The local Sew and Vac store is having "Scrap Therapy" classes for which they charge $25. Then they have more classes to use these scraps for which there is another charge.

Has anyone taken these classes? Are they worth the time and money?

What is a scrap therapy class?

As far as I can figure it out, you take your scraps and they tell you what sizes to cut them, don't know for sure, that's why I'm asking. :lol:

Call the local sew and vac and ask them.. Then be sure to TELL all of us what you found out. Heck! I can cut my own squares, etc but I still may need the THERAPY part! lol!

Haven't taken any. :? Although in moving my fabrics around, I have found 4 big bins of scraps! I maybe should take one of these classes! :?

I would go to quiltville.com before I'd pay $25 for the "class" and then more money for additional classes. Bonnie(quiltville) is probably the best on scraps. My opinion.

Here's the website for "quilt therapy":

http://www.quilt-therapy.com/classes.html

As for "needing" to take this class, it doesn't qualify in that category for me. In the good old days when the economy was better I would have considered it because it's always more fun to do things like that in a group setting. Now I know it's more of a "would be nice to do" luxury -- for me, anyway.

Borntoquilt: I made 2 calls, talked to 3 people and an answering machine. Those 3 people couldn't answer my question, and the answering machine hasn't called me back. :lol: :lol:

So I checked the net and found:

http://www.scrap-therapy.com/

Shemjo: Sounds like it may help someone with "a lot" of scraps. :)

pocoellie and Prism99: After reading the above site and checking out their quilted projects, I think I could go to quiltville.com, pick a pattern and cut my scraps to the size needed and save my $25, and whatever they charge for the next classes and patterns. Of course, there's always the (group) THERAPY part - that could be a good thing, but we have that right here, don't we??

CRH - thanks for taking the time to research for us. AFter looking at web site I think it would be just as fun to get together with some friends and "cut up" all thos scraps. Sure there wuld be some "therapy" in ther somewhere. Some of those quilts patterns looked pretty cool tho! So, what do you suppose the 3 size squares were????? :wink:

you can always donate to bonnie's site to keep it going. :)

LOL I don't know about you ladies but I don't need a therapy class I just simply need a scraps anonymous meeting! Along with an ironers anonymous, fabric buyers anonymous....oh this list could get big fast!!!

I agree, Bonnie's site is great!

I thought Scrap Therepy was a way to organize your scraps to make them user friendly...
Like putting them in bins for strips, small squares, and larger patches...
Maybe I am mixed up...
But I have my scrap bin almost full.
Kirsten

I have been checking into Scrap Therapy. From my understanding, you will cut your scraps into 3 or 4 different sizes. They tell you what sizes. Then you organize them in this bin (it looks like a clear, plastic shoe box). Most of the quilt shops include one free bin with the Scrap Therapy cutting class. (I am sure we would all need several) You have to take the cutting class before you are allowed to take any of the project classes. One of the quilt shops that I spoke with would allow you to purchase the patterns without taking the project class, but you were required to take the Cutting Class before you could purchase any of the patterns.

Angie

I actually took the Scrap Therapy class a few months ago with a friend who wanted company. We paid $20 for two plastic shoeboxes (with Scrap Therapy labels to attach, ohhhhh....) and instructions to cut all scraps into 2 inch, 3-1/2 inch or 5 inch squares. Anything that didn't fit into these three sizes we were told "it's o.k. to throw away". Personally, I don't throw anything away so I let that slide and played along. The whole jist of it is that once you take the initial "cutting" class then you're "eligible" to pay for additional classes to buy their patterns to make the quilts that use the sizes you've already cut and amassed in you darling little plastic bins. I would need a few gross of them for my scraps.
The patterns appear to be nice but very basic quiliting patterns. The classes would probably be good for a beginner quilter or someone who likes working with instruction and/or company.
Sorry to be so long winded but I hoped this answers your questions.

so if you were a beginner then you wouldn't really have that many scraps right?? I guess I just don't get it.

I'd say you just got it!

baskets, Thanks for all the info ! I was wondering what it was about, but heck I don't need to spend 20.00 on a clear shoebox :? I can better spend it on fabric :lol:
Sharon

I just took the Scrap Therapy class a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it. But right off the bat, I did not adhere to their three sizes of scraps. I ended up cutting my scraps into the largest workable size because I hate to throw anything away! I also ended up with a lot of strips.

What the class did, however, was to get me to take care of the scraps right away rather than throw them in a box to do something with later. I found myself cutting blocks in sizes of patterns of quilts I enjoy doing, such as the Yellow Brick Road, etc. Then the scraps are sorted, not so much according to size, but rather according to type of project, if that makes any sense.

