PurplePetal

I've been "researching" a lot. (this is my way of dealing with avoidance/fear of disappointment-perfection)

I've spent lots of time reading and admiring all the amazing things on this site.

I've read Bonnie Hunter's blog (OK devoured all the information)

I've watched endless You Tube videos.

I've ordered rulers, books, and when I first began quilting again 3 months ago, actually made 4 items.
Somehow I wasn't hesitant then, but as I read more and more, my fear (the scant 1/4", etc) climbed.

Anyway, after reading Bonnie Hunter's scrap system. I decided to try it out. This seems "freeing" & my inertia began to melt.

I went on a hunt & was in luck. My local Goodwill has an outlet. Can your believe it?!! an outlet Goodwill?
They sell clothing for 79 cents a pound!! ( I knew I had to limit my time in there or I'd collect too much--I went for cotton, color, and the most fabric in the item--also not smelly). I came home with 12 lbs of some of the most amazing cotton to "cut up" into strips, squares, and bricks.

My plan is to practice scrap system techniques. I decided to cut sizes into 2, 2 1/2, 3 1/2 & 4 inches.
It took a while for me to decide on these sizes, but that's another story.

I spent all of saturday, washing, & cutting the clothes. Before I cut them into the scrap sizes, I decided to starch them (which I never do) Well, I ruined my iron with the starch, it's all gummy now. (Lesson to learn)

some things i've observed:
cutting up clothing is a lot of work
Men's oxford shirts have amazing construction
pajamas also have some amazing construction, pockets--darts??
kids clothes have cute fabric but a lot of work to de construct--better love the fabric to be worth the effort
buttons are difficult to take off & shirts have lots of them
I have to stop myself from "keeping this for so & so" (and not staying on task)

if i can figure out how to post pics of my "find" i'll try to do that.
this week's goal is to cut fabric into desired sizes. (and get a new iron, or figure out how to clean the gunk off-spray starch)

next goal is to then sew up some blocks from said fabric.

wish me luck, I'm looking forward to having fun.
I'll post pics as soon as I can figure out how to do that.

Monika

Good luck! If your iron is not teflon, the "hot iron cleaner" stuff is amazing!

BellaBoo

Using clothes for fabric is a great money savings but it takes time to as Bonnie says 'debone a shirt'. I can spend a week organizing my scraps and I get as much satisfaction from that as finishing a quilt!

NikkiLu

Welcome to the QB from the Sho-Me state - Missouri. This post is the most interesting post that I have read on here in a very long, long time!!! I am in awe of your energy and enthusiasm. Lots of luck to you and do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to. My advise would be to make a very simple quilt/or block or whatever you decide to make first. I found a book in a deceased friend's bookcase that I almost did not even look at - it is:

Open a Can or Worms - by Debbie Caffrey

It is all about cutting your scraps into 2 1/2 inch strips - she called them "worms" - evidently this is before the now popular jelly rolls. Anyway, uses the same principal. The book then has all kinds of patterns for quilts using these 2 1/2 inch strips. Very interesting.

fayzer

I can't wait to see what you create with your hard work.

Chester the bunny

Love the idea of reusing clothing as there are so many in the thrift store that have barely been used.
My only question is why cut it up in strips right away? What if you cut a bunch of 2 1/2" strips and then find a pattern that uses 6" squares and you realize that "that was the perfect print"?
I would deconstruct the clothing and of course depending on how much you have, sort into colors/plaids/creams.
Once you've made a quilt, save your leftovers and store them into marked containers for sizes.
I have a box for each size under 1 1/2" , 1 1/2", 2", 2 1/2", 3", ....up to 6" and over. Anyting bigger than 10" goes into a FQ box labelled by color. Yes I know, can you spell OCD...........

Everyone has their own system, I just never precut fabric for the sake of having scraps.

Have fun and welcome to the world of never having enough fabric.

Carole

PurplePetal

hi carole, i know what you mean; felt the same way about "the perfect print". i decided just to "jump in" and learn as I go. I know about OCD & decided there is no perfect answer, so just go for it & learn as i go.

monika, thanks i'll try that

nikkilu, i'm in st louis!!

BellaBoo, i liked the "finding & acquiring" not so much the deboning, maybe it will change.

thanks all for the encouragement, fayzer, yes i plan on sharing my journey with others who "understand"
can't wait to share what i've come up with.

stillclock

love! can't wait to read more about your progress!

aileen

dunster

Try the Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean on your iron. It did wonders on mine when nothing else worked, and it's inexpensive and easy to use. Good luck with the scrap system.

auntpiggylpn

I was going to suggest the Magic Eraser also! Good luck with all your endeavors!