I've been rearranging all the stash stuff in my quilting room. I have way too many scraps and am beginning to realize if I live to be 150, I'll never be able to use them all up. A while ago I started making string quilts and quilts wih just loads of scraps in them, but doing that keeps me from making use of the beautiful yardage I also have in my stash. I think I'm getting a little frantic about them, they take up too much space. My room is very small! What advice can you knowledgeable folks give me on this problem? But first let me tell you a couple of things. Everyone in my guild has the same problem. To the extent where the charity quilt group has told us they won't need anymore scraps for a long time. I'm willing to give some away to anyone on this board who would like to have some, but I wouldn't be able to foot the bill for the postage. What would YOU all do?

There is a group called "Heartstrings" that makes string quilts for charity. Perhaps you could find them with a Google search.

Same thing, you want them, pay the shipping and they are yours. How many pounds do you want?

Bev, I keep a free Priority Mail box on the floor next to my cutting table. I toss my scraps in there and when it's stuffed full I list it here for the price of shipping.

I feel so much better getting them out of the way and hopefully they are going to someone who will use them.

Just a thought here Bev, if you can take a picture and post it in the classified here, and ask for postage you may get someone who really needs scraps for their stash.

Excellent idea! And do you always get takers? Also, how much does a boxful cost to mail? I would imagine that if the cost is prohibitive no one would want to pay it.

8-)

Yeah, but I don't have a camera. My granddaughter always has done that stuff for me, but she's off to college now. I sure miss her. The other thing is, how in heck do you photograph a box of scraps? It's just a big mess of fabrics. A lot of them have been cut into different size strips for strip quilting. Thanks for the message.

8-)

The medium box is $10.70. I ask $12.00/Paypal to cover postage and my costs. They are usually gone in about 5 minutes. In fact, I have another one just about ready.

Ok, I'll look for them. I wonder though, if they pay for shipping.
This would be so much easier if I just had someone nearby who wanted scraps, but unfortunately, I don't.

:cry:

The more scrap quilts I make, the more scraps I seem to have.

Maybe this is the answer for me. It sounds possible. If you get takers I probably would too. Do you offer anything special? My scraps aren't particularly terrific. They are mostly LQS scraps, with some Joann's from years ago when I first started. There are no very large pieces, although I guess I could throw in a few of those too.

8-)

Ditto! In fact SUPER DITTO!
I think they are doing wild things when I turn out the lights.

I just did a post.. I asked 10 people to send me a SASE up to $1 and when i get it ill fill it and send it back.. this is the first time im doing it so don't know how well it'll work..Just a thought..

Quilters are so generous. I'm sure a beginning or charity quilter wouldn't mind paying postage to play with and use your beautiful scraps. Maybe rewrite the title of the post to say "Free Scraps to a Good Home?" A photo might help too, just so everyone could get a glimpse of the types of prints.

A large, flat rate Priority Mail box measures 12" x 12" x 5-1/2" and can ship for $14.50 anywhere in the US. The weight doesn't matter. The USPS has smaller sizes too. You can quickly and easily print postage online and your mail person will pick up the box from your house. The large boxes will hold 15+ yards of fabric. That's a boatload of usable scraps for the bargain price of $15!

I toss in scraps larger than 1 inch and smaller than 1/4 yard or that I just don't like. I don't worry about quality as of course I only throw in stuff that I am using so it has to be good, right?

Might be psychological, but I find that people jump right on the $10.70 box but hesitate over the $14.50.

I think some of the boxes I've shipped have weighed 8 pounds or more.

You have been extermely helpful. Now I have a couple of alternatives to consider, so I'll mull it over a bit. Thanks so much!

