Hi Karen. Thanks for the great chair review and discount code. It motivated me to order one, but ... so you know, the discount code only applies for orders over $1,000 (US, I presume as the company is in California.)
When I wake up in the middle of the night, and can't sleep, I cut up scraps for no more than an hour. Then, I feel more contentedly organized and back to bed.
Thanks to your declutter challenge year before last, I sorted my bags of scraps into sizes…not colors…because I had sooooo many. I wound up with SIX huge Rubbermaid tubs labeled with specific sizes. I was so thankful to finally have sacks, bags and piles of scraps off of my floor, out of the corners and finally organized. This year, I decided to use those scraps. I just started sewing pieces together with no particular pattern or thought of color, value, print or solid. Now mind you, I am very OCD with “matchy matchy “, so this was difficult at first. The blocks grew, and as they reached big enough that I could cut them into 12” blocks, I did so. I was quite distressed with the “chaos” they appeared to be, but I persevered, mainly because once started, I just had to finish. My mindset was if I didn’t like it, I could donate it to a local shelter…it would still keep someone warm. Long story longer, I did not like the “chaos”, but then I saw a tutorial on shadow box blocks. I made shadows on each block with a dark charcoal fabric and made white sashing between each block and for the background. Oh my gosh, that made just enough organization that it was beautiful! I had enough scraps that it made a king size quilt, and I have enough blocks left over to make another full size quilt. I named this quilt Memories, and planned to put it on my quest bedroom bed. I took it to my long armer and had it quilted. She lives in another state, but my brother lives near her, so I took the opportunity to visit him as well. He LOVED that quilt and lovingly would not let me take it home. lol. I took it back to the quilt shop and she let me use one of her machines to put the binding on it. So, it resides on my brothers’ bed, underneath a beautiful abstract painting he has on the wall above his bed. They look like they were specifically made for each other. It has certainly encouraged me to just sew my scraps together until I have enough to make another block. I will still get one made for my guest bedroom. I almost have enough now. Thank you, Karen, for all of your ideas and tips, and particularly your encouragement to keep us motivated. My sewing room has stayed neat and clean, I have kept Mount Scrapmore manageable and my love for quilting has remained strong! ❤❤❤
New quilter here! This is invaluable. I swore I would never be like my mom... she was the Grand Prize recipient of "She who dies with the most fabric wins" and 13 years ago, I was the one who donated it all to some quilters. This year I have decided to start quilting and I have sworn an oath to my past self not to be the runner up! 11:53
While I’ve never met you, you have had a profound influence on the way I look at my quilting. I’m finishing a top that just doesn’t work for me and with a light heart it will be packed up and donated. As time marches on I’m so wanting to complete the projects I love, experiment with new patterns and fabrics and have the freedom to love what I’m doing. Thank you Karen for empowering me to take complete control of my favorite pass time!
I like to sew 1 1/2" wide scrap strips together ... I separate them by their length... once I have 12 sewn together, I press the strip, then subcut into as many 1 1/2" stripes that I can get ... I store these in a scrapbook container from Michael's until I want to do some mindless sewing ... then I will sew twelve of these together to make a block ... When I have 16 twelve and half inch blocks made, I sew them together to make a scrappy throw sized quilt ... they are perfect for chilly evening on the patio! I love looking at all the tiny, 1" squares and remembering where the fabrics all originated from!
Hi, Miss Karen, my granddaughters and I enjoy your videos. I was watching your video on crumb quilting. I see you use adding paper. I use old fabric softener sheets.. I leave them on and and just sew my blocks together. It works great.
Just spent a relaxing morning sewing a bunch of scraps together. Stitched a bunch of fall colored triangles to a 2.5” WOF light color grunge strip and ended up with a lot of 2.25” squares. Put four like squares together and now have 10 pretty pinwheel blocks for a future project. Hurray me moved scraps down the scrap stream and didn’t hit any rapids!!!
My current favorite way to use up my scraps is to make them into 1.5 in squares that I pair together as leaders and enders. I am making a postage stamp quilt entirely out of scraps and sewing them as leaders and Enders!
Just "finished" sewing long pieces of 10cm pieces of scraps together. I had accumulated a gazillion of scraps over the years - buckets, boxes full. Some weeks ago I tried to get an overview of my Mt. Scrapmore - it took me several hours to work my way through! All accompanied by heavy sneezing due to the dust it produced. 😳 Finally it was done and I moved over to the ironing board - this time I was smarter... I used a face mask while working. Them the fun part followed - sewing. I used up several needles to keep things nice and had sooooooo many pieces sewn. More ironing followed, then the cutting to 10cm width. Meanwhile, my trash bucket was overflowing with small, smaller and atoms of fabric garbage... Real trash! Yesterday, I chose a neutral beige-grey fabric to put it all together with - the neutral color really makes the colorful strips "jump out" I still have to decide on the final layout - another day. One thing for sure - it will be a very special quilt, filled with all sorts of fabrics, memories of work I gave away as gifts, work I sold, work I donated for charity... And I will cherish each piece of fabric I will recognize in it. Thank you Karen for your lovely films - with lots of greetings from Germany - M.
Karen, I have followed you since you first started. You have really come a long way in your channel. Congratulations on always coming up with new idea and introducing other artists to your followers. I don't live far away from your area and it pleases me to follow and be inspired by a fellow Ontarionan. I have adopted many of your tips as the majority of my quilting is for charities. Quick and easy is my motto but it has to be eye pleasing. Your scrap quilt blocks have inspired many quilts and have given the recipients happy moments. thank you for sharing your creativity. I love working with scraps as all of my quilting is done sustainably--friends and thrift stores are my go to for fabrics and, even though many are previously loved fabrics, they have now found new homes in a quilt and a needy person's heart. Thank you very much for all that you do.
A way I use up trimmings or threads from cutting my squares is I keep them all in a plastic bag and when I am ready to stuff something I dump all the fluff into the desired item I want to stuff!
