Have You Ever Done This?
 

Not terribly long ago, I bought some very pretty fabric and made a Warm Wishes lap-quilt top. Had some left-over fabric (never mind that I purposely bought too much), so decided to make a second one, from the "scraps." So far, so good. Was having so much fun with the pattern, I made more, in different fabrics. Four tops, total. Okay, time to actually finish one. So . . . the other day, I pulled out a top, backing, and batting . . . but got to thinking it really ought to be a bit longer. Had enough scraps from that one, to make another two rows, for the length. Added the extra rows, then pulled down the roll of Warm & White again, to measure. Hmmmm. Ought to get two from the width, instead of wasting. Pulled out another top . . . and decided it really needed to be longer, too. As a matter of fact, I should make all of them longer. Pulled out all scraps, from the tops. Okay, I think I can get enough for the second one, if I cut my scraps carefully. However, the other two (the ones kinda alike) needed just a bit more of the light fabric. Off to Hobby Lobby, I went. I needed only about 1/4 yd of the light fabric, to finish those two tops . . . but what did I do? Thing is, I really do like that fabric . . . and it seems such a shame to get such a small amount. Since I got extra of the light, I knew I should get more of the focus fabric. Anyway, so now I have fabric to finish the two short ones and make a third of those two fabrics (I'd already stocked up on the third fabric) . . . and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have left-overs . . . .

But just think of all the charity quilts you made. They all go to different people, so what if several are alike. I have made more full quilts with the leftovers. I like to buy a lot if I hit a good sale.

I love the challenge of using all my scraps from a quilt.

Have I ever done that?
Nope...
BUT, would if I found a bargin on the fabric.
If you love the fabric and are having fun... then it's all good! :eek:

Oh yeah, many times!

Can't say I've done exactly the same thing. But when I buy fabric for a project I always buy way more than I need.

no. i don't collect fabric, i'm a notoriously slow quilter and i tend to be careful when i'm buying fabric to buy enough for the project and to waste as little as possible. i just don't seem to stockpile much of anything.

i also tend to do a project once, and then move on to something else. the only pattern i have repeated is the rail fence, and each time i've done a variation.

but i love the way you wrote that out.

it made me giggle all the way through!

aileen

Reminds me of the children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Very cute.

LOL! I have done similar things.. "hmm.. needs just a bit more.. a 3rd of 4th border.. oh.. its to small here.. ".
I have one quilt I went back to get more fabric three different times before it was the "right size"!

I mostly buy way to much.
But I never have to be afraid I haven't enough if I make a mistake cutting!!!
I like the way you told your story:D

Too cute! You been watching me in secret-?!? ;)

It's those leftovers that get me in trouble. I never seem to be able to come out even.

Cute 'story'! Love your enthusiasm for your projects!

Yes been there done that. But mostly my thing is to buy what I think I'll need then go back and get more because I really like it and it's on sale.

Found the story amusing just because it hit so close to home!! Thank you for my first laugh of the day!! Linda

I can never get my left-overs to come out even, either!

I think you are on an 'endless chain' of quilts here - - - :thumbup:

OK Neesie, Where are the pics?

I say if you love a fabric that much go get more! One day you won't be able to get it. Yes, Neesie, we need pictures please!!

oh me too! I love how you told this story! it is so cute ~ and, I agree with pictures please, also! =)

Off the subject. I love your name. Way nice a name! Wish it were my name.

Sounds like me when I'm making cabbage rolls - leftover filling, need to buy another cabbage, oh-oh, too many cabbage leaves now, better mix up more filling......what am I going to do with the extra filling? Better buy another cabbage - the big one is the same price as the smaller one. .....and on and on. Can you tell, I've got cabbage rolls on the brain - I'm off to buy some cabbages - how many should I buy???

You are too funny!!! Great read.

Great analogy! It is exactly like If You Give A Mouse A Cookie!

I always buy over, then I have scraps. Scraps=a scrappy quilt about 6 months later. ITs a viscious cycle, but someone has to do it ..LOL

Loved that....every single time i've tried to be "exact" in my fabric yardage, i come up short. At some point i suppose i will have to find a Fabrics Anonymous support group - til then, i'll keep buying extra!

:D Too funny! Okay, I feel much better, now! :D

Thanks, so much, for the support and kind words, everyone. I knew I'd find kindred spirits, here! :thumbup:

Pics of unfinished tops? LOL Okay . . . but prepare to be disappointed. They're just simple Warm Wishes. I'm not even adding borders, as that would make them too wide for my one-piece backing. I also decided I like just one-color frames, better than the two-colors . . . so technically, is it still Warm Wishes? Does that downgrade it to Lukewarm Wishes? :p

I love cabbage rolls. What time is dinner?

Or my "Cook Once Eat Twice Lasagne" recipe. I need more sauce, now I need more noodles. Oh no, now there's too much sauce to waste - mix up some more cheese filling!

I'm getting hungry for cabbage rolls or lasagne.

love the story-but my problem is when I go back they don't have the same fabric, so I have to another type or close then I decide that since I was short on the first one lets get 2x as much this time-then I have extra-then need to go back and find another colour to work with the extra-then run out of the first and back again for more-
think I am running in a circle here???

Deep down, we're just trying to be thrifty! :D

Okay, got the pictures. Here are my Warm (or Lukewarm?) Wishes, in the order they were made. This post started, after the purchase of light fabric, to lengthen the first two. The last two have been lengthened and last one has been glue-basted to batting and backing (tea-dyed muslin). I was having trouble, finding the fourth "perfect" (second frame) fabric, so started making them with just three.

Please pardon the wrinkles and loose threads; they were folded and stacked in a storage bin. It just amazes me, how different fabrics can make such a huge difference, in the "look" of this pattern!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]357469[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]357470[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]357471[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]357472[/ATTACH]

I haven't added any borders because I want to just use a single width of regular fabric, for backing. Will just add a binding and let that be it. They'll probably end up as family gifts.

love the difference the fabrics make in the design. Gives me lots and lots of ideas.

Great quilts-will have to try this.

It's posts like this one that keep me reading the board everyday. It's so nice to know others do the same things i do.
Linda

Me, too! One time I made a baby quilt & ran waaaaaaaaaaaay short of one of the main fabrics & that taught me a lesson... better too much rather than too little! Plus then you have scraps... yay!

I agree! 3 really, really fabulous quilts! And the fabric choices make them look completely different!

I loved your narrative! Funny. Keep quilting!

Ohhhhhh...I thought it was because I was "new" at this quilting thingy. I think every quilt I have made over the past two years (somewhere between 10 and 20) has its own personality because absolutely none of them have been made the way the pattern called for from the directions. And a big thank you to all the members of Quilting Board for giving me the freedom and the confidence to just go ahead and "do it". All the quilts have turned out very nicely and have been much appreciated.

Yes it is amazing how one fabric can change the look of the whole quilt. Pics 1 & 2 show this. BTW #1 is my favorite and well done.

hehehe how funny and you are sooooo not alone!