Scrap those scrap mounds
#151
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 60
Oh, I need help in this department. 2 years ago, I moved my scraps into pillow cases, sorted by colour. That at least got the fabric off the floor - until earlier this year when one of the cases was so full it pulled the hook right off the wall!
A few years ago I tried to tame my scraps using Bonnie Hunter's scrap method. I now have 2 bins full of 2.5 and 5" strips from that. But nothing made from them. So that method obviously doesn't work for me.
I have decided to make scrappy "crazy quilts" from all my pieces that are less than about 10"xWOF. I'm digging through my pillow cases and sewing together bits in similar colourways, so I have sheets of new "fabric" made from all those little bits. Then, I'll cut into 10" squares and either just sew them like that, or turn them into HSTs with a common background fabric to unify them. That should get a handle on these bits - if I can just motivate myself to stick to it instead of starting 6 new quilts.
A few years ago I tried to tame my scraps using Bonnie Hunter's scrap method. I now have 2 bins full of 2.5 and 5" strips from that. But nothing made from them. So that method obviously doesn't work for me.
I have decided to make scrappy "crazy quilts" from all my pieces that are less than about 10"xWOF. I'm digging through my pillow cases and sewing together bits in similar colourways, so I have sheets of new "fabric" made from all those little bits. Then, I'll cut into 10" squares and either just sew them like that, or turn them into HSTs with a common background fabric to unify them. That should get a handle on these bits - if I can just motivate myself to stick to it instead of starting 6 new quilts.
#152
Thanks oksewglad. I think I do need a plan for a quilt. I don't have much light scraps - I have managed to make a dent in those with a couple of mystery quilts recently - which limits my options (I can't convince myself to buy yardage to fill out a scrap quilt that I'm going to donate).
#153
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
Thanks oksewglad. I think I do need a plan for a quilt. I don't have much light scraps - I have managed to make a dent in those with a couple of mystery quilts recently - which limits my options (I can't convince myself to buy yardage to fill out a scrap quilt that I'm going to donate).
Last edited by oksewglad; 08-30-2018 at 10:17 AM.
#155
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 60
So how'z everyone doing on diminishing their scrap mounds? I've been kind of busy, hence the lack of posts recently....helping daughter find a house closer to us (8+ hours away!)
Anyway, keep scrappin'!
Anyway, keep scrappin'!
#156
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
I've been digging in the 1 1/2" bin...who knows what will come out of it! But have found a pattern for layer cake and charm pack that I will revise with scraps...going to cut 5" squares and 5 x 10s to replicate it my way.
#158
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Eastern Washington
Posts: 29,525
I've been cutting up misc. scraps, and adding pieces to their appropriate bins: 1.5" squares and strips, 2.5" squares and strips, and some misc. for a few scrappy projects in the future. I take breaks and sew on a quilt for our Cal. king bed.
#159
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,753
I precut some scraps into standard sizes that I know I’ll use, but others that are say quarter yard or so get wrapped around comic book boards with size marked on a piece of paper pinned to the fabric and stored in a couple of easily accessible drawers in one of those sterilite plastic units. I go to those drawers first (before hitting up my yardage) when I need to make binding, find an accent fabric, or need to make a hanging sleeve, etc. Having them on the comic boards means I can open a drawer and see at a glance what I’ve got- makes it easy to use them up.
The “precut” scraps are only allowed to occupy 2 drawers in my arrow Suzi unit, so when those drawers get full I have to use the scraps. Smaller scraps for string quilts and crumb quilts get a shoebox for each type. When a box starts getting full I have to use up some of them before I do anything else in the studio. My space is small, so I had limitted storage to begin with. At first I thought that was a disadvantage, but I've found that it has forced a bit of discipline on me that really helps me keep control of my scraps.
Of course, this only works because I like working with scraps and I have a hard time throwing anything away
Rob
The “precut” scraps are only allowed to occupy 2 drawers in my arrow Suzi unit, so when those drawers get full I have to use the scraps. Smaller scraps for string quilts and crumb quilts get a shoebox for each type. When a box starts getting full I have to use up some of them before I do anything else in the studio. My space is small, so I had limitted storage to begin with. At first I thought that was a disadvantage, but I've found that it has forced a bit of discipline on me that really helps me keep control of my scraps.
Of course, this only works because I like working with scraps and I have a hard time throwing anything away
Rob
#160
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
I am making progress...I have all the greens, browns from shoe box sized and bigger bins starched, pressed and cut as well as 2 baskets of miscellany which measure 12 x 16 x 8"! Now to the blue and purples shoe box sized. The larger pieces (short FQ's) and certain wof strips I have not cut up. Certain wof's are perfect for bindings on some smaller quilts. Strings are going to my quilt guild Sit N Sew as some members are going to do a string star quilt with 4.5" squares. Getting those baskets emptied felt so good!
Meanwhile the Grands helped gather windfall apples...some beyond using...fed them to some steers...a sweet treat for them. Made an apple pie and apple crisp afterwards. Lots of apples on the tree yet so soon will pick and store some in frig for winter use. Also want to make some more applesauce.
Meanwhile the Grands helped gather windfall apples...some beyond using...fed them to some steers...a sweet treat for them. Made an apple pie and apple crisp afterwards. Lots of apples on the tree yet so soon will pick and store some in frig for winter use. Also want to make some more applesauce.
Last edited by oksewglad; 09-15-2018 at 05:36 PM.
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