My scraps have been reduced to this

9 years ago

I guess I spent about 30 hours working with my scrap drawers to achieve this small pile of "controlled" scraps. Everything less than about 1/8 of a yard was reduced to 1 1/2" strips of lengths to make scrappy log cabins (2 1/2" to 12 1/2" long), 2 1/2" squares, 2" strips and 2 1/2" strips. There are also color-sorted bags of 1 1/2" squares for a someday postage stamp quilt. My strings (anything under 1 1/2" and at least 6" long) are saved, and I actually made a few string blocks for Bonnie Hunter's String-X Quilt pattern. String-X Quilt The larger pieces are neatly folded in drawers by color.

I'm pretty anal-retentive about this, I know, but my scrap drawers were stuffed full of bits and pieces, and I knew I would never use them if I didn't make a plan and establish some order with them. I feel really good about the whole process now. And I'm definitely going to not let the scraps accumulate like they did. As I finish a quilt, I will cut the scraps into the sizes I will use. Now to get back to some actual "quilting."

It sure doesn't look like much for all those hours of work. And I've been cutting the postage stamps for several years.

Featured Answer

loisflan
Original Author

9 years ago

Sharon, my intention was to work on it a little at a time, but I get obsessed with a project, and I just barrel on through until it's completed. That's why I just finished the blocks for my scrappy log cabin last night. That was supposed to be a little-by-little project too.

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Comments (14)

nannykins
9 years ago
Wonderful! I must do something about my bits and pieces too.

Theresa
msmeow
9 years ago
Wow, what an accomplishment! I pulled out my "string" bag and was able to use some of it for Bonnie's mystery quilt.

Donna
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fran1523
9 years ago
Wow. That's impressive. Now to just keep it all neat and tidy.
jennifer_in_va
9 years ago
Great job! Lot's of time invested, but for such a good cause!
bev2009
9 years ago
Wow, looks like at least 30 hours to me. But how lovely to be able to just pull out what you need and sew.
User
9 years ago
You're welcome to come to Sunny Florida and do my scraps, bet it would take more than 30 hours.
beth7happy
9 years ago
oh my gosh!! I'm fainting dead-away!! You would break out in hives, lois, if you ever saw my uh ...stuff! :) You are far more than an inspiration!! Wow!
qfkleader
9 years ago
qfkleader
9 years ago
Duh, I couldn't get text and photo in one reply. But here are my scraps… following the advice of Joan Ford in "Cut the Scraps"… everything cut into squares 2", 3.5" and 5". They all play together into perfect alignment and I reduced all those boxes and bags of unusable fabrics into these three boxes. I dig into them frequently for kids' quilts. (True, those 2-inchers multiply quickly and I have to concentrate to use them.)
loisflan
Original Author
9 years ago
Good for you. Doesn't it feel wonderful?
qfkleader
9 years ago
Yes, it does feel terrific. Forgot to mention if I have long strips I don't cut them into squares. I keep them as borders for preemie quilts my group makes for the local hospitals' NICUs. Quick and easy to make, and so satisfying.
geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
9 years ago
Lois, I think you'll find your scraps will be easier to use now that they're all cut in specific sizes. I don't know what you plan to use as containers for them, but some use silverware dividers. Can get them inexpensively at any of the dollar stores.

qfkleader, I understand the measurements that you cut your scraps into. I have some 5" squares that I've used for 2 1/2" squares.

I wonder if it would help all of us who have scraps here there and other places if we would take one day a week putting them in order until they're all done.
vasutx (storiedquilts.com)
9 years ago
Great idea - to reduce scraps to strips and squares. But it's going to take a lifetime to do mine.