Storing Scraps, Part 1

How should you store the fabric scraps you have decided to save?

That depends on the type of person you are.  Are you unorganized?  Somewhat organized?  Very organized?

If you are unorganized, you will use the easiest way to store fabric scraps.  Just stuff them into whatever container you have available--a bag, a box, a plastic tote, etc.  Each time you decide to make a scrap quilt, finding fabrics to use will be a new adventure for you.  You probably won't remember what you have stuffed into the containers, so you will have the joy of dumping them out and sorting through a mountain of scraps.  This will take some time, but on a day when you really don't feel like sewing, but still want to play with fabric, this will be the perfect activity.  As you sort, you will recall the projects you made with the various fabrics, too.  Just don't get too involved remembering that you forget your original task--finding fabric for the scrap quilt you want to make.  Happy sorting!  :)

Throw them away???

What can be done with the fabric scraps you do not want?
If they are too small to work with, you could just throw them away.
But, there are some "greener" alternatives:
--Check with your Humane Society to see if they take "dog pillows."  If so, make a pillow casing from unwanted fabric and stuff it with all your fabric scraps, even those pieces you trim off as you are squaring up your quilt blocks or trimming seam allowances.
--Is there any organization in your area that collects scrap fabric because they can sell it and get $$ for it?

If you have larger fabric scraps that you have decided you do not want:
--find a group that makes charity quilts (your church, for instance).  They will welcome your fabric donations.
--pass your unwanted fabric on to a quilting friend who likes to work with scraps or one who likes to make miniature quilts. 

Since quilters were the original recyclers, we should do our part to keep fabric scraps from the landfills...
:)

What scraps to save

You've decided to save your fabric scraps.  But what should be saved?  When is a fabric scrap too small to be saved?
--You need to allow a 1/4" seam all around a scrap whether you are piecing or doing applique.  If the fabric scrap is too small once you take away the 1/4" seam allowance, then the scrap can be discarded.
--What size scrap are you comfortable working with?  If you do not want to work with small pieces of fabric, then the scrap is too small for you to save.
 
Small fabric scraps can be pieced together to make larger fabric, but many small pieces means many seam allowances.  That means a bulky (and bumpy) finished piece of larger fabric.

Ultimately, the decision of what fabric scraps to save is up to you.  Have fun deciding!

New Year's Resolution

One of my New Year's resolutions was to get back to my blog (before blogspot throws me out).  So, I will try to post weekly, and my posts will focus on answers to some simple questions. 
First one:  WHY save fabric scraps?
I guess my first answer would be WHY NOT save fabric scraps???
--It's economical!  Once you have a nice collection of scraps, you can make some colorful and unique-to-you quilts.  You will save gas $$ by not having to go to the fabric store, too.
--It's ecologically sound ("green").  Why put perfectly good pieces of fabric in the trash??? (There are other ways to dispose of any scraps you choose not to save...that will be the subject of another blog posting.) 
So, if you don't already do so, why not make a New Year's resolution to start saving your fabric scraps?  It will definitely be worth it!