Karen, thanks again for guiding us through. I was distracted from my routine and needed to quilt . But I looked at my table and remembered what you talked about in your past video. "Keep your table clutter free." I have a kitchen sink full of dishes but my sewing table has a clear , uncluttered view of a goal. Thanks
Perfect timing! I'm creating a sewing annex in a spot where I'm more easily available to my husband. My dining room was full of boxes containing everything I need to set up & break down a sewing space (& thank you for showing me how to sew in a small temp space). Daughters came for Thanksgiving & moved furniture, put together a cart, & etc. NOW I need to unbox, set-up, & start using my new sewing machine. Big jump to my first electronic sewing machine. My first project will be Kaffe Fassett's "Stamps & Money" quilt--all rectangles & squares but now I'm reluctant to start with this quilt. You gave me the answer. Start with scraps! My crumb bin overfloweth so...2 birds, 1 stone. Deal with scraps & learn a new machine in one go. Thanks!
Thank you for this video... I was struggling to get sorted on a project and this has helped greatly. My father passed recently and I am tasked with making comfort quilts for my children, from many of his old clothes. I just had no idea how to start. After watching this video I see the answer. I do the squares... I collect as many as i can and then when I have enough I can put them together and put them onto their backings.. I also embroider so they will have this added touch with his name etc and all the fmailies names embroidered around him... Some find this gorey, but my children are looking forward to having a part of their Grandfather to cuddle again... You ahve helped so much. Thank you.....
You will be blessed to make quilts from your dads clothes. My dad passed several years ago and even tho i’m a quilter I let his many shirts go. 🥲I can’t it take it back, they are gone. So wished I’d saved his clothes to make a quilt.
You are SO RIGHT about sewing trash on the floor. My sewing room is still carpeted, and I live in an extremely dry climate. I'll never forget seeing static-charged threads jump from the carpet to the belly of my short-legged long-haired dog! Now I keep a little hand vac in the room and use it almost daily. Thanks for your wonderful work -- I've been quilting for years and yet I've learned so much from you. You rock!
I will watch this video once a month in 2024 while organizing my scraps! We live in a two room apartment and the amount of „secret“ stowaway scrap bags I found in my last clean up was…sobering. If they are stored away then I won‘t find them! I loved how you explained that making it too complicated will not help! Thank you again for a great video! ❤
You presented so many great ideas in this video. What I most need to take to heart is "scraps are not precious" and get excited about using them up rather than saving them for some nebulous future project. I took notes on this video to hang in my sewing room. You are a great teacher.
The way you explain the #scrapstream is so helpful! The scraps I was creating were stressing me out because we don't have textile recycling here anymore. My 'Mount Stashmore' was growing but I hate sending things to the landfill. Now I have some idea how to manage the bits and I'm learning how to use them up. I have not been a quilter, but I made a mug rug top out of crumbs and really enjoyed it! I can foresee making many more with what I have on hand. Thank you for sharing the language and the concepts that I can use to make my space (and my creativity) flow! Much appreciated!!
This sure did hit me hard. It has never been an option for me to get rid of fabric, so I have set a challenge to sew it without buying more. Because of your videos on after quilts, that has helped me to not have so much left over; just crumbs. Sometimes I get two quilts out of a project, using leftover blocks and even backing to finish it. I do still have lots of scraps and learning how to use them has been a fun thing; now to just DO IT! I have so many projects to work on that I don't make time for them. Perhaps I need to set aside a day for just working on them and see what happens! Thank you for encouraging me to get my space free of them!
Dear Karen, Yes, indeed! This week I'm organizing some of my scraps. The work table needed to be cleared off. Oh look, the Christmas wall hanging I started last year! I put a few on the table and then measuring and cutting into different sizes. Zowie! That pile is done. Thank you for the great videos! Marion in Oregon
Karen, your images to emphasise your dialog are truly inspired…though your ideas are serious, your methods to influence us are fun, so helpful and brilliant! Thank you!
Great timing Karen. Since your declutter challenge 2 years ago I have been processing scraps after each project. I have ongoing blocks I am making for flying geese, and the off cut corners, scrap in a box block, adding machine strips and string blocks. My scraps are all sorted by colour and the bulk colour are blues so trying to finish these before moving on to the rest of the rainbow.🤣🤣👏🇦🇺
After watching this video I realized I am not a scrap quilter so the bits and pieces I was holding on to I passed on to another quilter who will use them. Thank you for the encouragement to let go 😊
Thanks for this! I save my larger scraps for mini quilts and such, and my tiny unusable 100% cotton scraps go in the compost bin. My community opening up a composting program has really helped me letting those smaller pieces go!
These are great suggestions Karen! Thanks for sharing. I love scrap quilts and Tip #3 about having the end in mind works the best for me. I have a few favourite scrappy quilt patterns and I almost always cut down and store my scraps with those ideas in mind. And because I love making them, the scraps get used up fairly quickly. Thanks for all your advice for the quilting and crafting community.
I use the same method. I have a little three drawer plastic container with each drawer being for one of the three scrap block methods I use. By doing it this way, my scraps don't get out of control.
I only sew with scraps in January. all year I put them in large bin. February 1st I sort what’s left by color and store in small bins. If it doesn’t fit I toss what’s left. I usually complete 3 tops and finish all long arm projects by the end of February.
Karen, I love your videos. One of the most valuable things I have learned from you it to use a timer. I still work full time but I wanted to quilt too. I get up early and do some part of a quilt project in the morning for 15-30 minutes. I either choose fabrics, cut, sew or machine quilt. I have finished two baby quilts, some dolly quilts for my granddaughter, a very cool pieced wall hanging for a friend and I have pieced, quilted or bound 5-6 kid quilts that my quilt group donates to foster kids. It is pretty shocking how much you can accomplish in a short time every day. Thanks for all you do.
I love your message of Do What Works for YOU. That's so, so helpful! Also, KUDOS to you, Karen, for working through a cold on this video! I hope you feel better!
Anything that’s not a crumb, I turn into a 2.5 inch square for postage stamp looking quilts that I gift my family and friends on birthdays and xmas ! Crumbs I sew together & turn into squares with wich I also make quilts I give away on special occasions 😊
Karen, early this year a friend told me about a neat quilt pattern she found. I looked at it and decided it was finally time to start making quilts from my 16 shoeboxes worth of scraps. I remembered what you said re scrap age in this video while I was sorting. I have used your adding machine tape method and have made I think 6 scrap quilts!! I wish I had a way to share the pics with you. Thank you for your great advice, knowledge and encouragement you provide on this channel!!
