What do you do with your fabric scraps? Do you save every last bit of fabric, or do you limit your scraps to larger pieces?
I’m thrilled to share a new book with you, written by my quilting friend, Sylvia Schaefer. Modern Scrap Quilts: Playing with Negative Space is Sylvia’s second book on incorporating negative space into modern quilt design (the first book is The Quilter’s Negative Space Handbook), and it is packed with even more great information.
Today, I am sharing some highlights from the book, along with a mini quilt top I made that was inspired by the section on ghost blocks. Then, we’ll do a giveaway so one of you can receive a digital copy of the book! Make sure to read to the end to see how you can win.
(Note: I received a free review copy of this book to write this blog post.)
Modern Scrap Quilts: Playing with Negative Space
This book includes patterns for ten quilts, but the information about each technique is the best part of the book. Each technique of scrap usage is thoroughly explained so you can use it in other projects and designs, meaning you are not limited to projects in this book alone.
Modern Scrap Quilts is divided into four main sections to break down different methods of scrap usage:
- The Basics: Scraps in the Block and Echoing Block Shapes
- Filling In Blocks: Accent Blocks, Ghost Blocks, and Contrasting Blocks
- Improvisational Piecing: Pure Improv Negative Space, Structured Improv Piecing, and Created Fabric
- Color Gradients: Foreground Fade-Out and Gradients in the Negative Space
Background Information
As Modern Quilters, we often think of negative space as a field of solid color, but Sylvia provides ample technical and background information about why and how to create dynamic scrappy quilts that embrace the use of negative space. This includes information on how the foreground and background fabrics relate to the negative space, basic color theory, and how different types of fabric prints can be used to create a relationship with negative space.
Fabric Requirements
Sometimes it’s challenging to determine how many scraps you need and whether your scrap sizes will be suitable for a project. One of my favorite parts of this book is the diagram that appears in the corner of the page next to each pattern, indicating the size and quantity of scraps required for the project. For instance, the project associated with this diagram utilizes a small number of small scraps. More details about this diagram are explained early in the book, so you will know what to expect as you begin a project.
Quilt Designs
In addition to quilts with complete patterns provided, Sylvia also includes numerous sketches of other potential quilt designs to illustrate how each concept can be applied in various design scenarios. In the diagram below, we see how a simplified version of a key block can be simplified for scrappy use in the negative space of the quilt.
These diagrams also provide an opportunity to consider how the scale, layout, or density of scrap usage affects the overall aesthetic of the quilt, which will help you to avoid potential pitfalls as you create your own designs using these techniques.
Using Ghost Blocks for a Mini Quilt Top
I found the use of ghost blocks in the Accent Blocks section of the book to be particularly inspiring, and I started pulling out my scraps to make a mini quilt top inspired by Sylvia’s Homeward Bound design.
The background of my quilt consists of a half-yard of Grunge fabric with a few chunks cut out, combined with low-volume scraps, and the foreground highlights green scraps. I discovered that most of my scraps are actually too tiny for four-at-a-time flying geese, so I ended up using a stitch-and-flip technique.
This mini quilt is the perfect size for a cushion cover, so I think it will soon become one.
Giveaway!
I’m thrilled to team up with C&T Publishing to offer one of you lucky readers a digital copy of Modern Scrap Quilts. This opportunity is open to readers residing anywhere, and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post telling me something about your scraps. (How do you store them? How big do they have to be for you to keep them? What is your favorite project you have made with scraps? etc.)
The giveaway is open through the end of the blog book tour, November 20, 2025.
Speaking of the blog tour, make sure you head over to C&T Publishing to learn more about the book! (and get more opportunities to win!)
- Monday, Nov. 10: Book Tour Announcement on the C&T Blog
- Tuesday, Nov. 11: Mary Quilts Blog
- Wednesday, Nov. 12: Lynn from Create Whimsy
- Thursday, Nov. 13: Becca from Sugar Sand Quilt Co.
- Friday, Nov. 14: Cassandra from The (Not So) Dramatic Life
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Raylee from Sunflower Stitcheries & Quilting
- Sunday, Nov. 16: Deb from QuiltBlox
- Tuesday, Nov. 18: Anne from Said With Love
- Wednesday, Nov. 19: Concluding message from Sylvia Schaefer
151 Comments
Pamela Wall
November 14, 2025 at 6:22 amI have lots of scraps as a quilting teacher! I organize them by color and size in bins. I go to my bins first to play with color patterns in a new project. This book looks like a wonderful concept for one of my classes!
Martha
November 14, 2025 at 6:30 amI have bins and.bags of scraps. The smallest size I keep is 1. 1/2” squares, and generally sort them by colour. I have used them for mug rugs, placemats and adding interest to larger blocks and have made a couple of lapquilts from the larger pieces. I am always looking for creative ways to use them.
Pamela
November 14, 2025 at 6:31 amI save all of my scraps! LOL I save the standard pre-cuts by color. (2-1/2″ strips and squares, fat quarters, charms and 5″ strips and layer cakes. after that, I save strips in random colors starting with 1″ to 6-1/2″. All of the rest of the scraps go into fabric colored bins that I made from scraps. I don’t throw anything away except true strings. Just reading your review of this book, sounds like it has a lot of very useful information for scraps. It has my interest. Thanks for sharing.
