Sunday, December 22, 2013

Working with Scraps

Can you believe this year is almost coming to a close?!  It was a pretty good year for me and I am anticipating even more quilty fun in the coming year!  I don't know about you, but I always seem to spend the month of December reflecting on the previous year and identifying things I wish to accomplish in the future.  Usually by New Years, I have a pretty good idea of what I hope to accomplish.

So how about you, do you have any sewing plans or resolutions for 2014? Do they involve addressing all those scraps you have lying around your sewing area? Are you wanting to sew with the fabrics you already have? 

If so, we can definitely help each other out.  As I have shared with you, I want to really focus on scraps in the coming year.    I hope you join me and we can support each other!







I thought I would start by sharing some of the things I will be writing about so everyone gets thinking about dealing with their own scraps that have been hiding out in your sewing area.  Starting in January, I will be sharing in more detail my own journey with scrap quilts.  Rather than just briefly sharing pictures of the quilts as I make them, I will be spending more time discussing the process of determining my pattern choice, where my inspiration comes from, choosing fabrics and colors, determining best cutting sizes, choosing layouts and even sharing some quilting ideas for each project.

 There will even be some tutorials showing how to accomplish various steps.






Learning how to make beautiful quilts from your scraps (and existing stash) just takes a little practice and planning.   I am hoping the information I'm about to share in the coming year will provide a little guidance that will allow you to create some beautiful scrap quilts of your own.




I want to remind everyone that when looking at these ideas or examples I present, try and focus on the lessons and realize that your quilt will be made from your scraps and will look very different. Each scrap quilt I make will have about 4 posts sharing information to allow each of you (should you so choose) to sew along.  Sewing along will allow each quilter to problem solve using their own scraps and make their own unique but similar quilt.





I think many have the perception that scrap quilts are disordered, dated and not the most attractive of quilts.  I hope I can change that perception.  Mastering how to make fun quilts from your scraps (and existing stash) keeps the sewing room tidy and is definitely easier on the pocketbook.

As you are working with leftover scraps, I find quilters have less fear and start to build more confidence in putting colors and fabrics together. They begin to play more with design elements and are far more willing to practice more FMQ patterns.









As I have written this, I have shared some photos of some scrap quilts I have made recently.  As you can see, they are pretty easy piecing but have produced some great quilts.  They all came out of my scraps with maybe some rounding out of my stash.  I rarely purchase fabric for a scrap quilt - to me it defeats the purpose of getting fabric out of my stash.




I hope you stay tuned and maybe even join in on the fun.  I am always available if you get stuck or need help in any part of the process.  As I hope this becomes an all-out crazy party with a ton of quilters joining in, I have decided to call the series Scrap-A-Palooza.  I have created a little button if you want to post it to your site to share with your readers.  Who knows, maybe they want to join in on the fun, too!

Quilting is more fun than Housework
<a href="http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl-ZgzJ55jRKwQPawzgdAmpsJ7szfSNzI2RRMocZd_hYYVeUyBf9pv8KpH-i7Rfezc9zAERDgfS-XUlDwJnTx4vVOF_o0fhCUZdgyj-fIhnKoEgze75WPi3It9BO4n3hZXF4dnkctu7U/s1600/Publication2.jpg" alt="Quilting is more fun than Houseowrk" width="125" height="125" /></a>

(Be gentle...it was my first try at making a button.  I obviously need a lot more practice!)


http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5198185

Linking up with Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch and Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River.


16 comments:

Judy H said...

Ok, the 'circle' quilt and the red string quilt......I want them!

MarneyMay said...

Wow I wish my scraps looked like this

Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas
Cheers Pauline

Mokki said...

I'm really looking forward to this series. I've never made a quilt but its on my to do list. I want to make one for my niece before she grows up. As I can't afford to buy lots of fabric in I will have to make a scrappy quilt. Most of my fabric was given to me so is all scraps, I hope I can get them to work together; not much is co-ordinating. Can't wait to get some ideas.

Jayne said...

Scraps! I have been trying to use as many as I can lately! I've started cutting them into 2 1/2 squares and 5" squares. A little better organized and ready for a scrap project~

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said...

oooohhhhh very cool! I still don't have much of a scrap pile or stash, but I'm starting to work on it. :) I'll certainly be paying attention for how to handle myself when I *do* have a ton of them!

Shauna said...

Looking forward to your posts in the new year. I often look at my scraps but don't really know what to do with them so your timing is perfect for me. Have a wonderful holiday season!!

Denise said...

Every December I think "this new year I am going to work with my scraps only", which lasts long enough to get 1 scrap quilt done & then I am off to buy the latest and greatest fabric. Here is hoping to keep the momentum up with following along your scrap series! Perfect timing! Merry Christmas!

Paula@TheSassyQuilter said...

Sounds fun! Can't wait to get scrappy in 2014:)

ipatchandquilt said...

Am looking forward to your tutorials! The quilts are gorgeous by the way!
Happy holidays!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo com
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

Sarah said...

I am excited for this info as I need to make a ton of scrap quilts.

Barb Neiwert said...

That sounds fun! I'm also going on a Self-Improvement Get Fit kick come Jan. 1, and I really want to stop buying fabric. I'd love to make some great scrap quilts - I'm in! Thanks for doing this.

Cathy said...

Taming my scraps in on my New Years wish list. I'll follow along on your ideas and suggestions.

Lorna McMahon said...

God's Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Jenny Bonynge said...

Love this idea! Hope to jump on- board!!!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful quilts and it is always fun to use scraps in your stash for them! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

Elita@Busy Needle Quilting said...

I'm looking forward to this too! Here's to a great scrappy New Year! :-)

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