1.5" SCRAPPY STASH SOLUTION: SAVE, SORT & SEW!

I sew with my 1½" fabric scraps a lot. It seems they add up the quickest. 

A courthouse steps red, white, and blue scrappy quilt, using 1.5" scraps

Keeping all your scraps organized in a way that makes them very usable can be challenging.

Today I'm sharing my newer system for saving and storing my 1.5" scraps!

I posted a reel on Instagram today that shows a quick glimpse into my process, and I'm going a little more in-depth here. 

I hope I may inspire you to save your 1.5" scraps and find a way that works for you to store and sew with them! 

A little recap: 

When I'm sewing, I throw all the leftovers from cutting and trimming into my 1.5 lb. galvanized bucket on my cutting table. 

When the bucket is full or if I'm just needing something mindless to do. I dump the bucket, do a little pressing, and start cutting the scraps into what I call usable pieces. Here are all the scraps that were in the bucket, cut and ready to organize. 

And here is the new home for my 1.5" scraps! 

I've been experimenting and using this system for a couple of months now, and I'm very happy with it!

The containers came from our Dollar Tree. Width: 8.86" Height 3.03" Length 13.4" 

I'm not sure if they're still available. But I found some containers on Amazon that would do the trick. I've added them to my Amazon storefront (link at the end of this post). 

*** Just look closely for the measurements of the containers, so they will fit where you need them to go.

I used my label maker to make labels for each size of 1.5" scrap I save:  1.5", 2.5", 3.5", 4.5",  5.5", & 6.5"

I traced the bottom of the container onto some thin cardboard, cut the cardboard just a smidge smaller, and covered them with scrap pieces of felt. Sort of like a mini design board!

Tip: Only cover the top of the boards. Don't wrap the felt around to the back. Otherwise, when you stack the mini design boards, the fabric sitting underneath will stick to the bottom.

I also cut a little notch on the side of each cardboard piece, so I could easily grab  each little mini design board with my fingers to lift out of the container. 

Here is one of the containers, all filled with pretty scraps ready to be sewn with!

See the little notch. Perfect for lifting the boards out. 

It does take some time to save, cut, and store all these little scraps. But for me, it's totally worth it! My scrappy quilts are almost always my faves. And it's such a great feeling of accomplishment to use what I have and use up almost every little bit. 

When I'm ready to sew one of my scrappy quilts, I just grab one of my large design boards, and lay out the colors and sizes I'm ready to sew with. I either use them as leaders and enders or chain stitch away!

Here's a full view of the scrappy quilt I shared on IG this week. It's made using the courthouse steps block and 1.5" scraps! It's probably my favorite scrappy quilt. Well ... maybe ... It's hard to choose a favorite!

And here's a scrappy Christmas quilt. I used a combination of Courthouse Steps and Log Cabin blocks for this one, using 1.5" scraps. 

LINK to the FREE Courthouse Steps Block pattern (downloadable PDF) 

LINK to the FREE Log Cabin Block pattern (downloadable PDF) 

LINK to the containers I bought from the Dollar Tree 

LINK to my AMAZON STOREFRONT for other container options

Here are some other posts you might enjoy from my Scrappy Series this week: 

10 TERRIFIC BOOKS FOR QUILTING WITH SCRAPS!

HOW I SAVE, PREP, AND CUT MY FABRIC SCRAPS TO USABLE SIZES

10 TERRIFIC BOOKS FOR QUILTING WITH SCRAPS!

Here are 10 terrific books for making quilts and other projects with your scraps!

Clicking on the book will take you to either Amazon or Fat Quarter Shop, where you can purchase the book.

