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Friday, February 3, 2017

When it's Time...

...time to dump the junk. Scrap the "crap". Oh I know the politically correct verb-age would be "Stash busting"!  What's your favorite saying for using up the scraps, that seem to take over our lives when we quilt?

I'm horrible about throwing anything "fabric" away... The scrap bins were overflowing and the drawers would no longer close. It was just time to stop the madness and fix it.


I dumped everything out, and ironed it all.
Holy cow, that was a job in itself.

After searching for the perfect stash buster pattern for my scraps,
I found "Urban Development"
Off I went cutting up my scraps into 2" squares and strips.


These 16 patches used up a ton if scraps!
Happy dance, happy dance.


White quilts, like the pattern shows, don't do well in my house. There is a certain mechanic, who shall remain nameless... Need I say more?
:-)
So, I chose a navy blue for the main color of my quilt.
My hand dyes are the outer sashings.

Becky Tillman Petersen is the designer of this pattern...
She has an awesome Facebook page, where you can find great ways to use up that stash.
Check her out right 


Yes, I did manage to force myself to throw out the little scraps.
But my inner self kept telling me,
 there was so much I could do with these!   
Hummm... I haven't taken the trash out yet...
No, they are going for sure.
I've got bigger scraps to worry about right now.

Have a great weekend.
You know where you'll find me!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'



14 comments:

  1. I feel your pain - scraps are my downfall as well!

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  2. Super woman!! I don't have patience to sew two inch pieces for very long. That's why my Bonnie hunter quilt is a pot holder. ROFL

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  3. I am impressed. Love the look of your blocks. I do hate the ironing part of this activity though!!
    So how many blocks are you churning out?

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  4. Those slivers or odd pieces----I save. Take a chunk of fabric, make a big pillowcase type bag, fill it with those pieces, even tiny scraps of batting and sew it closed. Local animal shelters love them for animal pillows.

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  5. Our Guild collects our scraps and makes fabric bags and sends them to an animal shelter also. They make great beds for the poor animals.

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  6. great! in the fall my daughter's school asked for scraps of fabric and I emptied ALL my bins, it was a huge garbage bag stuffed that I couldn't tie it closed, but it felt good to get rid of it but sad to see it go, why do we do that with scraps? can't wait to see your finished quilt.

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  7. Thanks for the link. That quilt is beautiful. I'm a person that saves every scrap too!! Appliques take LOTS of scraps, lol.
    xx, Carol

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  8. Well, you could box up those scraps and gift them to a crumb quilter :) That would NOT be me...I have enough scraps to deal with!!! I still have the selvedge edges from the first quilt I made 9 years ago! I know how difficult it is to throw away scraps, especially with the cost of fabric so high it almost feels like the scraps are worth their weight in gold!!!

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  9. I looked at the pattern - Urban Development - I like how more scraps were used for her sashing. I love your hand dyes. My first husband worked in a glass factory and he washed all his work clothing alone. He was concerned that the glass chards would get into our clothing and irritate our delicate skin (the children were very young in the beginning). Now I think his skin is more delicate than anyone's due to medication he takes. It looks horrible. I understand about white not doing well in a home. I grew up in a home with no air conditioning and dirt roads in the area. Mom's white summer curtains weren't white very long. Thanks for sharing your scrapping.

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  10. Thank you for the link Joan. I love anything scrappy so this is just right up my alley. I had rather sew with scraps than yardage. It is easier for me to handle and work with. This is definitely going on my to-do list.

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  11. I can soooo relate! I look at every scrap as potential.

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  12. It feels so good to turn those scraps into something beautiful, doesn't it? Great choice of pattern. Sometimes just dumping them out where they are visible helps us want to work with them. I know that is how it is with me. I try to sort or press them all at least once a year, if not more.

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  13. Here is an idea for your tiny scraps, either donate them to someone who does this, or you can do this your self. Make a simple "pillowcase style" kitty beds and use the small pieces of fabrics and batting to stuff them. They work really well to line wicker baskets for any kitty's you might have or, donate them to a shelter or rescue in your area. I love doing this. It helps me clear out my jars of tiny scraps and helps our furry companions out at the same time. A win win!
    The reason I make these for kitties and not dogs as much is that a upset dog, (like in a shelter situation), will often destroy a stuffed bed, making a big mess/and or eating the small fabric pieces. So for dogs I make pads by layering four or five layers of fleece then stitching them together.
    I really like your scrap quilt blocks, I need to do something like that with my bigger scraps!

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  14. I do my best to use as much of a fabric as possible. I use and use and use. When I do finally throw the smallest bits away, I do not feel guilty, I used to, but not anymore because I do not do this hobby to make myself miserable. It took a few years and a good stern self-talk. But now I am content I do my best to be frugal.

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Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments really do make me day!
;-)