Oh Scrap! : Putting Scraps to Use

I'm here - just a little late this morning.

I taught a class on Saturday and just ran out of time to write my post.

I am pretty much finished cutting all my scrappy chunks into useable sizes.  Now it is time to get things sewn.  Many Hands and Many Hearts will have a craft table at an event in November so we are now busy sewing the items to sell.

Next to my sewing machine I have a nice big stack of cut fabric and some Wrap N Zap batting to turn into Bowl Cozies.  I am using this free pattern to make them.

This is the largest item we are making so any scrap large enough will become a Cozy.  I think we had enough material to make about thirty to sell.

What are you doing with your scraps?

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It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

• This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
• You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
• If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
• If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
• This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
• Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Taming those Scraps - Part 3

 For the past couple of weeks, I have been sharing some of my methods of storing and using my scraps.  Today I thought I would share another of my secret weapons and that is my "specialty bins"

As I shared in my first post, I sort my scraps by color.  I do this immediately as I make them right at my cutting table.  And because I have a lot of scraps, sorting through big piles to find certain fabrics can take a lot of time.  So a couple years ago, I started creating what I call my "specialty bins" that I tuck around my sewing room.

The first bin I created was for leftover binding strips.  I mainly cut my binding at 2.5" wide so I will also toss in any leftover jelly roll strips.  

I can use these strips to create a scrappy binding or use the longer lengths to create a 16 patch quilt like this one (which one of my Scrap-A-Palooza quilt designs).

I made this quilt when I saw a lot of blue and green strips in the bin.  They make great charity quilts!

I also store some 2.5" squares in a project box.  I use some silverware trays I got at Bed Bath and Beyond that fit perfectly. The squares are stored by color and stood on end so it makes it easy to quickly find the perfect piece.  I take this with me to share fabrics when I teach my Geese Migration classes.  Lots of my students will pull fabric from here and some will leave some for me to find when I get home :)

(I am starting to book some classes around the PNW for the balance of 2021 and into 2022.  I am so excited about getting back out there and teaching again!)

 

When my project box starts to get a little low, I get out my AccuQuilt Studio cutter and the 2.5" multiple die and start cutting from my color bins.  I can easily see what colors of scraps I need to cut.

Two other types of scraps I keep sorted out into their own bins are low volumes and black/white fabrics.  For me, I need rather large bins for these.  In fact, my B/W is needing some attention soon.  These both reside right under my cutting table so I can sort the scraps into them as they are made.  I am in and out of that low volume one almost daily!

I love using black and white scraps with my color scraps.  Here is one of my Well Suited quilts. I have made a couple of quilts from this pattern just like this one but in different colors.

Here is another scrappy example.  This one is made from the Chaser pattern.

I have one other specialty bin I use.  The contents of this bin changes - right now I keep Kaffe Fassett scraps in them.  For a long time, I was sorting out 30s reproduction scraps.  Using this bin means I can start to prepare for a quilt (or a series of quilts) and start sorting scraps as I come across them working on other projects.  Then when I am ready to start the project, I just have to sort through this bin for my scraps.  It is always a time saver!

That is pretty much the crazy scrap system that has evolved for me over the decades I have been sewing with them.  I hope you found some ideas on how to tame your scraps. 

I always suggest to quilters that they just start with a simple system with a minimal investment.  Then start adjusting it as you go so that it fits your scrap needs.  I have seen too many people start with an elaborate and costly storage system to find it doesn't work for them.  Then they feel they must make it work - which leads to not maintaining because the scrap storage has become a chore to keep up.  Look in your recycling bin for storage ideas or repurpose items already existing in your home.

Keep scrap quilting fun!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions.  

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Taming Those Scraps - Part 2

 Last week, I shared the first steps I take at taming my scraps.  For many quilters, setting up an initial scrap system will be all that is needed.  I think just being disciplined to organize scraps as they are made and having them as accessible as possible will help to ensure you use them and that they don't become a chore.

But I have a LOT of scraps.

So I have some additional storage areas that I keep my scraps organized in.

I was lucky enough to come across some old locker baskets from a local pool.  I snagged 12 to further sort my scraps.  They fit perfectly on a metal storage rack I already had in my laundry room - which is right outside my sewing room.  So once a smaller color bin is full above my cutting table, I will empty it in it's appropriate basket.  You can see that these are all pretty much overflowing!

