Pat Sloan Scrap Busting 101

Okie Dokie.... I am in Denial... I have a "MUST DO BEFORE QUILT MARKET" list that is reducing by a SMALL fraction.. so I decided to join my QuiltMashup Group on a discussion about SCRAPS

I bet you NEVER do that...

As you know I do not have room to store lots of scraps. That means I must be very frugal on what I keep and for how long.  I started filling this tote bag recently (No... I am not saying HOW recently.. geezz....)

Since the QuiltMashup group was chatting scrap and scrap storage I thought I'd dump the bag and sort mine to get it under control.

And maybe to use it....

Dixie is sorting and cutting hers into strips for patchwork.  Others are thinking about sorting.. wink!

It works best for me to sort into as few a piles as I can. Each pile will go into a ziplock and then I can figure out what to do with them. But they will be more usable... right?

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!

Here is my sorting.  This gives me some color control. The dark pile is mostly blue, with some black, brown and grey in it too.

These are chunks, triangles, and strips. Some chunks are BIG.

I thought I'd explore what the Quilt Mashup group is going to do with theirs..

Cut into strips for patchwork?

Use as it is for improvisational blocks?

Both?

I had saved these charm packs for 'something special'.

I think that I'll add to them from my scraps and make a bag... or a needlecase... what do you think?

All the piles are now in ziplocks and put into another tote... i love this tote from Trader Joe!

It's nice and wide for rooting around ... and storing zip locks

What DID we do before ziplocks?

The bag is now positioned Next to the sewing machine

In the hope that I pull from it and WORK those scraps into nothing-ness!!!

Do you have scraps? Want to tell me about them? How you store or not?

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Comments

[4dreamsr]

I got to borrow that line about scraps Trojcak, "if I can spit on it I save it."

[kaholly]

I generally cut my scraps to size as soon as they become 'scraps' depending on what I'm making with them at the time. Strips or squares. I do the 'leader/ender' thing. That said, because I am a scrap quilter, my friends bring me theirs, so truth be told, I have bags and boxes full.

[Jane Bitz]

My itty bitty scraps are all in a bin together. I use these all the time for made fabric (ala 15 minutes of play) and paper-piecing). My larger scrap pieces are folded and stacked in color groups in a much larger bin. (this bin needs a clear out and re-sort right now.) I periodically try to take hunks out of the large scrap bin and cut strips of various sizes that I need for my ongoing projects. I use Bonnie Hunter's leader/ender method to create scrap blocks that will theoretically end up in a scrap quilt. My latest leader/ender project is just 2" squares (light/dark). I sew them into 2s, then 4 patches then 8s then 16s. The 16s will finish at 6 inches. I think they are destined for a postage stamp quilt.

[Mary Ellen]

i have MILLIONS of scraps. I have a laundry hamper next to my cutting table -need I say more? The idea is to make string quilts. The operative word here is "idea."

[Beth]

Since I started doing the precuts club I actually went through all my scraps and tossed fabric I was 'over'. I cut strips. I have 1 1/2", 2", AND 2 1/2" strips. Then I have a drawer of strings. I have a basket under my cutting table where I toss fabric I just finished cutting. When the basket gets full, I pull it out and cut it up. Fabric I think will be good for applique I keep in a seperate plastic storage container.
Now I just need to use some of those scraps up.

[DianeP]

Oohhhh... I have bazillions of scraps! They are in several bags, but not sorted. That's a good starting place for me - by colors as you suggested. That should help eliminate the uncertainty of what to make next. A colorful waterfall!?!?

Thank you for the suggestion!

