Today I attended our local quilt guild's first meeting for 2009. They had a presentation given by some of our local quilt shops. One of the shops made a big deal of "scrap therapy", which I think is a way to cut up leftovers to be used in quilt patterns sold specifically for those sizes. Before you can take a class, you are required to take a "cutting" class to learn how to cut. Has anybody done this yet? What is so special about the cutting classes? Economically, things are getting pretty ugly around here, and I have to be more judicious with my quilting budget.

I Googled and found these websites:

http://www.scrap-therapy.com/

http://tinyurl.com/7fzd2p

http://www.patchesplacequiltshop.com/id13.html

Looks like it would be fun, but also looks like it is a way to sell people on a "system" that includes buying patterns made specifically for the size squares you cut. I think you are paying for participation in a group and for the patterns. Could be a good deal for someone with lots of fabric leftovers that need to get used up.

Oh boy, if you use the rotary cutter regularly and do it without slipping, I'd say you don't need the class. You can talk to the shop owner and see if they would waive the requirement class, sometimes they do, but if they wont I'd wonder how much they care about quilters vs. making money. :cry:

That's what I mean -- I don't want to spend more money to learn what I already know and hate it when anything new usually ends up in the form of a simple handout. I wonder if this is just another sales pitch for another "cutting tool and ruler we can't live without". I already have a drawer full!

To me it just looks like a way of organizing your leftovers. How to cut them so you can use them later.

I live in Crestview, Fl...I am in a Scrap Therapy class...it's alot of fun. Yes, you must buy the patterns, but they are very usable. The first class is the cutting class...if you're like me, from that class on, you will automatically cut your scraps as you finish each of your projects...if I have enough scraps to cut a whole strip, that's what I do...odd shapes get cut into the actual squares. Class meets once a month...some classes last 2 sessions. So far we've made "Charming Buds"(turned out really nice and I made it a donation quilt for "Safe Child", the potholders (I wasn't interested in potholders, so I made 6 of the potholder squares and turned them into a reversable tablerunner), and right now we're making the "Scrap Sack" that holds 3 of the containers in, but is an excellent size for shopping bag. I am a crafter that does about a dozen shows a year, and I have mountains of scraps...this really helps to use them. It's using the patterns and other ways to use them...no rulers, etc...Plus, I enjoy the companionship. :wink: If someone will talk me through how to attach photo, I will post a photo of the Charming Buds Quilt I made...I tried to attach the file on this, but don't know if it took. VickiM

Ask if this "cutting class" is something that's geared toward real beginner quilters and not someone who's done it for a while. It's probably just a class going over some basics so you don't cut yourself.

For beginners, intermediates, and advanced...anyone can do it as long as you can do 1/4" seams and know basics. Like I said, it's lots of fun.

:oops: forgot, yes, you do need to know how to rotary cut with accuracy. And you get lots of tips to make things easier.

I just cut my leftovers into 2" strips and toss them in a Rubbermaid tote. I also have a tote for 1 1/2" strips (for the pieces that aren't wide enough to cut into 2").

I use those strips ALL THE TIME. For Christmas sales, I made 7 tablerunners and 2 babyquilts just from those totes. The totes don't look noticeably emptier, either. :oops:

I don't mean leftover yardage - just the odd pieces.