Let's Talk About Scraps

     I have been thinking a lot about scraps lately. I have always considered my self to be a scrap quilter. In the beginning, I used that term to indicate that my quilts had many different fabrics in them. Mostly, I wanted to put in as many as I could possibly fit. I have always felt that it gave the viewer a more interesting quilt to look at. It made the quilt more versatile in terms of where you could use it. I had the idea that it was also more economical since I could use some fabric from my stash instead of buying it all for each quilt-though sometimes I bought four times as much as it would take to make a quilt as I obsessively collected different prints for a perspective project.

     As time went on, I had more and more actual scraps to work with. And let me tell you, it is true what they say. If you proclaim yourself to be a scrap quilter, you will get lots of free fabric from people who do not want to deal with their scraps, and who will give you theirs because "I know you will use it".

     After much trial and error, I feel like I have finally found a system for sorting, storing, and using my scraps that is working pretty well for me. I used to try to sort by color, or at least types of prints, such as neutrals, batiks, traditional prints. I gave all that up because it was the more types of fabrics I was collecting, the more complex this system got. Now I only sort by size. I start with this large basket.

     There it is, living underneath my cutting table. As an aside, before I saw everyone buying risers to raise the height of their cutting table, I  nailed a piece of plywood to a couple of pieces of 2 by 4, and set that on top of this re-purposed desk. It is not very fancy carpentry, but I like the resulting nook underneath for setting rulers out of the way. That drawer is also handy for holding rulers, extra blades, cutters, etc.

     Back to the original subject. As you may have already guessed, as I cut my pieces, I throw the useable scraps in that basket under the desk. For me, it has to measure at least an inch to be considered a useable scrap. Everyone has their limits. If I am not going to end up with at least as much showing on the surface of the quilt, as is going to wind up on the back of the quilt in seam allowance, I'm not interested in keeping it.

     Next, I have one of those reusable grocery bags that lives in my car. It contains a Ziploc bag for each of the following categories:

*Small bits- 2 1/2" or less

*Medium bits- over 2 1/2" to 6"

*Large pieces- anything that is too big for medium bits, but smaller than a fat quarter

*Small triangles-roughly the same size as small bits

*Large triangles-the rest

*Small sewn together-small pieces that are already sewn together, either because they are small, leftover units, or because they are leftover from strip piecing

*Large sewn together-This is usually from a strip set that I didn't entirely cut up. These previously sewn together units are very useful for improvisational piecing. I find they do so much to help me make my potholders interesting. 

And then we have the strips. I have a separate bin for each of the following:

*Smaller than an 1 1/2"

*1 1/2"-I have a separate bin for these  because I have made several quilts just from 1 1/2" strips. I do separate these into color families.

*1 3/4"- 2"

*2 1/4"-2 1/2"

*Larger than 2/12"

     I load the grocery bag with scraps from the basket, these Ziploc bags, and a small measuring device, and leave all of this in the car at all times. There are certain places that I go, that I find it convenient to pull out this bag, and using the measuring tool, sort some of the scraps into the proper Ziploc. One such place is when I work my volunteer shifts at the town library. After I have swept, dusted, and put away books, I bring out my fabric bag. Another place is at free concerts in the park. When I go to a friends house to sew, if I get frustrated with the project I am working on, or maybe even go as far as I can on it, I pull out this bag.You get the idea. As the bag empties, I refill it from the basket, which is always getting filled as I cut out various projects. As the Ziploc bags fill, I dump them into bins of that respective category. 

     When  I am getting ready to start a project, I go to the bin that holds the size of pieces that I need, and pull out pieces that are the colors that I want. I finished putting this system together a couple of summers ago. Since then I have gotten fabrics from these bins for several projects that are in process, but here are 2 quilts near completion, that came all, or mostly from these scrap bins.

     This quilt top came ENTIRELY out of my strip bins. It is not completely finished, I am still in the process of sewing down the binding. This photo was taken before it was quilted. Wow-a free quilt top made just from what I had laying around the house!