Oh, Scrap! Fabulous Quilts that Make the Most of Your Stash 

Quilts for Scrap Lovers—16 projects—Start with simple squares 

Judy Gauthier

Scrap School-12 All-New designs from Amazing Quilters 

by Lissa Alexander

Scrappiness Is Happiness by Lori Holt 

Scraps Plus One! by Joan Ford

Sisterhood of Scraps- 12 Brilliant Quilts from 7 Fantastic Designers

Great Granny Squared by Lori Holt

Addicted to Scraps-12 Vibrant Quilt Projects by Bonnie K. Hunter

A Scrapbook of Quilts by Carrie Nelson & Joanna Figueroa

Tabletastic! 3 by Doug Leko Antler Quilt Designs

All links in this post are affiliate links. I may make a small commission from your purchase. Clicking on my affiliate links does not cost the purchaser more than they would normally pay and helps me continue to publish content for Pleasant Home. Thank you for supporting my small business!

HOW I SAVE, PREP, AND CUT MY FABRIC SCRAPS INTO USABLE SIZES

Many years ago, I threw my fabric scraps into metal bins by color. Anything smaller than 1/4 yard or smaller than a fat quarter went into these bins. 

I wasn't in love with this system. Dumping, digging, and pressing scraps before I could even start cutting and sewing seemed totally unproductive to me.

Eventually I landed on the method I am now using, and it's worked fabulously for me for many years. 

When I'm working on projects, like a quilt. I toss the leftover fabric scraps into this fun little 1.5 gallon galvanized bucket that I ordered from Amazon. (CLICK HERE) 

It sits on my workbench, aka cutting and ironing table. 

I've tried all different sizes of buckets, and this is my favorite size. CLICK HERE

When the bucket is full, I grab my air pods and my iPad and watch either floss tube or you tube, or listen to a book while I start the process of cutting my scraps into usable sizes. 

This is where the size of the bucket comes in. Too small of a bucket, and the scraps add up fast, and I am constantly spending time cutting my scraps into usable sizes. 

To large of a bucket, and the task becomes completely overwhelming, and the scraps keep piling up. 

I have found the 1.5-gal bucket is the perfect size. I can get quite a bit of fabric scraps in it, but not too much! 

I dump the bucket. 

Sort the scraps into approximate like sizes. 

Press everything, stacking them nicely

Then cut the scraps into usable sizes. 

After a few times of doing this, I can lay a fabric scrap on the cutting mat and know by a quick glance approximately what usable sizes I can get out of it. 

The usable sizes I have chosen to keep and organize are: 

1 ½" in various lengths (including 1½", 2½", 3½", 4½", 5½" and 6½") 

2 ½" in strips and squares

3 ½" squares 

5" squares

I use my Creative Grids 6.5" x 12.5"; it is my favorite ruler for cutting my fabric scraps. If the scraps are a bit larger and I can't tell at a glance what size I can cut them into, I just lay the ruler on the fabric and can easily tell how many 1.5" strips I can get, or how many 2.5" squares I can get, etc. CLICK HERE for the RULER. 

It takes some time to prep, cut, and organize fabric scraps into usable sizes. But for me, it's totally worth it in the end! 

I love being able to grab a stack of precut usable-size fabrics and start stitching! There are so many great quilt patterns that use these sizes for their construction. 

One of my favorite scrap-busting patterns is the 'Flower Bed' quilt pattern in the book Scraps Plus One by Joan Ford. I've made this quilt multiple times and love it.

Here are two of the quilts I've made with Joan's Flower Bed pattern. 

You can find Joan's book by CLICKING HERE

In my next post I'll be sharing my newest method for organizing my 1½" scraps! I can't wait to show you. And...

You can see how I organize my usable scraps in the blog post from yesterday HERE. 

Sometime in the near future, I hope to do a video/reel on IG showing my process. Life is just a bit busy right now. 

This Sunday, March 9, 2025, the March edition of my Needle little Inspiration newsletter goes out to subscribers. The March edition is full of more scrappy happiness. Including a discount for one of my favorite scrap-busting patterns. 

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Built with Kit

HOW I ORGANIZE MY FABRIC SCRAPS

In November 2023 I moved my studio into our bonus room. But the bonus room lacks a closet. So I needed to get a little creative with storage. 

