorting by color then will sort like you are doing. Thank you

[@zipppyzipppy4795]

Love it. always looking for better ways

[@Kathy-ms2ic]

Thank you for the great video!! Yes, I would love to see a video on how you fold and organize your fat quarters!! You’re amazing.

[@roseannecarratkinson4271]

I have a few scrap bins. 3 for B&C fabrics, 2 for Tula Pink Fabrics, 2 for Lori Holt fabrics, 1 for 2 1/2" strips, 1 for hst, 1 for all of my squares labeled and cut into specific sizes. 1 for orphan blocks, and 1 for smaller strips. I also keep all of my fabrics together by designers. Where I love my applique, I leave my larger scraps left with my fat quarters and yardage.

[@tillyswansea3137]

Great info and loved out takes :)

[@2broom]

Wow this was so satisfying!!!

[@erica_arndt]

Yes, I feel so much better now, and it really didn't take me that long!

[@2broom]

@@erica_arndt you seriously inspired me to start quilting last week and I finished my first quilt for my daughter Sunday and I'm slowly adding my scraps to a ziploc baggie 😂

[@patriciadroste7912]

I love your bloopers!!!😂

[@rachelburgener819]

That looks like a great idea! Thank you ❤️😀

[@cindywagner4623]

I have organized your way but! I do have a large flat tote with those scraps you’re considering trashing. This is my crumb quilt bin.

[@dihett]

This was really helpful. Thanks.

[@primadhani3234]

Thank you for great idea to organized beautiful scrap fabrics.. I'm so happy to have so much fun with scraps❤️❤️ say hi from me for your cute cat😍

[@ssusan3]

Love your ideas

[@mommyhobbs48]

Thank you! Great ideas! Your hair is beautiful!

[@lisawalters5482]

My goal! Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Tifroland]

Great information!

[@mrs.alabama]

Love the bloopers🤣🤣

[@amyjames943]

Could you put the super tiny pieces into a stuffed bear project and donate the bear to a local social services agency that deals with troubled children? These kids that are removed from their homes might like something to cuddle with.. just a thought ❤️

[@erica_arndt]

Great idea!

[@cheribrasseur4265]

Very helpful video. Thanks! I'm currently organizing my scraps and would love to see any videos on organization... Not just scraps! 🙂

[@marisuejames3366]

Thank you Erica

[@Quiltycrazy]

I just love your vids! Your just like the rest of us…🤷‍♀️

[@cwfan2]

Interesting! I think I'll make the bins to color coordinate with the color of the scraps. I have a LOT of fabric and bins aren't hard to make.

[@mariawells8026]

Nice Erica! The 1 1/2" could be cut into corner stones in sashing.

[@lrwalters14]

I set up larger bins by color plus a basket for stripes, backing fabric (large yardage), novelty (Christmas/Camping, etc.), and a 2 1/2 inch binding bin (left over binding that I will use for scrappy binding) that I keep in my storage room. Some of the designers that I have a lot of I have seperate bins for (Tula Pink, Bonnie & Camille, Laundry Basket Quilts, & Corey Yoder). I have smaller bins (shoebox size) of the same color labels (pink/red, white, black/gray, green, yellow/orange, purple, brown/tan) that I need next to my sewing machine. I have gone back and forth between sorting by size or sorting by color.

[@user-bw2cr9qo9b]

I'd love to see how you sort your main fabric!

[@erica_arndt]

Hi, I have a main fabric organization video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4XacqqMasqZm68

[@terrycrawford2275]

Wish I had room for all those baskets or containers. Thanks for sharing your technique

[@itsmyparty4637]

I just see crumb blocks in all those lovely little red scraps!

[@paulineslyman2618]

Great video!♥🐢

[@crystaldobbs6786]

This was a helpful video. Organizing big pieces would also be helpful. Organizing my material is going to be a task. I do not have a sewing room so it is all in totes.

[@patbankston8137]

Thank you for sorting by designer as I was starting to wonder if I was the only one to do this.

[@poohbear101]

Great way to store scraps. I have a gazillion 2.5 squares.

[@robinchappell1505]

I would love to see how you organize your larger scraps!

[@eileenemberger3969]

That was a big job but worth it. I try to cut up leftovers when I finish the quilt. Little bits go into dog beds.

[@bridgetwhite5547]

Really useful thanks 😊

[@karenmcdonnell6657]

Thank you!

[@jennygill1594]

I think I should be doing that with mine thanks for the push.

[@danielploszkiewicz1058]

I’m finding that I actually don’t like having a huge stash! It gets overwhelming! I’ve been doing strips and squares for my scraps, but I have them sorted by size, not color. After watching this, sorting them by color makes more sense!