When Scraps Attack!!!!!
06-20-2011, 07:56 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Kansas City, MO
Posts: 561
I've read much here about what to do with scraps. I've considered many of your ideas and even set out plans to implement many of them - sadly I've never followed through and the scraps just kept multiplying.
My anti-depressant of choice has always be to spend time "rubbing cotton", occasionally bolstered by a period of time on Prozac. At a particularly low point, I was completely overwhelmed by the garbage bags of scraps stored in what was once a linen closet. I had no idea what was in the bags and I couldn't take it any longer.
I called a friend and set a time for lunch and a movie (my treat). I then called my son and asked him to come over and bring his truck. When he arrived I told him a friend was coming to pick me up. He was instructed to wait until we left, then to go into the linen closet and take out all the white garbage bags and carry them to the Goodwill and deposit them in the donation dumpster. He was to never speak of this in my presence, for fear of triggering a complete meltdown over what I had done.
This was quite a while ago and, yes, I felt twinges every time I opened the linen closet to store a bag of scraps, but the twinges have subsided over time as the door gets harder and harder to close.
I have hesitated sharing this for fear of ridicule from you ladies, whom I respect so much. However, I feel the need to seek so validation for my actions. Upon reflection, I've taken comfort in the possibility that my scraps may have found a loving home in someone else's closet or perhaps even in a quilt or wall hanging. This is a far better fate than ending up in the city dump, isn't it?
What are your thoughts and is there forgiveness in my future?
I'm beginning to ramble, perhaps it's time to go rub some cotton.
My anti-depressant of choice has always be to spend time "rubbing cotton", occasionally bolstered by a period of time on Prozac. At a particularly low point, I was completely overwhelmed by the garbage bags of scraps stored in what was once a linen closet. I had no idea what was in the bags and I couldn't take it any longer.
I called a friend and set a time for lunch and a movie (my treat). I then called my son and asked him to come over and bring his truck. When he arrived I told him a friend was coming to pick me up. He was instructed to wait until we left, then to go into the linen closet and take out all the white garbage bags and carry them to the Goodwill and deposit them in the donation dumpster. He was to never speak of this in my presence, for fear of triggering a complete meltdown over what I had done.
This was quite a while ago and, yes, I felt twinges every time I opened the linen closet to store a bag of scraps, but the twinges have subsided over time as the door gets harder and harder to close.
I have hesitated sharing this for fear of ridicule from you ladies, whom I respect so much. However, I feel the need to seek so validation for my actions. Upon reflection, I've taken comfort in the possibility that my scraps may have found a loving home in someone else's closet or perhaps even in a quilt or wall hanging. This is a far better fate than ending up in the city dump, isn't it?
What are your thoughts and is there forgiveness in my future?
I'm beginning to ramble, perhaps it's time to go rub some cotton.
06-20-2011, 08:03 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 1,063
I don't think there is any need for forgiveness. Your scraps; you do what you like with them. I applaud your courage. I wish I could do the same with so many things in my life.
I tried saving scraps. I did save scraps. I wanted to make cozy, scrappy quilts. I kept saving. I realized that I don't like working with scraps. By the time I finish working on a quilt I'm tired of that fabric and I don't want to see it anymore unless it is in the actual quilt. So I stopped saving scraps. Now, I throw scraps into a bag and when the bag gets so full I give it away. The bag contains tiny bits all the way to 1/4 yard pieces. I'm not bothered one bit.
I have a 12x12 scrapbooking box that has a very few select scraps in it. That is enough for me.
Good for you for getting back to what you like and not letting the scraps over take you.
I tried saving scraps. I did save scraps. I wanted to make cozy, scrappy quilts. I kept saving. I realized that I don't like working with scraps. By the time I finish working on a quilt I'm tired of that fabric and I don't want to see it anymore unless it is in the actual quilt. So I stopped saving scraps. Now, I throw scraps into a bag and when the bag gets so full I give it away. The bag contains tiny bits all the way to 1/4 yard pieces. I'm not bothered one bit.
I have a 12x12 scrapbooking box that has a very few select scraps in it. That is enough for me.
Good for you for getting back to what you like and not letting the scraps over take you.
06-20-2011, 08:04 PM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 3,712
I did the same thing several years ago, gave away a large car trunkfull of fabric and then a few months later gave away a large tote of books, magazines and patterns. I didn't think I would ever sew again. I still feel a twinge every now and then when I think of all those patterns.But I know the lady I gave all the fabric to was blessed by it so it's all good. I think it is great that you can see when enough is enough, sometimes that is hard to do.
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