Fabric Organization | Scrap Management | Sewing Room Help

Have you gotten to that end-of-project point and are left with these odd shapes of fabric? Whattaya do with it? This video will give you some tips to deal with it more sooner than later and be able to maintain a clean and organized sewing space. Enjoy!
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[@karenm7260]

Placemats are beautiful!❤️ Thanks for video. We can all benefit from seeing how others organize and use leftovers and scraps. I’ve discovered I really enjoy making quilt tops from leftovers, as well as purses, placemats, coasters, hot pads etc.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

That is awesome! And so much fun! ❤️

[@marygeorge9688]

I enjoyed seeing your scrap management system. (You are very neat!) Always an encouragement to see how others process scraps. I need to be more consistent with cutting mine after a project.

[@pattiadams3968]

I saw a comment about using scraps for dog beds. Definitely know your “audience “. If you have a dog that loves to chew or prey shake everything, scrap beds are a bad idea. I save small scraps of fabric and batting to use as stuffing for tuffets/foot stools. You want those to have a dense core and be heavy. The general idea is to make a core the shape of the tuffet, but small enough to wrap in high density foam and a few layers of poly batting. I wish I was as organized. I’m too fussy to mix fabric lines, designers, or runs together.

[@sharontuch3405]

That’s what I need to do Organize I really forgot to say how beautiful your place mats are!! Just gorgeous!!

[@gailmyerswellnesslife]

I love making crumb blocks with those itty bits

[@peggersf9709]

Good information, thank you. My tiny scraps are used to make pet pillows for ARL or for a friend that works at a vet clinic

[@lindasumter7830]

Take the pieces that you think about throwing away and the little sliver pieces and put them in a box till you get enough to fill a pillowcase size then make yourself a pillowcase and stuff it with those little pieces and it makes a nice doggy bed

[@lessonslearnt5966]

Sure could!

[@kathywimberley452]

Thanks for the great ideas on managing our scraps. I am going to try to do mine. It would be so cool to have them neat and cut into pieces I can use on demand!!!

[@pamlacey136]

Great video. Can’t wait to see what you put in that empty bin!!

[@michellejaggard9657]

If you are having a difficult time throwing away those strips that are tiny or "bits" that you do throw away, start saving them by making a dog bed or dog cushion and leave the opening and start droping in those tiny bits too small to save for scraps and also strips that are too tiny. Do you have granddaughters? Lori holt has ideas she was showing where she made doll quilts in small, medium and large and used flannel for the batting. They are just beautiful. Just a couple of Ideas. Lori has ideas galore on using scraps. I think those strips you have would make a lovely quilt if you add some white and yellow and make like a jelly roll race quilt or any number of quilts that call for a jelly roll they are all over the place for free. All you would need is some green, white and yellow plus the strips you already have. Cut them into 2 or 2.5 inch squars (I forgot what size you said you have) and add some yellow and make 5 patches with yellow or white centers and make a place mat or two for your camper if you can only make 2 or your home? A Pillow would be lovely also with alternating white and yellow 2 inch blocks or 5 patches.

[@dianelouise3944]

I love that fabric you’re cutting. When I finish a large project, I use the leftovers immediately to make a smaller project like a market bag, mug rug, etc. so I have very few scraps. My favorite types of quilts are scrappy ones so I regret sometimes keeping so few scraps.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

That’s a good practice!

[@gisellejones1139]

I always think maybe some day l won't be able to get fabric and will wish for what l threw away...lol

[@karenraabis5296]

Sometimes I save little scraps and use them to fill pincushions with walnuts. It helps fill corners. I just use my rotary cutter to slice them even smaller. Great stuffing

[@lessonslearnt5966]

Great idea!

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

I started using my strips that were under 2.5 for blocks that I have been making using a concept from Marie's Scrappy Creations. Have a great week.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

I’ll have to look her up

[@NolaTheAlamoChiliQueen]

I applaud your efforts organization! You could spend a week or more organizing the mess or n my sewing room.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

😂 we’ve all been there. I’m actually doing pretty good at keeping things neat n organized.

[@sandradummer4726]

Your place mats are beautiful.

[@tiffanycollier54]

Thank you for sharing this, trying to get into the habit of doing just this sort of organizing!!

[@doraleetrent1802]

I notice you didn’t put the three inch squares not on top in the middle. Are you organizing them by color too? Kudos to you for your organizing after each project. I just throw all scraps no matter the size in a large tote. Thank you for sharing!

[@lessonslearnt5966]

I caught that later. I used to throw it all in that giant basket, but then I can’t see what I have and it just gets bigger and bigger.

