I'm jumping in..starting my journey into developing a scrap system
06-03-2012, 04:48 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,860
Let the iron cool. Take pieces of the shirts that you are NOT using (rags) and wet them. Then wipe down the iron. Next time you use starch, spray it, let it dry and then iron it. I made the same mistake with the last quilt I made.
I would love the see the quilts you make. I am making a floating stars quilt with my husband's old shirts (he tore 28 expensive dress shirts in the elbows even though we started buying him shirts with longer sleeves). My husband is 6'5" tall which means I have ALOT of material to work with.
BTW, unless you are entering your quilts into shows or selling them or doing a block exchange, the "scant" 1/4 inch is not that big a deal. I don't worry that much about it. Quilting should be relaxing and enjoyable!
I would love the see the quilts you make. I am making a floating stars quilt with my husband's old shirts (he tore 28 expensive dress shirts in the elbows even though we started buying him shirts with longer sleeves). My husband is 6'5" tall which means I have ALOT of material to work with.
BTW, unless you are entering your quilts into shows or selling them or doing a block exchange, the "scant" 1/4 inch is not that big a deal. I don't worry that much about it. Quilting should be relaxing and enjoyable!
06-03-2012, 05:16 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Woodmere, NY
Posts: 1,422
We have a Goodwill clearance center not too far from me.. I made two denim quilts from jeans I bought.. I also found a lot of high quality flannel shirts for the rag quilt.. I double bag the bag I get from there, and don't take anything into the house for fear of little hitchhickers.. I go directly to a laundry place, and use very hot water.. The thought of having a bug infestation scares the crap oput of me..
06-03-2012, 06:18 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
I was mentioning your starch issue to my mom and she said to use a press cloth when you use a lot of starch (Back in the 50s and 60s, Dad's shirts all had to have starched collars so she was used to it).
Good to know though. We don't have an outlet store that I know of, but my sister lives in a rural area with a couple of local charity shops. She's already put in a request for them to let her know when they are ready to eliminate all of the past year's flannel shirts, which is by the end of June. Then we'll have a cutting weekend and cut them all up, ready to make a quilt from Bonnie's book (quilts to be tied and donated to mentally ill adults).
Two years ago, we cut up a whole bunch of cast off shirts from the same charity place for my sister's neighbor to make rag rugs (she's 89 -keeps her busy). Cost $5 for a garbage bag stuffed with shirts that couldn't be sold due to something wrong with it. I agree, the shirts take a long time to cut up, but it really helps to have freshly sharpened scissors!
Good to know though. We don't have an outlet store that I know of, but my sister lives in a rural area with a couple of local charity shops. She's already put in a request for them to let her know when they are ready to eliminate all of the past year's flannel shirts, which is by the end of June. Then we'll have a cutting weekend and cut them all up, ready to make a quilt from Bonnie's book (quilts to be tied and donated to mentally ill adults).
Two years ago, we cut up a whole bunch of cast off shirts from the same charity place for my sister's neighbor to make rag rugs (she's 89 -keeps her busy). Cost $5 for a garbage bag stuffed with shirts that couldn't be sold due to something wrong with it. I agree, the shirts take a long time to cut up, but it really helps to have freshly sharpened scissors!
06-03-2012, 06:22 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Marathon, Texas
Posts: 854
Glad to see another scrapper! My favorite thing in the world is a scrappy quilt. I too devoured Bonnie Hunter's website and have her book on using clothing...Scraps and Shirttails is the name, I think. My storage is sort of limited so I cut my scraps into 2.5" strips or 2.5" squares. Anything more narrow is a "strip." And I only keep bigger chunks if it's about FQ size.
I've made several scrappies and my favorite recent scrap venture was my "crumb" quilt. Lots of fun and I used one of Bonnie's settings from her book. I posted pics at this topic: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t183509.html
Anita
I've made several scrappies and my favorite recent scrap venture was my "crumb" quilt. Lots of fun and I used one of Bonnie's settings from her book. I posted pics at this topic: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t183509.html
Anita
06-03-2012, 07:42 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tasmania
Posts: 343
I think the best way to go with this is to find yourself some patterns you would like to make and cut according to that. No use cutting 2.5 squares if what you want is 2 inch strips when you finally get to sewing.
The thing with Bonnie's system is it is a Scrap User's system not a Scrap Saver's system and that is how I use it. When starting a new scrap quilt I always start with my precut scraps and go from there. Sometime I don't even get to my FQs.
The thing with Bonnie's system is it is a Scrap User's system not a Scrap Saver's system and that is how I use it. When starting a new scrap quilt I always start with my precut scraps and go from there. Sometime I don't even get to my FQs.
06-03-2012, 08:01 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 687
You are going to find this so liberating! When I started my scrap users system, I started cutting up FQs for a Bonnie mystery quilt - pinks, greens, browns, and neutrals. Some of my FQs were over 10 years old. What was I saving them for? If I need a different color or more variety, I now purchase a quarter or third yard piece - usually cheaper than FQs, and just cut the strips I need plus a couple other sizes. Cheaper visit at the LQS, but still get that satisfaction of buying fabric. :-) I mostly cut strips, and for pieces less than 12 inches cut squares. You will be amazed at how quickly it all starts building. i haven't cut many bricks - figured I can cut them from strips if needed. It is so fun to do a scrap quilt and just reach for the pile of whatever strips you need or open the drawer with the squares. I also thought long and hard over what sizes to cut. I cut 1.5", 2", 2.5", and 3.5" strips and squares.
I've even broken into the yardage stash if there is a color I need, but generally try and save the big pieces for borders or pieced backs.
Have fun!!!
I've even broken into the yardage stash if there is a color I need, but generally try and save the big pieces for borders or pieced backs.
Have fun!!!
06-04-2012, 03:51 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Grants Pass, Oregon
Posts: 2,179
I had been quilting for several years before I made the decision to organize my stash. It took me quite awhile, but it was so worth it! I wish it was something I would have started doing at the beginning. I cut all my scraps into squares from 1 1/2 up to 6 inches. I love it. Just this past week, I began an applique project and it was fantastic to just pick already cut blocks to use for the individual pieces. Another advantage to using this system, you can just sit down and choose a block size and sew 4 patches, 9 patches and so on. Have a great journey with your scraps and creating unbelievable quilt treasures.
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