I have a poky little puppy pail (love my childhood little golden books) pail on my sewing table. My space is small, so as I mostly paper piece, and using your “ no smaller than an inch” rule..all other scraps go into the pail. When the pail is full….time to create your receipt paper strips. I have gleaned so many wonderful ideas from you! Thanks!!
When I started sewing again I started making scrappy orphan blocks out of the leftovers. With each project I've made, I also have a few scrappy blocks to remind me. The stack is growing, but I don't yet have a project in mind for the next step. I seem to prefer working up my scraps right away just to keep myself practicing all my skills.
Excelente! Un tema necesario hablar y decidir un Sistema de Procedimiento. En cuanquier ámbito de la vida, ayuda a ordenarse y usar bien el tiempo. Gracias por compartir sus aprendizajes!!!🤗
Karen, it sounds like you’re dealing with a cold already this season. I hope you listen to your own advice and care for yourself!! I try to listen to your advice and I’m grateful for it and you! “Take care.” 😊
Very good tips. Thank you. Your words are very encouraging and I am going to make small blocks like the ones you showed. Spending just 30 mins once a week is a good idea instead of sitting with a bulk everyday!
I have a medium-ish bin I put the scraps into. Then every Sunday for 1 1/2-2hours I trim them up into useable sizes: 2 1/2”, 5” and 10” squares. 2 1/2” 5” strips. Store them in the three drawer plastic on wheels containers, sorted by color. ❤
I always appreciate your videos. They teach me something new or a reminder of how to fix a problem; or that I am doing something right. Since I made an effort to start controlling scraps a few years ago, I deal with my scraps after every cutting blitz. Sometimes it is several kits ready to grab and go to retreats, and sometimes it is kne complicated quilt. I have turned to more scrappy or small quilts so I reshelf anything more than an 1/8 yard. I then cut up what is left into preplanned sizes and the last bits get cut Loonie size for pet bedding. I am not a fan of 'strings' or 'crumbs'. Crumbs go to pet beds, strings or scraps I am sick of go to the recycle table at my guild. There is always someone who picks them up and moves it along. I have 6 plastic shoe boxes for scraps. I learned that one of those boxes has enough fabric for a queen sized top. So when the box is full, I create a new project to use it up. Managing the scraps, keeping a reasonable outflow of Community Projects and shopping my stash has been a great weight off my shouders.
Great practical instructions!! So many ways to deal with the scraps !!! It removes the ' guilty feeling ' at the back of your mind!! Glad to have read these within 4 hours of broadcast!!! Thank you so much!!
Since I am relatively new quilter, I don’t have many scraps. So I’ll take your advice and separate by colors from the start. Maybe I will be able to keep things in tow! 😊
Loved this one Karen! I make to sell and one of my fun exercises is to imagine new scrappy projects and then to make them. I sort them into values - dark, medium and light. Wish I could send you some pictures of my latest projects. Best, Liz
Previously, I tried rotary cutting strips + squares of several sizes. It felt too unfocused. I heard about the Accuquilt cutting system + desided that was the way for me: (Ready,Set,Go:manual cutter, 8 in. Cube + 2.5" strip die). Before it arrived, Elbow Tendinitis on my dominant side hit hard. Thankfully, I found out I could upgrade/ trade in that cutter for the Big Electric cutter. = Amazing. I cut 2.5" squares with a die that cuts 9 @ a time x 6 layers (54 squares!!) [I could use the 2.5" Strip cutter to cut up to hundreds from different strips if I wanted to.] So I rotate through small + large tumblers & rectangles; 5" + 9.5 " squares; Crazy quilt block dies. I have trays with partioned rows + sort them roughly by type, color/value as I remove them from the dies. This is conquering my med. to large scraps wonderfully! I have bins for crumbs + fill newsprint strips intermittently. (My Art Teacher daughter has POUNDS of newsprint she'd like to get rid of! [I use her paper cutter to rough cut them approx 5 " across. Then I use a 4.5" x 18.5" ruler + cut several @ a time to 4" x 18"]) I am very happy to now have a system that works for me mentally as well as physically. Otherwise, my scrap organization project would not have even gotten off the ground due to inability to use a rotary cutter @ all for several months. Take ideas from different people until you find what works for you! Have Fun!
Perfect timing on this! I have been trying to use up my flannel scraps, but it seems a never-ending mission. You’ve reminded me to keep scraps fun! 😊 I am taking a deep breath and stepping back! 😅. Saving more scrap organizing for my 2024 declutter challenge!
This came just as I was unpacking Tons! of scraps! That were saved till I set up a proper sewing room. Thanks! I have a better view on how to deal with them now. 😂🎉❤
I've made clothesline cord wrapped with fabric for bowls, trivets, coasters, etc. usually cutting on the bias & end up with alot of triangular shapes from fat quarters. Small scraps I use for stuffing projects like triangle phone totes or stuffed trolls, etc. Waste not want not. LOL
I recently made a scrap quilt. It drove me mad because the fabric I was using was top quality "designer" it kept fraying. It wasn't old. The squares ended up being 2 1/8"I used a smaller stitch length even double sewed the seams RR designs trash quilt youtube tutorial is very good. No charity in my country will take quilts for hospitals or the homeless. I used to send my scraps to Britain but with brexit I had to stop due to extra charges applied by custom & excise duties. Good to see this video Thanks Karen.
You are absolutely right! Even though they have "Quilts of Valor", and "Project Linus", and the dresses for little girls charity, many hospitals and other places along the same lines don't accept homemade quilts. The two nursing homes I'm acquainted with, are desperate for warm blankets, quilts, and lap robes, but they have industrial washing machines, and none of the home sewn items would last for very long. My daughter has sewn for cancer charities, but many are really picky about what they will accept.
You are so helpful! My sister has hand quilted most of our lives, but I’ve kept to garments. On a whim I made a quilt - no pattern, cut thing “wrong” but it came out great! Irised the scraps to make a spiraled QAYG and decided that’s my jam. I only idea rescued textiles for gar,ents so I have a lot of great scraps organized for more quilts. I make mistakes and font correct them. I have to be very precise with the garments so the quilts are free flow and will be what they will be. My grandma always said to leave a mistake in everything you make - only our maker is perfect.
