I can't stop!
 

Something is seriously wrong with me. I have bins, closets, cupboards and drawers full of beautiful fabric. I have UFOs that I'm still in love with and have every intention of finishing soon. (Even made a schedule.) But lately when I sit down at the machine I always end up sewing together strings, crumbs, and orphan patches from the scrap bin. I've pieced together two quilt tops and have enough blocks for at least two more. Somehow I need to snap out of it and get back to finishing my many UFOs so I can dig into that gorgeous fabric that's calling to me. I told DH that whenever he finds a stray scrap of fabric he has my permission to toss it out. They do seem to multiply when I'm not looking. I could swear that string bucket was almost empty the last time I looked.

You should join us on the UFO Challenge thread on QB...

Do you have a link? I can't seem to find it.

It is physically difficult for me to quilt anything larger than a baby quilt and with my disability, I enjoy more of the process of designing and making the top. Pass your scraps on to others who might enjoy using your scraps! Quilting is a hobby, not a chore. We should have fun and enjoy the quilting process!

Its under Challenges and Contests subforum

rob

It just means that you are in the mood to make "string and crumb" blocks. Just go with the flow. Eventually you'll get back to making up some of those gorgeous things you've started.

What just said. When I was "recovering" from my recent quilting slump, I just sat at my machine and started piecing my 1-1/2" squares together to get back in the swing. It's all quilting, so it's all good!
P.S. I'd love to see pics of your string and crumb quilts!

Nothing wrong with strings and crumbs....just as pleasing and creative as cutting into yardage or using precuts...enjoy the fun of them too.

I try not to buy ahead nor do I cut ahead. An idea pops in my brain or I see something I want to make I try to control myself in buying material until I am half way through the project I am working on. I bought a lot of green material a couple of years ago with an idea in mind for a quilt and I have lost interest. I have all this green fabric and it looks ugly to me now. I am using it up gradually but I hope I have learned my lesson of buying too far in advance. I will sometimes cut my scraps into 2-1/2" squares but mostly I just wait until I am ready to start thinking about the next quilt.

honestly just let the scraps go donate them to a charity and get to making what you want.

If you find yourself gravitating to the scraps, that must be what makes you happy right now. You're still quilting.

Seriously. I thought the other day that I really should finish the unfinished objects. Then I said, gee, life is short. Why would I spend it doing something that stalled out because I didn't like it, or whatever.

Do what's fun. Don't worry about the UFO's. Dig into that fabric. Remember, someday, somebody's going to have to figure out what to do with it. Let it be you ;-).

This is your HOBBY. Don't make it a chore.

I find myself going to the strings and scraps (my grandmother called it piddling!) when something is either bothering me or I have something on my mind. Once I work through whatever it is I go back to what I was working on. I don't see it has a problem, just a detour.

Sinceresissy, You are doing what I 'began' with when I started quilting. But, now I'm more like quiltsRfun -- at least as to inventory of fabrics. I am good at completing quilts but I have enough 'plans' for the next dozen or more. Disciplining myself is near impossible when I walk into a quilt shop. The challenge is refusing to go into a shop in the first place. Pretty difficult when I belong to a BOM group that is hosted by the best fabric shop around. Like kids in a toy store.....
And, I like to encourage new quilters to find 'just what they need' to have successful quilts completed. I'll drive there and help them and then help myself even when I 'had' no intention of buying.
I think it's time to go on a real fabric fast.

I just sit and sew strings and crumbs at least once day a week, I love the mindless sewing, nothing to line up, no points to worry about. To me it's a relaxing day.

Do like Bonnie hunter says, if you don't like the fabric cut it up into smaller pieces.

When I finish my "big"quilt, I am going to use up my excess fabric by making blankies for the dog and cats at the Animal Rescue - the dog size is 30x30" and the cat size is 18x24". Then when a pet is adopted, they get the quilt. I made a quilt for my dog and she loves it! That way you are using up your fabric, it is going for a good cause and you will be loaded with warm fuzzies for each one you finish and donate. Happy quilting to you. Edie

Go for the scraps, they are fabric too! You are getting them done. I'm hooked on little log cabins.

Hey nothing wrong with scraps. I love making scrappies. While I'm sewing with scraps, memories of what I used all the fabrics for comes back. It is relaxing too - no points, etc.

How about sharing those UFOs with others on the board who may have limited funds? Many of them would welcome the fabric and/or partly finished project. That's a win win!!

Sounds pretty normal to me. It's all yours to do with whatever you want.

1. Look at your schedule.
2. Pull out the UFO you want to finish.
3. Put all other things away.
4. FINISH that UFO.
5. Play with crumbs.
rinse and repeat.

Maybe you are overwhelmed with all the UFOs and can't see the forest for the trees. I know the feeling and the above is what I do (or at least try to do).

There is nothing wrong with doing that. Sometimes you just need to go with it. Maybe it is just your brain's way of having a rest and creating without any stress. Sort of a 'cleansing'. When it is done, you will be able to jump back into projects and UFOs fresh and ready. Maybe that will be tomorrow or maybe just when you run out of scraps!!

I've been in similar slumps too. Also have several UFO's to finish. So, to work on one particular UFO, I used the pieces/piecing for that project as leader/enders while I was working on something else and, I was amazed - - - I had finished several more blocks. It also get me re-interested in that UFO.

Bottom line, try doing some of the piecing for one project as leader/ender while you're working on something else.

You're actually working on two quilts at a time!!

I don't think there is anything wrong with you, working on quilt blocks from your scrap bin is still quilting and if you love it, just do it. I've been working hard to make items for a craft table I have for the strawberry festival at my church the end of June, and I've been getting quite a bit done, however, occasionally I just have to stop with those and do something else, something different. I for one would like to see those quilt blocks you have made, I'm sure they are beautiful. Besides, like housework, those UFO's will still be there when you're ready to work on them.

I agree with justflyingin. I am having the same issue with not wanting to complete any UFO's that I've started. I have two quilts to finish for a client, and for the life of me, just can't get with it. Hopefully after this weekend, I will get the energy and motivation.

I keep even the smallest scrap and I have a bag at my quilting table. The bigger pieces go in a bucket and anything I think I won't use goes into a bag that I donate to a lady that makes dog beds for the Humane Society. At $12 a yard, I feel I am using it all. I bet you could find someone in your area that would love your scraps...yes, I do find when I am using scraps the bucket never gets a dent in it! It stays full no matter how much I use.

I understand, I do the same thing! But I've realized it is soothing, it is what I need to do at that time, I can relax & just let my mind wander. So just go with it, you'll get back to the other projects. At my age (76) if I don't sew what my mood is telling me it isn't as satisfying.

Just give in to the scraps and don't beat yourself up over it. As one who knows the addictiveness of scrap quilting, I say 'go for it'! The other projects will still be waiting for you when (if) you get tired of the scraps.

If scrap quilting is fun for you, do what's fun!

I just finished a Bonnie Hunter Spider Web quilt that used a LOT of strings. I thought I would never get tired of strings - but I did. So I just filled a computer paper size box and gave them to a friend. Now I'm starting to create more scraps. But at least I will have new strings to work with. It was so freeing to get them out of the house.