Originally Posted by
Iceblossom
I've been trying to embrace or at least learn to work with the fabric, rather than making the fabric work for me. And now I need to make my vision issues still work with quilting, and I am noticing the hands are starting to have a lot of complaints.
I don't mind "wasting" fabric with the trimming down. I could design the blocks or use a template with less sharp angles that result in less loss. But sometimes, it is just nice to slice and dice! I've learned to trust Karla's process and my fabric selections -- and I've learned to live with my mistakes because deep down, random results in things like the same fabrics touching or whatever.
I think you've hit on two really important points that work really well in the Fabric Moratorium/stash-busting context, Iceblossom.
First, "work with the fabric." This is such a helpful approach when you're trying to shop from/reduce stash and it is actually one of my favourite parts of playing with and building from scraps and other people's cast-off fabrics. It's amazing how well disparate fabrics can work together, even if they're from completely different lines/designers/eras, if you just give them a chance to audition with some of what else is hiding in your totes or bins or closets. :-)
Second, you speak of "wasting" fabric when you choose to cut down, either from a trimming perspective or from approaches like Karla's process, but waste can be subjective and contextual. While working with a limited supply of fabric (such as what you might have in your stash from 15 years ago) can lead to some supply & demand challenges, it can also be very freeing to think you are working with fabric you probably paid a lot less for than if you had bought it new. (I know that you did buy some fabric for your dragon hoard blocks, but there is a lot of stash in there as well.) Cutting large and trimming down can go a long way when you want seams to match or points to be crisp and pointy - another argument in favour of being willing to "waste" fabric for a good cause! There is also the fact that many kits also include a rather limited supply of fabrics and woe betide you if you miscut something! Off to the store you must go! When there is built-in flexibility in size and shape, you can make whatever happens work, even if it wasn't necessarily part of the plan.
And the most important thing of all - whatever you decide to do with your fabric - how you choose to cut and sew and use it up - every piece you used counts, even if some of those pieces are trimmings that end up in the garbage or compost (which is what I do with mine)!