[Linda]

Oh, I do like being organized! To the point that I can become obnoxious. When I discovered dear Bonnie's scrap organization site, I was in heaven. Labelled scrap baskets soon appeared in a dedicated bookcase. I diligently reduced my scraps into the recommended sizes/shapes. Wonderful! Until I once again began piecing. NONE of those baskets held the sizes needed. 2 1/2" scraps had to be RE-CUT into 2 1/4" pieces for the current design!!! ETC. I don't use the same sizes/shapes repeatedly. Each new quilt is a new creation. The scrap organization system did not work for me. I'm here to say that I would rather quilt than organize scraps. I'm back to my old method of all usable sized scraps in one bin. The un-usable size ones go into another bin for 'just in case.' (For instance, applique often uses tiny pieces.) I pull from both bins as I design/plan/sew. Yes, I use them. My stingy flat wallet limits my new purchases, so those bins of scraps are gold.
For some, the organized system works. For some, not. To each her own. Whichever, *enjoy*!

[Sarah in Houston]

I want to know if this is 2 or 3 days in a row that you have been ignoring your "must do" list?lol

[B Trojcak]

I asked and very experienced and productive quilter in my area what the cut off size was that she would save as far as fabric scraps. She is in her 80's. Her reply was," honey if I can spit on it I save it"! And I can tell you this lady made good use of them, she always heads up the quilt committee for any quilts made in the community for fundraisers and they are beautiful.

[Dixie]

Well, yes, I'm sorting my strings pretty much according to the same colorways you have Pat. I do have an additional tub of brown & one for oranges, at least for now. I think I have gotten thru most of the "crap" that was on top of the strings. There were some huge chunks & some small crumbs to go thru, but the strings have surfaced. I do have several quilts planned using my colorized strings & can't wait to get started on them. I'm a big fan of scrap quilts & leaders & enders quilts are the bomb. LOL

[Shirley in Canada]

I have a 6"x 20" x 30 or 32" tote beside me that should be at least 3 times higher!! PLUS I have at two other like that with scraps and one very huge tote packed full!! :( One day soon - maybe New Year's day (that's only 72 day away if you are wondering!!) I will start making BIG scrap blocks. I am making string and whatever goes scrap blocks, but no plan for them yet. Just want the scraps tamed!!

[Joan Kruse]

Mine were once sorted in plastic bins by strips, small pieces and larger pieces. Now they are all a big mess. The bins are each a different size and they fit stacked, under my cutting table. Sorting by color might help. I might have to try that.

[Gene Black]

Pat, the truth is my scraps are unsorted and in bags. But I frequently pull out pieces and use them in pieced quilt backs. OR I grab a stack and cut pieces with my AccuQuilt GO! and I let unplanned scrappy happy with the results.
That said, if you want to stuff a priority envelope with some of your scraps and send them to me, I will make sure they get used.

[Karen]

Do I have scraps!! LOL you bet I do, way more than I want and when I will use them is beyond me. I have some sorted and cut into useable pieces and stored in small boxes on top of a shelve - the rest are still in a large wicker laundry basket waiting to be sorted.

[Karen Lieberman]

I forgot to mention that scrap quilts are my very favorite!!!!!

[Karen Lieberman]

OH man! I'm a scrap Queen! LOL I have probably 8 large plastic boxes filled with scraps (anything smaller than a fat quarter) and another 5 filled with strips ( from 1" to 2.5") I don't have any of them sorted, but that is one of my projects planned for January. I'm sure it will take me a whole month to make some sort of plan for them. LOL I've been making quilts for almost 30 years and save all my scraps. yeah, it's an addiction for sure!!!

[Connie in VA]

I started digging in my scrap box yesterday for cutting chisel shapes. I decided it was time to make a braid quilt. My scraps aren't sorted (at this point) and live in several large plastic boxes.

[Marlene]

I recently had to patch a quilt I made 20 years ago as a wedding gift. I was so glad I had saved the scraps and that I could find them.

[Cheryl Arkison]

Well, you know I love scraps! I'm excited to see you sort by colour. Maybe there is a Sunday Morning Quilt in your future? ; )

[deb]

I have scraps and have sorted them in light, medium and darksthey are in Leaf bags from the dollar stor. My problem is there are so many things you can do with scraps. Strips, squares in many sizes.
Right now I am making baskets only from my scraps I hope it puts a little dent in them since I have 300 to make.
Light backgrounds will surely reduce, I have confidence.