QuiltingPandaBear

Whether due to sustainability, availability, economics, or other motivations, I think many of us are looking to find ways to be less wasteful (financially or materially) in our quilting. I am currently aiming to only purchase items this year from my local resale shop or in the two online stores I was given gift cards for. It’s been eye opening how fast I am to encounter a tiny issue or desire and hop onto my phone to immediately buy my solution via Amazon. It’s a very ingrained habit, but not doing so is helping me think more creatively and use what I have to get by.

I thought it might be nice to swap some best tips or ask for advice on this topic.

A couple of my tips:

1. instead of buying the immediate/easiest solution, Google the how to make/do ____ without ____. I mean duh. I am working on sewing a bear and immediately hopped onto Amazon to buy some safety eyes as the pattern called for. I need 2 eyes and 1 nose for 1 bear, not a pack of 50 that will now live forever in my craft room, and I’m not buying stuff! After a quick search I learned how to sew them from felt or embroider them and I have the supplies for both. Problem solved.

2. Look for low/no waste ways to make your favorite blocks. For example there is a no waste flying geese method, or if you are doing stitch and flip and you salvage a bonus HST by sewing another line 1/2” away from the standard line and cutting between them. Then, instead of cutting off two triangles you are cutting off an HST to use in another project. I use this on all stitch and flip corners (snowballs, hearts, etc.).

my biggest question right now:

1. does anybody have good experience with at home blade sharpening for rotary blades, those build in blades on the back of the machine for cutting your bobbin/needle thread, or or seam rippers? What tool/method do you use? I’d like to know if I should invest in something to reduce the waste of replacing these items when they dull.