"Iffy" items -
07-30-2020, 03:39 AM
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,433
I have a tote bag of quilt books that have been sitting by the door for months. I just can't throw them out. I think that when quilting groups start up again, I can donate them there.
07-30-2020, 06:12 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,392
Don't forget to think outside the box - "worn out" cutting mats might be refreshed with a long soak in warm water (good maintenance technique - they wear out because they dry out and cuts don't "heal"), bleeding fabrics might be just what an art quilter wants so she/he can play with the bleeds in a quilt, etc. Quilt guilds usually have a "free table" where one can put out items for others to take - just be sure to add a note of any unique feature (bleeds, nick in blade, etc.)
07-30-2020, 09:16 AM
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,952
Saving items to repurpose, to store until someone needs them, to put in box to wait to fill to donate, is still keeping them. I want them gone and out of my way. None of the items cost that much that can't be bought new using coupons, sales. etc.
07-30-2020, 11:37 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Texas currently
Posts: 1,222
Used, damaged items
Originally Posted by bearisgray
What do you do with your more or less usable tools/fabrics/other equipment - that are "not good enough" for you to use anynore?
Examples: rulers that have a bit of a bow on the edge
fabrics that bleed - but are still "good"
scissors that have a nick in them, but still cut
For me, donating them is not an option - because if someone is starting out to be a quilter, that someone does not need the aggravation/frustration.
I still have trouble taking those items straight to the trash. Why? I paid "good money" for them -
Did they give me long and faithful service? Some did. Some did not.
I need to become more ruthless in discarding not-useful things.
Anyone else hang on to things that are past their prime?
(I know there are a couple of members that can pitch things easily - I am not one of them)
Examples: rulers that have a bit of a bow on the edge
fabrics that bleed - but are still "good"
scissors that have a nick in them, but still cut
For me, donating them is not an option - because if someone is starting out to be a quilter, that someone does not need the aggravation/frustration.
I still have trouble taking those items straight to the trash. Why? I paid "good money" for them -
Did they give me long and faithful service? Some did. Some did not.
I need to become more ruthless in discarding not-useful things.
Anyone else hang on to things that are past their prime?
(I know there are a couple of members that can pitch things easily - I am not one of them)
Donate them to a school or scout pack.
07-31-2020, 07:19 AM
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,715
Old rulers can have a new life ......
The rough edges and bitten off corners, can be cut off.
It's a great way to get a ruler for a special project.
I have one re-cut to 5-3/4" square ... for a specific project where the precise size
made cutting-life a lot easier than working with a 6-1/2".
The rough edges and bitten off corners, can be cut off.
It's a great way to get a ruler for a special project.
I have one re-cut to 5-3/4" square ... for a specific project where the precise size
made cutting-life a lot easier than working with a 6-1/2".
07-31-2020, 08:04 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,033
Quilting is my pleasure. I don't want to be burdened with things I can't use. I must say, though, that I am using things I bought years ago and haven't used before. Still, I've given away lots of duplicates and extras to people who will enjoy them.
09-21-2020, 09:50 AM
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,715
Originally Posted by Dolphyngyrl
The only thing g I could see the rulers used for is if cut down they could be used as bases for a bag
Wouldn't they be too breakable to set in the bottom as a stiffener??
09-21-2020, 02:27 PM
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
My ( iffy) tools generally get moved from the quilting stuff to the crafting or even the junk drawer- the scissors may wind up in a first aid kit, or just in a sleeve in the glovebox of the car ( I’m amazed how often I’ve needed scissors in the car- to cut a tag, those pesky plastic things- or just to break into a quick snack)
the rulers are usually still good enough for paper crafts, or any number of handy moments outside the sewing room. Fabrics I don’t use for quilting can still be put to use- my granddaughters used to love making what they called treasure boxes- usually a file paper box with a lid- they would grab my basket of those fabrics, ones that I wouldn’t use for quilting and they glued fabrics pieces all over the boxes- they love those boxes- smaller boxes and pizza boxes work great too. Lots of uses for those things we no longer use to make a quilt. 🤗
the rulers are usually still good enough for paper crafts, or any number of handy moments outside the sewing room. Fabrics I don’t use for quilting can still be put to use- my granddaughters used to love making what they called treasure boxes- usually a file paper box with a lid- they would grab my basket of those fabrics, ones that I wouldn’t use for quilting and they glued fabrics pieces all over the boxes- they love those boxes- smaller boxes and pizza boxes work great too. Lots of uses for those things we no longer use to make a quilt. 🤗
09-21-2020, 10:35 PM
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
I have found a use for a couple of broken rulers (about 6 x 24 size---ask my GSon how it got broken! Good thing it already had a bow in it.) They work well on my LA table where I place my pantographs. I use them to measure how far from the edge to place the panto and then use them as "weights' to hold the panto in place. The lines don't bother me while following the panto. The 12 1/2" square which is still in good shape works well too.
