I've read much here about what to do with scraps. I've considered many of your ideas and even set out plans to implement many of them - sadly I've never followed through and the scraps just kept multiplying.

My anti-depressant of choice has always be to spend time "rubbing cotton", occasionally bolstered by a period of time on Prozac. At a particularly low point, I was completely overwhelmed by the garbage bags of scraps stored in what was once a linen closet. I had no idea what was in the bags and I couldn't take it any longer.

I called a friend and set a time for lunch and a movie (my treat). I then called my son and asked him to come over and bring his truck. When he arrived I told him a friend was coming to pick me up. He was instructed to wait until we left, then to go into the linen closet and take out all the white garbage bags and carry them to the Goodwill and deposit them in the donation dumpster. He was to never speak of this in my presence, for fear of triggering a complete meltdown over what I had done.

This was quite a while ago and, yes, I felt twinges every time I opened the linen closet to store a bag of scraps, but the twinges have subsided over time as the door gets harder and harder to close.

I have hesitated sharing this for fear of ridicule from you ladies, whom I respect so much. However, I feel the need to seek so validation for my actions. Upon reflection, I've taken comfort in the possibility that my scraps may have found a loving home in someone else's closet or perhaps even in a quilt or wall hanging. This is a far better fate than ending up in the city dump, isn't it?
What are your thoughts and is there forgiveness in my future?
I'm beginning to ramble, perhaps it's time to go rub some cotton.

You have my full support! It was the right thing for you and making scrap projects isn't for everyone! Feel happy that you gave someone a great deal and probably made their entire month!

You didn't do anything wrong... you gifted some one with much needed materials to bless someone else.. You were instrumental in healing... :D

I hope that GOODWILL didnt see them as garbage and throw them out...BUT I see you donating as a great thing...not everyone is into scrappy quilts

I don't think there is any need for forgiveness. Your scraps; you do what you like with them. I applaud your courage. I wish I could do the same with so many things in my life.

I tried saving scraps. I did save scraps. I wanted to make cozy, scrappy quilts. I kept saving. I realized that I don't like working with scraps. By the time I finish working on a quilt I'm tired of that fabric and I don't want to see it anymore unless it is in the actual quilt. So I stopped saving scraps. Now, I throw scraps into a bag and when the bag gets so full I give it away. The bag contains tiny bits all the way to 1/4 yard pieces. I'm not bothered one bit.

I have a 12x12 scrapbooking box that has a very few select scraps in it. That is enough for me.

Good for you for getting back to what you like and not letting the scraps over take you.

I did the same thing several years ago, gave away a large car trunkfull of fabric and then a few months later gave away a large tote of books, magazines and patterns. I didn't think I would ever sew again. I still feel a twinge every now and then when I think of all those patterns.But I know the lady I gave all the fabric to was blessed by it so it's all good. I think it is great that you can see when enough is enough, sometimes that is hard to do.

I think you did a wise thing. I know ladies who have bought scraps from Goodwill, and I bet they are out they enjoying yours!

How very generous of you to give your bundle of scraps to a place where someone can enjoy your gift instead of tossing them into the garbage can. Kuddos for you.

Nothin' but love from us :) Hugs to you!

You made someone very scrap-happy!!!

Good for you for donating something that, when not "getting to it", may be an agitation. :thumbup: I dropped the local daily newspaper, because I wasn't "getting to it" everyday and they were piling up, and seeing them piling up was stressful.

The older I get, the less time there seems to be in a day.

I applaud your creativity in dealing with your stress. Sometimes I think it's easier to ask someone else to do something that is very difficult for you.

I just bought 3 Walmart regular size sacks of scraps at a local thrift store and there were some good scraps in there from a quilter. I say quilter because there was a block pieced in a log cabin style, a lot of pieces cut for certain quilt p atterns, even some pieced strips that looked like they were going to make a Trip Around the World quilt. I only paid 25 cents per sack and got quite a bargain. Most of the fabrics were colors I liked as well. If I hadn't liked them, I might not think it was a bargain.

I think you did a great thing.... just imagine the person that get's to "dig" through all those scraps.... she/he is in scrap heaven...