      
       Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to a quilting retreat. I got the center of this quilt put together there. I just have to figure out what to do with the corners. I think I know what the borders will be. I bought the focus fabric, and the stripe, but everything else came from the scrap bin. 

 
     It is such a feeling of getting something for nothing to make quilts from what I have on hand. And, for those who like going scrappy, it really broadens your fabric choices! 

     I have many lovely photos that I took while at the retreat, I want to share with you, but I will save that for the next post.

     Thanks for stopping by!







 
  

What I did on Retreat

     Things have been awfully hectic lately. I am grateful for that. I would much rather be a busy person with a lot going on, than bored. Wouldn't you?

      Lots of these things have been non quilt related. I have gotten the first Porterdale Village newsletter out. People seem to like it. I have always thought it would be a good thing to have all of that information gathered in one place. And then there was tax day! The less said about that, the better, but when you work from your home there is so much paper work and record organizing to get it done properly. Also, I have been working on a couple of rug weaving deadlines.

    Enough of that; let's turn attention to more quilt related matters. I just got back from a retreat. It was great! Good friends, beautiful weather at a gorgeous facility. 3 days of sewing that was only interrupted by good eating, pleasant conversation, a little sleep, and, maybe an occasional walk. I have already posted photos of what was being worked on around me, Now it is time to share that I actually did some sewing myself.

     Remember this project?

     

     Sometimes, I can get 2 photos to land next to each other on my blog; other days I can't. Why is that? Today is looking like a "can't" day.













     Anyway, before I left for retreat, I had all of my strip sets grouped together according to how many I needed of each color family. 

     I got them all sewed together, pressed, and trimmed.

     When I got home, I organized them into pairs, and realized that I had 5 sets too few of that dark blue, and 5 sets too many of the light blue. Coincidence? I doubt it. Well, I can use the extra light blue sets on the back of the quilt, but I obviously have to make some more dark blue sets. Monday, a group of friends were getting together to sew, and I pinned the whole stack. Now they are ready to go under the needle the very next time I get some quality time with my sewing machine.
 

 
     I realize these are not the most exciting photos you have ever seen, but this is what I have been doing. I am pleased that this quilt is on the verge of coming together.

     On a related project, I have been working on a quilt that uses the same overall design, but done differently for a nearby on line quilt shop. The name of the quilt shop is honeybegood.com  We took that drawing, and are making a lap quilt out of solid (as opposed to strip pieced) HST. Karen from Honey Be Good, picked beautiful organic cotton fabrics, which will be marketed as a kit on her website. (Don't you think those colors are yummy?!) I had just gotten the quilt back from Regina (my fabulous long arm quilter);  and got the binding on before I left for retreat, so I could hand stitch the binding and sleeve at retreat. By the way, the name of this quilt is Tangerine Twist.

     I got another quilt back from Regina too, but this one doesn't have a name yet. I made the variegated binding, and machine sewed it on, but it still needs the hand stitching done. I would like to get it done by next Thursday, since I will be speaking at The Southern Crescent Guild in Fayetteville.

    
     That is what I have been up to. I am off to finish a rug, and get my quilts in order for Thursday nights trunk show. Thanks for stopping by!

Strips

     I have been busy, doing so many things lately, that I have had a difficult time getting much time to sew. I have a rug due tomorrow, so I have been weaving that. This can be dangerous. I was at the loom today, when suddenly, I got an idea for a whole other quilt. I know you have been thinking: "What this girl really needs is to start another quilt." I chose fabrics from my Hancock's of Paducah catalog, and would have put an order in on the spot, but I was saved by the bell. Since it was after 6, I figured it was too late to put an order in today; I won't be able to tomorrow since I won't be home. It will be interesting to see if the drive for this idea stays with me till Friday.

      My friend Dori, and I cleaned out our town's library. (There is no heat in it so it stays closed in the winter) It needed sweeping, and dusting, and the books that have been donated through out the winter needed sorting and shelving. I decided our town needed a newsletter, so I have been working on our 1st newsletter issue. I have it just about finished, but I have to make about 800 copies. Since it is getting pretty spring like around here, the community garden is also gearing up. I just sent A Scarlet Thread several class proposals to choose from for the fall. I am looking forward to see if they like any of them, and if so, which.