8-)

I just did a post.. I asked 10 people to send me a SASE up to $1 and when i get it ill fill it and send it back.. this is the first time im doing it so don't know how well it'll work..Just a thought..[/quote]

Have you had responses yet?
I would think that you'll be doing a lot of envelope mailing very soon.
I guess I could try that too, but I'd really rather send it out in larger batches. Just to get it over with more quickly. However if a lot of people ask me to send them some that way I will.
Thanks for your response! :-)

Maybe box or bag them up and take them to your LQS with a free sign on them? I am sure a shopper or two or three would love to grab a bag of these :D:D:D

The workers there may even know of customers who are short of fund who would love these gifts :wink:

Thanks for the suggestion. Gotta get off-line right now. A storm has come up and DH is yelling at me to shut down. See y'all later.

I do the same thing. Sure keeps the clutter down.

Bev, where in Florida are you? I'm in Southeast Florida, or at least will be when I get home Nov 1st, and would gladly take your "orphans" off you hands if its not too far to drive. I belong to a guild and a sewing group, so what I don't want will be redistributed.

[/quote] I do the same thing. Sure keeps the clutter down.[/quote]

After I get these all sent out, I'm going to do the same thing. I think it's a very good idea.

8-)

Another thought....if it's small scraps...whip up a pillow case with fabric you're not wanting to use, then tape it near your sewing area.....put your 100% cotton clippings ONLY into it, and then stitch it closed & drop it off at your local animal shelter to use as a bed, they're very much appreciated around here.

Wow! That's a great idea too. Thanks for the tip.

That's a great thought for the smallest scraps that I might have thrown away. Thanks!!

Have you had responses yet?
I would think that you'll be doing a lot of envelope mailing very soon.
I guess I could try that too, but I'd really rather send it out in larger batches. Just to get it over with more quickly. However if a lot of people ask me to send them some that way I will.
Thanks for your response! :-)[/quote]

You might want to try a waiting list. I have a couple of quilters on a waiting list and if they change their minds then I will offer it on the board.

I am cutting 2 1/2 inch squares while listening to TV. I use them as leaders and enders and put two rst so I am sewing two together, one light and one dark. When I have sewed up all the twosies I press the seams while listening to TV and pin in four patches. Then use them as leaders and enders. Continue until I have 8 patches, (four four patches) all sewed together, Press and then combine them with machine embroidery blocks of baby faces, Sunbonnet Sues, or Overall Freds. They make darling baby quilts and are practically free, besides using up my smaller scraps and they pile up rather quickly if you are doing lots of sewing. Sort of a quick way to keep charity quilts in progress while making something of your own.

[/quote] You might want to try a waiting list. I have a couple of quilters on a waiting list and if they change their minds then I will offer it on the board.[/quote] cjomomma

Do you mean you keep their names and when you have another box built up you send it to the next on the list?

Do you ever distribute them in mailer envelopes? That way more people get some, but no one gets one big box.

Maybe I will do somthing like that when I'm down to a manageable amount of scraps. Thanks for the tip.

8-)

You might want to try a waiting list. I have a couple of quilters on a waiting list and if they change their minds then I will offer it on the board.[/quote] cjomomma

Do you mean you keep their names and when you have another box built up you send it to the next on the list?

Do you ever distribute them in mailer envelopes? That way more people get some, but no one gets one big box.[/quote]

First I will contact them first and see if they still want it. I give the scraps for the price of shipping and most seem to like the $10.70 flat rate box. Doing it this way is easier for me because it means less trips to the post office. I wait to send the box until I receive payment and it clears at the bank if it is a check or money order.

[quote/quote]Do you mean you keep their names and when you have another box built up you send it to the next on the list?
Do you ever distribute them in mailer envelopes? That way more people get some, but no one gets one big box.[/quote]

I was wondering how the payment part of it should be managed. What you do seems sensible. Thanks for all the help.

Your welcome. Glad I could help.

Please PM me and let me know how this worked out for you. Also please tell me what size envelope you used.
Thanks. 8-)

Don't have time to read three pages, but I have learned that a regular box the same size as a postal flat rate can be cheaper!
All depends on how heavy it is.
I better get off this thread before I'm hunting down those scraps, lol.