You did a great thing.. Someone will be blessed with your donation.. I did the same thing.. I decided that I had fabric that I wouldn't use but someone out there might.. I had three trash bags, loaded my car and donated to a thrift store that all proceeds to go an orphanage.. How can anyone feel guilty about that..

You did a good thing, for you and for another whom you've blessed..

I know some here on the board would love them as well... You could help fellow members and make a lil money back if you sell it here on the board..

You did the right thing. Now give yourself a pat on the back and go rub some more. ;-) :-D

What you did was fine...

Don't let some sort of guilt overtake you. It is your life, your house, your closet. You can do with the scraps what you like.

But a hint for the future. Fill up a bag (one of them), post on here under for sale (cheap--like $5), or donations and I'll bet it will be gone before nightfall. Someone who lives near you will probably get a speeding ticket coming over to relieve you of your scraps.

:)

We don't all have to enjoy doing scrap quilts. Think how boring life would be if we were all the same!

You made a very good choice. Just remember, sew, sew, sew and your scraps will be replenished in no time. Happy quilting!

If it wasn't for people like you parting with your scraps, people like me would never make things like this:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-120444-1.htm
(all scraps)

so I, for one, thank you very very much
:)

You don't need forgiveness, because you have nothing to apologize for. Your method of dealing with your "monsters" worked for you, so there is nothing wrong with it. Another bright side to this...you've regained a closet! If you ever have another build-up of scraps, don't wait for a full closet; put a notice out on the board. There's plenty of us who would be willing to buy them from your directly.

I think we all can relate...Seems my basket of scraps...yes basket always seems to to full. No matter how many scraps I use from it for other things. I've gotten better at just throwing smaller pieces away...yes ladies away...You can't keep it all

You have made a man or woman very happy with your scraps. Thanks!

I did the same this winter. 5 large banker boxes of fqs and more that I had stored for years and just didn't see the need to keep them anymore. They went to a senior's group that does charity quilts. They are being well used and I am pleased about that.

Good for you!!

You did a good thing. You made someone else happy.

Sometimes for your own mental health, you have to draw the line. My mom, growing up in the depression, saved everything. It physically hurt her to throw anything that had a use out. Growing up with that was sometimes difficult. We had an entire drawer full of rubber bands, strings and refolded tin foil. Now I don't believe in tossing everything, and have a tendency to packratitis myself,(I think it is possibly genetic LOL), but I set out a few rules and periodically go through things and pass them on. Sometimes it's as simple as if I haven't worn something in x years then it goes to my favorite thrift. Same with scraps or even fabric that I can't remember why I bought it in the first place. There is always someone at my guild who is overjoyed at getting it for a project or comfort quilt.

Never feel bad about making yourself feel better. :-)

Perfect. Now try to come up with a system to keep up with them. I fill a container and then take it to my guild to auction off.

You could fill a flat rate box and when it is ready---just post here for the money to mail it out.

You may want to check and see if there is a Free Cycle ( on line posting) in your area and post them there. I recently found the one in my area and it helps get some things into the hands of those who can use it.

No doubt someone was thrilled to receive your bags of scraps. Be happy that you "made my day" for another quilter, & do not dwell on what you might have done w/ the scraps yourself. Just appreciate you now have more room in your closet. If you get enough to PIF again, maybe label the bags "quilting scraps" in big letters for the Goodwill so thgey will be sure to pass them on as you intend.
Nice of you to think of other quilters in cleaning out your closet - I use scraps all the time for donation quilts to a children's home & am blessed every time I find a bag of scraps.

I just wish the Goodwill you donated to was near me so that I could check out your "scraps". You have probably made some other quilters very happy.

You wern't the one that might have accidentally donated grandma and her urn?

This is a support group! You have my support. Keep on passing your scraps down the chain. Someone will love them.
peace :D

From my perspective, I think the point of this was how difficult this was to do, the key being her son to help her with this. Bless your son for helping you with this difficult task!! Bless you for passing your scarps forward!! Perhaps round two will not be as difficult!!

I have the urge to rush to Goodwill!