How do you cut your scraps?

[coffeebreak]

I am starting a scrap stash. I see how others keep their scraps and then sew them into patches and all. Well, my question is this....I have a box of odd shapes...some big some little, as usual. So, how do I go about cutting them into the squares or strips to sew together to make patches? I took some out yesterday intending to do it while listening to tv, but basically overwhelmed as I don't want to waste any fabric, but want to be able to just cut and go kind of thing. I've seen where they cut like 4" sqs and then chain them together, then fold and sew and make a 4-patch and that is now their "scrap".

Do you take the whole fabric piece and then use which ever template that will fit in the biggest area like a 8 inch squarte and then cut that and then have that to cut down to smaller sizes? Or do you take like a 4 inch template and just cut as many 4 inch sqs. as you can?

I know to lay the fab out with the grain line horizontal/vertical so as not to cut on the bias...but any tips on how to stack the pieces so that when you cut you can cut multiple pieces...for time's sake?

Appreciate any tips and suggestions on cutting scrap fabric into usable pieces. Only stip is..yes make sure they are cut right and even, but also a quick and easy kind of way!

[GrammaBabs]

I found this to be a wealth of info haven't done it yet, but she puts it all in perspective i think..



http://quiltville.com/scrapusersystem.shtml

[cyndiofthevortex]

Hi Cheri,

I usually choose a pattern I like that's good for lots of scraps, then cut out the ones that will go together. I like Buckeye Beauty (also called Jewel Box) or Stacked Bricks since it takes two different sized squares. I stack like-sized pieces together and cut 4 or 5 together. Some people cut up to 8 stacked. So look through your books and magazines and the albums here and pick a good scrappy pattern and go from there. Jacob's Ladder and X's and O's from Jenny's tuts would also make great patterns to use.

Good luck and enjoy playing with all those lovely fabrics you've collected!

Cyndi

[coffeebreak]

I found this to be a wealth of info haven't done it yet, but she puts it all in perspective i think..



http://quiltville.com/scrapusersystem.shtml

Wow - amazing! Good ideas and tips!

[mommadeb]

I paper piece (foundation piecing) and I have tons of small pieces. I literally just started a couple days ago, sewing all these pieces together. They are all shapes and sizes and I am sewing them willy-nilly, no rhyme or reason. When I get done with all of this, I'll have a nice size piece of fabric that I will square up and use for something or just keep adding onto it. It's really fun to see what I end up with when I am trimming them after sewing.