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[kiss_me_cassie]

Odd little question, but...

What do you all do with scraps of batting? Not the itty bitty little pieces, but bigger swaths that are maybe 6" wide? It doesn't seem prudent to join a bunch together to use in another quilt and yet it seems like such a waste to scrap them.

Suggestions? Or should I keep them to join together for another quilt?

Comments

[purlewe]

I have seen a surge of people online who do "quilt as you go" which means quilting directly on batting and then sewing them together later. Maybe you should look that up online?

[kiss_me_cassie]

OH! THat is an excellent idea!

::runs off to add more to the huge idea list::

[flick]

I tend to use them to make practice squares for getting ready to do quilting / working out what my quilting patterns will be.

[kiss_me_cassie]

I feel you may be more advance than me. *g*
All I tend to prep/practice with is a few lines to check tension and color choice and my smaller scraps seem to work ok for that.

[flick]

If / when you get into free motion quilting, I really recommend making practice sandwiches so that you can repeat your patterns over and over until you're doing it automatically.

(FMQ is not as hard as you might think! It's a huge amount easier and more forgiving than stitch-in-the-ditch: if you're doing wiggles and squiggles, being a few mm off the line you were aiming for is much less obvious than when you're trying to follow the seam line. Just don't make the mistake that I did the first time of trying to do it with a walking foot, get an embroidery foot instead.)

[kiss_me_cassie]

I have been too scared to try FMQ, mainly sticking to straight lined across or stitch in the ditch. Perhaps it IS time I kick things up a notch...

[janestarz]

I also vote to keep and re-use! You can also use them as stuffing for (cat/dog) toys, or sew larger pieces together (butt edges, and use a wide zigzag) to get enough for a next project.
Some large strips sewn together made the batting for my latest quilt, and once it's done you can't tell the batting is pieced. Just be sure to make everything straight & square and don't overlap the edges.

[kiss_me_cassie]

Thank you! I was worried that so many little pieces - even if butted up against each other really well - might make things too lumpy. But I will keep in mind that it should not!

[janestarz]

I don't recommend using the smaller pieces, because every seam is a possible weak spot and a risk of lumpiness. But the larger pieces? Sure, why not? Just as long as you keep your edges square and your lines straight, it should work fine.

There's probably articles online written by people with a whole lot more quilting experience than I have that could help you on he road to re-using scraps.
And do tell us about your next projects, with or without pieced batting!

[spikesgirl58]

I will piece them together or use them for a smaller project (like a pillow, potholder or something like that)

[kiss_me_cassie]

All my projects lately are for lap sized quilts. And my storage space if getting tight, but that is definitely an idea. Thank you!

[spikesgirl58]

I feel like yelling, "I'm sewing as fast as I can" at times at my storage space, but it never listens. I am Scottish, though, and I hate throwing anything out. Here's an idea for you - quilted Christmas stockings. It's amazing how many scraps that uses up!

Good luck and happy quilting.

[thereyougothen]

I put them together and use them in small projects like tsble runners or wall hangings.
And it means I have finally found a use for the needle felting machine I bought in a fit of madness a few years ago. You can felt the wadding together and not have a bumpy seam line!