Monday, May 18, 2009

Scraps

One of my goals for 2008, that has continued on into 2009, has been to figure out a purpose for my scraps.

You know, all those little pieces and strips of fabric left over from various quilt projects.

I'm not talking about my "Stash" that is composed of fat quarters and larger. I'm not talking about UFO's. (yes, I have boxes of those too). I'm talking about those still useful pieces of fabric that you can't bear to throw away.
I was raised with the motto "Waste Not, Want Not".
So, year after year I've thrown my scraps into containers, thinking I'd make good use of them somehow.

I had three large containers full, and all three made the move with me when we moved to Southern Utah. (Don't tell Mr. Cactus)
For some reason a new project always seemed to call to me way before these little guys did.
Anybody else have this problem?
I know my friend Bonnie Miles immediately cuts her left overs into 2 inch strips and makes what she calls "free quilts". I've just never been that organized.

But the organization bug has bitten me, and I'm finally opening up those old scrap containers and making strips.
Boy, have my tastes changed in fabric over the years.

Some of those will be just fine for making baskets.

And the more lively ones can go into "Mumbo Gumbo" that we are all making for our Dixie Diva friendship group.
I still have ironing and cutting to do, but the stack is looking much more manageable.
I'm feeling better already.

11 comments:

dotti white said...

Nedra...Good for you! A few years ago I stopped keeping a lot of scrap size fabrics because I have sooo much fabric. I love the idea, though, of doing the 2 in. strips and having them cut and stored like that. I use to have my scraps in tubs of like colors...LOL! Have a great week and thanks for being an inspiration!

Trisha said...

I admire you for getting around to it. It is something I really feel like I need to do but I never make it a priority.

Sherri said...

This is really what I should be doing...organizing my scraps! I'm like you in that my tastes have really changed, and I have a lot of fabrics I don't think I'll use...but I hold on to them for "just in case" or for donation quilts...If I organized those into squares or strips it would be a lot easier to make those donation quilts when I need to! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Make yourself a deal. One scrap project for every new project. Scrap quilts are great for everyday, parks, camping etc. I'm working on a scrap quilt right now and I'm going to call it "Marge's flower garden" because the scraps came from the large flower prints of yesteryear. I'm going to use it in the trailer. Good Luck on your scraps.

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Nedra, you have done something that is on my list to do. Boy is it long.... I have so many totes of scrapes and I'm like you. Gotta use everything. I still need to get some clear boxes to sort by color.
Love your computer carry-all.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Unknown said...

Good for you!! I, have in the past given my scraps away. Then when I started blogging and saw all the fantastic things that people were doing with scraps, I started saving again. It is starting to pile up and maybe someday I will be where you are at with scraps. I just can't wait to see your results.

Micki said...

I luckily don't have a lot of scraps, but good on you for thinking about what to do with all the ones that you have.
Micki

Material Mary said...

Nedra, 1 1/2" strips make great log cabins. These are free quilts as well, so if you do not have 2" strips, but 1 1/2" make log cabins.

Mary (I am a lover of scraps, probably more than fabric)

Dawn said...

I'm with you..I really need to do something with my scraps!! Great ideas!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Thanks for sharing about your scraps Nedra, makes me think I had better start thinking about my increasing scraps pile. Thanks for the motivation xo

Nanette Merrill said...

I need to do this too! So much. I have one of those trash can things with a lid that flips. I keep it (I have never used it for trash) under my cutting table and drop my useable scraps into that. It is so full I can't flip the lid or fit anything else in. I've been turning a blind eye to it. It has to be dealt with soon. Thanks for reminding me. It will be fun to see what you come up with. Bonnies stuff from scraps is amazing.