How small is too small? The answer depends on what you are talking about and your personal predilection. I ask myself this question when deciding what fabrics and fabric trimmings to keep and what to toss. My personal choice has varied over the years.
Early Days
When I first started quilting I kept nearly everything but trimmings. You never know when that bright yellow fabric scrap might be perfect as a highlight. Well, when you save every scrap for 30 plus years of working with fabric, those scraps turn into scrap mountains. Sure, I have used the occasional scrap, but I use far fewer scraps than I thought I might. So, mid career, I became far more cavalier about tossing out scraps.
In the age of recycle, repurpose, and revere our planet, tossing out scraps willy nilly, seems uncaring. My current solution is to use my leftovers to intuitively piece the back of my quilts.
Present Day
When I finished piecing Sunrise Over the Gulf River, I had quite a few precut triangles left over. I used these to form 2″ square units. Next I selected a length of contrasting fabric for “filler”. I’m having fun floating the units in blocks measuring 6″ square, 12″ square and 6″ x 12″ rectangles. Voila! My first modern quilt back is taking shape.
I am linking up with Nina Marie’s Off the Wall Fridays.