     I belong to a sewing group that meets twice a month, and we each take turns hosting it at our houses. That person cooks dinner for the group that night. You guessed it. Last night it was at my house. After dinner, we all pull our our various projects. I cut some squares and triangles from strips that I had previously cut, for this quilt.

     I finished this quilt, and got it to my quilter's. Now I have to finish writing the directions for the pattern, since it is going to be sold as a kit at honeybegood.com

     I got this quilt back from my quilter, Regina, and I still need to trim it, and put the binding on it.

          I am trying to spend a little time everyday, sewing strip sets for this quilt. I have not put any more blocks up on the design wall, since I want to get the rest of my strip sets done before I pair them together.

     Help is on the way! I have a quilt retreat coming up soon. 3 days of uninterrupted sewing. I can't wait! I am planning to take the above quilt, and my big, pieced hexagon quilt. I also have several quilts that have all of the blocks done, and just need to be laid out. I was thinking it would be good to get one of them arranged on the design wall, so I could get numbers pinned onto the blocks, and sew it together, while on retreat.

     I don't get to see this group of friends very often, so I am really looking forward to this. In fact, one of them, I haven't seen in years since she moved away several years ago, but is coming for a visit, and going on retreat with us.
     
     It's time for me to hit the sack, I have to deliver the rug to Atlanta tomorrow. It is supposed to be a rainy day. Hope your week is going well, and you are getting lots done. Thanks for stopping by!

Neglect

     Time always passes so quickly, so often, I look up, and I can't believe so much time has gone by since the last time I wrote anything! Since my goal is to write twice a week, I have been pretty neglectful. Is that even a word? I hope so.

     I say that I haven't been writing.
That is not entirely true. I haven't
 written on my blog, but, I have
 been writing all day. Next Saturday,
I am teaching my Let's Polka quilt at
A Scarlet Thread in McDonough. I have
 spent a good bit of today writing the
instructions for this pattern, and
gathering my thoughts on just what
 I can tell people to help them make
this quilt. 










    Last Thursday, I did our last demonstration at my guild quilt show. I didn't want to do the whole sewing machine thing again, so I thought it would be fun to try a few blocks for another quilt that has been tugging on my sleeve. Especially since it would be easy to work on while I was talking to people. I had already cut all of the strips for it, and I figured I could demonstrate rotary cutting the strips into squares and triangles, and get a few blocks ready to sew. The quilt was inspired by this painting by Vincent Van Gogh.

    
      I mostly, want to just explore using this color scheme in a very simple quilt with small blocks and an overall design. Here are the blocks that I cut, then I sewed them the next time I was at the sewing machine just to see how they would look together. I think I need a lot more to tell if I will like it. I may or may not add a thin sashing. This will be another good chain piecing, and work on away from home quilt.
 

  

     Yes, I am still working on my pieced hexagons-slow going, and my strip quilt. I have been carrying those strips everywhere, and I have all but 9 strip sets cut and ready to sew. There are about 250 of them. I have been sewing them between the other things, using them as leaders and enders, Right now I have 35 sewn, but they are not trimmed yet.

     One more thing. A couple of posts ago I mentioned meeting Karen from Honey Be Good.com. We have gotten together and done some brainstorming. She liked this drawing and chose some fabrics to make into a lap size to sell as a kit. I am trying to get it together for her ASAP .

      

     This is what I have done so far. I am writing a pattern for it too, as I make it. Sorry about the wonky perspective. My largest, best design wall is behind my loom, which makes photography difficult.

     So really I haven't been just sitting around and eating bon bons. Also, spring is almost here, so spring activities are starting up. The community garden, lending library, and my tennis team are all in need of attention. I am working on getting a newsletter started in my town. And now that the quilt show is down, there are all of those quilts to return to their rightful owners. Hope your life is full of fun too. Thanks for stopping by!






