Thrift Store Finds, Fabric Store Finds, and a Realization
#1

I went yesterday to a local Goodwill and bought the three patterns shown here for $2.50 each.
Next I went to the local Ben Franklin and bought enough easter fabric to make one of those 60 degree cut table runners. The fabric here in this out of the place store was beautiful...and only about $4 a yard. There's nothing like the feel of a cut of fabric just off of the bolt.
I've inherited a bunch of fabric scraps from my aunt and have sorted them by color. The realization is that I don't like to use these scraps in my projects. I really enjoy the "hunt" for fabric for my new projects and I love that I can connect the scraps "I" create to a project that I've finished. I've started to take all of these unwanted orphan scraps and cut them into 2.5 inch strips to make some sort of stripped quilt just to get the fabric used and out of my stash. Is that a terrible thing to do? Am I a scrap snob?
Next I went to the local Ben Franklin and bought enough easter fabric to make one of those 60 degree cut table runners. The fabric here in this out of the place store was beautiful...and only about $4 a yard. There's nothing like the feel of a cut of fabric just off of the bolt.
I've inherited a bunch of fabric scraps from my aunt and have sorted them by color. The realization is that I don't like to use these scraps in my projects. I really enjoy the "hunt" for fabric for my new projects and I love that I can connect the scraps "I" create to a project that I've finished. I've started to take all of these unwanted orphan scraps and cut them into 2.5 inch strips to make some sort of stripped quilt just to get the fabric used and out of my stash. Is that a terrible thing to do? Am I a scrap snob?
thrift store bargain
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only $2.50
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Can you believe it!
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#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: A Hop from Heaven, a Skip from Sanity and a Jump from the Good Life....
Posts: 6,665

Nope. IMHO a snob is if your threw them away ( or snub your nose at them) ... However, You are using what was given and that was its intent now wasnt it??
I on the other hand am a scrap hoarder..I love scraps.. But I will try and use every lil piece and those that i can I will pass on to another...
I on the other hand am a scrap hoarder..I love scraps.. But I will try and use every lil piece and those that i can I will pass on to another...
#5

Not every scrap is worthy of your best projects, and so cutting them up for a scrappy quilt sounds like you are making the best use out of that fabric. As long as you use it, who's to determine HOW you use it? It's not snobby to say "this goes here, and that goes there".
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 661

No you're not a scrap snob.
Instead of cutting up the orphan scraps why don't you find a place to donate the scraps. Organizations such as Project Linus, etc and many others would love to have them for making quilts.
I think searching for the fabric you want for a project is a part of the enjoyment of our quilting projects.
Another idea is to use the fabrics from your aunt and make her a crazy quilt and give some of the scraps back to her in a quilt then she can enjoy some of the fabric she acquired.
If you do not like any of the fabric at all, then find where they will be loved. Either by Pay It Forward boxes/squishy's or making love quilts to donate yourself, or by giving the fabric away where it can be put to good use.
Pam M
Instead of cutting up the orphan scraps why don't you find a place to donate the scraps. Organizations such as Project Linus, etc and many others would love to have them for making quilts.
I think searching for the fabric you want for a project is a part of the enjoyment of our quilting projects.
Another idea is to use the fabrics from your aunt and make her a crazy quilt and give some of the scraps back to her in a quilt then she can enjoy some of the fabric she acquired.
If you do not like any of the fabric at all, then find where they will be loved. Either by Pay It Forward boxes/squishy's or making love quilts to donate yourself, or by giving the fabric away where it can be put to good use.
Pam M
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