scared to cut scraps
 

O.k. so its been awhile since i tackeled that monster in the ugly green tote.
I NEED to make a dew scrap quilts.
Heres my problem... i love applique, and it never fails, i need an itsy, bitsy, tiny pc of fab...uou know, the one that just right to cut ( you need a 1" x 1/2" pc to make that scene POP off that quilt, so you go at it with your sharpest scissors.
Its perfect. Then nextweek, without any notice at all you ned that bigger pc dor another block...dont know where you got it,cant replqce it.
So....you see, my delima is, if i cut it, i will need it.
How do you cut That fabric?
ive made over 100 scrap quilts, but now that i can semi afford to buy fabs on sales w coupons, im afrais to cur.
actully bought 20 fq at joanns to make a scrap quilt for cousin for the holidays.

Sooooo, what do i do??????
Help

When making a scrappy quilt and you don't have enough of a fabric to use in 2 blocks just find another piece that is closest to it, that is the beauty of scrap quilts, you just use what you have. Don't worry about it too much as I am sure it will look great, just go for it.

Never look back. Don't even think about it. Just cut, sew and have fun.
When you need a piece of fabric, look through the other pile that you haven't cut.

Been thinking...can you smell the wood burning

Maybe ill cut a 2 1/2" strip out of everything and do a mile a minute deal.
ill still have a mess of fab left, but i guess ill
Feel better about it.
then ill have to get something new to back it.
ihave 6" x 18" laurelburch fabs i wont dare touuch.

i have finally come to realize that no matter how special i think a fabric is another one will come right along and take its place. there is always more out there. now i do not have to buy something just because i really, really think it is beautiful. i can cut a piece up because there will be another out there that i will love just as much.

as they say, "just do it." oh, yea, have some fun.

now, having said all that i have a different problem about cutting scraps. if i cut them into 5" sq, then i need a 6" sq. if i cut it into 2-1/2" strips, then i need a 4" strip. so, now i do not cut scraps until i know what i will do with it. but cut it i do with gladness in my heart.

I share your problem - that and being a bit of a hoarder too :rolleyes:
I too, save a lot of odd-shaped pieces for appliqué and find it difficult to part with them "just in case", lol. However I have been better lately and I used up a lot of scraps to make a load of tissue holders for fund-raising for my friend's daughter. It cheered me that they were going to a 'good cause' and made the parting easier. I'm going to get rid of more by doing some charity quilts.

I laughed at your Laurel Burch comment until I remembered my 30+ Kaffe Fassett OOP FQs.......:D

Pat - good advice. I'm going to use those FQs and enjoy doing so! :)

I have been blessed with friends who gift me their scraps... I LOVE SCRAPS!!! I too used to cut them all up, and wonder the whole time "what if I want this for something else next week?"... Now, I cut and sew, and know that somehow, they seem to multiply like wire coat hangers or dust bunnies when left alone lol...

I do sometimes cut "ala Bonnie Hunter"... usually that is my project when I am working as a camp nurse... I have time to kill, and that is an easy project to iron and cut and it allows me to walk (RUN) away if I am needed "right this minute" -- I just can't see mindless cutting when I am here at home and have my sewing machine. The precut pieces do allow me to just sit and sew when the mood strikes... (the pic I posted earlier this week, was the result of a friend gifting me a bag of scraps and the precut pieces she had included allowed me to put together a crib size quilt in 2 days time!!!)

so.... the bottom line??? Cut them up, sew and enjoy!!! There will always be some other piece of fabric that fits right into your scrap quilt...

ENJOY!!!
Faye

Glad to see I'm not the only Kaffe Fassett "saver":D

I have been thinking about this myself. A few weeks ago I saw a bed peel and the instructor showed some scrap quilts. What she said is she cuts all her scraps into 10', 5' blocks and 2 1/2' strips. Then when she sews she will just grab from what ever comes to her. I have to admit her quilts looked very nice. I wonder it I could do that too?