I took this class a few months ago. The nice thing is that it forces you to iron, cut and organize your scraps. I went with a couple of friends and it was nice because we all started sharing our scraps and pretty soon the rest of the class was into it too. We got a very nice box to store our scraps in and a pattern to start sewing. It was fun. . . AND amazing how many quilts we can probably make just using our scraps. These are going to be charity quilts for sure.

Sewing with Nancy had a great quilt to make with scrap strips.
Using strips from 1 1/2 inch up to 5 1/2 inches. You just combine them to make a 6 inch square. Sample 3 - 2 1/2 inch strips makes 6 inches. Or two 3 1/2 inch strips or one 5 1/2 with a 1 1/2 makes a 6 inch.
It was the most fun quilt I ever made. It was called Scrap Happy but the book is out of print. The video is on QNNTV if you subscribe to it be sure and watch it.

I think all of you have summed this up very well.

1)It would be fun to do with friends (and maybe share)
2)It would stimulate you to do something with all those scraps
3)The 2, 3 1/2, and 5 inch squares may not be what you want to use, unless you pay more money and use their patterns

Guess I'll wait to cut my scraps AFTER I pick a pattern and cut the scraps the size I need. For now I'll try to finish a stack of WIP's and MAKE MORE SCRAPS!!! :lol: :lol:

I am one who really enjoys a class and there is always something to learn
I have been quilting for 29 years and I still take classes I do not mind the
25.00 dollars as the teacher puts a lot of time and preperation for those classes and besides it is just fun to spend the time with other quilters go
and enjoy it will be fun

Dodie

I agree!! There is always something to learn, or see in a new way, isn't there?? I took a paper piecing class from Judy Niemeyer, a free motion quilting class from Pat Sloan (she is a real artist, so - her talent is very intimidating, even though she is a very down to earth person. She gave us some good tips!! Unfortunately the artist part didn't rub off on me or my machine.) :(
I try to take advantage of the privilege to see these "experts" whenever possible. Ricky Timms was only 125 miles from me, but I was unable to go see him. :cry:

I think I really enjoy the local quilt store classes more as they are more relaxed.

OK - I feel dumb - what is "bonnie's site" ?

burnsk-bonnie's site is quiltville.com.

I took some classes in Marion,IN at The Quilters' Hall of Fame in July. I took a class taught by Kathlene Tracy. She has 3 great books out on doll size quilts.
Who would be taking the class and sitting at the same table I was, but ELEANOR BURNES!!!!!! (Gosh, I hope I spelled their names right.)
And Eleanor has 104 books and has been in the business for at least 35 years! She said that she likes to take classes from other teachers when she has the time. What a Day! I got Kathy's autograph in her books, :) but forgot to ask Eleanor for hers:(

I've sorted my strip scraps in plastic dishpans--Now eliminating the 1 3/4" and 2 1/4" strips--just don't use them. I'm always rummaging through the pans to find pieces that I need for small projects

Don't throw the strips out. You don't use them at all? LMK if they need a new home.

burnsk--oh I don't throw them away :shock: --I save 3/4 " pieces for mini's :!: . I just meant in the future I won't save them in those widths--I'll cut them to a size I do use. I did make some potholders with those widths for my sister's birthday this week to use up those pieces.

OK - good - I've just started making some Doll Quilts and postcards, and now realize what I can do with those small pieces. I used to give all mine away. Now I only give "some" away. They are fun to work with.

Talk about not throwing anything out - I had a pile of thread pieces that I just threw into a box that I keep by my sewing machine (you know those thread leads when you start to sew a seam that you cut off and the ones you end up with when you rip out a seam). I stuffed them all into a baggie and took them to a sewing guild "garage" sale with a little "free" sign and one of the ladies raced to the table to grab them. MORAL OF THIS STORY: Don't ever throw anything out. We should start a topic called: "Don't throw out - save for me . . ." That might be fun to see what others are looking for. What do you think?

For me, my scraps are my therapy. Especially when I get to play in a quiet room, all by myself (so no one hears me talking to myself)! Gwyn

My thoughts exactly!!! She is the Scrappy Queen!!!! And the best part.. she is FREE!!!!!!!! I have a pile of scraps myself and I go to her site for my inspiration. I am currently making my own crumb quilt. I have the main quilt top done, but I now am working on a crumb border. I haven't worked on that quilt for a few months since I moved to my house back in March. Hopefully I'll get back to it soon. Right now I have a few other irons on the fire to tackle first.