Conquer Your Scraps

When I first started quilting, I didn’t know scraps were a thing. But, I learned quickly they were a force to be reckoned with. The more I got addicted to all the pretty fabric and the more quilts I created with that pretty fabric, the more my scrap mountain grew. I knew a fabric avalanche was inevitable, but when? Did I have time to sew with it all before disaster struck? How do I cut these odd shaped pieces into something usable? What do I even make with these scraps I’ve been hoarding? They are too beautiful to sell and the thought of throwing them out after spending all that money on them was definitely out of the question. I mean, there has to be enough here to make a quilt or 2 or 10, right?!

Growing mountain of scraps

Scrap overwhelm is a real thing and I had it.

So I started by sorting scraps by color. I bought containers for all the different colors. They sure looked pretty and my risk of being buried alive had lessened when I was finished. But I still didn’t know what to make with them or how to use them. I didn’t like digging through the bins to find just the right fabric, only to be disappointed because it was too small of a piece for what I needed.

Color sorted scrap strips

Scrap let down is also a thing and I had that too.

My next course of action was to try the method of cutting all the sizes. There had to be at least a 1,000 different sizes I supposed to cut my scraps into (ok…I may be exaggerating here). So I went out and bought more containers to store my scraps in, one for each size. I spent days cutting them up at my dining room table after I had put my kids to bed for the night. I did enjoy fondling all my pretties but I still was left feeling overwhelmed. So many pieces and sizes of fabric and what was I going to make with them? How am I ever going to keep up with this?

Scrap regret is a thing and I had that as well.

You could be one of the lucky ones who has a system in place and keeps up with your scraps, that’s awesome, keep going with it! Maybe scraps aren’t your thing though because of all the stuff I mentioned previously. Maybe you sell your scraps or maybe you toss them. But if you’re stubborn like me (and stayed reading this long) and love to be resourceful (Mainer’s are known for that sort of thing….I mean I’ve seen some pretty creative and useful stuff made from junk laying around out here in the “sticks”), then giving up wasn’t an option. I devoured everything I could find on scraps. I searched and searched. Then, Karen Brown came along of Just Get it Done Quilts. She made a You Tube video ( HERE ) describing how she manages her scraps…my world was rocked! Forever changed for the better. It was like taking the ankle weights off. I felt lighter, brighter and ready for anything! Karen had saved me.

My current scrap storage and organization system

So what was so magical about Karen’s system? Well it seemed to address most, if not all, my problems. It was easy to keep up with. I only needed to cut a few sizes. And I knew what I could make with the sizes I was left with. After using her system for over a year, it evolved into a system that really works for me.

I know you’re saying “So what Kate? What’s in it for me?” How about a manageable scrap system that not only will leave you feeling inspired by your scraps but also with scraps that you will actually use.

I made this quilt from precut 5” and 2 1/2” scrap squares over a year ago

How big your scrap mountain is will determine how much stamina you are going to need to conquer this climb. If you have a large amount of scraps, I recommend setting a timer for 10 to 30 minutes a day, a few days a week. Pair this task with something you enjoy that is about the same length (like a Friends rerun or a true crime podcast episode). I also highly recommend stopping when the timer goes off or your show is done. You will be tempted to just push through but if you need multiple sessions to get through your scraps, you are going to burn yourself out doing long stretches. You may even grow to resent your scraps and resort to tossing them in the garbage bin rather than taking the time to cut them properly (I have no idea how I stumbled upon this little gem of knowledge). If you have less scrap build up, maybe 1 or 2 sessions paired with a binge worthy show or movie will do the trick for you (lucky duck).

Now down to the nitty gritty. Change your blade on your rotary cutter (I like these HERE for my Olfa). Grab a ruler with some length (this ONE is my favorite) and turn on your favorite music, show or podcast of choice. Cut your scraps into strips measuring 6 1/2”, 5”, and 2 1/2”. If the scrap strip is longer than 18” in length then I leave the fabric strip as is. If the fabric strip is less than 18” inches in length, I cut these into squares. I also will cut my 2 1/2” short strips into 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangles because I like to work with this size. That’s it! You can always add more strip widths or less strip widths. The key to this system is to try it for a while and adapt it to your sewing style.

A freshly cut and organized pile of scraps

After I cut my scraps into strips, whatever is left (it has to be a minimum 1” wide up to 2 1/2”) I consider a string. Anything narrower I toss, but if you know something you want to make with those then keep them! If the string is less than 8” long, I set those aside for my receipt strips (tutorial on that coming soon).

My string organization and storage. Aren’t strings the prettiest of all the scraps?!

These strip widths are versatile and can be cut down into other sizes if you find a scrap quilt pattern you want to make. Not to mention the plethora of precut friendly quilt patterns that are out there that use 2 1/2” strips and 2 1/2” & 5” squares. I will be releasing my quilt pattern, Bowdoin, which uses 2 1/2” x WOF strips. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss it. There are also many tutorials that show how to make use of these specific scrap sizes. Lastly, be sure to check out my FREE Portland quilt pattern (FREE for signing up for my email newsletter) that can use up some of your 2 1/2” and 5” strips.

Bottomline, there is no right or wrong way to cut your scraps. Don’t overthink it. Nobody cares if you don’t cut your scrap in the most efficient way possible to maximize the number of scraps you get out of it (if they do, they aren’t welcome in my sewing studio). It is far better to at least cut the scrap into a size you will use rather than never use it at all for fear of wasted fabric.

Tell me below what you love or want to make with your scraps. Or share some of the troubles that you have had with dealing with your scraps. Did your scrap mountain have an avalanche that caused an injury? I mean, that would be something! Scraps don’t have to be overwhelming anymore. Next week on the blog, I’ll go over what to do with your scraps once you have them cut.

Your fellow scrap wrangler,

Kate