CJ Delles
November 14, 2025 at 6:37 amI have all my scraps sorted by color family, then by size (crumbs, at least 2.5″ square, and larger pieces). Then I put each group in a zipper storage bag. I’ve had to get the two gallon size for all my blues. This method makes it easy to pull the fabric I want, but all the bags are in totes in my closet so I can’t see what I have. I need to get a bigger sewing room or just make a dent in my stash!
Patty
November 14, 2025 at 6:46 amI store scraps into 3 boxes – cool colors (solids), warm colors (solids), and prints!
Diane Oakes
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 amThis looks like a wonderful book, thanks for sharing it Cassandra! I’m a huge follower of Bonnie Hunter, so my scraps pretty much follow her plan – 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″ squares and 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″ and 3.5″ strips. Plus of course those strings that can be used in oh so many patterns.
Brittany
November 14, 2025 at 6:53 amI store my scraps in 3 boxes based on season, design and or color.
Sharon
November 14, 2025 at 7:05 amI have multiple plastic bins sorted by colour. However, they are sooooo full I now have a jumble of bags filled with scraps of every colour. HELP they are multiplying and I am struggling to know what to do with them! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
Nancy Larkin
November 14, 2025 at 7:05 amI sort my scraps by color into 10 bins a little larger than a shoe box by colors, red/ pinks, blacks/grays, etc. The bins are stored on a bookshelf for easy access. Scraps need to be larger than 6 inches to keep. My latest project used a rainbow of bright colors for very small paper pieced flying geese on a pair of quilted sneakers.
Judy
November 15, 2025 at 8:36 amI always have good plans for my scrap storage but just can’t keep up with it. My older scraps are sorted by size and my solids are sorted by color. It takes longer to get the newer scraps in the right place so I have a bin of mixed sizes and colors.
Lucinda
November 14, 2025 at 7:08 amI’m inspired by those dark blue scrappy backgrounds – I have lots in my scrap bin and this gives me an idea to use them as background not as focus blocks.
heather
November 14, 2025 at 7:15 amhi! thank you for offering this! well, my scraps are A Lot! i pretty much save them all. i “plan” to do something with them. don’t know what i am thinking! honestly, i haven’t really ever used them- maybe once or twice. ugh! i even have a bag of triangles, etc. one day… have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Tricia
November 14, 2025 at 7:16 amI sort by color, also have bins for solids (that need to be sorted by color) and sometimes by designer. I absolutely love a scrappy quilt and all the memories each piece holds. I don’t save anything smaller than a 2″ square.
Debra
November 14, 2025 at 7:23 amLove scraps- terrific ideas here!
Melany
November 14, 2025 at 7:24 amHi Cassandra! I store all scraps in clear shoebox size bins by colour. The teeny tiny ones go in a bag reserved for stuffing things. I have about 5 – 7 scrappy quilts on the go right now, all completely different, but I have to say my favourite block is the flying geese.. so many sizes and variations to use up scraps… no patterns necessary!
manon
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 amI organize my scrap materials by color, regardless of their dimensions, within a 1-inch allocation.
Catie
November 14, 2025 at 7:26 amMy scraps are a glorious collection of prints and solids, lights, mediums, and darks. Quilts in progress tend to jumble the pile even further!
Kathleen
November 14, 2025 at 7:27 amSylvia has designed some beautiful quilts for this book. I’m an art quilter, but make one or two modern scrap quilts every year for family, friends or charity. I have accumulated a wonderful stash over the years by buying half and quarter yards of fabrics I love. My quilts are a joyful mix of scraps and stash.
Krista
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 amI have no good method for storing my scraps. I swear I keep everything. They are casually sorted by color. My latest quilt using scraps was a Wild Star quilt (Plains and Pines) that was spectacular! Looking forward to new ideas on using my scraps!
Andrea Barrett
November 14, 2025 at 7:35 amI’ve been playing with rhythm and repetition with my scraps using adding machine tape. I love the idea of using scraps as negative space and it would be fun to learn more about that.
Janet
November 14, 2025 at 7:37 amGood morning, Cassandra. I have lots of scraps. I usually don’t save anything smaller than 2”, but that still leaves plenty! I like to make crumb blocks with all the odd shaped pieces I have. Enjoy your Friday newsletter!
Jody
November 14, 2025 at 7:40 amHi, Cassandra! Love your work and glad you’re coming to my guild in 2026 so I’ll see you then. I ROYGBIV my scraps, adding bins for black, brown and white. A few select colors I collect a lot I also add in, e.g., teal. Triangles I can get 1/4 to about an inch reveal go into a bin. Some call these trash but I love them! I love a good scrap quilt! I even have a dog named Scrappy!
