How Do You Organize?

My authority as an organizational expert is admittedly suspect, but I do have a system that works for me. My biggest downfall in the success of my system is that I don't devote enough time to it. I am content to work in a messy, cluttered space; the pull of the next project far overpowers any desire to put away the parts from the last one.

I will work on this.

Today, however, I don't really want to talk about that. Instead, I thought you might be interested in seeing my simple system.

Some may wonder why even bother to save scraps. I can think of a few viable reasons. First, fabric is becoming increasingly expensive, so if usable bits are left over, then make them into something rather than waste them and throw them into a landfill. Second, I really enjoy making scrap quilts and feel a sense of pride in making something out of nothing. Last, if I bought the fabric to begin with, it was because I really liked it! And I still like it! I don't want to throw it away! So the idea of using it elsewhere is very appealing.

When I first got moderately serious about scrap management, I limited myself to cutting just the most basic and often-used sizes of squares and strips. This worked really well, and I have actually used a lot of the 2.5" squares in recent projects.

Sometimes, though, I had bigger pieces of fabric and I thought I really ought not to cut everything down so small. I then began cutting larger squares. Here are some of my most recently cut scraps labeled with sizes.

I also cut strips, when long bits are in the scrap pile.

And that is it - my super-simple organizational method for scrap control. After cutting, all are stored separately in easily-identifiable totes or bins or baskets.

Now, to figure out how to stay at it longer than a couple of days. At the rate I've gone so far, the impact my efforts have had in the sewing room is imperceptible.

Ahh, well. Soldier on, eh?

Happy Quilting, Friends!