Do you feel guilty when you toss out scraps?
#11
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,257
I haven't tossed any scraps. I've given some away, but mainly I've just crammed them into plastic grocery bags and tucked them away to deal with 'later.' I know it's going to take so much time to go through them, and realistically, when am I ever going to do it when I always have a greater claim on my time? At least I have a friend I can pass them on to, if I eventually accept the fact that it's too much for me to deal with. I think the claim they have on me is more sentimental than practical.
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,426
I take my big basket of scraps to retreat when I go and dump the scraps on a table. They are usually all gone by end of retreat. What is left I put in trash. The basket is always full of scraps to take. I go to two retreats a year. I don't feel guilty about getting rid of anything. I don't keep stored clutter in the house. Two whole house moves in one year and the too good to get rid of thinking went out the window and I keep that window open. I do have to push myself to get rid of quilting clutter I know I will not use.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,832
Onebyone. Like the retreat idea.
Last retreat; 2x/d I collected trash and stuffed animal beds. Local rescue facilities are really into them. Had several beds and bags for more. All used up by next guild meeting. Sorry to say, only cotton/rayon are wanted for bags. So poly/synthetic fashion fabric goes to land fill.
Yes. I feel guilty.
The guilds I attend have give-a-way tables every meeting.
keep the ideas coming.
Last retreat; 2x/d I collected trash and stuffed animal beds. Local rescue facilities are really into them. Had several beds and bags for more. All used up by next guild meeting. Sorry to say, only cotton/rayon are wanted for bags. So poly/synthetic fashion fabric goes to land fill.
Yes. I feel guilty.
The guilds I attend have give-a-way tables every meeting.
keep the ideas coming.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,832
And then...what to do with all those trimmings?? The ones too small to quilt with? I found this video featuring Carola of Carola's Quilt Shop. At 36:02 in the video is a great use for all those scraps that are just too small for sewing up. Sort them by colour and then sprinkle them between two sheets of water soluble stabilizer and stitch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-45pOxAqfw&t=2350s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-45pOxAqfw&t=2350s
#15
i used to feel guilty about throwing scraps away.
i don't feel that way anymore.
i do admire those who save scraps if they actually use them.
so ... just asking to be a trouble maker. [mwaaah haaa haa]
at what point is it a scrap vs. small leftover piece?
i don't feel that way anymore.
i do admire those who save scraps if they actually use them.
so ... just asking to be a trouble maker. [mwaaah haaa haa]
at what point is it a scrap vs. small leftover piece?
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#16
I am one of those that does use scraps, as you can see by these ‘blocks’ I’m making.
I think I was brought up, ‘waste not, want not’. It is very time consuming bc I edge finish all seams and even up edges as I go, making 12.5 inch blocks. I’ve been asked if I was crazy before, so you may ask the same thing.
I think I was brought up, ‘waste not, want not’. It is very time consuming bc I edge finish all seams and even up edges as I go, making 12.5 inch blocks. I’ve been asked if I was crazy before, so you may ask the same thing.
#17
I'm also slowly losing my vision so have paid postage for a number of boxes of scraps from members here, and cut them down for the future. It won't be long and I won't be able to cut, but I'll be ready. I'm very hopeful to have a box awaiting me when we get back home in October
that said, I have zero problems getting rid of things I no longer use. FlyLady converted me in 2001. I've downsized my house by half at the very least, when we do move smaller, it will be an easy move. Nothing but keepers left.
#18
I found that our local humane society will take scraps of any size and any fabric. So every few months I take all the small and larger pieces that I don't want to look at again to them, they even take batting scraps. It's a win win!
#19
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,257
Since posting earlier, I decided to stop putting off the scraps! I've found it's not nearly as difficult as I anticipated. My focus in quilting has narrowed and I know what kinds of quilts and fabrics I enjoy, so it's going very quickly. I would say that 95% is going in the donate bags, 1% in the throw away bag, and I'm keeping larger squares, rectangles, and strings. Now that I've started, I want to whip through the bags as quickly as possible!
#20
Just so y'all don't think I am a wild wastrel, I keep a paper bag near my machine and when I have small scraps and cut offs from projects, I toss them in the bag. If a scrap can be cut into 2.5" squares or strips, it is a keeper. Those I use! One of my quilting friends makes dog beds. I did for a couple of years then said, "No more" when the SPCA had a room full of beds that had been donated. When I go to my monthly quilting work day, I take my bag along and give what ever scraps I have to my friend so she can make beds.