Thank you for your video. I am not a quilter I embroider, slow stitch and make landscapes. I have many small scraps as I work with many small pieces of fabric. I buy remnant bags on line so very lucky dip. This was so useful as was your other video on storage. Thank you. I wish I knew quilters here in the UK I would gladly relieve you of your no use for quilting scraps. Slow stitching is becoming so popular these days it would be another way for quilters to put some pennies back in the piggy bank. Just a thought.
@@karenmachin9721I am sewing my triangles from one quilt together to make HSTs as leaders and enders. No firm plan for them yet but at least I have made progress and will be able to incorporate them into a project more easily.
@@karenmachin9721You could sew them together and use them in a project: tote bag, book sleeve, extra large potholder, mug rug, baby quilt, etc. You have just created free fabric! 😊
Thanks for this video. I started "processing" my scrap as you've shown. I've saved squares I've come across, 21/2" strips. Then I'm cutting shapes for french rose, dresden, and diamonds that I'm going to use for a raw edge Hunter's Star. Ive been happy with my progress. I have 667 dresden blades ready to sew together and i've started the Hunter's Star. Thanks to you.
What a great overview, Karen! My next three projects will yield way too many scraps to toss in bins so I’m going to revisit the Scrappy Quilts playlist. Thank you!
I do sort by color, probably because that's how my brain seems to work, but only into four groups: warm, cool, neutral, and Christmas. Each color group gets divided into 3 groups: large, medium, and crumbs. I find 12 bags of scraps work well for me. I cut used copy paper into 2 1/2 X 11 1/2 strips, grab a handful each of crumbs from warm, cool and neutral bags, and sew the pieces down randomly. I leave the strips on the paper until I have enough for a project. This year I decided to reduce the size of my Christmas scraps. I made a scrappy table runner for a charity raffle and a 5 foot scrappy Christmas tree wall hanging which we had the smallest kids at our church decorate with paper ornaments that they colored, cut out, and stuck on the tree with double sided tape. It is really adorable and I encourage anyone with small kids/grandkids to try it. Of course, the other ladies in my quilting group donated scraps for both projects, so I ended up with more fabric than I started with. Oh well, loaves and fishes quilting!
great tips for saving & organizing those bits & pieces ... can also apply this advice to almost anything in my house !!! thanks for sharing, encouraging & inspiring !!
Consigli molto utili. Attualmente sto utilizzando un po' di scarti per fare delle pochette. Intanto ho iniziato facendo strisce colorate . complimenti per i suoi consigli complimenti
My local Seattle Goodwill recycles bags of my cotton garbage -- I give them things that are too small, tiny strips, threads, batting bits, etc. I put them in a white garbage bag & label it "RAGS" with a Sharpie, and they will send them off to be made into industrial rags. I know some people make them into dog beds, but I don't have a source for that. This is for the scraps after the scraps so nothing goes to waste!
I have finally, several years into my sewing journey, figured out what to do with my mountain of scraps. I have discovered making coasters and baskets with cotton rope, and made several that I gifted friends and family for Christmas. I have also discovered creating literal artwork with fabric, putting fabric onto heatbond in patterns and then sewing it together into scenery and artwork, my final scrap projects are patch skirts for little girls, these are so beautiful and flowey - my daughter loves them. (They come out full circle and spin beautifully!) I am starting a little craft business to use up the scraps and have finally figured out my Scrap Stream - I am not a quilter but a clothing sewer, so I get some random shapes and such. So now as part of my cutting process I immediately deal with the leftovers - pieces that could be used for another project are squared off and put back on my fabric shelf (I have a section dedicated to smaller pieces for making things for kids). The rest is split into as many squares for the skirts as possible, then sorted by colour into a set of drawers. Then any long but unusable pieces are cut into strips for bowls/coasters etc in one big container. Then the last small and unusable bits are put into a cabbage patch for fabric art (which has sections based on size rather than colour -lg-med-sm). This works for the current projects I intend to make, but can be fairly easily adapted as my end products evolve. Hopefully, my little shop will be able to fund my ongoing hobby! Especially as my journey has gone on, I have become a bit of a fibre snob and want only natural fibre fabrics..... As part of figuring out this process, I gave myself permission to let go of the very large black sack of scraps I currently have, it is a jumbled mess and I just needed a clean slate. It was so hard to do - sustainability is a big part of my motivation for sewing!- but it means I can now move forward with my scrap process in place. My intention is to always make at least one scrap project to get my creative juices flowing, between every other project. Its very freeing to just sit down and sew.....
Thanks for the system! I love that you started with the thought provoking question of what do you want to do with the scraps! Thanks again. Love your channel!
I dumped all of my scraps into 2 huge tub last week. I knew that I really need to deal differently with them, but was dreading it. I think I need to cut them down into a size I’m actually going to use. It is silly to think that those tiny crumbs are going to work with even if I drop my seam down to an 1/8”. I think for me 2” and above for anything plain and batik. I will use those on my appliqué quilts. I seldom buy prints, but will have to deal with them too. Thank you for the great and very timely video.
I think you've cemented my decision to finally actually buy a sewing machine. I've been trying to have a sewing hobby by hand-sewing everything... relaxing, but time-consuming and not really realistic for me if I want to make bigger projects.
Love your videos. I have learned so much from you. Can you tell me where you bought your tray? I really want to organize my scraps better, and I like the tray idea. Thanks again for your tips and tricks.
Scraps! I love the scrap quilts, but organizing them can be a headache. I'm planning a couple of different scrap projects, and I'm always tempted by patterns I see, so your Tip #3 is a big one for me - deciding exactly what I want to do with them.
I have a small basket by my machine and when I need a starter or ender I sew two small scraps together. Have another bracket I toss them in. I also discovered that I can do a scrap quilt with medium size scraps right on my long arm. Quilting as I sew the scraps on. I do a raw edge approach. Sewing about a 1/2” apart on the overlap of scrap pieces. The raw edges will naturally fray to a soft quilt. I just put a scrappy back o. And did a twin size quilt. Used up half of my scraps.
For those really small scraps and threads you might want to use them in junk journals or see if anyone you know makes them. They can also be used as a base for paper mache or collages.
I looked at the website for the chair because I need a new one but every single model had arms. Why would anyone want a sewing chair with arms? They are just in the way. I like the idea of storing scraps in different precut sizes.
