Scraps - everyone has them - Cutting and Organizing fabric scraps

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Scraps - everyone's got them - cutting and organizing fabric scraps
This week I show you how I cut my smaller fabric scraps into uniform sizes and how I store them.
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[@katiemclaneak5182]

Thank you!! I inherited a bunch of scraps from my mother and grandmother and want to put them to good use yours is the video that finally taught me that I didn’t have to worry about the bias when cutting scraps!! I really like your system I really like the fact that you explain how to do the cutting it’s something that many videos take for granted so I appreciate your attention to us newbies! Have a grand day!

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you. I’m so glad my video was helpful. Fabric scrap donations is fun but It can be overwhelming. Once you have yours cut and organized how you will use them then you get to the fun part. Sewing the scraps. I remember being a newbie and having a bunch of questions. Enjoy your scraps!!

[@olivewoo522]

I had a sugar skulls black fabric for over two years. I would use it sparingly. I believe it was a fat quarter. Whenever I used some, I would carefully set it aside, knowing I'd use it again. I didn't want that to ever be thrown away. Finally, I had used it in my Joseph's Coat quilt. Even though it was just a speck, it was special to me because it was one of those fabrics where you cherished it so much.

[@rsislandcrafts]

I totally understand. I have those fabrics too. It’s nice to have the last piece of It in a special project.

[@crappiecrafty1386]

Love the cat:) My cat loves to sleep on my projects and on my sewing machine.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Nancy Broom Cats are silly but i love them. When they hear my craft room door open they come running. They love the sewing machine, cutting table, and ironing area. Ya know, the most dangerous areas lol.

[@juanitamayes6329]

Love your co-host! I appreciate your thought process of how you decide what cuts to make and what to trash. :)

[@rsislandcrafts]

🦩

[@rsislandcrafts]

This week I show you how I cut my smaller fabric scraps into uniform sizes and how I store them.

[@kaybaertlein541]

Thank you for this video, I liked the various groupings and how you cut to the most basic, most commonly used sizes. Made my mountain of scraps more of a molehill.

[@rsislandcrafts]

I was worried that after cutting all my scraps I might not like these sizes but I've already used 90% of what I cut. I can use them as strips or cut them into squares. Plus, they take up a lot less space when trimmed.

[@maryricketts7337]

I do something like this too, try to keep 2 1/2 inch strip pieces a 5" inch squares. Really limits the waste and inspiring for new projects😀

[@cindygehrke5249]

Very helpful! I save slightly different sizes but no matter it's all about organizing so you can USE the scraps in new projects. Thanks!

[@rsislandcrafts]

Cindy Gehrke Exactly! Each quilter can decide on which size works best for them and then have using those scraps.

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

Hi and thank you for the interesting chat. I am new and joined to see your ideas for scraps and may give the till register roll method a go. Been making crumb blocks recently but the scrappy border idea is appealing. I live in London uk so tend not to have to worry about hurricanes too much although we have had a couple over the years but nothing like the ones that hit you all. I wish you safety and will be thinking of you over the weekend.

[@joycerobinson1494]

Which show is the scrappy border on? I haven't seen that one, but I am interested to see it. Thanks.

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

Joyce Robinson the scrappy border is what I would use this for, the roll she made in this video🙂

[@joycerobinson1494]

Elizabeth Sawyer Thanks

[@Justforlaugh22854]

Excellent tutorial.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you.

[@hazelgiles7058]

Wow found this by chance l certainly will try what your showing fantastic keep up the good work

[@rsislandcrafts]

Hazel Giles Thank you and welcome!! If you’re interested in sewing with scraps I have a playlist that I keep adding to each week all about scrap sewing. Please subscribe and you won’t miss a new scrappy video :)

[@jetbossard7923]

LOVE your Calico Kitty!

[@rsislandcrafts]

Jet Bossard She’s a sweetie and she loves fabric. Her favorite spot is on my cutting table laying on some fabric lol.

[@Happybidr]

Beautiful cat! We have two now that always have to be wherever I am, along with our Pomeranian dog. I have one of those Martelli cutting tables that can go up and down depending on what you are doing. That is the only thing they don’t want to join in. Everything else is fair game!