Nann
November 14, 2025 at 7:41 amI cut scraps to size. There are hampers under the cutting table for strips (1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2) and boxes for squares (1-1/2 to 4-1/2). There’s separate box for batik scraps. Oh, and there’s a box for just random scraps that are waiting to be cut and added to the respective boxes. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Thersa
November 14, 2025 at 7:50 amHi Cassandra,
My scraps are sorted by type, i.e. modern, reproduction, and batiks. I save all shapes and sizes, hopefully to use at some point. I think Sylvia Schaefer’s book, Modern Scrap Quilts would give me the incentive to make something! Thanks so much for offering this. 🙂
~ Theresa
Cheri Love
November 14, 2025 at 7:59 amI’separate my scraps into groups by color or pattern type – think Asian, floral, holiday – and put them in big Ziploc bags, then store the bags in massive tubs.
I love that you pieced a couple of your triangles!
Katie
November 14, 2025 at 7:59 amHello – I love scraps and typically keep anything an inch wide or larger. I usually just toss them into a bag (or 2) until I decide that the scraps are out of control and then start sorting them by color. By the time I’m done sorting them, I’ve thought of something I want to make with the scraps. “making fabric” with the scraps is one of my favorites use of scraps.
Carole
November 14, 2025 at 8:01 amMy scraps go in a basket. When it gets full I sew them together every which way that they will fit together sometimes cutting off an edge. It’s easy to get in a pickle so I square it and start over. Lately I’ve been thinking I need to add larger pieces…this book would be handy for ideas.
Joy
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 amScraps are in clear reused batting bags. I have pulled pieces for a recent quilt called Hat Day (by WendySheppard). I am working towards a scrap system. Too small? Slivers of trimmings and pslossibly 1/4 inch any length, but still in a baggy over here. Sigh
Tracy Shaub
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 amI cut to size as well… 1.5 in and 2.5 in strips, 5 in squares, 5 in. Strips and 10 inch squares. Now to use them!!!
Lucinda Herring
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 amI have harvested my husband’s dress shirts (and some casual ones too). They are stored 8n a tub with some of his worn ties. I also have a fairly big tub of vintage scraps. I saw several possibilities from what you showed. I love scrappy quilts…but hate having to put everything away when done. I have a little sewing space, everything is stored everywhere but there. 🙄
Mostly I make ‘rescue’ quilts.
Patty N
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 amWe are currently full time RVers so space is limited. I throw anything 1″ and less, I try to use my scraps first in any project I work on, and I swap/donate a bunch when I can.
Georgia
November 14, 2025 at 8:09 amOur guild hosted Sylvia earlier in the year. Her excellent presentation was about negative space, the subject of her first book. I’m looking forward to getting this book so I will be inspired to use my scraps of all sizes. One of my favorite ways to store them is in an old CD tower spinner that I “sourced” from the street mall. Other scraps are stored in three drawer plastic boxes. Love your blog!
Debbie
November 14, 2025 at 8:16 amI really need a way to use my scraps! This book looks amazing!
Iris
November 14, 2025 at 8:16 amI, too, save everything! I tend to save my scraps by project. While not sorted by color, they have a relation with each other by virtue of the finished quilt.
Deborah
November 14, 2025 at 8:17 amI don’t have a good scrap storage method… I have one big tub and then if I want a certain set of colours I tip it out and find the colours I want to work with and everything else goes back in the big tub.
Deanna
November 14, 2025 at 8:19 amSo pleased to hear you’ll be presenting at the Miami Valley Quilt Guild this coming year! Always learn a great deal from your inspiring presentations. Thank you
diane
November 14, 2025 at 8:20 amI store all my scraps in a big plastic box. When it gets full I make community quilts out of them.
I do use a lot in other projects also.
Sandra
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 amThey. Never. Go. Away! If I cant get a 2.5 x 2.5 square out of it, it’s in the trash.
Brendan Berg
November 14, 2025 at 8:31 amUnfortunately I have 9 years of scraps “saved up” in random show boxes. I did organize them by color a few years ago…but that’s probably the last time they’ve seen any sunlight. I do have dreams of crazy quilts and scrappy projects…perhaps I’ll check out this book and get inspired!
Suzanne
November 14, 2025 at 8:46 amI keep my scraps sorted in clear plastic bags. With this giveaway, I can be inspired to use them. Thanks!
Mary Lou P
November 14, 2025 at 8:35 amLots and lots of scraps here. Three full totes awaiting incorporation in future quilts. Try to cut some of my scraps into commonly used strips and squares by devoting an hour each week to that, but the bins show little impact. Thank you for a great chance for patterns to note fully utilize my scraps!
Kath
November 14, 2025 at 8:37 amLove the idea of ghost blocks and look forward to using that concept. I am primarily a scrap quilter and have a hard time tossing anything bigger than an inch. After trying to sort scraps by size, I found that sorting by color (regardless of size) works best for me.
Beryl
November 14, 2025 at 8:38 amI don’t tend to save scraps unless they are above a 1 or 2 inch square. The content in this book has inspired me to try something new. I think I could use so much more if I learned to paper piece. I tried it but wasn’t happy with the result and gave up. I am now determined to master the skill. Thanks for the opportunity to challenge myself.
Sue MacLeod
November 14, 2025 at 8:39 amI save all my scraps, but they aren’t sorted very well. My favorite project so far is a pouch made with a black background with tiny scraps from trimmings. Covered with clear vinyl and quilted in a freeform style.
