What is the smallest size fabric scrap worth keeping?
10-17-2009, 07:58 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 405
Originally Posted by Quilting Aggi
I work with tiny pieces all the time. I love to do scrappy quilts. My latest project has been making a crumb quilt. I'm figuring next year I'll be making alot more scrap quilts as money will be a tiny bit tighter as I will be on maternity leave next Spring. lol I have two big, and two small rubber maid containers filled with scrap fabrics for future projects.
10-17-2009, 11:06 PM
#12
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
Originally Posted by Prism99
Even if it's just to donate to someone else?
I am grappling with this now that I have the use of an Accuquilt Go! The scraps might be just one inch wide tapering six inches down to nothing. Should I keep scraps that small? I know that some people might use them to stuff pincushions, or use them for fusing snippet landscapes, but that's definitely not me. I'm a larger scrap sort of person; about 3 inches in every direction is probably my smallest useable size.
What I am wondering is if I should be saving the smaller scraps for someone else who might be able to use them. Is this worthwhile? If so, how do I find these people. If not, should I be throwing the scraps in the garbage or into recycling for Goodwill (I assume to be made into paper)?
I read years ago that we should not put fabric scraps out for birds nests because fabric doesn't dry out fast enough after a rain, endangering baby birds in the nest. So, that option is out for me.
I am grappling with this now that I have the use of an Accuquilt Go! The scraps might be just one inch wide tapering six inches down to nothing. Should I keep scraps that small? I know that some people might use them to stuff pincushions, or use them for fusing snippet landscapes, but that's definitely not me. I'm a larger scrap sort of person; about 3 inches in every direction is probably my smallest useable size.
What I am wondering is if I should be saving the smaller scraps for someone else who might be able to use them. Is this worthwhile? If so, how do I find these people. If not, should I be throwing the scraps in the garbage or into recycling for Goodwill (I assume to be made into paper)?
I read years ago that we should not put fabric scraps out for birds nests because fabric doesn't dry out fast enough after a rain, endangering baby birds in the nest. So, that option is out for me.
I too have a hard time throwing away fabric. At $9 a yard, an inch of fabric from selvage to selvage is worth 25 cents :shock:
10-18-2009, 04:51 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
I save practically every piece of scrap. I have instructions for making fabric beads out of the tiniest pieces and save all the threads for making thread bowls and such. Not that I've made any yet, but if I run out of quilts to do, I'll do those.LOL
10-18-2009, 04:57 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fayetteville, GA
Posts: 2,879
I cut my scaps into either 2" strips or 6 1/2" blocks. The rest I give to a sweet friend of mine that is 84 years young. She makes what she calls ugly quilts for the homeless. She has been doing this for 11 years and has made over 3575. Her motto is "If GOD gives you a mission and a talent, JUST DO IT"
10-18-2009, 06:33 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 8,034
Also our SPCA takes pillows; hang an old pillow case near your machine & any 100% cotton fabric tidbits can go into the pillow. When it's ½ full fold down the top & stitch it closed, this is the size that fits into the cat cages, maybe your area might want different sizes. Do NOT put batting or threads in the cases. Just another way to recycle those little tidbits that are so hard to throw away.
10-20-2009, 06:39 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 368
What a great idea! I will check with the local vet and see if he can use them. I give them towels for the pets cages, drying, etc.
I have a great charm quilt pattern from McCalls that uses many 1 /12" X 8" strips. I keep the scraps that work in that. It is really hard to toss material of smaller size, but I do. Well, not really, but I try to weed out the scraps as I quilt. Now I have a legitimate use for them, making beds for kitties!
I have a great charm quilt pattern from McCalls that uses many 1 /12" X 8" strips. I keep the scraps that work in that. It is really hard to toss material of smaller size, but I do. Well, not really, but I try to weed out the scraps as I quilt. Now I have a legitimate use for them, making beds for kitties!
10-20-2009, 07:03 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Gladewater, TX
Posts: 590
I read an article abt a lady who keeps everything including thread. She uses the scraps to make her picture(I think that's what they're called) quilts. Some of the photos of her work was fantastic! Instead of using paint, she used all of her scrap materials and threads. I don't think I would ever be able to do something like that.
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