In keeping with the theme of reducing and organizing your stash, let’s discuss the “scrap problem”. Right now, my scraps are stored in a single plastic bin. However, when I take the lid off it literally explores from all the fabrics I have stuffed in there. This method also makes it difficult to track what colors and styles of fabric are there.
Since the Scrappy House blocks are made from scraps, this bin needs organized so that the blocks can come together more quickly. The first one was finished yesterday and only 18 more are needed in order to be caught up! I plan to work on them this weekend so that things are back on track by Monday.
The first one turned out really cute. This uses some of the modern fabrics in my scrap bag – do you see the little bird in the window? My plan is to mix up all the fabric styles. It will look nice and scrappy when completed. In order to give the final piece some unity, the same black and red fabrics will be used to create the border and corner stones that surround each block. The search is still on for these two fabrics.
Anyway, back to to the scrap problem. I purchased 8 clear plastic shoebox bins and will be organizing the scraps by the colors of the rainbow (black/white for the last bin). This seems to be an easy way to get them in order for now. Since I have so many vintage scraps, these will be organized in another set of bins.
How do you organize your scraps? Please post your suggestions in the comments section.
Keep It Thimble!
Keep it Thimble 
Yes, but is the bird in the house or outside the house! 😉
Haha! Good question.
Well, at least you have scraps!! And I have 17 houses!!!
You are right on track then! I made another house yesterday. I got behind on the houses because I am getting caught up on my Civil War squares!
What a darling block!! Most of my scraps are in exploding bins too. However, I’ve started cutting them down into 1, 2, and 3 inch squares and storing them by size in a set of plastic shelves designed for scrapbooking. It’s a lot of work, but fun when you have a drawer full of precut pieces and inspiration strikes.
Yes, when you are organized it is much easier. Have you ever heard of “Scrap Therapy”. This is a system designed by another quilter and then she has a series of projects to go along with it. Essentially you cut your fabrics into 5, 3, and 2 in squares (or something like that).
Sorry to say I save just enough scrapes to mend what ever the fabric came from and the rest I throw away. However, I really do like your house patch.
Don’t throw away your scraps!! You can save them for me :).
I saw on a blog that a gal bought a plastic four drawer roll around. I bought one, put labels on each drawer 2″, 2.5″, 3″, squares.
It has made a big difference.
When I finish a project, and have small amounts of fabric left, I cut it into strips, put in drawers. Now I dont have lots of bits hanging around.
less waste, easier to find what I need, and less frustration.
Happy sewing…K
Great idea Karen! This method allows you to stay on top of the scraps before they get too out of control.