Scraps: Bestie or Bane?

I wonder how many of you are in the ‘save every scrap no matter how small’ camp, how many are in the ‘save only if > (insert size)’ camp, and how many don’t really save scraps at all. When you get right down to it, what is a scrap? you can see how this gets controversial real quick.

For the record, I love scrappy quilts! the more the better.

I hope you saw the post from last week about STASH fabric and my favorite patterns for making quilts with your stash. I also gave you a challenge and hope you have been thinking it over….

This is the year we get all those cute fabrics -stash and scraps- off the shelves and make something and ENJOY them. Are you with me?

Back to the question: what is a scrap? Scraps are typically viewed as any fabric that is ‘left over’ from making a project. They can be itty bitty pieces for future pincushion stuffing all the way up to almost fat quarters but with a chunk cut out. For our purposes, I am going to allow a pretty broad interpretation of scraps because we all enjoy making different types of quilts and other crafty things and so have unique uses for our scrap fabrics. My mom is a very talented hand applique quilter, so she likes to keep smaller scraps -that I would toss- for her applique.

Whatever you consider a scrap, I bet you have them.

Uses for scraps by size:
+ smaller than 2 1/2″ ? unless you know someone who loves tiny scraps and will use them, you have permission to toss.
Other ideas:
1. as mentioned above, make a pincushion and use the tiny scraps to as stuffing.
2. sew them all together in a chain, keeping the thread in between intact, to make a colorful bunting for hanging across a bookcase or around the perimeter of a room near the ceiling. You could wrap a wreath form to make a shaggy, colorful wreath to hang on a mirror or door.

+ 2 1/2″ to 10″ ? make a quilt! Depending on the quantity and style of the fabric, these pieces are great for quilt patterns that are ‘pre-cut’ friendly. Pre-cuts are packaged sets of fabric that come together already cut in 2 1/2″ strips, 5″ squares, or 10″ squares. Nobody ever said you can’t cut your own fabrics that size and use them for a ‘pre-cut’ pattern.
These guys might also be ideal for smaller projects like a zip pouch for your hand sewing supplies or pencils and sketch book.

+ 10″ to 18″ ? now you are talking really useful scraps! These larger pieces can be part of your palette for a larger quilt to add some interest, contrast and variety. Most of the quilt you see on the covers of my quilt patterns are ‘large scrap’ scrappy – lots of different fabrics from different collections and designers. It’s so much fun choosing which pieces to put together!

My favorite use for larger scraps? divide them by color group (reds, blues, beige, etc) and use the group in place of yardage in a quilt pattern. For example: your pattern calls for 2 yards of a blue fabric to make stars. Instead of using two yards of a single print, cut the shapes in the pattern from the variety of prints in you ‘blue’ scrap pile. Below is a good examples of this concept – the Hula Girl quilt  – in this case using a wide variety of ‘light’ prints instead of a single piece of yardage for the background.

You’ll notice that I do this in a lot of my quilts, why use just one fabric when you can use scraps??

For those that are large enough to be useful but you know you won’t use or just need to de-clutter your space, consider giving to a friend who quilts. He or She may need a boost to their stash. Maybe they want to trade their unwanted pieces, and you both end up with something ‘new’ to play with.
Many communities have organizations who will take fabric donations. I know that in my area, there is a domestic violence group that makes quilts for women and children in shelter and will take scraps or finished quilts. There is also a group who makes quilts for women with breast cancer at the local hospital. I once gave a whole bunch of scraps to my son’s pre-school when the teacher wanted to do a weaving activity with the kids. Ask at a local quilt shop or guild group if they know of organizations that will take fabric donations.

I don’t know about you, but I feel a bit stressed when I feel that I have TOO MUCH. When my space is cluttered, I have too many unfinished projects, or want to buy new fabric when I know I already have so much. Let’s make 2024 the year we use our pretty stash and scraps or give them to someone who will. It’s our tiny way of making the world a little bit prettier.

Finally, I will say this: you have permission to let go of fabric you won’t use. Whether it’s tiny scraps or larger pieces. This is your sign to toss or donate. Free your space and your brain for new creative ideas and a fresh start.

My favorite scrappy quilt patterns and projects:

+ Gossamer quilt pattern: not your typical ‘scrappy’ quilt for those who prefer a recognizable pattern

+ Hula Girl and Festival quilt patterns: this is for all of you who have a strong collection of ‘low volume’ scraps

+ 60 degree triangle quick quilt: I show you how to make this one on YouTube so it’s free (-: Take out all those fabrics you’ve collected by your favorite designer and cut a few triangles from each one. You will feel warm and happy every time you look at that quilt.

More Stash, Scrap and UFO projects coming to the CGQ email list. If you aren’t already getting email from me,
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More soon,