Smaller than a FQ - storage ideas?
#31
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,779
BattleAxe - a ball of string with pieces tied together - wow that's being thrifty!
I am also battling the "small scrap syndrome" I have so many and a friend gave me a large garbage bag full. I've used about half of the ones in the bag but I found that as I rummage through this huge tangled mess, looking for a similar patterned scrap or color, I was getting frustrated and wasted lots of time - - LOL and there would be a huge mound on the floor that needed cleaning up
I couldn't deal with the seek and find method any longer. I dumped everything out and sorted into groups of the same pattern and color. I pressed them and after they were cooled so that there was no condensation put them into plastic sandwich bags - I know that plastic bags are not good for fabric but it was a mess. I then put them according to color into the shoe box size plastic bins from the $ store. It takes up very little room and easier to sort through and find what I want. I don't have the room to neatly put in open bins or lay on shelves.
Has anyone had bad experiences using plastic bags or bins? Should I get rid of the plastic?
I am also battling the "small scrap syndrome" I have so many and a friend gave me a large garbage bag full. I've used about half of the ones in the bag but I found that as I rummage through this huge tangled mess, looking for a similar patterned scrap or color, I was getting frustrated and wasted lots of time - - LOL and there would be a huge mound on the floor that needed cleaning up
I couldn't deal with the seek and find method any longer. I dumped everything out and sorted into groups of the same pattern and color. I pressed them and after they were cooled so that there was no condensation put them into plastic sandwich bags - I know that plastic bags are not good for fabric but it was a mess. I then put them according to color into the shoe box size plastic bins from the $ store. It takes up very little room and easier to sort through and find what I want. I don't have the room to neatly put in open bins or lay on shelves.
Has anyone had bad experiences using plastic bags or bins? Should I get rid of the plastic?
#32
Anything too big for me to cut into strips and squares (someone said about the size of a fat 8th) I fold to the same size as my FQs and put them back into the clear shoe boxes I keep my FQs in. They are always so thin when folded that I can easily tell they are only very small pieces.
Smaller than that and they go into an open basket I keep near my cutting board. The basket is about 10 X 10 and when it's full, I Try to make time to stop and cut the scraps into 2 1/2" squares. Anything smaller goes into crumb baskets sorted by color. (So far I've only made one crumb quilt, but it was such fun I know I will make more.)
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 02-17-2019 at 05:15 PM. Reason: shouting/all caps
#33
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
BattleAxe - a ball of string with pieces tied together - wow that's being thrifty!
I am also battling the "small scrap syndrome" I have so many and a friend gave me a large garbage bag full. I've used about half of the ones in the bag but I found that as I rummage through this huge tangled mess, looking for a similar patterned scrap or color, I was getting frustrated and wasted lots of time - - LOL and there would be a huge mound on the floor that needed cleaning up
I couldn't deal with the seek and find method any longer. I dumped everything out and sorted into groups of the same pattern and color. I pressed them and after they were cooled so that there was no condensation put them into plastic sandwich bags - I know that plastic bags are not good for fabric but it was a mess. I then put them according to color into the shoe box size plastic bins from the $ store. It takes up very little room and easier to sort through and find what I want. I don't have the room to neatly put in open bins or lay on shelves.
Has anyone had bad experiences using plastic bags or bins? Should I get rid of the plastic?
I am also battling the "small scrap syndrome" I have so many and a friend gave me a large garbage bag full. I've used about half of the ones in the bag but I found that as I rummage through this huge tangled mess, looking for a similar patterned scrap or color, I was getting frustrated and wasted lots of time - - LOL and there would be a huge mound on the floor that needed cleaning up
I couldn't deal with the seek and find method any longer. I dumped everything out and sorted into groups of the same pattern and color. I pressed them and after they were cooled so that there was no condensation put them into plastic sandwich bags - I know that plastic bags are not good for fabric but it was a mess. I then put them according to color into the shoe box size plastic bins from the $ store. It takes up very little room and easier to sort through and find what I want. I don't have the room to neatly put in open bins or lay on shelves.
Has anyone had bad experiences using plastic bags or bins? Should I get rid of the plastic?
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: California
Posts: 441
[ATTACH=CONFIG]608582[/ATTACH]
#35
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,779
JJBlaine - pretty afghan! I like the multi colours! My Aunt used to crochet afghans all the time using all kinds of pieces of yarn. When I was young and foolish I used to think they were funny looking because they were not matchy matchy- did not appreciate the love and work she put into them. Now I love them and cherish each one.
I like making crumb projects! I have made coasters, mug rugs, placemats and lap quilts. They are so much fun to make and I find it relaxing putting together different small pieces and combining them with solid colours or other blocks to make them look good . LOL Guess now that I am old and foolish I have become more like my Aunt using small pieces of fabric.
I like making crumb projects! I have made coasters, mug rugs, placemats and lap quilts. They are so much fun to make and I find it relaxing putting together different small pieces and combining them with solid colours or other blocks to make them look good . LOL Guess now that I am old and foolish I have become more like my Aunt using small pieces of fabric.
#37
I found these great little containers at Walmart. They are in the seasonal sections. They sell them to put gifts of cookies or breads in.
They fit great in a Nightstand that my DH got off a job for free.
And, I got these great oblong baskets at the Dollar Tree to put in this little stand that I found at the thrift store. I store my 1.5 (ish) strips in for making string blocks.
I don't cut down my larger chunks anymore. You never know when you might need that slightly larger piece. (Ask me how I know!)
They fit great in a Nightstand that my DH got off a job for free.
And, I got these great oblong baskets at the Dollar Tree to put in this little stand that I found at the thrift store. I store my 1.5 (ish) strips in for making string blocks.
I don't cut down my larger chunks anymore. You never know when you might need that slightly larger piece. (Ask me how I know!)
Last edited by Judith1005; 02-17-2019 at 02:00 PM.
#38
#39
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,779
Judith1005 - Thanks for the ideas for the wicker stand! I have one exactly like it! Isn't it fun how it folds into itself to make a square? I was told by an antique dealer that the style was often used to store extra linens in a small space. I'm going to go and look for similar basket trays - I have large pieces of fabric stored in it but it often gets messy. The plastic baskets will keep everything organized
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
Thank you, Judith. This system has really worked well for me for several years (unlike other methods that only work in my head). First thing I decided on was a color scheme for my sewing room. Yellow walls, white furniture, turquoise and bits of black and white accents. I got scrapbook paper in coordinating turquoise, some black and white ribbon, sticky decorative labels and enough shoeboxes to fit the IKEA bookcase without crowding it. I cut the paper to the dimensions of the side of the shoebox, glued on the ribbon, and made labels with a Sharpie. I taped the labels to the inside of the front wall of each shoebox. Holds up a lot longer.
The rolling drawer tower needs my attention. I have UFO's, orphan blocks, FMQ practice sandwiches, and who knows what mysteries lurking beneath the surface. But the labels hide the disorganization rather deceptively, huh??? Uh-oh. Don't tell anyone!
Last edited by zozee; 02-17-2019 at 10:52 PM.
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