[@rsislandcrafts]

Thank you! I swear she hears me using the rotary cutter and comes running lol. If I really need her to leave the craft room I just need to bring out the iron. She really does not like the steam. Poor kitty.

[@nanamjbri]

That’s a great idea marking the ruler with masking tape 👍🏼 but if you only have the cream colored and you don’t have a different color masking tape you can write 1 1/2 on one strip and 2 1/2 on the other strip …… it’s just an idea

[@rsislandcrafts]

Great idea. Thank you for sharing.

[@marshaflorom5036]

Thanks for the video! Marsha

[@joycerobinson1494]

This is really neat. Going to try this with my scraps. Anxious to see what you use them for.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Joyce Robinson Hi Joyce! I live an Florida and we were hit with hurricane Irma. Minor damages but we still don't have power. Once our power is back and I do a little cleanup I will be putting up more videos. Please subscribe so you'll know when a new video is uploaded. Thanks for stopping by!!

[@joycerobinson1494]

Hope all is good down your way. I am enjoying your tutorials very much. I went to my craft room today and sorted my scraps. I want to make some really scrappy Crumb Quilts and some with a dominate color. I separated all my scraps into colors except for ones for the all scrappy quilt. I am so excited to get started on the scrappy one. Of course the color ones will still be kind of scrappy as that is a favorite of mine too. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Joyce Robinson We are doing fine down here. Finally have power again so I'm back working on my scrap projects too. I'm glad you're enjoying the tutorials and playing with your scraps. I've been playing with crumb blocks too for a tutorial. Tomorrow I'm hoping to record a video on how to use those calculator tape strips.

[@joycerobinson1494]

RsIslandCrafts - Robin yeah!! Anxious to see that too. So glad you got power.

[@chickad5820]

Do you ever applique? Some of your, what you call trash, would work in that type of sewing. I save those smallest pieces in a 12x12 scrap book page container. Michael's have 12 in a case for $60 and free shipping over $49 when on sale. That's all the time for the most part. I do miniature quilts, I save those 1" strips and squares for these kinds of applique. The raccoon fabric would be good for I spy. The scrapbook containers close and I put them on their side and they go under my desk. All my scraps go in these container, labeled by color, strips, squares or scrap batting. I Frankenstein sew, laid side by side and zigzag back together, for small projects like potholders, bags, totes or anything small that needs batting. I just pull the container I need for most of my projects. My cat would lay in the baskets and spill it fill with cat hair. An uncovered cardboard plain box is my cat's go to 99% of the time. It's cool in summer and warm in the winter... Happy sewing... Babs near Tombstone AZ

[@rsislandcrafts]

I occasionally do a bit of appliqué. I’ve changed my scrap system since this video. I always frankenpiece my batting scraps. I also piece my fusible fleece scraps for fabric postcards. Cats love sewing studios.

[@jemsews]

Thanks so much. Your decision process is very logical to me. Now I feel prepared to attack my scrap bin.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Wonderful!

[@MomAsol]

thanks for aharing

[@WhateverHunterLiz]

You could make a crumb quilt out of those smaller pieces.

[@AvivaHadas]

I'm intrigued to see how you use them. I sort my scraps by light & dark - so that the log cabins or pineapples work for me visually. So many of your scraps seem to be mixed or medium...

[@rsislandcrafts]

AvivaHadas When I first started sewing I just bought fabric that looked fun. It worked fine when I was making totes and kid's clothes. When I really got into quilting I quickly realized my error. Not enough solids/semi-solids and no lights and darks. Now I'm trying to work through my current stash by making scrap quilts and scrappy backings so I can start an improved stash. I would love to make a pineapple quilt.

[@abondanzamama]

Miss Mocha looks like excellent company ♡

[@rsislandcrafts]

katy lawson Miss Mocha is wonderful company but not a very good assistant. She loves to lay on the fabric I’m trying to cut lol.

[@trudybrado]

@@rsislandcrafts left

[@trudybrado]

O

[@trudybrado]

@@rsislandcrafts oo

[@trudybrado]

@@rsislandcrafts popp

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Wow! Great. I wish I had nice neat scraps like that, mine are in lots of odd shapes. I'm trying to figure out how to sew pieces together without making more and more odd shaped scraps!😯

[@rsislandcrafts]

My scraps started out at odd shapes but I quickly realized that I don’t like to work with odd shapes. Now I trim all of my scraps into pieces with straight edges. Squares, rectangles, or strips in various widths and lengths. Make It easier to sew together.