Veronica M
November 14, 2025 at 8:50 amFor years I sorted scraps by color as well as defined sizes. I have now switched to sorting only by color which saves me time that I used to spend cutting the scraps into 3 specific sizes.
Maureen
November 14, 2025 at 8:51 amI store my scraps by color in ziploc bags. I think this book could help make something nice out of all those scraps!
jennifer
November 14, 2025 at 8:54 amI have the Artistic bag method. Since I do paper piecing and am working on a color wash quilt, I can use a 1.5 inch square. Anything smaller goes into a pillow to donate with my groups charity blankets and quilts
Sheila
November 14, 2025 at 8:54 amI have more scraps than I have time to sew them up. I love scrappy quilts more than any other kind of quilt. So I guess I’m in heaven!
Sheila
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 amI have more scraps than I have time to sew them up. I love scrappy quilts more than any other kind of quilt. So I guess I’m in heaven!
Shanda Siekert-Logue
November 14, 2025 at 8:56 amGreetings Cassandra! I have enjoyed seeing your Instagram posts post Abstraction post! Scraps are driving me crazy! I save the larger scraps by project in clear view bags and boxes and am getting ready to give them away the next time I clean out my quilting room so I can breathe again!!
Judy
November 14, 2025 at 8:59 amI have scraps stored in tubs by color. I also save squares, and strips sorted by size. One of my favorite scrap saver projects is taking a scrap from every project I do and using my tumbler template to cut a shape for what will become a completely scrappy quilt one day.
Evelyn Landry
November 14, 2025 at 9:00 amI store my scraps by color separating solids from prints in clear bags. I do a lot of paper piecing so small bits are good. Every few months i try to sew down the scraps into “made” fabric ad have started making scrappy quarter log cabin blocks which I will use to make a quilt some day.
manon
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 amI organize my scrap materials by color, regardless of their dimensions, within a 1-inch allocation.
Lisa Moreci
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 amMy new “trick” in using my scraps, is that I pick a “block of the year” and the majority of the scraps that are left over after my quilt project immediately gets made into the chosen block. This year it is the kaleidoscope block. So 🤞🏼 this will keep the scrap hoard at bay and eventually start to use up the stash.
Rose Erdozaincy
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 amI keep my scraps in see thru storage bins, separated into color groups. The smaller sized scraps I’m the 1-2” range go into baggies within the bins so they don’t get lost! Thanks for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway!
Kathie
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 amHi Cassandra…I store my scraps in a multicolored paper stacker. It’s cool, because I can sort the red in a red drawer, green in green, blue in blue…ETC. The problem with that is that my sraps are overflowing. So I do need this book to work through that.
Kathy
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 amI store by color in 15-quart bins. I also cut in sizes 21/2″ etc. and have those stored in smaller shoebox size containers. I consider myself a scrap quilter as most of the quilts I make are from scraps.
Austa R
November 14, 2025 at 9:05 amI love scrap quilts and store my scraps by color in color coordinated photo boxes as well as mixed bins of very small bits or strings. I have many scrap quilts I love but my favorite is a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt.
Fran
November 14, 2025 at 9:07 amI store my scraps in two tall cabinets with eight drawers each. I mostly save strings and strips. I love the ghost blocks. I have long been mixing up my neutrals for a scrappy background. Thanks for the chance to win the book. It looks great.
Karla Miley
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 amI’ve recently consolidated my scraps and was stunned by how many scraps I had tucked away over the last 10 years. I have many scraps in search of homes in beautiful scrap quilts!
Emily
November 14, 2025 at 9:13 amI love using scraps and am really excited by the negative block ideas shown here. I store my scraps by color first and then by size, when I take the time to organize…which is not as often as I should! So I do also have some mixed scrap mountains 😉
Sue
November 14, 2025 at 9:20 amSo Cass. You KNOW I love scraps! Ha. I’d love the book to be further inspires 🙂
Julie in GA
November 14, 2025 at 9:22 amI’ve been intrigued by this book for awhile now and would love to win a digital copy of it. I love making scrap quilts and have tons of scraps to use. I have three small drawer units that hold my leftover strips, sorted by color and width. I also have bins and boxes with squares and triangles, plus a pile of random scraps to be trimmed down.
Kate W
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 amHi Cassandra, I store my solids apart from prints in three bins labeled “warm”, “cool” and “neutral.” Within the bins I sort by color and value front to back. My prints are stored in bins by dominant color.
Lisa
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 amI love these scrappy quilts, and I really, really love the way you play with the colors.
Mary Lecy
November 17, 2025 at 6:36 amHi Cassandra! I love, love, love your quilt where you used bright thread on dull fabric! I enjoy receiving your newsletter, thanks for all the inspiration. I sort my scraps by color and save any size for appliqué and scrappy quilts. I’m very interested in learning more about ghost blocks and negative spaces. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!
Theresa
November 14, 2025 at 9:29 amHi Cassandra,
I store my scraps by type, i.e. modern, reproduction, batiks in hopes of using them at some point. I think Sylvia Shaefer’s book would provide the inspiration and motivation to use them. Thanks for offering this!
