A lot of us are concerned about the lack of shops selling fabrics, and the prices in general, so I have a challenge for everyone. Let's see how many of us can make a quilt from just our scraps and small stash pieces within the next year. Backing is up to you whether you purchase or are really thrifty/creative with what you already have!

The thinking here is to be like the women who quilted in pioneer days. They had no shops nearby and had to save worn out shirts and dresses or feedsacks to make a quilt. We can do that too!

For inspiration, please visit www.quiltville.com and read her tips on scrap sorting and see the amazing quilts she has made from them! It is an awesome website.

If you don't already have a scrap drawer, start one! Every time you trim off ends, square up your fabric, etc, put the strips and pieces into light, dark and medium assortments. I got a lot of satisfaction from going through my scraps and making them organized. Mine are in shoe boxes and ziplocs for now. I will have to get the clear storage drawer set up that Bonnie has on her website.

Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with by next Christmas!

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Hi, Ya'll. This is Patrice, here. Just wanted to explain why I had the "nerve" to post this to the top with a sticky so it won't move from Page 1. Just so happens, somebody who thinks this is a super idea asked me to find a way to make sure everybody knows about it. This was the best way I could think of to do that.

Hi Wendy,

I already have a way of using up my scraps and it is amazing how many quilts you can make out of your scraps and just think, you also save money too! My technique is alot like the crazy quilt style and does help use up the scraps.

Vanessa

I have a scrap box going already, was not quite sure what I was going to do with it all, but I will take you up on the challenge! :D

I volunteer to be the judge!

Send all scrap quilts to me next Christmas and I will tell you who's is best.

Some exclusions may occur. Your mileage may vary. Do not do this at home. All quilting as shown is done by professionals, do not attempt to do this without advanced training. My favorite color is blue. Taxes are collected in the state of California. Quilts are not returnable. Winners will be notified when I stop running from a gang of angry quilters.



tim in san jose

You are too funny - and kind! I will be sure to make mine EXTRA GIRLY before I send it to you for "Judging."

Wendy, sending Tim a girly girl quilt may do any good, he does have a daughter :lol:

I'll be the one with the pitchfork!! :twisted:

HI, I discovered quiltville.com several months ago and have made two of her quilts using my scraps. I became financially strapped a few months ago and started using my surplus fabric without buying any more. So far I have made a Pineapple Blossoms from that site using only my Christmas Fabric. Pc's that were not big enough for a "matched" quilt. It turned out great. Then I did a scrappy half sq. triangle quilt. Love it. Will use them for Christmas Presents. so it is possible to use just scraps. marge PS. I still haven't used all my scraps up.

This is such a good idea quiltmaker. I've made many scrap quilts in the attempt to put my scrap basket out of business. With no luck. I'm currently working on a really large one. Thought that would do the trick. Hasn't made a dent! :lol: But I'll keep trying. Dh says I never need to buy another FQ as long as I live and I could just keeping putting them out one after another. I've even given my whole scrap basket away. Twice!! :shock: It multiplies in the dark, I swear it does!

This will motivate me to work harder to get this one done in time so I can (NOT) send it to k_juipiter for judging. :lol: :lol:

Two. Nine and Twelve.

*L*

tim

Judge, eh? OK, but you have to travel to each of US, to see our quilts. We have the stuff here and no way would be let it get gone.

My scraps overflowth, too. I'm in, I'm in.........is there a limit on the number of scrap quilts???

Hugs, Wendy, so glad you began this!

I think I will take you guys up on this one.

Cassandra

You know I'm in Twin! I won't even count the scrap quilt I'm working on now. Something new by next Christmas! Let's see how all those batik, vintage and new fabric scraps work together. Everyone get their barf bags out! And I'll try to add in some girly stuff for the judges's daughters! Should be gnarly! :-)

Oh, and I don't know that this will encourage or discourage people, but let's donate these somehow. Or keep them. Entirely up to the individual, but I think I would more motivated if my scrap quilt went to build a charity or put a smile on a family member. If you really love it though, please keep it! I'm easy! :D Just have fun! Great idea, Wendy! Recycling is so 2008!

well I will have to start a new scrap bag I just donated a large bag of scraps to an elementary school to use in projects
Not like I won't make more:)

Azdersertrat, what a nice gesture. You know those kiddie's will have a blast creating with your old scraps! You're inspiring new quilters and crafters! It's like underwriting artistic endeavors. I love it! Save a few for this challenge, but I love that you donate.

i've been challenging myself to use only scraps in our Blocks of the {Twice A} Month. i've had to cut into "regular" fabric once or twice, but the tutti fruitti blocks are about 95% scraps. :P

and my bag still weighs a ton. :x :shock: :lol:

yep. i'm definitely in on this challenge. :wink:

Good idea count me in, I have so many scraps I could make a quilt to go around the world, I'm not joking I'm the the next best thing to wal-mart the only difference is I'm really cheap (not me my fabric) I end up giving it away.