[@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669]

We have slivers of scraps, many colors, prints, etc & place them on the ground outside for nesting material; even have seen slivers of batting picked up by birds & squirrels!

[@rsislandcrafts]

The birds here don’t seem to like them. 🤷‍♀️

[@roseannecarratkinson4271]

Where I do applique and scrappy quilts, I usually don't pre cut anything down. I never know for sure what sizes I will need. Anything smaller than an inch I throw them away.

[@sandramyer7081]

Love your cat💕

[@rsislandcrafts]

🦩

[@lindaparker6645]

All the scraps that are being tossed in the trash……collect all of them and use them for stuffing when making stuffed animals etc. 😊

[@rsislandcrafts]

In the beginning I used to save all of my scraps. I made monsters for my youngest and stuffed them with thread and fabric bits. I didn’t like how heavy It made the monsters. As time went on I figured out what I enjoyed making and saved my scraps for those ideas. I don’t have the space or interest to save every scrap and keep them relatively neat. I know lots of quilters save all of their scraps and make dog beds. Our shelters do not accept those style of pet beds. It’s great that we can each choose what we want to save and use later on.

[@rosem4584]

with all the scraps I have I have made 3 scrap quilts all by hand,

[@rsislandcrafts]

Rose M Wow! Other than hexagons I haven’t made a quilt by hand yet. It is on my to do list. I’m just waiting for a pattern to call my name. Do you have an Instagram account or a blog where I can see your quilts? I’m guessing you hand quilt them also? I do enjoy hand quilting. It’s very relaxing.

[@rosem4584]

RsIslandCrafts - Robin no I'm sorry to say I don't have an account, I'm writing to you on my smart phone, I just love the scraps quilt s, for me it's fun and a good way to recycle! where are you at? I'm in Arizona,

[@rsislandcrafts]

Oh, that's fine. I'm just south of Tampa, Florida and I prefer sewing with scraps rather than yardage. Less bulky to deal with and so much creativity and color. Happy scrapping!

[@emmabrodiebear663]

Thank you for this, it’s very helpful. 😊 how come you don’t cut 2” strips when it allows, instead of going to 1.5”? Just curious. Strictly preference?

[@rsislandcrafts]

Since this video I have added in 2” strips. At first I think I was just trying to keep things at a minimum so I didn’t have a bunch of containers. Now I have a bin for skinny strips (mostly less than 1”), 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, 3.5”, and 5”. I keep a separate bin for crumb block pieces. I’ve also started sorting my scraps by color. Novelty fabrics go in the strip bins and fabrics that read as one color go in their own bins. Those bins contain anything less than a fat quarter. As time goes by and see what types of things I reach for and create I change my scrap system as needed. It’s always an evolving system.

[@emmabrodiebear663]

RsIslandCrafts - Robin thank you! I’m somewhat new to sewing, I’ve had my machine 30 years and I’m finally getting around to using it. I’ve taught myself various things and now I want to do more larger quilting projects but not buy precuts. When i found your video I was looking for how much to cut from what I already have to create a good quilt stash. (How many of each size,etc.) I have not found that answer yet but I am loving all the videos. 30 years ago there would not have been near the wealth of information so readily available as it is now. So many good and helpful ideas. It’s especially nice when the video creators will communicate with the viewers- so thank you! Blessings to you! 💕😊

[@rsislandcrafts]

KZbin is a wonderful source for so many things. I tell everyone the same thing when we chat about cutting scraps. Each person has to figure that out for themselves. I love using strips of fabric to make scrappy quilts. I enjoy making string blocks and jelly roll style quilts. Other quilters love to make charm squares quilts. What quilts are you drawn to? If you find yourself saving patterns that are made from precuts then You could cut your scraps into those precut sizes. If you cut your scraps into strips like I do but you never use those strips then it becomes a waste of your time and supplies. When I first started cutting my scraps I used Bonnie Hunter’s system. She has a wonderful system but I didn’t always use what I had cut 🤷‍♀️. I hope you find your system so that you can get to the fun part. Making quilts.