I didn't know what kind of scrappy quilter I would be at first, so I just sorted my scraps into 3 sizes: 1-3" , 3-10" , and >10" . When those over-ran their containers, I sorted the 2 smaller groups by color. I now have 3 scrap projects started and I can just cut what I need as I go.
Even Serena hits some out of bounds sometimes - or however you said it. Fun shots as you are talking. I'm going to try the chair. I've gotten several items you have recommended and I've been pleased with them. Do you have your Christmas recommendation video ready for this year?
I love all your videos. Especially the ones that talk about scraps. I make quilts for the QOV Canada program and I would love to live near you, I will ring your doorbell to get your scraps, no matter the shape or color!!!
I like your sizes for the scraps- good idea- i have to figure out to get the sets in a drawer- to separate the sizes- do you use cardboard for separate or something more tough? Hmm
I hv yardage of fabric & finally said 1/4 of a yard or 3 yards for backing or just a panel. I have ttttoooo much fabric & not enough space to see it because it's not even all in 1 room
I prefer working with fat quarters or smaller. I Iove crumbs and clean edge shreds. Serious yardage is such a huge commitment to me and expensive mistakes can happen. But small pieces are essentially free or without cost since the cost was absorbed by the initial project. This gives me permission to use them up instead of saving or collecting them. I work on small items for a couple of local gift shops and stocking my Etsy store. I work in a seasonal palette so the scraps are automatically cut into my standard shapes for bookmarks, origami butterfly hair ties, rice hand warmers, or pocket tissue holders and the crumbs I use to make fiber art coffee cuffs or zipper makeup bags or decoupaged photo frames. I basically use up a few yards of fabric completely before moving onto the next project set. The scraps are exhausted shortly after a set of projects. Scraps that weren't deemed suitable for these crumb projects are thrown away.
Comment: Don't forget to check out FlexiSpot Black Friday Sale on bit.ly/3RbNgr4 and use my code in the description for extra discount
Hi Karen. Thanks for the great chair review and discount code. It motivated me to order one, but ... so you know, the discount code only applies for orders over $1,000 (US, I presume as the company is in California.)
Good video!!!
When I wake up in the middle of the night, and can't sleep, I cut up scraps for no more than an hour. Then, I feel more contentedly organized and back to bed.
Nice idea
Great idea!
oh I can relate. so much more productive than tossing and turning
That’s a great idea.
Thanks to your declutter challenge year before last, I sorted my bags of scraps into sizes…not colors…because I had sooooo many. I wound up with SIX huge Rubbermaid tubs labeled with specific sizes. I was so thankful to finally have sacks, bags and piles of scraps off of my floor, out of the corners and finally organized. This year, I decided to use those scraps. I just started sewing pieces together with no particular pattern or thought of color, value, print or solid. Now mind you, I am very OCD with “matchy matchy “, so this was difficult at first. The blocks grew, and as they reached big enough that I could cut them into 12” blocks, I did so. I was quite distressed with the “chaos” they appeared to be, but I persevered, mainly because once started, I just had to finish. My mindset was if I didn’t like it, I could donate it to a local shelter…it would still keep someone warm. Long story longer, I did not like the “chaos”, but then I saw a tutorial on shadow box blocks. I made shadows on each block with a dark charcoal fabric and made white sashing between each block and for the background. Oh my gosh, that made just enough organization that it was beautiful! I had enough scraps that it made a king size quilt, and I have enough blocks left over to make another full size quilt. I named this quilt Memories, and planned to put it on my quest bedroom bed. I took it to my long armer and had it quilted. She lives in another state, but my brother lives near her, so I took the opportunity to visit him as well. He LOVED that quilt and lovingly would not let me take it home. lol. I took it back to the quilt shop and she let me use one of her machines to put the binding on it. So, it resides on my brothers’ bed, underneath a beautiful abstract painting he has on the wall above his bed. They look like they were specifically made for each other. It has certainly encouraged me to just sew my scraps together until I have enough to make another block. I will still get one made for my guest bedroom. I almost have enough now.
Thank you, Karen, for all of your ideas and tips, and particularly your encouragement to keep us motivated. My sewing room has stayed neat and clean, I have kept Mount Scrapmore manageable and my love for quilting has remained strong! ❤❤❤
Great idea--congrats on finding a scrappy design that works for you.
Wish we could see a picture! Sounds beautiful!
Wow! What a great idea. . and what perserverance!
What a wonderful story! And it inspires me that I can get over being so OCD matchy too!
Great! Great! Your instructions and changes a big difference- yay for you! Thank you for sharing what you did!❤
New quilter here! This is invaluable. I swore I would never be like my mom... she was the Grand Prize recipient of "She who dies with the most fabric wins" and 13 years ago, I was the one who donated it all to some quilters. This year I have decided to start quilting and I have sworn an oath to my past self not to be the runner up! 11:53
While I’ve never met you, you have had a profound influence on the way I look at my quilting. I’m finishing a top that just doesn’t work for me and with a light heart it will be packed up and donated. As time marches on I’m so wanting to complete the projects I love, experiment with new patterns and fabrics and have the freedom to love what I’m doing. Thank you Karen for empowering me to take complete control of my favorite pass time!
Enjoy…it can be so rewarding working on your own kind of project
Me too
I like to sew 1 1/2" wide scrap strips together ... I separate them by their length... once I have 12 sewn together, I press the strip, then subcut into as many 1 1/2" stripes that I can get ... I store these in a scrapbook container from Michael's until I want to do some mindless sewing ... then I will sew twelve of these together to make a block ... When I have 16 twelve and half inch blocks made, I sew them together to make a scrappy throw sized quilt ... they are perfect for chilly evening on the patio! I love looking at all the tiny, 1" squares and remembering where the fabrics all originated from!
Hi, Miss Karen, my granddaughters and I enjoy your videos. I was watching your video on crumb quilting. I see you use adding paper. I use old fabric softener sheets.. I leave them on and and just sew my blocks together. It works great.
Just spent a relaxing morning sewing a bunch of scraps together. Stitched a bunch of fall colored triangles to a 2.5” WOF light color grunge strip and ended up with a lot of 2.25” squares. Put four like squares together and now have 10 pretty pinwheel blocks for a future project. Hurray me moved scraps down the scrap stream and didn’t hit any rapids!!!