~Theresa
Thea
November 14, 2025 at 9:32 amI have been saving scraps since I started quilting years ago. I’m the one who gets scraps out of scrap trash bins at retreat. When I periodically sort them, it’s by color and prints. I love making scrap quilts and would like to get some new pattern ideas. I just finished an improv scrap quilt of wonky stars on a black background using different shades of black.
Joanna
November 14, 2025 at 9:34 amI love scraps. I have them stored in a big tub. Perfect for fussy cutting and small projects. I just finished up a postage stamp scrappy quilt.
Elizabeth
November 14, 2025 at 9:35 amI consider myself a scrap quilter and do have a lot! Some are cut and sorted into strips by size, others in bags by color. Hoping this book would help me put them to good use. Thank you for the opportunity.
Karen
November 14, 2025 at 9:36 amHi Cassandra, I consider anything smaller than a fat quarter a scrap. I usually keep them with my “collections” in 2 gallons bags although I do have a couple of plastic bins full of fabric treasures. It’s fun to go through them and try to remember the project they went with. Thank you for the opportunity to win Sylvia’s digital book.
corinne
November 14, 2025 at 9:37 amI started 2025 by refolding and organizing my scraps. It was very meditative. I store based on color & size. Larger scraps in drawers of an antique dresser, set vertically like files. The smallest are in a shoe-box size plastic tote. Well, and then there are tiny ones I might never use thrown into another little tote.
Michele R
November 14, 2025 at 9:40 amUp to this point I’ve been mostly interested in controlled scrappy quilts and have saved scraps of all sizes in bags and or plastic bins in no particular order. Now I’m embracing ‘scrappy, from crumb quilts to anything goes. At a guild event where attendees were to bring two 2.5″ neutral fabric strips, I won the jumbo, wheel-sized strip roll. I’ve barely made a dent in them, so I’m very interested in ghost quilts, especially the mini quilts, another new love of mine. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Your quilts are inspirational.
Karen
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 amMy scraps are sorted by color, with a separate bin for low volume and solids. I tend to use my print scraps in the backings for the quilt where they were used on the front. I hope to have enough for a quilt next year.
Andee
November 14, 2025 at 9:56 amLike my Ikea 9-drawer cabinet in navy color. A few drawers have 2 colors of scraps together. It looks great in my sewing room. Only wish the drawers would come completely out to bring to my cutting table. Thanks for the opportunity for Modern Scraps Quilt digital copy!
Donna Doyle
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 amI have a laundry basket full of scraps. I am a messy creative. When I use my scraps it is dumped and I pick my way through the mess. I do have some scraps in their own bin. Strips, 3” blocks, triangles. 2” and as small as 1”. I have made crumb blocks. Most of my quilts have colour so the scrap bin is used lots. The grandchildren love this as well. Their favourite thing is to dump the basket and create.
Carol Stewart
November 14, 2025 at 9:58 amMy scraps are stored, all mixed together, in a big cloth shopping bag. I do use them in small projects every now and then. This book sounds great!
Jeanie
November 14, 2025 at 9:59 amI really enjoyed your emails. I use my scraps for small quilts and I made Bonnie Hunter’s Hamilton Garden this past year. Will purchase this book. Thank you for sharing.
Vicky
November 14, 2025 at 10:08 amScraps large enough to fold go in bins by color and smaller scraps go into large storage bags by color. Crumb size a in a jar to be used as leaders and enders to build slabs of fabric for improv quilting. I am looking forward to seeing this book, the photos you show are inspiring.
Mary Williams
November 14, 2025 at 10:14 amI do have scraps, lots and lots! Like others I use tiny ones for stuffing. Would love to organize some into a quilt!
Donna
November 14, 2025 at 10:18 amI store the smaller scraps in a large clear zippered blanket bag. The bigger scraps get folded by Color and stored in an old library card catalogue cabinet.
I have made strip quilts from scraps, a scrap star quilt and bags.
This book sounds fabulous. I sure could use ideas to help with deciding how to use those scraps to sew a quilt that doesn’t look scrambled and a disaster.
Mary J.
November 14, 2025 at 10:21 amMy scraps are stored in bags by color, mixed patterns, and then in a GIANT tote! LOL Would love to have a new and exciting way to use them!
Deborah
November 14, 2025 at 10:25 amI have plastic shoe boxes for pieces smaller than a fat quarter, but bigger than a mini charm. I have a divided box with 2 1/2″ squares, small triangles and strips, but crumbs go into another box, waiting for the day I need them.
mary in maryland
November 14, 2025 at 10:27 amI store scraps in six boxes by main color–red, purple, blue, green, yellow, and orange. Browns go with yellow or orange. And aonther shoebox for prints–which never get used. I do almost all my quilts from the scrap boxes. My favorite was a reworking of Karen Stone’s Rattlesnake quilt.
Jess
November 14, 2025 at 10:28 amWire baskets, sorted by color.
Diane
November 14, 2025 at 10:34 amI store scraps by color. Right now they are out of control. I need some new scrap busting ideas.
