scraps
 

Wow, there are so many things to do with scraps. I bet there are threads on here that pertain to scraps and scrap quilts. My husband lost his job 2 years ago, so no new fabric for me. But like most quilters, I have had enough stash to make numerous quilts. I crochet rag rugs, string quilts, log cabins and also just sew all my selves together and one day will maybe do something with those. Check our the internet, there are a log of books just on scraps! Don't get rid of them, they are like gold.......

gloria g. Hemingway, South Carolina

Many folks cut the scraps large enough into 2-1/2 inch strips and save them, the smaller scraps are cut into 5" blocks or whatever you can use. Oftent the tiniest scrap is just the perfect color for an applique. As prices go up, scraps become more and more valuable. Two years ago I received an Accu Go cutter and some dies for Christmas. At the time I was thinking this was quite an expensive item that I might not use. I was wrong, and all because of scraps. I can take the tiniest scrap and cut it into a useful shape for a quilt. Not suggesting you go out and buy one, and I am not affiliated with them in any way, but that cutter has helped me to make quilts out of scraps I otherwise might never have used. I make a lot of quilts and do long arm quilting for a business. I have my scraps organized like this? Light 2.5" strips, Dark 2.5" strips, bricks (chunks at least 4 x 6 ") 1.5" strips light and dark together, 3" strips, all colors together, triangles and squares. I store them in the plastic drawers on wheels, and I also have a drawer for each color family ...yellows, reds, purples, browns, blacks neutrals, pink, green and blue. I found I have more green and brown than anything, and I would never have picked those a my favorite colors...interesting. I have my fabric sorted so that I know exactly where something is and I can lay my hand on it in an instant. I have Christmas fabrics separate. Then for the larger amount, 6 or more yards of fabric...I lay it long ways and fold it into thirds. Then I take my 12 inch ruler and fold over and over again. I stack it on its side in the drawers beneath my cutting table and I know that if I count three folds, that is a yard, so I know what I have without taking it out and unwinding the whole thing. Hope this helps.

I've only been quilting for over a year and also have accumulated a few scraps. I always try to use some of them when doing applique, but really haven't done anything else with them. I will be watching for ideas.

Some of the most beautiful quilts I have seen were scrap quilts, but I dont save the itsy bitsy pieces.

I am cutting my scraps into 6.5 inch squares (for charity quilts), 6x2.5 inch rectangles (for Chinese Coin quilts), 5" squares (Lil Twister quilts) and 2.5 inch squares (pattern in 100 Blocks V.4). I sew mostly charity quilts, and cutting scraps to store helps me know what I have instead of storing the fabric pieces. Besides, it's fun to just sit and cut sometimes.

When I started quilting I knew I was going to be a scrappy quilter. I think single fabric quilts are boring. Like one fabric for red, one for black, etc. I want many reds, many blacks. When I met Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville I thought I had died and gone to heaven. She is the ultimate scrappy quilter. She has a scrappers way to keep your stash managable. She uses 1 1/2", 2", & 2 1/2" strips - mine has gotten so large I am dividing into neutral boxes and med, dark boxes - next I will have to seperate the med & darks. Having the neutrals seperated is wonderful. I have a large 1 1/2" neutral strip box, and a large container divided into half with 2" on one side & 2 1/2" strips on the other. It's easy to just go to the neutral box and pull out a handful and cut my 2 1/2 squares, or Bonnie has specialty rulers she uses for hst & such to use with these sizes. I never cut nickels ahead of time, if I need them I will cut 5" strips.
and make some.
Everyone like to come see my fabric collection because my dh has made some unique storage areas. For instance I have an old type unit, that has narrow wide & deep drawers. All my fat quarters are layed out in color drawers with just a lip of color showing, all the way to the back of the drawer. My yardage is in a big closet, easy to see. I have an old tv entertainment center that my dh converted to storage that is lovely. Finding unique storage pieces is the answer I think. Of course, I have spilled out of my sewing room and taken over another room. My dh is a woodworker so he understands.
Bonnie is at www.quiltville.com
Judi

how to dl pictures
 

I used to dl pictures quite easily until they changed to this new format - -how do you do it now?
Thanks

Check out quiltville.com and try Glad Creations. They have oodles of scrap quilts. And I too do not cut my scraps because I never know what I'm going to do with them.

I love scrappy quilts.

I donate to a woman on this board and she and her friends make charity quilts. I'm sure others will love the scraps if you don't want to work with them.