Friday, May 11, 2018

No scrap left behind

Once upon a time (February, actually), I visited my local fabric store and purchased 6'' of each fabric from Alison Glass's Sunprint 2018 line.

24 fabrics, 6'' of each yields 4 yards of fabric.


So while 6'' doesn't sound like much, 4 yards certainly does!  And look what I am doing with all this beautiful fabric.

First, I cut off a small bit from some of the best colors and made a bag for a friend.


I cut off a bit more to make all the blocks for this quilt which was the actually stated reason I went shopping in the first place!  (More photos coming once I get the binding done!)


And now I'm using the same fabric to make my double wedding ring blocks.


And, once I'm done with this, if I've got any of this fabric left, I'm making myself a zipped-bag.

What gives?

Perhaps I'm slightly obsessed with this fabric - ok, more than slightly obsessed!

But it is also because I've already got too much of a fabric stash and I don't want it to grow any bigger.  I also don't want to create some elaborate scrap management system.  I want to start using these bits up at the moment I am enjoying them the most.

I find that when I add fabrics to my stash, I am often reluctant to actually use them.  Maybe there will be a better project, I think.  Or I love this print too much for this project.  Or, worse yet, I just don't like this fabric anymore.

I've been following my 'no scrap left behind' plan for almost two years and this works for me.

Do you use up every last bit of your fabric purchases or do you store them away for another day?

Have a wonderful day! Patty

20 comments:

  1. Great post, Patty. I need to adopt your mentality of "no scrap left behind." I have SEW many fabrics in my stash... Actually, when I have scraps, I cut them into strips or squares, so I have LOTS of those that I need to make into quilts--would make great half square triangle quilts or jelly roll quilts. Sew much to do, sew little time! Thanks for sharing your neat projects!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Patty, your projects are beautiful! I like your approach of using every bit of fabric at once instead of storing scraps. I happily give away most of my “leftovers” to my mom’s guild members.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I cut my scraps into 2.5, 3.5, and 5 inch squares. I am making 4 patches with them as leaders and enders. Now I must start sewing them together in a quilt or ??.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I tend to put away the scraps, but now I think I will try to adopt your plan. A recent table topper's Jelly Roll leftovers yielded a pillow, and just maybe the rest can be used for bags. Maybe today I just might try to use up some more. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have more of a "scrap" collection than a fabric collection. There are a few fabrics that I buy with no plan for, but by and large I purchase for a project. I like your 'no scrap left behind' plan!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great idea, Patty - definitely one I need to adopt - but then again I need to bust into my stash more, but new fabrics are soooooo pretty!! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. This year I have been pretty diligent to cut my leftovers from a project into useable pre-cuts as soon as I am finished with the project but I am still in the process of getting all of my previous ones into pre-cuts. I feel like it is much more manageable when they are organized by color and size.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for showing that a quilter doesn't need to buy out the fabric store to make a quilt...or two...or maybe a few small projects and have fun and be productive, too!

    I cut my scraps into strip sizes that I use the most for projects.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a good idea. I have sooo much fabric and realized that the different quilt projects don't use up that much of my stash. Making bags for friends seems like a good idea. And some place-mats and table runners ...... my stash is not sorted at all, have them in two large containers and in a trolley. Ok not all were meant for quilting but for clothes making...... so now just need to decide what to do with some of them .....

    ReplyDelete
  10. ***applause***! Wonderful strategy! Super projects, too. My 2018 goal is to use my scraps as I generate them, too, and it oh, so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing your approach, Pattu. It felt wonderful to "feel" how much you love those Alison Glass fabrics and how you've savored each and every piece you've used. I sometimes save scraps, I sometimes give them away.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Actually Patty, I generally adopt the same philosophy. Another great scrap buster are potholders, placemats, and burp clothes. Just need a little or I make a piece of fabric. Love your projects!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Patty,
    Wow - I'm surprised at how much you can make from 6" of fabric times 24! Four yards sounds like SO much more and you used it well. I do have some saved that I haven't used yet but I try to just buy enough for the project. A few scraps are okay, like leftover binding strips to use on a small project. ~smile~ Roseanne

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pretty fabrics and blocks. The bag is a nice gift too. I am really looking forward to seeing that grey quilt when binded.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Brilliant idea - and beautiful makes! xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Way to go! I wouldn't want to waste any of that gorgeous line, either. Like Yvonne, I have more of a scrap stash than a fabric stash. Using it up is turning out to be a challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  17. You've made great use of each of those fabrics. I'v started trying to use up any left overs on the back of the quilt. That's been helping move things out of the stash very nicely.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great projects, all of them! I really like how the rainbow of fabrics looks in each.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Pretty things. Love that you made use of what you bought. Such fun!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love those the jewel tones in those fabrics. You are getting really good at the little bags. Lucky friend! I wish I could use all my scraps immediately, but I'm afraid I'm a scrap saver.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting Elm Street Quilts. Looking forward to hearing from you!