I especially wanted to come up with a new system for organizing my fabric scraps. If you know me, you know I sew with them a lot. 

Years ago, my husband made these wonderful divided wood trays for my 2½" left-over strips. And it worked perfectly for a number of years. But the trays are a bit heavy and a little cumbersome to move around. In the room I previously had my studio in, these trays were in a closet. 

The trays now serve a new purpose in our kitchen, helping keep our kitchen drawers organized! 

I have had another idea in my head for a while now, but I didn't have the space in the previous bedroom I was using as my studio. I measured a few different areas in the new studio and landed upon this rolling cart with drawers from Amazon. (CLICK HERE) 

It fits perfectly in three different places in my studio. And that has come in very handy depending on what project I'm working on. It's especially nice that it has wheels. 

This is where I store the majority of my fabric scraps, and I'm totally loving it. 

All the containers you will see inside the drawers came from our local dollar store. Eventually I hope to have our son laser cut some dividers for me that will be a better fit for the drawers. But for now, the organizers I was able to find at the dollar store work! 

I have a system for saving and cutting my fabric scraps into usable sizes. It's worked well for me for many years. I'll be posting about that tomorrow! But for now, here is how I organize my usable size scraps. 

The top drawer has my 2½" scrappy squares. The organizing trays have 3 squares in one tray. There are 5 trays in this drawer. 

The next two drawers house my 2½" scrappy strips. Silverware-type drawer organizers fit perfectly, and I keep the scraps by color. 

Next up are my 3½" squares. The drawer organizer found at the dollar store is made up of 3 squares in one tray. There are 3 trays in the drawer. 

Then I have my 5" squares. Three stacks fit perfectly across a drawer. I have a couple colors stacked together, but it's super easy to grab a stack and sort through them when needed. 

There are two drawers left that I didn't photograph. One has scraps from the projects I make with vintage material and linens. The last drawer is where I put all my vacuum and rechargeable "canned air" attachments. 

All my yardage (anything 1/4 yard up to 1-2 yards), including fat quarters, are stored in bins on a nine-cubby shelf. The bins came from Target years ago. But I found some that are similar on Amazon. (CLICK HERE) 

Just make sure you look at the measurements and that they will fit on your shelf! My bins aren't square, so they do hang off the end of the shelf just a bit. 

The bins on the shelf on top of the dresser are organized by color and contain all quilting cotton. 

The bins on the shelf that are part of my "work bench," aka cutting table and ironing board, hold various fabrics, including: solids, Christmas, flannels, vintage, baby quilt backings, etc. 

For larger cuts and backings, I have totes under my longarm. I'll share those in another post. 

P.S. The rolling cart will fit behind and under my workbench and at the end of the long arm. 

A PEAK INTO MY STUDIO

Welcome to my longarm quilting studio—an unexpected dream come true! 

This is where I get to put the finishing touch on your beautiful quilts.

FREE CROSS-STITCH PATTERNS FROM CATHY @ HANDS ON DESIGN

I have many charts from Cathy of Hands-On Design on my wish list! I love just about everything she designs. 

Including her fun little anniversary designs that she generously gives away for free every year. 

In 2013, she started creating little gift/token cross stitch designs to celebrate her wedding anniversary. Since then, she has been offering them as complimentary designs for stitchers.

The designs can be found on her blog, but just in case you didn't know about them, I wanted to share a few of them with you here! 

All photos were taken by Cathy and come from her blog with permission. 

Here are a few of my favorites! [click on the photo to be taken to Cathy's website and the link to the design]. 

Let Love Grow from 2024 © Cathy of Hands On Design

Love You 2021 © Cathy of Hands On Design

Love is Kind 2019 © Cathy of Hands On Design

Love You Too 2023 © Cathy of Hands On Design

And here is a link to her blog. If you go to the search bar and type in Anniversary, you will find most of them! 

CLICK HERE