Susanne
November 14, 2025 at 10:35 amI have two six-unit fabric drawer cube storage units turned on their sides that fit under my longarm. All my scrabs go into one of the cube drawers based on color – Whites, Browns, Blacks, Greys,ROYGBIV, It works perfect!!
Hilda de Wit
November 14, 2025 at 10:41 amStore them? I simply leave them in a big washing box until I need a small piece of some colour or fabric and I start searching for it. There’s actually nothing I do on purpose with my scraps and the number of scraps are becoming a bit of a problem. I even thought about giving it all away (I’ve done that once before) and once I took a lot of scraps to my bee and started a small project, making a placemat in kawandi style, for everyone to use the scraps and leftover pieces of batting. That was a joyfull bee, we had a lot of fun! But I think I could use a dedicated book, thank you for bringing this book under my attention, and I would like to mention my name here.
Amy R.
November 14, 2025 at 10:45 amHi, Cassandra!
I love your blog – I look forward to it each week. And I’m delighted that you are a fellow Ohioan!
I sort my scraps by size and color and store them in large ziplock bags. I keep the bags in plastic bins so that I can see and pull them easily.
My goal is to just grab a few colors and randomly start piecing them in an improv method.
Lynn Hall
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 amI have several large bins of scraps… for the project I’m working on right now, I have a large yard waste bag stuffed with all my scraps in the appropriate colors. This is just so I can transport it from one place to another. My “dining room” aka sewing space looks like my stash just exploded. I am desperate to work down all these scraps so this book sounds great. The pix are lovely!
Amy R.
November 14, 2025 at 10:48 amForgot to mention – I love the ghost block idea – what a great use for those grays and low volume scraps. Your flying geese sample is darling.
Alice
November 14, 2025 at 10:51 amHello Cassandra! Thank you for the introduction to this book! I keep my smaller scraps (no less than 1″ strip) in old ice cream tubs that are semi transparent and I can see the colours that I have separated them into. Larger scraps (about 8″ x 8″ minimum) are stored in larger bins that I have in a cabinet. I do not pre cut anything, just try to maintain the largest size possible so that I can decide what to do with them when the time comes.
Gerrie Thompson
November 14, 2025 at 10:58 amI’ve been storing my stapes by color and it came in handy when our small group decided to make Duckworth quilts for charity. Anxious to try some more ways to create with scraps
Donna W
November 14, 2025 at 11:03 amI store my scraps in plastic clear containers by color and size.
heidi naidamast
November 14, 2025 at 11:06 amI am moving toward modern quilting and have alot of scraps that would look beautiful in your quilt designs in this book!
Kristin
November 14, 2025 at 11:23 amI have been quilting for many years and have LOTS of scraps! Besides landing on every horizontal surface, I have bins for each color. Plus kid quilt and novelty scraps. So many scraps. I use my scrap pieces for “leader and enders” when piecing. I just finished piecing a scrap quilt started over 15 years ago, more to come! It would be great to have a book with more ideas on how to use my scraps!
Mrs. Plum
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 amMy favorite “toy” as a very young child was my grandmother’s box of fabric scraps. Some things never change. My bigger scraps are sorted by color, and folded neatly in wire drawers. The small, odd-sized ones are cut into 1 1/2” – 6 1/2” squares, and each size is stored together in a ziploc bag in a plastic tote. All of this organization is rather recent and I’m finding it a game changer, as it is so much easier to find things. Thank you for the giveaway!
Cathy
November 14, 2025 at 11:34 amMade a scrap quilt for a QuiltCon challenge.
Jane Thur
November 14, 2025 at 11:53 amMost of my fabric are visible. I need to see what I have. Tiny scraps are on a rolling cart so I can reach and see them quickly. I am exclusively a scrap quilt person. It’s challenging.
Ju
November 14, 2025 at 12:04 pmLooks like a nice book. But your blog looks amazing! Subscribing now!
Ingrid
November 14, 2025 at 12:27 pmI love storing all of my scraps into boxes of vaguely similar colours. I use them for small projects and gifts. I get such a kick from “making something out of nothing”. The scraps also get used for “practice blocks ” for a new quilt pattern etc. Thanks for offering this book to give away.
Denise Nash
November 14, 2025 at 1:40 pmI have enough scraps (anywhere from about 2″x4″ up to a half yard) to keep me making scrap quilts for the rest of my life. They are organized on a shelving unit by color, and no other sorting. I’d love to make use of Sylvia’s methods for sorting/storing them for better and easier use.
Debbie
November 14, 2025 at 1:55 pmI save my scraps if they fall into the category of 1.5 inch, 2 inch, and 3.5 inch in slide out plastic drawers. Larger scraps go into the large size hefty bags and they get unruly.
Linda
November 14, 2025 at 2:02 pmJust working right now on a scrap quilt… using up all kinds of homespuns to make hearts and backgrounds. Doing lots and lots of hand cutting and loving it.
Jan
November 14, 2025 at 2:32 pmI am hittable in organizing my scraps. I often find that I need to dig into my piles or bags of scraps to find the perfect fabric for a block. Not fun but I always find what I need. I really like how the scraps are a nice way to finish a quilt when I find my stash doesn’t have the right color. I really enjoyed the technique of the ghost blocks. I need to try it.