❤️ well done keeping the analogy going
My current favorite way to use up my scraps is to make them into 1.5 in squares that I pair together as leaders and enders. I am making a postage stamp quilt entirely out of scraps and sewing them as leaders and Enders!
Just "finished" sewing long pieces of 10cm pieces of scraps together.
I had accumulated a gazillion of scraps over the years - buckets, boxes full.
Some weeks ago I tried to get an overview of my Mt. Scrapmore - it took me several hours to work my way through! All accompanied by heavy sneezing due to the dust it produced. 😳
Finally it was done and I moved over to the ironing board - this time I was smarter... I used a face mask while working.
Them the fun part followed - sewing. I used up several needles to keep things nice and had sooooooo many pieces sewn.
More ironing followed, then the cutting to 10cm width.
Meanwhile, my trash bucket was overflowing with small, smaller and atoms of fabric garbage... Real trash!
Yesterday, I chose a neutral beige-grey fabric to put it all together with - the neutral color really makes the colorful strips "jump out"
I still have to decide on the final layout - another day.
One thing for sure - it will be a very special quilt, filled with all sorts of fabrics, memories of work I gave away as gifts, work I sold, work I donated for charity... And I will cherish each piece of fabric I will recognize in it.
Thank you Karen for your lovely films - with lots of greetings from Germany - M.
Karen, I have followed you since you first started. You have really come a long way in your channel. Congratulations on always coming up with new idea and introducing other artists to your followers. I don't live far away from your area and it pleases me to follow and be inspired by a fellow Ontarionan. I have adopted many of your tips as the majority of my quilting is for charities. Quick and easy is my motto but it has to be eye pleasing. Your scrap quilt blocks have inspired many quilts and have given the recipients happy moments. thank you for sharing your creativity. I love working with scraps as all of my quilting is done sustainably--friends and thrift stores are my go to for fabrics and, even though many are previously loved fabrics, they have now found new homes in a quilt and a needy person's heart. Thank you very much for all that you do.
A way I use up trimmings or threads from cutting my squares is I keep them all in a plastic bag and when I am ready to stuff something I dump all the fluff into the desired item I want to stuff!
Karen, thanks again for guiding us through. I was distracted from my routine and needed to quilt . But I looked at my table and remembered what you talked about in your past video. "Keep your table clutter free." I have a kitchen sink full of dishes but my sewing table has a clear , uncluttered view of a goal. Thanks
Wonderful! 👏👏👏
Perfect timing! I'm creating a sewing annex in a spot where I'm more easily available to my husband. My dining room was full of boxes containing everything I need to set up & break down a sewing space (& thank you for showing me how to sew in a small temp space). Daughters came for Thanksgiving & moved furniture, put together a cart, & etc. NOW I need to unbox, set-up, & start using my new sewing machine. Big jump to my first electronic sewing machine. My first project will be Kaffe Fassett's "Stamps & Money" quilt--all rectangles & squares but now I'm reluctant to start with this quilt. You gave me the answer. Start with scraps! My crumb bin overfloweth so...2 birds, 1 stone. Deal with scraps & learn a new machine in one go. Thanks!
Use your scraps as a warm up
Thank you for this video... I was struggling to get sorted on a project and this has helped greatly.
My father passed recently and I am tasked with making comfort quilts for my children, from many of his old clothes. I just had no idea how to start. After watching this video I see the answer. I do the squares... I collect as many as i can and then when I have enough I can put them together and put them onto their backings.. I also embroider so they will have this added touch with his name etc and all the fmailies names embroidered around him...
Some find this gorey, but my children are looking forward to having a part of their Grandfather to cuddle again... You ahve helped so much. Thank you.....
Excellent, glad it helped
You will be blessed to make quilts from your dads clothes. My dad passed several years ago and even tho i’m a quilter I let his many shirts go. 🥲I can’t it take it back, they are gone. So wished I’d saved his clothes to make a quilt.
You are SO RIGHT about sewing trash on the floor. My sewing room is still carpeted, and I live in an extremely dry climate. I'll never forget seeing static-charged threads jump from the carpet to the belly of my short-legged long-haired dog! Now I keep a little hand vac in the room and use it almost daily. Thanks for your wonderful work -- I've been quilting for years and yet I've learned so much from you. You rock!
I will watch this video once a month in 2024 while organizing my scraps! We live in a two room apartment and the amount of „secret“ stowaway scrap bags I found in my last clean up was…sobering. If they are stored away then I won‘t find them! I loved how you explained that making it too complicated will not help! Thank you again for a great video! ❤
You presented so many great ideas in this video. What I most need to take to heart is "scraps are not precious" and get excited about using them up rather than saving them for some nebulous future project.
I took notes on this video to hang in my sewing room. You are a great teacher.
Love the Scrap Stream idea! I love using my scraps to make lap quilts for Hospice patients.
Perfect
What is a good size for a lap quilt?
The way you explain the #scrapstream is so helpful! The scraps I was creating were stressing me out because we don't have textile recycling here anymore. My 'Mount Stashmore' was growing but I hate sending things to the landfill. Now I have some idea how to manage the bits and I'm learning how to use them up. I have not been a quilter, but I made a mug rug top out of crumbs and really enjoyed it! I can foresee making many more with what I have on hand. Thank you for sharing the language and the concepts that I can use to make my space (and my creativity) flow! Much appreciated!!
This sure did hit me hard. It has never been an option for me to get rid of fabric, so I have set a challenge to sew it without buying more. Because of your videos on after quilts, that has helped me to not have so much left over; just crumbs. Sometimes I get two quilts out of a project, using leftover blocks and even backing to finish it. I do still have lots of scraps and learning how to use them has been a fun thing; now to just DO IT! I have so many projects to work on that I don't make time for them. Perhaps I need to set aside a day for just working on them and see what happens! Thank you for encouraging me to get my space free of them!
I am a big scrap user. Thank you for giving me some tips to incorporate in managing my scraps.
