OhCanada

I keep all scraps and find that I do end up using tiny pieces for appliqué and paper piecing. The long bits I trim off the sides after quilting are often used to make binding, batting scraps in bag handes, potholders. Pieces of batting are easy to join together to get the right size for quilts and wall hangings.

AlvaStitcher

I save most of my scraps and cut them down to squares in 1/2 inch increments starting at 1 1/2" up to 5". Those that I don't cut down I use in crumb or confetti blocks that will measure 3" finished. I have about 75 or so of them made. I will sew them together with black sashing to make a quilt. Some scraps I give to a lady in the guild that makes pet beds for a pet rescue group. Here is a picture of the crumb/confetti blocks that are awaiting friends to attach themselves to. LOL
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jbj137

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*** Listen to the wisdom of carolaiken in her reply & me.
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*** If you have the space SAVE IT ALL.
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*** You may need it later.
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LavenderBlue

Alva, LOVE your crumb/confetti blocks already!

paoberle

That's a question only you can answer. I don't save anything less than about an inch wide and several inches long. When I first started quilting I saved almost everything, except selvages, until I finally figured out just how small of a piece I was willing to work with. If in doubt, save it until you figure things out. I have a medium size plastic storage container that I just throw all the small pieces into.

lynnie

I've made a crumb quilt. some of my 4" blocks have as many as 16 pieces in them. look to Pintrest to see a few of them. good luck.

jmoore

since I have been working on Jen Kingwell's Gypsy Wife quilt, I found myself in desperate need to re-sort and tidy up my scrap bins.. I also have cut hundreds of 2 1/2 inch squares over the past couple of days so I can start a leaders/enders project simultaneously with the Gypsy Wife. I saw another member's photo of an Arkansas quilt that looked like a wonderful leaders/enders project. [ATTACH=CONFIG]543453[/ATTACH]

Unsewing

Carol, I also loved Joan Ford's method, cutting all scraps into squares 2". 3.5" and 5". They all go together and I have made several quilts using only these scraps. A 2" plus a 3.5" matches the 5". Three 2" match a 5" and a 9-patch of 2" squares matches the 5". It's all good. (Watch those ¼" seams!) I keep a plastic shoe box for each size and it's like a fabric store when I need some special color.

Regarding your wish for other fabrics -- is there a Quilts for Kids chapter near you? If you like to quilt for charity, this may be your thing. I belong to a local chapter and we have a stash large enough that no member ever needs to buy fabric again. We all make and donate quilts made from our own fabric or fabric from the stash. You'd be amazed at the amount of fabric we accumulate -- donated by quilters widowers, sisters or just quilters who no longer want certain patterns -- we take it all and re-donate to other charities if we can't use it. It's very rewarding to make and give quilts to kids with serious illness or injuries or traumatized kids. Our group of about 70 quilters donates about 800 quilts/year.

Unsewing

I also loved Joan Ford's method, cutting all scraps into squares 2". 3.5" and 5". They all go together and I have made several quilts using only these scraps. A 2" plus a 3.5" matches the 5". Three 2" match a 5" and a 9-patch of 2" squares matches the 5". It's all good. (Watch those ¼" seams!) I keep a plastic shoe box for each size and it's like a fabric store when I need some special color.

Regarding your wish for other fabrics -- is there a Quilts for Kids chapter near you? If you like to quilt for charity, this may be your thing. I belong to a local chapter and we have a stash large enough that no member ever needs to buy fabric again. We all make and donate quilts made from our own fabric or fabric from the stash. You'd be amazed at the amount of fabric we accumulate -- donated by quilters widowers, sisters or just quilters who no longer want certain patterns -- we take it all and re-donate to other charities if we can't use it. It's very rewarding to make and give quilts to kids with serious illness or injuries or traumatized kids. Our group of about 70 quilters donates about 800 quilts/year.

ube quilting

I just finished this mini quilt. The pieces started at 1" wide and 2 1/4" long. This type of work is not for everyone but it it really is fun for me. You have to do what works for you, just remember there is almost nothing that is too small that can't be used for some creative purpose.

" Blueberry Patch"
finished size 15" square
block size about 1 1/4" square

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Just to show what can be done with little pieces.
peace