So, how organized are you? Unorganized, somewhat organized or very organized?
If you are a very organized person, perhaps you don't even like the idea of having fabric SCRAPS!
You are one who takes the fabric leftover from a quilting project and cuts it up right away into pieces that will be useable in a future project. You cut 2 1/2" strips, 2 1/2" squares, 5" squares, or any other size squares you can comfortably get from your leftover fabric. You then store these new pieces in their own (carefully labeled) containers so you know just where to find them. (Perhaps you even sort them by color...) When you are ready to make your next quilt, scrap or otherwise, your pieces are all cut and ready to use.
I wish I were that organized, but I'm not. Next week I'll tell you how a somewhat organized person stores her fabric scraps. :)
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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! :)
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! :)
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
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 $$ for it?
If you have larger fabric scraps that you have decided you do not want:
--find a group that makes charity quilts (your church, for instance). They will welcome your fabric donations.
--pass your unwanted fabric on to a quilting friend who likes to work with scraps or one who likes to make miniature quilts.
Since quilters were the original recyclers, we should do our part to keep fabric scraps from the landfills...
:)
If they are too small to work with, you could just throw them away.
But, there are some "greener" alternatives:
--Check with your Humane Society to see if they take "dog pillows." If so, make a pillow casing from unwanted fabric and stuff it with all your fabric scraps, even those pieces you trim off as you are squaring up your quilt blocks or trimming seam allowances.
--Is there any organization in your area that collects scrap fabric because they can sell it and get $$ 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...
:)
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
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!
--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!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
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 $$ by not having to go to the fabric store, too.
--It's ecologically sound ("green"). Why put perfectly good pieces of fabric in the trash??? (There are other ways to dispose of any scraps you choose not to save...that will be the subject of another blog posting.)
So, if you don't already do so, why not make a New Year's resolution to start saving your fabric scraps? It will definitely be worth it!
First one: WHY save fabric scraps?
I guess my first answer would be WHY NOT save fabric scraps???
--It's economical! Once you have a nice collection of scraps, you can make some colorful and unique-to-you quilts. You will save gas $$ 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!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Back to the "Dad" quilts
Wow, a whole month has gone by since I last posted something here. Guess it has been another busy month!
The "Dad" quilts are slowly getting completed. I'm working on the bindings now. Because I decided that all of them should be made from 25 9" squares, I had to get creative with the last ones to be pieced. Dad was a little guy, and it was hard to cut enough 9" squares from his shirts that were on the smaller side.
I turned to my "scrappy piecing" and cut pieces to fit into the armhole areas or the sides/bottoms of sleeves. I now had pieces big enough to cut the squares that I needed. I also made some 4-patch squares from smaller shirt pieces and worked those into the quilt tops.
For the quilt backs, I bought light-weight denim that is ~56" wide. The extra width is just enough to use for the binding. The quilts are tied with size 5 pearl cotton and random buttons from Dad's shirts are tied into the knots at the centers of the squares.
The quilts are turning out soft and cuddly...hopefully a reminder to the recipients of the kind of guy Dad was--soft-spoken, accepting and encouraging. He's been gone 2 years and he is still very much missed.
The "Dad" quilts are slowly getting completed. I'm working on the bindings now. Because I decided that all of them should be made from 25 9" squares, I had to get creative with the last ones to be pieced. Dad was a little guy, and it was hard to cut enough 9" squares from his shirts that were on the smaller side.
I turned to my "scrappy piecing" and cut pieces to fit into the armhole areas or the sides/bottoms of sleeves. I now had pieces big enough to cut the squares that I needed. I also made some 4-patch squares from smaller shirt pieces and worked those into the quilt tops.
For the quilt backs, I bought light-weight denim that is ~56" wide. The extra width is just enough to use for the binding. The quilts are tied with size 5 pearl cotton and random buttons from Dad's shirts are tied into the knots at the centers of the squares.
The quilts are turning out soft and cuddly...hopefully a reminder to the recipients of the kind of guy Dad was--soft-spoken, accepting and encouraging. He's been gone 2 years and he is still very much missed.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Little Girl Dresses
I took time out from my "Dad" quilt project to finish up the dresses for my granddaughter. The second dress wasn't as much fun as the first...perhaps I was in the "got to get it done" mood? It has been a while since I put a zipper in an article of clothing...had to refresh my memory. Not sure I'm happy with the way it turned out, but it will do. Also, the 5/8" seam allowance seems SO LARGE after working with 1/4" seam allowances in quilting! I definitely trimmed the seam allowances down a bit once they were sewn.
There's lots of fabric left from each of the dresses. My daughter says she doesn't want it back. I bought my granddaughter an 18" doll for her recent birthday, . Maybe I'll make matching dresses for her new doll??? Will check out the patterns that are available--see if there are any that are quick and easy. :)
There's lots of fabric left from each of the dresses. My daughter says she doesn't want it back. I bought my granddaughter an 18" doll for her recent birthday, . Maybe I'll make matching dresses for her new doll??? Will check out the patterns that are available--see if there are any that are quick and easy. :)
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