Your timing could not be more perfect. I'm using December to organize scraps rather than start a new project. Getting ready for your Declutter 2024!
smart
Dear Karen,
Yes, indeed! This week I'm organizing some of my scraps. The work table needed to be cleared off. Oh look, the Christmas wall hanging I started last year! I put a few on the table and then measuring and cutting into different sizes. Zowie! That pile is done. Thank you for the great videos! Marion in Oregon
Karen, your images to emphasise your dialog are truly inspired…though your ideas are serious, your methods to influence us are fun, so helpful and brilliant! Thank you!
Great timing Karen. Since your declutter challenge 2 years ago I have been processing scraps after each project. I have ongoing blocks I am making for flying geese, and the off cut corners, scrap in a box block, adding machine strips and string blocks. My scraps are all sorted by colour and the bulk colour are blues so trying to finish these before moving on to the rest of the rainbow.🤣🤣👏🇦🇺
After watching this video I realized I am not a scrap quilter so the bits and pieces I was holding on to I passed on to another quilter who will use them. Thank you for the encouragement to let go 😊
Thanks for this! I save my larger scraps for mini quilts and such, and my tiny unusable 100% cotton scraps go in the compost bin. My community opening up a composting program has really helped me letting those smaller pieces go!
These are great suggestions Karen! Thanks for sharing. I love scrap quilts and Tip #3 about having the end in mind works the best for me. I have a few favourite scrappy quilt patterns and I almost always cut down and store my scraps with those ideas in mind. And because I love making them, the scraps get used up fairly quickly. Thanks for all your advice for the quilting and crafting community.
I use the same method. I have a little three drawer plastic container with each drawer being for one of the three scrap block methods I use. By doing it this way, my scraps don't get out of control.
I have purchased scrap bags at the local thrift. Love other people’s color and fabric choices. 💕
👍👍👍
I have an alterations, sewing shop. My people know I quilt and will drop off scraps. I try to go thru promptly.
I only sew with scraps in January. all year I put them in large bin. February 1st I sort what’s left by color and store in small bins. If it doesn’t fit I toss what’s left. I usually complete 3 tops and finish all long arm projects by the end of February.
Well done you 👏👏👏
Karen, I love your videos. One of the most valuable things I have learned from you it to use a timer. I still work full time but I wanted to quilt too. I get up early and do some part of a quilt project in the morning for 15-30 minutes. I either choose fabrics, cut, sew or machine quilt. I have finished two baby quilts, some dolly quilts for my granddaughter, a very cool pieced wall hanging for a friend and I have pieced, quilted or bound 5-6 kid quilts that my quilt group donates to foster kids. It is pretty shocking how much you can accomplish in a short time every day. Thanks for all you do.
👏👏👏
Karen, you make me laugh.at myself. You are such a joy. Thank you.
I love your message of Do What Works for YOU. That's so, so helpful! Also, KUDOS to you, Karen, for working through a cold on this video! I hope you feel better!
The congestion has been terribly stubborn
Anything that’s not a crumb, I turn into a 2.5 inch square for postage stamp looking quilts that I gift my family and friends on birthdays and xmas ! Crumbs I sew together & turn into squares with wich I also make quilts I give away on special occasions 😊
sounds lovely
Karen, early this year a friend told me about a neat quilt pattern she found. I looked at it and decided it was finally time to start making quilts from my 16 shoeboxes worth of scraps. I remembered what you said re scrap age in this video while I was sorting. I have used your adding machine tape method and have made I think 6 scrap quilts!! I wish I had a way to share the pics with you. Thank you for your great advice, knowledge and encouragement you provide on this channel!!
Wow for you!
I have a poky little puppy pail (love my childhood little golden books) pail on my sewing table. My space is small, so as I mostly paper piece, and using your “ no smaller than an inch” rule..all other scraps go into the pail. When the pail is full….time to create your receipt paper strips.
I have gleaned so many wonderful ideas from you! Thanks!!
Thank you Karen for this encouraging video for me to be more organised on my scraps.♥️
When I started sewing again I started making scrappy orphan blocks out of the leftovers. With each project I've made, I also have a few scrappy blocks to remind me. The stack is growing, but I don't yet have a project in mind for the next step. I seem to prefer working up my scraps right away just to keep myself practicing all my skills.
Nice 👍
Excelente! Un tema necesario hablar y decidir un Sistema de Procedimiento. En cuanquier ámbito de la vida, ayuda a ordenarse y usar bien el tiempo. Gracias por compartir sus aprendizajes!!!🤗
Karen, it sounds like you’re dealing with a cold already this season. I hope you listen to your own advice and care for yourself!! I try to listen to your advice and I’m grateful for it and you! “Take care.” 😊
I got it at a party a week after I came home. It’s remarkably stubborn
Very good tips. Thank you. Your words are very encouraging and I am going to make small blocks like the ones you showed. Spending just 30 mins once a week is a good idea instead of sitting with a bulk everyday!
I have a medium-ish bin I put the scraps into. Then every Sunday for 1 1/2-2hours I trim them up into useable sizes: 2 1/2”, 5” and 10” squares. 2 1/2” 5” strips. Store them in the three drawer plastic on wheels containers, sorted by color. ❤
I always appreciate your videos. They teach me something new or a reminder of how to fix a problem; or that I am doing something right. Since I made an effort to start controlling scraps a few years ago, I deal with my scraps after every cutting blitz. Sometimes it is several kits ready to grab and go to retreats, and sometimes it is kne complicated quilt. I have turned to more scrappy or small quilts so I reshelf anything more than an 1/8 yard. I then cut up what is left into preplanned sizes and the last bits get cut Loonie size for pet bedding. I am not a fan of 'strings' or 'crumbs'. Crumbs go to pet beds, strings or scraps I am sick of go to the recycle table at my guild. There is always someone who picks them up and moves it along.
I have 6 plastic shoe boxes for scraps. I learned that one of those boxes has enough fabric for a queen sized top. So when the box is full, I create a new project to use it up.
Managing the scraps, keeping a reasonable outflow of Community Projects and shopping my stash has been a great weight off my shouders.
I always need to revisit your videos to refresh my memory. So helpful. Thank you. So many great tips
Great practical instructions!! So many ways to deal with the scraps !!! It removes the ' guilty feeling ' at the back of your mind!! Glad to have read these within 4 hours of broadcast!!! Thank you so much!!
You are so welcome!
