I decided to do a bit of a spring clean today,
starting with that overflowing basket under my sewing table
I dumped everything out onto the floor
you know, just to check first if there was anything I really, really wanted ...
... and just about all of it ended up being rescued!
- oh my goodness, I was looking for a bit of this ages ago!
- and I can't chuck out these squares of AMH
- or these vintage-y bits either
hm-m-m- well that didn't go so well... guess I still have a lot of sewing to do!
How do you cope with sorting out your scraps? Are you ruthless?
Or are you like me, and imagine all sorts of possibilities?
How do you cope with sorting out your scraps? Are you ruthless?
Or are you like me, and imagine all sorts of possibilities?
21 comments:
Your scraps look very inviting! Happy sewing!
I have started being more ruthless, generally anything under 2" gets thrown out, unless it is really special or likely to be used. You definitely couldn't throw out the AMH - I'm sure that's illegal.
Yes, I do have a system check this out on my blog
http://razzledazzlequilter.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/well-i-did-have-plan.html
I'm with you - it seems that every little scrap has a purpose, even if I don't know what it is right at that moment. LOVE your scraps - no wonder much of it stayed.
I try to get rid of them but then it's so hard. Lots of potential in those little bits!
I try to get rid of them but then it's so hard. Lots of potential in those little bits!
Oh what treasures! I tend to keep all my scraps because they do seem to eventually find a home. But I do toss anything smaller than 2" square and I rarely mess with small bonus triangles. But those rules are always getting broken for bits I really like. Happy sewing!
Definitely a treasure trove there - and all saved for another day! You ask how we deal with sorting scraps - I have one large box, and I mean large, one a little smaller, three drawers and a bag! I do need to sort them, and fast, they're taking over. I like strips, large squares but really haven't the time nor energy to save teeny weeny pieces. I think I may pass some of them on.
Yes, I would have saved these, too, Linda. Lovely. It's fun to look at them all together and see "you" in them, and your quilts, too, of course.
--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)
I don't get rid of any scraps, unless they are an unusable size. I put all my crumbs in a bin. I use those for mug rugs, placemats, pincushions and such. I cut the rest of my scraps into 1.5 inch, 2 inch and 2.5 inch strips or squares if the length is really short. I keep anything in a strip length if it 6.5 inches or longer. Now, to be totally honest, I do this in batches. I have a small laundry basket that all my scraps go in. Then when I have a chance I sort these by colour. I have bins with drawers where these coloured fabrics remain divided. When I have time, I go through these bins and start cutting these pieces into the usable sizes that I have mentioned above. Fabric has gotten so expensive in Canada. It's 19.99 a meter now. If I had gotten rid of any of my fabric I wouldn't be able to continue to indulge in this amazing hobby. Even my ugly fabric gets cut up. Sometimes when I have a fabric I really don't like anymore I cut it up in the smallest size. My last few quilts have been made almost entirely from my cut strips of fabric. Because they were cut up already it took have the time to piece it. My system is from Bonnie K Hunter. I've hardly bought any fabric this year because I'm trying to save up for my daughter university. So, that's my take on it. I don't feel guilty about my stash. I'm thankful I have it.
Also, I wanted to share a make I did with 1.5 inch squares that I had kept. This was a Christmas gift for my daughter last year. She and I love it. Anything smaller than 1.5 inch square that I consider usable goes in the crumb bin. I love my scraps. http://www.arianequilts.com/2015/11/a-little-open-wide-pouch.html
I don't get rid of any scraps, unless they are an unusable size. I put all my crumbs in a bin. I use those for mug rugs, placemats, pincushions and such. I cut the rest of my scraps into 1.5 inch, 2 inch and 2.5 inch strips or squares if the length is really short. I keep anything in a strip length if it 6.5 inches or longer. Now, to be totally honest, I do this in batches. I have a small laundry basket that all my scraps go in. Then when I have a chance I sort these by colour. I have bins with drawers where these coloured fabrics remain divided. When I have time, I go through these bins and start cutting these pieces into the usable sizes that I have mentioned above. Fabric has gotten so expensive in Canada. It's 19.99 a meter now. If I had gotten rid of any of my fabric I wouldn't be able to continue to indulge in this amazing hobby. Even my ugly fabric gets cut up. Sometimes when I have a fabric I really don't like anymore I cut it up in the smallest size. My last few quilts have been made almost entirely from my cut strips of fabric. Because they were cut up already it took have the time to piece it. My system is from Bonnie K Hunter. I've hardly bought any fabric this year because I'm trying to save up for my daughter university. So, that's my take on it. I don't feel guilty about my stash. I'm thankful I have it.
Looks like a good bunch of nice large scraps. Absolutely, you must keep them! I keep my scraps if they're more than 1 or 2 inches in width and height. Some are sorted by color. They've been sitting there for too long. Probably either need to stitch them up or dump them.
Well, I did start out with the best intentions... now I’ve decided to have another go & sort by colour... but then I’ll need more storage baskets... :)
Thanks Nancy
It was good to do because I found bits I’d forgotten about!
There is a fine line with scraps, but unfortunately I don't know where that line is?!? I get easliy overwhelmed with scraps, and there might some quilters out there that would loudly gasp at some of the scraps that I toss, but if I just don't know what to do with it, then I go into that overwhelmed feeling again. Have fun sorting... it's so fun to find that little bit that you need to make a project really pop!
It's hard to get rid of scraps. I was ruthless with a garbage-bag sized bag a couple of years ago. I didn't look into the bag, so I don't miss whatever was in it. My problem now is the stash I have of country colours....always a favourite, until now. My tastes have changed now to bright modern fabrics like Tula Pink. I look at the old stash and wonder if I donate it to the "free" table at guild, will I even miss it??
I recently did a clean out of my scrap bin and made a quilt with some and then, using every ounce of strength I had , threw away most of them except for a few favourite pieces. After I put them in the bin I felt a huge weight lifted. Now the plan is to just keep sensible sized scraps.
'Xactly like you! Can't bear to throw anything away and have plans to go through my bin and cut them up into sized pieces, then make a quilt.
I must admit my scrap basket does feel ‘overwhelming’ to me at present!
I’m slowly sorting by colour, and I’ve also made a pile to gift to my quilty friend, so it’s a start!
Thanks for taking the time to add to the conversation.
Linda
I'm useless and keep far too much, but you make me reflect that maybe I should get tough and clear out the smallest pieces at least.
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