When I am ready to work on my RSC blocks or when I start a new scrap quilt, I like that I can just grab the color bin I need.  And because I can easily see into them, I can sometimes just see a piece I can readily snag and get to cutting.

Did I mention I have a lot of scraps?!!!

I have one more level of scrap storage.  These bins are the old way I used to store what I keep in the baskets.  But I found them a bit difficult to use.  They are smaller (so therefore they were always crammed full) and they were hard to get the drawers in and out.  And when a system doesn't work well, you tend not to use it.  I should also mention, these bins are in a closet down the hall and in another room from my sewing room.

Nowadays,  these drawers store larger scrap chunks that I can get folded up and stored on end so I can see them.  These are all pieces that are smaller than a fat quarter (I know many may consider this stash).  You can see they are also organized by color.

So why all of these levels of storage?

Because I like to get the best yield out of my scraps so that means I need to use the smallest piece that works for the cut I need.  So I start by looking in the bin right above my cutting station - then I move to my baskets where smaller bits and strips are kept.

If I still can't find what I need or my baskets are running low, I can look in the "chunky" bin and pull bigger pieces to backfill my scrap system.  This keeps me from always grabbing the biggest piece and never getting to the smaller bits.  Also, because these larger pieces are down the hall, my lazy self doesn't always want to make the trek so I tend to use what I have closest.

I should also point out, that keeping large scraps in these drawers means I CAN use them more as a stash when I want to.  This makes my pocketbook happy!

And finally, when I talk about scrap storage by color, I am always asked what colors I separate by.

Black

Brown

Red

Pink

Orange

Yellow

Lime Green

Green

Turquoise/Teal

Blue

Purple 

Gray

So I think I will end this second part here.  I do have a few more ideas for working with scraps that I will share at a later date.  

Who thinks I have a scrap problem!  :)

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Did you know that the Fat Quarter Shop has basic of the month deals?  There are some great ones for August.  Kona solids (yardage and precuts) and Aurifil Thread are 20% off.  

Do you need to stock up while the price is right?!

Taming those Scraps - Part One

 I was recently asked if I would talk a bit about how I store my scraps.  It has been years since I shared any information around scrap management so I thought I would write a few posts over the next couple weeks.

First, I think it is important to give some thought as to how you use your scraps.  In other words, are you someone who always uses patterns that call for standard sizes like mini charms, charm squares or  strips.  If so, you may want look at how Bonnie Hunter stores her scraps.  She pre-cuts all of her scraps to standard sizes.

I will admit, I tried this system in the beginning but it just did not work for me.  Whenever I wanted to make a quilt, it seemed all the scraps I wanted to use were cut to the wrong size.

One of the first thing I realized about myself, is that I like all of my fabric sorted by color - including my scraps!  I tend to work in color combinations - so I just need to pull the relevant color bins when I start on a quilt.

I also think it is important to sort your scraps immediately once they are identified as scraps. So right above my cutting table, I have a shelf with some color coded buckets that I drop scraps into every time I clean off my cutting table.  You may not have this luxury but you should be able to come up with some bags, shoeboxes or even glass jars to store your scraps in.

The nice thing about having these scraps so handy is I can usually dig through them and find a scrap that will work when I need some little bit for a project. 

 If your scraps are easy to use, you will use them!

Sometimes, when I finish cutting a project that I really like the fabric combinations I used, I don't want to break up the leftovers back into their respective colors.  A good example is the leftover fabric and scraps from my All that Jazz quilt I recently finished.  I really want to take these leftovers and add a few more scraps and make another quilt in these colors.  In this case, I simply bag up all the leftovers/scraps and store them together in a drawer.

Here are a few other projects that reside in the drawer from years ago.  Note that I don't put a lot of "universal" fabric in these bags.  They are usually genre specific (30's, holiday, flannel, cross weaves) or they are odd color combinations.

When I want to start something new, I will dig through these bags and see if I get inspired by any of them.  They give me a starting point.  Now I just need to pull from my color bins of scraps to enhance the fabric that is already pulled.

Anyone who has followed my blog for any amount of time knows that this is not my entire scrap storage.  But I am going to stop here for today because I believe that this is a good starting point if you want to get started on managing your own scraps.  For some, this may be all the storage you need.

Hopefully next week I will share a bit more of my scrap system.  I will try and explain what I have found works best for me and maybe they will work for you too!