I have made plans for my scraps, I will be making blankets for project linus:

Welcome to Project Linus National Headquarters
Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization with a two-fold mission:

First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."


Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

http://www.projectlinus.org/index.shtml

so is it Ok if I follow your challenge but make them all for donation?

I think that would be a wonderful idea dcurvy!!

This sounds interesting and I might do something in the future. :-) But with so many other things going and being programed for slow/med. speed there is no way I would get it done for Christmas this year. :lol: I hope to see lots of pictures though. :mrgreen:

DJ,

This is a challenge for 2008. You have a year + to pull this together.

I like the Project Linus concept.
I will have to think about it. Most of my scraps are ... intense. *L*

tim in san jose

My scrap bag overfloweth into the entire room. There isn't even enough space for the cat to lie down without hitting some of my scraps. This is just the challenge for me. I even have enough pink scraps to make a really 'nice' quilt for Tim to judge. :lol:

It's going to be fun seeing all the creativity in using up the scraps.

Connie

:-) I am new to quilting but my scraps are adding up fast. Count me in.

I think that is a great idea! My twin is so clever!

I will donate mine to a children's cancer hospital. Maybe St. Jude., but that means I would have to keep the quilt small (lap size)

There is a really good hospice here in town, so I could donate there too.

It will be interesting to see where everyone wants their quilt to go, or stay!

Thanks Chele!

ME TOO. bY THEN i SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH SCRAPS..haven't quilted that long. Sounds like fun and good for the pocketbook. i have spent more money than i should on fabric and it still amazes me that i never have the fabric i need when i go to make something!

I found this scrappy bom that is just starting this month. http://www.claudiasquiltshoppe.com/freebom.htm It will be a wonderful way to use up scraps. Oh and by the way I am in on this too! Great idea Wendy!

Debbie

Chele,
I love your idea! You know though that mine will go to the injured military, right? Not a problem, is it?

Some of the military go to different military hospitals all around the US at major base hospitals. No one would have to send it overseas if they didn't want. But I'm not twisting fingers...I just love the idea of donating quilts, our love of fabric, and the opportunity to touch another life. That's so cool, Chele!

Hugs,
Sharon

The first quilt I made and it had to have a 3 inch RED border (not my choice) donation to the RCMP in Kelowna, BC. The cruisers there had 2 quilts in each car for use at roadside accidents etc. This quilt was half scrappy and half background fabric that I purchased.

I spent a few afternoons with quilters learning how to piece and assemble various blocks and this was the first project they picked for me.

Since then I have finished 7 other quilts but this is my only scrappy quilt so far, but not the last!

I agree that these projects are great for donation. We also donated to Hospice and Neonatal units at the hospital. We sent about 80 quilts with Doctors without borders and that was a great way to use up all those kids prints that we end up with.

Andi[img][/img]

That's really pretty Andi. Red border and all!! :)

Very pretty quilt Andi, good job! :D :D :D

I love the quilt.
Judy

I think this will be a great challenge. With all the wonderful ideas for donations, many deserving people will be touched by our creativity and skills.

As for donating or giving to a family member etc. That is what I do all the time. I have yet to make one and keep it. Some day perhapes. :lol: As a matter of fact a lady at my church has a friend who quilts and when she heard that I did she wanted to bring her by to see them and was disappointed that I didn't have any of them. Her friends keeps a lot of what she makes from what she said. :?

Hi, we want pictures please. it sounds sooo pretty. :wink: :D

It seems I am constantly making scrap quilts but my scraps still don't even have a dent in them when I finish....I have THREE huge totes full of scraps! I need to make some more I guess so count me in on this one.

Thanks folks for the kind words..now I will show you the one I did for me!!!! Also I found a really cool pattern online for easy quilts that make up in a couple of hours and they are perfect for donation. You cut 3 quilt tops at once from 3 different fabric patterns and then the fabrics are mixed and matched. we did that for a quilting weekend mini retreat and it was great fun to see what everyone came up with!
Here is mine:

Like your thoughts Mimi Sharon on donation to the soldiers, also I'm thinking in the lines of our paramedics for children in car accidents, they are now giving each child a teddy bear. I think a nice blankie would be perfect for them too.

I agree with the donations for children at accident sites