Do you feel guilty when you toss out scraps?
#41
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southeast Idaho
Posts: 3,210
I think this is my favorite, so far,that I’ve made using scraps leftover from making other quilts of valor. It takes both time and patience piecing, trimming, squaring up but I worked making 12.5 blocks then sewed them altogether. I think these scraps look better in this quilt than the dump and can keep someone warm too.
#42
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,431
I remember my grandmother who raised me washing plastic bags and disposable anything. It had nothing to do with cost or recycle. She told me she didn't have those things growing up and they were amazing to her she had them. She said the washing of them gave her a blessing to be able to have them now.
#43
I used to feel really guilty about throwing anything away - consistently hearing stash enhancement, scrappiness is better, drawers filled with specifically cut pieces from leftover yardage. Just this week I came to the conclusion that those actions were drowning me. . I started tossing pieces that I would normally have cut down and saved and, I feel ok doing that. The conclusion I reached talking to myself was that I have plenty of projects that need to be started, and completed, with starting and completing the focus to get rid of the stacks of fabric purchased by BOM's or to be used in patterns that I love.
#44
I have given a very good faith effort to make scrappy blocks for quilts
- I tried to like it. But it just doesn't make me feel excited. It feels more like a chore than joy. So I figured out scraps aren't my thing. Ip have saved and mailed them to people on here before, I have donated them to the thrift store, and I toss the super small ones, all with no guilt. I tried to like them, but passing them on is just more my style.
#45
Consider that the landfills are getting full, and many municipalities as well as rural councils have started the " purchased tags" system to defray costs. We pay $3,50 per bag. The size/ wt. is limited, and we are allowed only 2 bags a week. Just hubby and l, so l save 2 week's worth and put out one bag every other week. So my scraps don't get tossed unless they're smaller than 1.5" . Only some of my quilts are true scrap quilts... but l do often include scrappy borders, alternating blocks or piece a wide band for use as a wsy to widen backing. Consider donating some to schools for primary grade's craft section. Our Salvation army thrift shop sells clean fabric to a wholesaler who shreds it up for " unknown fibre" cleaning rags for auto shops etc. Value village accepts cut squares of quilting cotton if packaged in small ziplock to sell in craft section.
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tn
Posts: 9,014
I used to keep every little bit. When I got a new storage piece I took all fabrics out of the old drawers and cut into useable sizes. It was overwhelming the amount I had. Took these to our guild auction and got rid of these. Now I have to tackle the bags stuffed in the closet. Until I do those I try to make a scrap guilt or two between other projects using yardage
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,572
My preference is for scrap quilts - even if they aren't truly from scraps, so lots of small pieces.
There are so many who want scraps, I wouldn't throw away pieces that are 2" or larger. Fabrics that I am sick to death of, or really, truly dislike, I put in a bag and take to a guild meeting. I've also taken projects that are partly done that I really don't care for. Out of my space and they are always grabbed up.
Many people would be happy to pay the postage to get your scraps, so if you don't have an easy outlet such as guild or sewing group, post wherever (including here!) that you've got scraps that you will send for the price of postage. If in the US, you can get one of the flat rate boxes and when full, put up a thread for it and how much. You'll get takers, I am sure.
It'll be out of your house, in the hands of someone who wants them, and not filling up our landfills.
There are so many who want scraps, I wouldn't throw away pieces that are 2" or larger. Fabrics that I am sick to death of, or really, truly dislike, I put in a bag and take to a guild meeting. I've also taken projects that are partly done that I really don't care for. Out of my space and they are always grabbed up.
Many people would be happy to pay the postage to get your scraps, so if you don't have an easy outlet such as guild or sewing group, post wherever (including here!) that you've got scraps that you will send for the price of postage. If in the US, you can get one of the flat rate boxes and when full, put up a thread for it and how much. You'll get takers, I am sure.
It'll be out of your house, in the hands of someone who wants them, and not filling up our landfills.
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,572
This is good to know, Gemm. I've hesitated to put those sliver trimmings in my compost, in part bc of the dyes used in fabric. But I also acknowledge the limitations of what our landfills can handle, so try to be conscientious about what goes in the wastebasket.
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,572
For reference, I have a mother who washes zip lock bags, and reuses tin foil, so I feel bad tossing almost anything!!
But thank God, we are more financially stable than she was as a refugee, and we live in a world of plenty. I see it as part of my recovery to learn to toss things that have done their job, and are no longer useful to me.
It’s difficult every single time.
But thank God, we are more financially stable than she was as a refugee, and we live in a world of plenty. I see it as part of my recovery to learn to toss things that have done their job, and are no longer useful to me.
It’s difficult every single time.
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,572
I think this is my favorite, so far,that I’ve made using scraps leftover from making other quilts of valor. It takes both time and patience piecing, trimming, squaring up but I worked making 12.5 blocks then sewed them altogether. I think these scraps look better in this quilt than the dump and can keep someone warm too.