    

A Big Surprise

     I have made a decision in writing this blog, so far, not to write much about the non quilting areas of my like. One big reason is that I regularly read a couple of blogs that include more non quilting aspects of life. While I really enjoy these blogs, I guess I worry a bit about feeling like I am copying them.

     That said, sometimes your non quilting life runs into your quilting life when you least expect it. I live in a very small town, and I am very active in the local community garden. The other day I was to meet a new person who was interested in joining. In the course of conversing with this person in an effort to get to know her; she mentioned that she works with her mother in a family run business in town. When I asked her what business they were in I was amazed when her answer was a quilting business! There is a quilting business in my town; and I know nothing about it!? Are you kidding? How could this have happened?

     It turns out that this is an online business called honeybegood.com  Their focus on organic, and sustainably produced fabric got me thinking. Although I had thought about these kinds of things in relation to food, I never thought about them in relation to fabric. The whole idea rather caught me by surprise at first. Of course, there is not the depth of variety available in organic fabrics, like there is in the fabric I have been using. Anyone who knows anything about my quilting knows that variety plays a major role in it. Also, organic fabric is a bit more expensive, and I am already struggling to afford fabric as it is. Still, I do feel that it is important to think about these kinds of things; and I do care about how what I am doing is effecting the world that I live in; so I have decided that it is worth working in some organic fabric when, and where I can. That way, hopefully, this will give better practices an opportunity to become more prevalent. They did have some really beautiful fabrics, including a nice selection of solids, which you know I love.

      I am still working away on this quilt:

      I have gotten 15 strip set sewn together just by using them as leaders and enders while sewing on my batik hexagon blocks.  Also, by carrying the strip bins everywhere with me, I have put together 47 strip sets. I like to plan them out in advance, so they are next to the sewing machine, and ready to go when I need something to sew on.

     As stated above, I have sewn 1 and a half hexagons together. I figured out that I need 40 hexagons to make a quilt. So far I have 7 1/2. Almost 1/4 of the way there!

     So, that is what I have been up to lately. Thanks for stopping by!

New Projects

     Whew this week went by fast!

     Have you ever had this experience? You have a plan for what you want to accomplish, then all of a sudden, some other project comes to the forefront and just demands attention. You can't get it out of your head-you just have to start it right now! That is what happened to me this week. I was planning to work on a couple of quilt backs, finish my solid quilt, and continue working on my pieced hexagons. Then I suddenly just HAD to start this other quilt. I think part of the problem was I was thinking that right now I don't really have a good project for chain piecing, and I don't have a project that lends itself well to portability, and carrying to the houses of friends. The solid quilt used to be good for that, but it is past that stage.

     So, I spent most of my sewing time this week cutting and sorting strips.

     I went through all of the strips I sorted last year, and pulled out ones I thought would be the colors that I needed. Then in the middle of this process I realized that I was pulling together colors that I wanted to use for another quilt, so I thought I should cut some strips for both quilts, since the other quilt needs the some of the same colors, but different size strips.

     I took this photo early last year. These units all went into the Missing Monkeys quilt that I recently finished. When I had all of these on the design wall, I thought I would like to make a quilt where these Economy Patch units played a more important role. When I played with it a bit on EQ, I used blues and greens. I want the blocks to be just a bit larger though.

     Here is my test block. I don't yet have a test block to show you my other idea. That will have to wait a few more days.
     

















      Also this week, I took a class from Flavin Glover on Innovative Court House Steps. I had always wanted to make a Court House Step quilt using solid fabrics, Here are a few blocks I got done in class. I don't know when I will start working on this quilt in earnest; there are a few ahead of it.

     I also taught a class at A Scarlet Thread this week. It is a 2 session class, and we had the 1st session Friday night. This is the quilt we are working on. It is so much fun to see all the variations that students bring to an idea. I can't wait to see what they bring to class next Friday!

    
     I am doing a lunchtime program at my guild's quilt show at Art Station in Stone Mountain, this Monday, so I have been gathering quilts, and other items to show for that today.

     I still have a couple of other colors of strips to cut, so back to the cutting table I go!
Hope your week went well. Thanks for stopping by!