Like you there's "special" fabric that I just really like. It's hard to cut it and use it up. Still, I remind myself.. they're making fabric EVERY day. Plus, those scraps don't do me a bit of good sitting in a box. :thumbup:

My advise ... pick your pattern first! That will dictate what size your cuts into your precious scraps should be. I once cut mine in advance .. and the pattern I just feel in love with did not have the cooresponding dimensions of my ready cut scraps. Pick a flavor after you pick your pattern.. do you want modern, bright, earthy... that that be your guide in your scrap sorting. Then review the pattern one last time .. then cut.
I completely disagree with the concept of cutting scraps with no clue at hand of final pattern choice... My view is that it took me years to accumulate a good amount of scraps... and I find my scrap bin to have value .. just like my regular stash... I would not cut my regular stash without knowing what I was going to make.. so why would I do it with my scraps?!!

About a year ago I went through my fabrics and anything under a quarter yard/fat quarter I put in drawers that are 14"x 10"x7". I filled 12 drawers. Then I notice this year that they were beginning to overflow so I divided them again I put them in four bags 2 were for those odd shaped strips, 2 were for smaller weird shapes. I have made a strippy scrap and the other is 12" squares of all those funny little shapes. The rest I'm leaving in bigger pieces until I decide what I want to make.
Just go for it and have fun.

I enjoy dumping my scraps in a big pile, reaching for a piece, start sewing and don't bother looking or matching. It makes a "real" scrappy quilt.

Makes sense to me!

Plunge in and cut! Trust in the quilting goddess that if you need that fabric later on in another quilt, you will either have it in another piece of fabric, or find one on sale that suits the bill. Have faith and cut, cut, cut.

When my scrap bin was overflowing and I could not find what I was looking for; I decided to cut all of my scraps into squares ranging from 1 and a half up to 6 inches. I really like my new scrap storage method and have made several quilts. With the attitude that there is always going to be beautiful fabrics to buy. Love scrap quilts and have a blast cutting and creating a spectacular quilt!

only God is perfect - our quilts don't have to be. I purposely add a 'mistake' to each of my quilts just to see if the recipient can find it. With scrappies, it just doesn't matter!

I don't cut my scraps until I am ready to use them. I often go to the scrap pile for a specific size or color to round out what I already have and it can be any small size. If I cut them, they are usually the wrong size. When I get too many scraps I just make a strip quilt or cut what I want from the pile. Also like to keep pieces whole for use in appliques.

since I do not do applique my theory is to cut small pieces with my GO into either 2" or 2 1/2" squares, triangles and strips. I use these squares/triangles as leaders and enders and then piece those together to make scrappy quilts while working on whatever project I am working on and that seems to control my scraps pretty much..........right now I am working on taking those 2" squares which have been paired ( a whole basketful) and making larger blocks out of them, going to sash with natural muslin and then border and it will make a great "utility" quilt for the winter....my scrappy project of this year.

I say, "Cut away." There will always be more fabric to buy and who doesn't need a good shopping trip? I find that if I use that perfect smidgen for something, I can always find one even more perfect for my next project. I just finished a little pony applique for my DGD and am just beginning an appliqued owl one for my DD. I just love digging through by scrap bins and picking out 2 or 3 fabrics that coordinate for the perfect applique. Use the scraps--you can get more!

If you want to be able to go back to a piece of scrap fabric that you remember from a previous use why not get some smaller tote boxes and keep them in color groups. Then if you want one that was in the blue family just look in that box. Mile a minute might be a good one to do it quick and you won't have to try to co-ordinate pieces.

Sounds like the mindset of a "civil war quilter"...back then..they had very little fabric so they used what they had..and seldom had enough to make 2 blocks the same whether in fabric or style. That is why a civil war quilt is full of blocks that are ALL different. They usually only had enough fabric for one block. So maybe adjust your block..where you "wanted" this color and don't have it...switch with another color that you have more of and use the one you have less of for that one you just switched...