[@freddiehansen7324]

I love when quilters are this organized with leftovers! I wish that worked for me 😂 I do not cut many of my "leftovers" down - If there are strips that are close to 2 1/2 I will do strips like that, or if I got a project in the works that need a certain size and the fabric will fit, I might cut to whichever size. Other than that, I prefer to have the pieces as big as possible for later use. Mostly because I don't just quilt, I make many other projects. But my way of doing it, might mean that I "forget" to look in the right place for a piece lol. I try and have them organized by color and size. Big - Yardage/ half yardage/ Fat quarters and Smaller. I make cat beds filled with tiny scraps I can't really use because it's all cotton they can be washed in warm water and go in the dryer.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

I have quite a few scraps I need to process currently! And I also need to do another scrap project to keep the inventory down. Sometimes I keep bigger scraps and store away in the bins by color.

[@trinam2503]

I love to see how other quilters organize their scraps! 😀 I also cut anything smaller than a fat quarter into my most common used sized. I use 2.5, 5, 6.5, 8.5, & 10in square and 4.5x6.5.& 6.5x8.5, & 9x11 rectangles. And 2.5 strips. I also crumb and string quilt so I have bins for those. I need to process my scraps more often though! Currently my laundry basket is full and 1/2 of my cutting table is covered. 🤦🤷 now that cmas gift season is over, I need to clean everything up so I have a clean slate for this years projects 😀

[@lessonslearnt5966]

Sounds like you’re very organized!

[@trinam2503]

@@lessonslearnt5966 I try! I find it easier to create if I can see what I have. I will admit though, I get so excited for the next project, that I too often toss the scraps or leftovers into the laundry basket instead of sorting and putting them away. So my sewing studio is a weird mix of very organized, and very chaotic! 🤷😀

[@valariejaster393]

Thank you. I liked how you showed your process for cutting your scraps and organizing them in bins.

[@nancisailormoy9135]

We all have so many scraps which is sort of sad. When I think about the old quilters that used every little scrap of fabric and made wonderful and intricate quilts it's hard for me to grasp how things have changed. I am currently doing a smaller scrap version of Brenda's potato chip block from Conquering Mount Scrapmore. Maybe the next quilt along could be one that uses all of our scraps.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

So true

[@lessonslearnt5966]

So true

[@lessonslearnt5966]

So true

[@vickyadams3007]

could you show us the potatoe chip quilt block by Brenda? ( using scraps) that was a great video on scrap organization! how wide do you make your binding?

[@lessonslearnt5966]

Maybe sometime in the future I’ll do the potato chips block. I start with 2 1/4” strips for binding unless a pattern tells me otherwise.

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

You have plenty of those, you can use it for sashing?, for a whole scrappy quilt?

[@sandradummer4726]

I’m not real crazy about Jelly rolls, but..maybe to use else where for a project I may be sewing.

[@amadeus4313]

I don’t like precuts in general just because of the pinked edges. I prefer to make my own out of scraps

[@kathrynboseman5249]

The challenge with scraps is focusing on ORGANIZING them rather than USING them. If you don't use them, they will overwhelm you. Take some time to think about that statement. Are you actually using your scraps or just saving them? Are you spending $ on bins and containers to organize your scraps? Do find yourself just filling a bag/box/container with scraps you have to cut into measured pieces.. charms/strips/etc? Do you find yourself procrastinating that cutting task? How often do you actually go into your scraps for a project? There's no shame in passing on your scraps to someone who will actually use them. Not everyone is a scrap quilter. Don°t let the quilting world regulate what you like to do.

[@nancydenny3127]

Some of your tiny pieces are teeny tiny. I’m not a small scrap keeper, wish I could be. Just can’t deal with pieces under 2”. I know it’s a waste. I use that bin to stand charm packs on end. They fit great.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

I have a hard time keeping them. I really want to throw them away, but then I feel bad. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@marionbarber984]

Hi! I almost panicked when you started trimming the strips. Then I realized you were trimming to 2.5 inches. I have a box for strips that I can use for strip pieced squares. Straight, wonky and diagonal. I'm taking a break from sorting fabric to watch your video! Take care.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@SherrysSheShedSewing]

🤩

[@jonnaosborne1832]

Did you say where you purchased those deep scrapbooking bins? I think I might have missed it. I would really like to know where to get those! Thanks.

[@lessonslearnt5966]

I find those at Michaels for around $10. You can order them online too from michaels.com.

[@earlinemcgahen3931]

If you dont like the strips you can put them online for sale

[@jmc-xp6ml]

What do you do with the tiny piece long strips?

[@lessonslearnt5966]

I sew them onto adding machine tape

[@sandradummer4726]

Sheri, does the rule your using come with the handle that’s sold as 1 unit or is it sold separately?

[@lessonslearnt5966]

It’s separate. You can find it at fat quarter Shop. Gypsy gripper I think it’s called

[@sandradummer4726]

@@lessonslearnt5966 thank you.

[@marlapavelzik9766]

You can also find them at Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe's. They are safety handles for in the shower. Can also be used to puck up big piece of glass.

[@zipppyzipppy4795]

What do you actual use those pieces in?

[@lessonslearnt5966]

Small projects. Recently I used a large amount of my precut scraps for gift bags.

[@vickyadams3007]

How wide do you use for binding?

[@lessonslearnt5966]

Usually 2 1/2” but sometimes smaller.