Marty
November 14, 2025 at 3:30 pmI love your work!
Mary Lee
November 14, 2025 at 4:02 pmI love scrap quilts and enjoy pulling from the endless scraps to make a new quilt. Most scraps remind you of another project you may have completed. Currently I have separated solid, print, and batik scraps into separate bins. When starting a new scrap quilt, I will resort by colors needed. Looking forward to the new book!
LINDA CORDONNIER
November 14, 2025 at 4:15 pmTHIS TYPE OF BOOK IS JUST WHAT I REALLY ENJOY LEARNING FROM. CANT WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON IT.
Pat. A
November 14, 2025 at 4:18 pmMy system is to return anything far quarter or larger to my stash and to cut everything else into squares starting at five inch ones and generally going down to two and half inches.
Wanda van der Bijl
November 14, 2025 at 5:15 pmMy scraps go into one of 2 glass jars. Love the decorative look of this but realise I would need to start ironing the scraps and sort them if they are going to get a second life in a new quilt 🙂
Sandy Boland
November 14, 2025 at 5:53 pmI love scraps! I keep them in clear drawers and a glass jar, but they are all full to overflowing. I love using colored scraps on low volume scrap backings. I’d love to have the book!
Brenda Stultz
November 14, 2025 at 5:58 pmMy scraps are in a large Rubbermaid tote which desperately needs sorted and organized
Catherine
November 14, 2025 at 6:16 pmWhen straightening fabric edges, I intentionally cut 1 1/2 ” strips to make squares for postage stamp quilts.
Also, sewing four patches as leaders and enders on any project to make an additional quilt top.
Jodi Gradolph
November 14, 2025 at 6:27 pmI have a medium sized trashcan that I put scraps in while I’m working on a project. When it’s full, I divide them by color in reused cardboard boxes and store them in the closet. My closet is full!
Do
November 14, 2025 at 7:52 pmLove scraps! When I finish cutting out a project I cut up the smaller scraps according and save for scrap projects. I have some sorted into squares, rectangles, and strips according to sizes and some by colors.
Kathy
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 pmIt’s always great to be inspired with new techniques on using scraps. Ghost scrap blocks! I’ve already learned today!
Laura Manning
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 pmI like to sort my scraps by colour. I don’t generally set aside scraps narrower than 2.5″. I like controlled scrappy and I can see that Sylvia’s book would really help me.
Liz
November 14, 2025 at 10:45 pmI try to cut my scraps into useable squares, but the reality is I’m often in to the next project. Most of my scraps occupy a large tub the is rapidly expanding and threatens to overtake my studio!
Jeanne
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 pmI have los and lots of scraps ! This book Would help ,lots.
Lynne
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 pmI love to sew with my scraps!
Ruth Crump
November 15, 2025 at 1:30 amI am just beginning to organize my scraps. Many of them are fairly small (1-2″ x 1-2″) and irregular. I find it hard to throw any away. Fortunately I have a guild member who will take the smallest to use for dog pillows! I love to sew with them, but don’t like the cuting process to get them into the usual shapes for a traditional quilt pattern. I think I need to spend some time just layering them to see how they do!
Ali
November 15, 2025 at 6:52 amI organize my scraps by color families but sometimes by particular designers ie Tula Pink or by type ie. civil war reproductions, William Morris, batiks etc.
Debby
November 15, 2025 at 7:37 amI save all of my scraps down to about 1 1/2 inches. They live in a large bin until I need to sort by color for a project. Thank you for the chance to win this e-book!
Lisa
November 15, 2025 at 8:33 amI love scrap quilts and I struggle to not save ALL the scraps. I do a lot of FPP so scraps of many sizes are useful, but they can also get out of hand. This book looks great and the shadow block concept is one I would especially like to try.
Marie
November 15, 2025 at 8:42 amJust in awe with all your tips, even the little ones, and want to be further inspired by your book…I always look at your emails, and always learn something…
Diane Kearney
November 15, 2025 at 9:00 amGood morning! I store my scraps in boxes according to color. The smallest scraps are 1/2” because i sometimes make a collage quilt.
Alicia
November 15, 2025 at 11:00 amI keep my scraps in 6 clear bins sorted by color. When the bins can’t close anymore, I purge until I can get the lid on.
Angela Dent
November 15, 2025 at 11:22 amI organise by colour and less than 1/2 m and less than a fat quarter. I used to cut them up into useable sizes like 5” squares but I never used them! By colour means I reac for them more often and my scrap bins are quite empty!
Sandra
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 pmI have bags and bags [zip lock gallon size] of scraps organized loosely by color. Usually friends will take them off my hands before I can get to using them. With this new book, I’ll definitely want to hold on to them for my own use.
Cheryl C Little
November 15, 2025 at 6:07 pmLove the terminology that is new to me and look forward to staying in touch. I just dump my scraps in a waste basket and let it overflow and then as I am working I plough through it to find a color I need. It seems it is always there.