Wishing you a Happy Scrapppy week!

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Scrap Mixology : Two Bits

 Behind the scenes, I have been working diligently to complete more of my newest pattern series and their supporting quilts.  

Today I am ready to announce my second Scrap Mixology module - Two Bits.

This module is to help you turn some of your scrappy strings into some fun and colorful quilts.  

You might remember this RSC quilt I finished in 2019.  

This quilt was the inspiration for this pattern sheet.

The Scrap Mixology pattern series all follow the same format.  They are designed to help you sew up your scraps so don't expect to find yardage requirements (not that you can't pull fabrics out of your stash).  Each module is designed around a standard block with cutting and sewing instructions for the block.  There is also a convenient table with block requirements for standard quilt sizes to help you determine how many blocks you need to make for the size quilt you desire.

In subsequent pages, I share some ideas on how to use color and block placement/rotation to create lots of fun layout designs.  Hopefully these ideas will trigger some ideas of your own.

Also included in the pattern are additional ideas on how to change the look of your block through some simple changes.  I include new cutting requirements for these ideas and share how this change affects the look of a quilt.  

So one block can be made into dozens of layouts!

You become a Scrap Mixologist like me :)

In fact, I have recently shared a quilt using the Mixology concepts published in this module.  This soft scrappy quilt swapped out the 9-patch with some orphan blocks and was laid out using a stacked block design.

Essentially the same block but with two very different looks.

One of the materials included in the Two Bit pattern is the formula for figuring the inset triangles for on-point or diagonal block layouts.  I always have to hunt for this so I am happy to know I can easily locate it now just by referring to my pattern.  

All of my Scrap Mixology available patterns (including Two Bits) can be purchased through either my Payhip pattern shop or through my Etsy store.  Once you pay, they can be immediately downloaded and you can start sewing those scraps.

Enjoy your weekend by sewing up those scraps!

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Linking up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)
Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

So Scrappy for RSC19 

Soothing the Anxiety

 Once I finished my client longarm quilting today, I found myself a little lost and feeling a little stressed.  So where did I turn?  To my scraps of course!

I sort all my scraps by color in rainbow order - so I just grabbed the first bin.  Looks Like I am starting a quilt with red.

Cutting is probably my least favorite of all the quilting stages, so I decided to use my AccuQuilt fabric cutter to speed up the process so I can get to the sewing quickly.

I looked through my dies and decided to get out my 2.5" by 4.5" rectangle.  In no time at all, I had about 100 pieces cut.  Next I think I will get out my blue bin and continue cutting.  I should be able to start sewing before dinner time!

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For those of you curious about my fabric cutter, I have the AccuQuilt Studio cutter.  It was the best option for me when I purchased it years ago.  When I am cutting in bulk like today, it really keeps my hands from getting sore...and makes cutting scraps super fast.

I still love my studio cutter, but if I was buying today, I think I would go with the Go! Big Electric.  They now have die starter sets available that are a great deal.

I have been wanting to add a couple dies to my inventory so I was happy to see they have the Studio dies and bundles half off right now.  Just use code 50STUDIO.   Of course, if you are interested in buying one of the Studio cutters, they are on sales for a limited time too.

I am an AccuQuilt affiliate.  When you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I may make a commission.  I don't endorse products I don't believe in and I appreciate the siupport!

Something New and Easy

One of the tasks I have been working on during my sheltering is to try and clean out some of my odd stash and larger scraps.  I use these fabric cuts as "seeds" for making quilts.

Last night I came across some long strips I shoved in a box after trimming a previous quilt.  These were what was trimmed from the backing.  I decided to cut them into a uniform 5" wide.

I then pulled some chunks of solids and cut them into half hexagons using my Hex n More ruler.  I cut these at 4.5" wide.

That is a s far as I got last night.  I am hoping today I will find some time to turn these bits into a cute baby quilt.  But the weather is supposed to be beautiful so I might just spend the day digging in the dirt and enjoying the sunshine.

I am still working on my selvage project and I am also trying to make some masks for family.  I find myself not focusing on anything for long and I am okay with that. 

Stay home and stay well my friends!

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Finally Giving In

In the past, I have only kept scraps that had at least one side that was 2.5".  Thanks to some of the scrappy bloggers I follow, their inspiration has now caused me to change my ways.

But I am not quite ready to put those tiny scraps in my color bins.  Instead I set up another scrappy system to use these small bits.

