For many years I have carefully cut my scraps into various sized strips and squares, starting with 1.5-inch and moving to 2-inch, 2.5-inch, and 3.5-inch.
While I think that this is a decent system, the truth is that I don’t use most of those sizes.
I have a large drawer of 1.5-inch squares……
….another drawer full of 2-inch squares…..
….and a stack of 3.5-inch squares that are simply NOT being used.
So, WHY am I spending time cutting them???
I regularly clean out my 2.5-inch strips and the box of 2.5-inch squares has been replenished many times……
I also find many uses for the 1.5-inch strips.
This past weekend my plan was to start working on this large bin of scraps and fabric pieces that had been gifted to me…..
I started out cutting all of the different sizes and then decided that LIFE WAS TOO SHORT!!
It was really freeing to limit the cutting to 1.5-inch and 2.5-inch strips and 2.5-inch squares!!!
I am using my AccuQuilt to cut the pieces and found that it was easiest to use the strip die to cut the fabrics.
I first placed a number of scraps on the cutting area….up to 6 layers deep…..
After the first pass, these scraps were cut into 2.5-inch strips…..
I then stacked the strips up perpendicular to the cutting lines…..
….and ran it thru again……
The result was a nice stack of very USEABLE 2.5-inch squares…..
So far, I have cut these strips…..
….these squares……
….and I still have this much left to work thru…..
Now, much of what is left to do looks as if it will be too small to use so I HOPE that I can keep my resolve and add them to the dog bed bits…..
7 thoughts on “There has to be a minimum!!”
My definition of scrap is less than 5 inches or so square. Anything else is my stash! With that definition, I never precut anything until actually needed. But then I live where I only get the chance to buy fabric every 2 or 3 years, so nothing is easily replacable. Everyone has there limit. Glad your works for you.
Thanks Susan. I am happy to work under my limits for now. They will probably change again in a few years!!!
For some paper foundation projects I save 1inch stripes
I’ve gotten my mojo back. Have started cutting scraps with my Accuquilt also. To many sizes, not enough bins. Concentrating on 1.5, 2 inch and 3 inch dies at the moment. Like your idea, of life is to short. I figure I can know out a lot of scrappy quilts with those sizes, for now. In between the regular blocks I’m making. Love your ideas.
I am glad that you are enjoying playing with your fabrics!! After cutting all of these 2.5-inch squares, I am seeing tons of ideas for using them, and THAT is exciting!!!
Cutting only the sizes you use the most makes a LOT of sense.
I hope so Karen. It was just crazy to think about spending so much time cutting things that I would never use!!!