[@jenniferfarsh675]

Miss Mocha

[@deeleb5064]

Hello: I know this is an older video but I just found this series of yours and am really enjoying it. Could all of those scraps that you are throwing away be used as stuffing for say pin cushions? or small small pillows?

[@rsislandcrafts]

Hi Dee and WELCOME!! I don't mind comments on old videos as long as KZbin gets them to me. Yes, you could use those little bits for pincushions, pillows, or pet beds. A lot of people actually do that. I was given a pin cushion that was stuffed with fabric and it was hard for me to jab my pins into the cushion. I've also made a pillow for my son when he was younger and stuffed it with fabric scraps and that pillow was solid and heavy lol. Some people have great success making pet beds for shelters. It's always worth making one and seeing how you like it. I used to save everything but I've learned over the years what I will use and what I won't. I just have to let some things go. Happy Sewing!!

[@lizbee726]

I was thinking that maybe all of my scraps could be used to make a doorstop since they tend to be on heavy side like you said. I too hate waste but like you say you can't keep everything. I'm in process of sorting out my sewing room so I need to reduce but will try not to throw anything in the bin that goes to landfill. I'm a greenie so throwing stuff 'away' is not an option. 😂Thanks for the Vid. 💕

[@Ihave2quilt]

all the small wonky pieces left from strips, couldn't those be used in a crumb block (quilt)

[@rsislandcrafts]

Shari Martell Absolutely they can. I prefer not to work with a lot of the smaller pieces but many quilters love them. I’m just finishing a series on crumb quilt blocks and I discuss the types of crumbs I work with and how I make and use my crumb blocks. Thank you!

[@pasha32ca]

What is a string block please?

[@rsislandcrafts]

Strings are rectangle lengths of fabric. Usually 2.5” but the width can vary. The length is also random. You can sew them to a square of paper or fabric on the diagonal to make a block. I do have a playlist that better explains and shows what string blocks are. m.kzbin.info/aero/PLKGSJJEEjRBXnzhWXliaUz_d0pmWvR5U5

[@sandrathomas5776]

what about selvages???

[@rsislandcrafts]

When I made this video I wasn’t really saving the selvages. I have a separate bin for selvages now too. I like to cut them with about 3/4” of the fabric beyond the selvage if possible.

[@lesa6399]

Those little scraps you’re tossing? If you save them, someone always wants them to make dog beds from them...especially for rescue centers! Just a thought.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Our shelters no longer except beds made from fabric scraps. I can’t remember the reason why at the moment. I’ve changed my scrap collecting since this video and I now use the smaller scraps for fabric postcards and scrappy notecards. Not all but a good portion.

[@lesa6399]

I was going to make one for our grand dog but she’s really grown! Accepting donations! Lol

[@rsislandcrafts]

Lesa Pegg 🤣🤣. If you were local I’d save all my bits for you. Don’t forget worn out or outgrown clothes. You can chop those up too. Batting scraps too.

[@Ihave2quilt]

Did u ever name the little mascot?

[@rsislandcrafts]

Honestly? I got so involved in coming up with ideas for using the scraps that I forgot about the poor mascot. I'm coming up on 5,000 subscribers and I will use name the mascot as part of the giveaway. Thank you for the nudge and reminding me that I left the poor guy nameless.

[@Ihave2quilt]

RsIslandCrafts - Robin - if he/she was born to help with your scrap organization or project ideas. Scrap Master or Scrapster, just a thought

[@beckyvaughn2705]

love cats just not on any table

[@jetbossard7923]

Your throwing away in your trash usable pieces. They can be fused.

[@rsislandcrafts]

Jet Bossard Very true but I can’t save everything. I do save a lot and I use all that I save so I’m comfortable tossing what I do. If the fabric was expensive or special then I do save almost every little bit. Generally when the fabric gets to this point it’s been in several projects from quilts to pincushions. Happy sewing!!

[@cindywagner4623]

Not even a triangle?

[@rsislandcrafts]

Do I cut triangles? No, not usually. A can cut a square in half if I need a triangle. I don’t usually sew patterns that specifically ask for triangles unless they say cut a square on the diagonal for two triangles. It’s your scraps. You can cut them into any shape or size that works for you and the style of quilts that you make.

[@juliejessup6406]

Vvvvno