Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • scraps....Scraps.....SCRAPS.... >
  • scraps....Scraps.....SCRAPS....

  • scraps....Scraps.....SCRAPS....

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 02-07-2014, 01:46 PM
      #41  
    Super Member
     
    GrannieAnnie's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: S. W. Indiana
    Posts: 7,484
    Default

    Originally Posted by shihtzulover
    I need help. I have tons and tons of scraps. HOW do I begin to sort/cut them? Do you try to cut them into as big as squares as possible and work your way down? What about the strips 2 1/2" long...do I keep them separate or cut them down also? What would be a good size to cut them into? I am so overwhelmed with scraps....I've been saving for over 3 years AND I would sincerely appreciate any advice from any of you quilter expertise people.
    I leave my scraps alone until I know what I want to do. They're a mess, but I can find the size I need at the time.
    GrannieAnnie is offline  
    Old 02-07-2014, 04:21 PM
      #42  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: Joplin, Missouri
    Posts: 1,058
    Default

    Somewhere I saw a "magic"formula for cutting scraps. All the pieces fit together, like two 2 1\2" squares would fit with a 4 1\2" square, which would go with a rectangle cut just the correct size, and half square triangles, or hour glass bocks also cut the correct size... I should have copied it all down when I saw it, but alas, I did not. I thought it would be a great system for cutting scraps! Anyone know about that?
    Judie is offline  
    Old 02-07-2014, 04:33 PM
      #43  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2007
    Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
    Posts: 857
    Default

    Judie, I believe the system you are thinking of is by Anne Wiens. She has two size sets of scraps which play nicely.
    Each set deals with squares and rectangles. If you have Facebook, go to Thrifty Quilters. Anne has a terrific book explaining the system and lots of illustrations for blocks, sashing, borders, etc.
    kay carlson is offline  
    Old 02-07-2014, 04:39 PM
      #44  
    Senior Member
     
    star619's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: Shreveport, LA
    Posts: 733
    Default

    I know that after 20+ years of quilting, I had scraps beyond what I needed or wished to have. I posted them on QuiltingBoard for the cost of postage. Not only did I feel relieved, but the recipients were so grateful that it was like Christmas! It is more blessed to give than to receive!
    star619 is offline  
    Old 02-07-2014, 04:54 PM
      #45  
    Senior Member
     
    PlanoDebbie's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2012
    Location: Plano, TX
    Posts: 447
    Default

    I tend to put all of my scraps into a basket until it's over-flowing, then start cutting them up for a project. I've got one scrappy quilt pattern that I've made twice and it needed a lot of 4 patches that finish at 3". Whenever I have really small scraps, I cut those into 2" squares and put them into a zip lock bag. When that bag gets full, I turn them in to 4 patches. When my stack of 4 patches get big enough, I can make another scrappy quilt!

    I hate cutting any larger pieces down without a project in mind. One of the quilt tutorials I've watched suggested cutting your scraps into strips instead of squares. That way you can decide at a later point if you need squares or rectangles for a project and cut the pieces down farther. Think of the most common sizes that you tend to use. Sort your strips by width and keep them in a labeled plastic shoebox. If you've got a bunch of 2-1/2" strips, you can cut them down into squares, rectangles, sashing, binding or whatever else you may need.
    PlanoDebbie is offline  
    Old 02-07-2014, 05:43 PM
      #46  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Colorado Springs
    Posts: 7,583
    Default

    Originally Posted by Pagzz
    on Bonnie's blog today she just posted how she stores her scraps. I don't think I would sort my strips by color because I don't have as many as she does but I am going to put them in bags of darks, lights, and white/beige neutrals. It was a really good read http://quiltville.blogspot.com/ she is so inspiring
    I'm afraid if I store mine by color, I will have more bins and more scraps!! I already feel like they are multiplying, I've been making quilts from my scraps lately, but I can't tell which one of us is winning. lol
    Taughtby Grandma is offline  
    Old 02-07-2014, 06:38 PM
      #47  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2012
    Location: Michigan
    Posts: 402
    Default

    Scraps are both a blessing and a curse. I have cut squares of all sizes until I had boxes of them. And yes, it creates pressure to sew them up and when they are scrappy it is more difficult to make them coordinate with anything. So then I started cutting strips when I could but it creates the same problem for me--the challenge of how to use them. My third phase of scrap control is simple. Use it up! I am determined to use up my scrap stash in any way I can so I can feel free to begin new projects with fabric I want and not feel I need to use only out of my stash. My scraps have become a burden to me and a boon for the Comfort Quilt business! Last year I made about 50 of them to give to our Guild's collection.
    Grammahunt is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Battle Axe
    Main
    69
    06-02-2019 06:59 AM
    1000scraps
    Main
    70
    11-26-2018 09:34 AM
    ShannanMN
    Main
    52
    10-19-2015 06:30 PM
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    4
    07-27-2011 07:29 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter