Does this box of scraps look familiar? I ran across Trish’s blog called Random Threads and sorry to say but these photos look all too familiar! 
She was searching through her big ol’ box of scraps for fabric for a specific project. Her box of scraps is “14 years of scraps stored in a closet box”, she says…not quite the size of a dumpster, but she did appropriately title her post “Dumpster Diving”.
I think we all dream the dream of one day actually making an entire quilt or two from our scraps…ones we have been saving maybe for 14 years or more!
But, most of us cannot resist the need to shop for that one (or two, or three, or …more) yard pieces that will really pull that scrappy quilt all together. So, we tend to buy more fabulous fabric to help us use up our scraps…but then we then create more scraps that we can save for 14 more years.
So the vicious cycle continues, and we keep the quilt shops in business.
Scrap Happy Friends Unite! And use some of your stash in 2006. (One of my New Year’s resolutions!)
Do you have any good project ideas for using up scraps from your stash? I am going to be using up some of my "worms" (worms are 2 1/2" strips of fabric) on my next project. How about you?
She was searching through her big ol’ box of scraps for fabric for a specific project. Her box of scraps is “14 years of scraps stored in a closet box”, she says…not quite the size of a dumpster, but she did appropriately title her post “Dumpster Diving”.
I think we all dream the dream of one day actually making an entire quilt or two from our scraps…ones we have been saving maybe for 14 years or more!
But, most of us cannot resist the need to shop for that one (or two, or three, or …more) yard pieces that will really pull that scrappy quilt all together. So, we tend to buy more fabulous fabric to help us use up our scraps…but then we then create more scraps that we can save for 14 more years.
So the vicious cycle continues, and we keep the quilt shops in business.
Scrap Happy Friends Unite! And use some of your stash in 2006. (One of my New Year’s resolutions!)
Do you have any good project ideas for using up scraps from your stash? I am going to be using up some of my "worms" (worms are 2 1/2" strips of fabric) on my next project. How about you?
comments
I love to make scrap quilts - and part of the fun is buying new fabrics to add to the old to get a bigger variety! Fabric swaps with other quilty friends can also add to your variety. I like to think of my scrap pile as sort-ov like that sourdough friendship starter bread mix - you need a bit to add to!
Cheers!
Evelyn
Posted by: Evelyn | February 9, 2006 1:09 PM
I have three tips for reducing that stash:
1) crazy quilts. I use a stack a slash method on any scraps at least 12" by 12". (I make mostly garments, so these are scraps to me, though maybe not to most quilters)
2)when I find myself with some random bits of fabric and still have matching thread left from a just finished project, I quick run a few seams making a random crazy type of block in wonderfully coordinating fabric. I sew until I run out of fabric or bobbins, making a larger and larger piece, and then slice it up into appropriate size blocks. I set these aside for when I have enough to make a small quilt or add one block as a focal point to a garment or other sewing project. If the fabric matches nothing else I have in the stash I can at least make a potholder from it.
3)Sometimes it doesn't matter what you're making, the process of starting something will develop it for you. If I get frustrated with a another project I just sit and play with my scraps, try out little used stitches, make a single block, try a new technique, anything to get away from the 'bad' project and make sewing fun again for a bit.
Posted by: Kate | March 16, 2006 8:47 AM