I used a couple plastic containers that previously held cookies to put together a scrappy storage system.  I dug out a small mat, a 2.5" square ruler and an extra rotary cutter from my tools.  Now I can collect up these small bits until I am ready to trim them into 1.5" squares (yes, it travels quite nicely!). 

I try to stack the squares by color and when I get an inventory built up, I get out my design boards and lay out some 9 patch scrappy blocks - that I can now sew as a leader/ender as I work on other things.

Now all of these tiny scraps are contained and easily managed.  I think to date, I have only made 15 blocks so it will be a loooong time before these will become a quilt.  The design?  I have no idea.  And I figure if I find keeping these smaller bits isn't working for me, I can send all the bits and blocks to one of those bloggers who inspired me :)

So what is the smallest scrap you keep?

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Linking Up:

Freemotion by the River (Linky Tuesday)

Sew Fresh Quilts (Bee Social)

Improvements to my Scrap Storage System

I have been wanting to spend some time making some changes to how and where I store my scraps.  I recently had some incentive to finally get it done!

I still use my color coded buckets right above my cutting table so as soon as a scrap is made, it is instantly sorted by color. I think it is the most crucial step for my scrap sanity.   I may not need these any more with the changes I have made but for now, I will leave them there.

 What drove me to making these changes now, was I had the opportunity to buy some old wire gym locker baskets.  I cleaned off a shelf unit which is right outside my sewing room.  So no more walking down the hall to get to my scraps.  I have a total of twelve and they are really convenient to grab when I need a color.

I still have my old scrap bins down the hall but they now hold my larger chunks of scraps (smaller than a fat quarter) - all folded and standing on end.  They used to be stored in large drawers with multiple colors in each drawer.  But now each of these bins are a single color, I can easily grab a bin or a fabric and take it to my sewing room.  Because they are on edge, all of the fabrics are visible.

I use these fabrics when I don't have scraps that work in my wire baskets.

I always work with the smallest scraps first.

Then I moved the large drawers to under my cutting table.  Before I made this change, I had multiple overflowing bins under this table.  Now, I just have my low volume and a "Specialty" bin that I use to collect a certain type of scrap temporarily.  Right now it is collecting Kaffe Fassett scraps.

I am a bit embarrassed to share what is in these drawers.  These are all bags of sorted various scraps just waiting to be made into a quilt.  Some of them are certain collections - like Charlie Harper, Tula Pink or Parsons Gray.  I also have bags of certain types of scraps - holiday, patriotic, vintage.  There are even bags of orphan blocks in there.  I would guess there are at least 25 bags in each bin and both drawers are stuffed full.  That is over 50 quilts! 

Before these changes, these bags were overflowing their baskets.  At least now they look tidy!

Hmmm....Maybe I should start pulling a project out of these occasionally.

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Linking Up:

Freemotion by the River (Linky Tuesday)

Sew Fresh Quilts (Bee Social)

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

So Scrappy for RSC19 

Oh Scrap! : Cleaning up the Small Bits

Every once in a great while, I get to the point where I have to deal with the small bits that are floating around in my scrap bins.  

The bin that first got my attention was the big tub that holds all of my low volume scraps. I decided to sort out pretty much every piece that I could not cut a 2.5" square from.

As I was sorting all these scraps, I decided to also deal with a pile of solid grays that have been sitting on the corner of my cutting table.  They are all different shades and I decided I would somehow incorporate them into this project too.

I thought I would first sew up the low volume bits and square them up to 5".

Then I took the time to sort the various shades of grays and cut some strips to create frames around the sewn slabs.

It felt nice to know I was using up these small "crumbs" so I continued to pull these bits out of my color bins too.  I have been slowly purging and cutting pieces at 1.5" square.  While I don't have a firm plan yet, I do have a hint of an idea as to how I am going to sew all these together.  But I am going to make you wait until I get a block or two sewn before I share the next step.

For now, I will be slowly cutting up tiny scraps.....I know these aren't tiny in some people's quilting but I rarely deal with bits smaller than 2.5" squares.  So this seems a bit ridiculous to me!  :)

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This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.

• You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
• If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
• If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
• This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
• Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

An InLinkz Link-up

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Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

Cooking Up Quilts (Main Crush Mondays)

Em's ScrapBag (Moving it Forward)

Freemotion by the River (Linky Tuesday)

So Scrappy (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)