Julie
November 15, 2025 at 7:34 pmHi…as a forager of things i use in my art work and a collector of fat quarters i just love colour so i have a fabulous collection of fabrics for my scrappy and applique quilts. I have my scrap fabrics sorted in primary and secondary colours plus tonal and whites. My smaller scraps like 10 inches down to 1 inches are also sorted in this way. I keep them in 10 litre clear plastic boxes under my bench like a library. I love looking at the colours and have easy access. Oh! I almost forgot i have my stripes and dots in clear boxes. So funny i love it.
Susan Stachelczyk
November 15, 2025 at 10:38 pmI sort my scraps into large plastic under-bed boxes, although the boxes live out in the open in my quilt room! I have one box for batiks, one for 2-1/2″ strips, and two more for scraps sorted by color. Obviously scraps beyond life expectancy at this point, but I’m trying!
Ann U
November 15, 2025 at 11:33 pmMy scraps are sorted by color, except for the most recent. Looking forward to trying this interesting way to add interest to modern quilts!
Pamela Reim
November 16, 2025 at 2:54 amI have a number of bins & I sort by size. I tend to trim scraps into strips, squares, rectangles or triangles with my AccuQuilt cutter.
Olivia K
November 16, 2025 at 8:17 amI always have a hard time deciding what size is too small or too large to be considered a scrap. I keep them in a large plastic tote bin to dig through as an unorganized mess 😂
CHARLOTTE
November 16, 2025 at 3:35 pmI was raised to be thrifty so I save all my scraps and have them sorted by color in various bins.
Liz Teerlink
November 16, 2025 at 6:59 pmI love reading your blog. I store my scraps by color and then by type of print like Christmas or Halloween. I like making string blocks because they can be put together in so many different ways. I’ve taught many classes about how to incorporate string and scrappy blocks into quilts. The concept of ghost blocks and using negative space sounds intriguing. Thanks for your many inspirations!
Chris Pfeiffer
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 pmI used to cut all of my scraps in 1.5 inch strips, with a future scrappy log cabin quilt in mind, that quilt has not happened, but I’ve started saving scraps of other sizes too. I need so ideas of how to use them!
Michelle
November 17, 2025 at 1:22 pmI am a somewhat new quilter & have not made a scrap quilt yet. I’ve been building my scrap stash but need to learn how best to use them. I keep scraps 2” wide & above & store them by color in super large zip lock bags. I need some guidance what to do and this book would give me confidence to try something exciting🥰
JoyceO
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 amMy scrap bins continue to multiply. I started neat and tidy, trimmed to 2 1/2″ and 5″ squares. More recently I keep thinking “crumb blocks” as I don’t need to trim. Oh my what to do?? Maybe this new book will solve my dilemma 🙃
Joel Columbus
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 pmThis is the book my fabric stash has been waiting for! I love the idea of moving beyond traditional quilting. The ‘modern mosaic’ technique you highlighted is particularly inspiring—it feels like a much more free-form and artistic way to deal with scraps without the pressure of perfect patterns. I can already imagine the beautiful, textured wall hangings. Thanks for sharing such a creative solution to a universal crafter’s problem!
Melanie Moschella
November 20, 2025 at 5:38 amI save my scraps in 2 laundry baskets – not sorted by size or color, everything into the pool 🤣. I have a 3rd basket of orphan blocks. I love making small quilts with my scraps along with pouches or other projects. 💕
Annie C
November 20, 2025 at 9:01 amMy scraps are out of control! I have a bin next to my sewing machine for my solids scraps and various bags and bins hidden in closets with my prints scraps. I honestly have no idea how much scrap I’m saving or what I’ll do with it!,
Margaret
November 20, 2025 at 9:36 amI keep all of my scraps organized by colour, each colour in its own box. It becomes a difficult system with multicoloured fabric though.
W Starn
November 20, 2025 at 9:44 amI have all my solid scraps in a big bin near my machine, and I use them for improv quilts. Two of my favorite improv pieces are medallion quilts, using variations on traditional quilt blocks, plus other blocks I made up.
Marguerite Boslaugh
November 20, 2025 at 12:14 pmI use scraps from my charity quilts to make more charity quilts. I never seem to run out except for orange.
Allison
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 pmI store my scraps in two plastic bins. One bin for larger scraps, another has smaller scraps (as in a few inches square or less). I have a scrap quilt in progress but barely made a dent!
Manuela Tudor
November 20, 2025 at 6:19 pmI keep my scraps without pre-cutting until I decide what projects they will be used for.
Sharon
November 20, 2025 at 8:46 pmI love scrappy quilts! I have made several using my scrappy and think they are so beautiful. My scraps must be at least 2” square to keep. I sort my size regardless of color. I love this idea of using low volume to create ghosts blocks and create more interest. Thanks for sharing.
Nanette Herbst
November 20, 2025 at 10:29 pmI’ve been cutting scraps into 2.5” or 5” squares for years. I have a bin of scrap fabric waiting to be cut up.
Leigh Morgan
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 pmI save my scraps if they are 5 inches or bigger. If I made a quilt with them I usually save them in a plastic bag with the other scraps for that quilt.