Since I am relatively new quilter, I don’t have many scraps. So I’ll take your advice and separate by colors from the start. Maybe I will be able to keep things in tow! 😊
Loved this one Karen! I make to sell and one of my fun exercises is to imagine new scrappy projects and then to make them. I sort them into values - dark, medium and light. Wish I could send you some pictures of my latest projects. Best, Liz
Karen, you are my go-to person for tips and great encouragement. 🎶💐💖
Previously, I tried rotary cutting strips + squares of several sizes. It felt too unfocused.
I heard about the Accuquilt cutting system + desided that was the way for me: (Ready,Set,Go:manual cutter, 8 in. Cube + 2.5" strip die).
Before it arrived, Elbow Tendinitis on my dominant side hit hard.
Thankfully, I found out I could upgrade/ trade in that cutter for the Big Electric cutter. = Amazing.
I cut 2.5" squares with a die that cuts 9 @ a time x 6 layers (54 squares!!)
[I could use the 2.5" Strip cutter to cut up to hundreds from different strips if I wanted to.]
So I rotate through small + large tumblers & rectangles; 5" + 9.5 " squares; Crazy quilt block dies.
I have trays with partioned rows + sort them roughly by type, color/value as I remove them from the dies.
This is conquering my med. to large scraps wonderfully!
I have bins for crumbs + fill newsprint strips intermittently.
(My Art Teacher daughter has POUNDS of newsprint she'd like to get rid of!
[I use her paper cutter to rough cut them approx 5 " across. Then I use a 4.5" x 18.5" ruler + cut several @ a time to 4" x 18"])
I am very happy to now have a system that works for me mentally as well as physically. Otherwise, my scrap organization project would not have even gotten off the ground due to inability to use a rotary cutter @ all for several months.
Take ideas from different people until you find what works for you!
Have Fun!
Good for you to pursue a system that works for you.
I found this year that I have the most fun using scraps. Love the video!
That is awesome!
Perfect timing on this! I have been trying to use up my flannel scraps, but it seems a never-ending mission. You’ve reminded me to keep scraps fun! 😊 I am taking a deep breath and stepping back! 😅. Saving more scrap organizing for my 2024 declutter challenge!
This came just as I was unpacking Tons! of scraps! That were saved till I set up a proper sewing room. Thanks! I have a better view on how to deal with them now. 😂🎉❤
Excellent
I've made clothesline cord wrapped with fabric for bowls, trivets, coasters, etc. usually cutting on the bias & end up with alot of triangular shapes from fat quarters. Small scraps I use for stuffing projects like triangle phone totes or stuffed trolls, etc. Waste not want not. LOL
A great show about scraps, thank you Karen. 🌸
Thank you
Looking forward to some new scrappy block ideas as you experiment .... YOU always come up with winners.
Thank you...I do think it's time
I recently made a scrap quilt. It drove me mad because the fabric I was using was top quality
"designer" it kept fraying. It wasn't old. The squares ended up being 2 1/8"I used a smaller stitch length even double sewed the seams RR designs trash quilt youtube tutorial is very good.
No charity in my country will take quilts for hospitals or the homeless. I used to send my
scraps to Britain but with brexit I had to stop due to extra charges applied by custom & excise
duties. Good to see this video Thanks Karen.
You are absolutely right! Even though they have "Quilts of Valor", and "Project Linus", and the dresses for little girls charity, many hospitals and other places along the same lines don't accept homemade quilts. The two nursing homes I'm acquainted with, are desperate for warm blankets, quilts, and lap robes, but they have industrial washing machines, and none of the home sewn items would last for very long. My daughter has sewn for cancer charities, but many are really picky about what they will accept.
Boom. Ding ding ding. Sort sizes of prints, and just solids together! That is about free my mind! And my scraps.
🛎️🛎️🛎️
You are so helpful! My sister has hand quilted most of our lives, but I’ve kept to garments. On a whim I made a quilt - no pattern, cut thing “wrong” but it came out great! Irised the scraps to make a spiraled QAYG and decided that’s my jam. I only idea rescued textiles for gar,ents so I have a lot of great scraps organized for more quilts. I make mistakes and font correct them. I have to be very precise with the garments so the quilts are free flow and will be what they will be. My grandma always said to leave a mistake in everything you make - only our maker is perfect.
Thank you for your video. I am not a quilter I embroider, slow stitch and make landscapes. I have many small scraps as I work with many small pieces of fabric. I buy remnant bags on line so very lucky dip. This was so useful as was your other video on storage. Thank you. I wish I knew quilters here in the UK I would gladly relieve you of your no use for quilting scraps. Slow stitching is becoming so popular these days it would be another way for quilters to put some pennies back in the piggy bank. Just a thought.
I love the scrap stream concept. I have a limited space and this is so helpful
Glad the visual was helpful!
You are the reason I started quilting. I hope I do you proud
I have reasonable scrap flow EXCEPT for triangles. I would LOVE to see a scrap buster on HSTs
🤔
Any triangle really. I end up with MANY triangles every time I snow ball or use a stitch and flip method
@@karenmachin9721I am sewing my triangles from one quilt together to make HSTs as leaders and enders. No firm plan for them yet but at least I have made progress and will be able to incorporate them into a project more easily.
@@karenneiman856 yes every now and then I sew them together but then what 🤷♀️😂
@@karenmachin9721You could sew them together and use them in a project: tote bag, book sleeve, extra large potholder, mug rug, baby quilt, etc. You have just created free fabric! 😊
Thanks for this video. I started "processing" my scrap as you've shown. I've saved squares I've come across, 21/2" strips. Then I'm cutting shapes for french rose, dresden, and diamonds that I'm going to use for a raw edge Hunter's Star. Ive been happy with my progress. I have 667 dresden blades ready to sew together and i've started the Hunter's Star. Thanks to you.
What a great overview, Karen! My next three projects will yield way too many scraps to toss in bins so I’m going to revisit the Scrappy Quilts playlist. Thank you!
I do sort by color, probably because that's how my brain seems to work, but only into four groups: warm, cool, neutral, and Christmas. Each color group gets divided into 3 groups: large, medium, and crumbs. I find 12 bags of scraps work well for me.
I cut used copy paper into 2 1/2 X 11 1/2 strips, grab a handful each of crumbs from warm, cool and neutral bags, and sew the pieces down randomly. I leave the strips on the paper until I have enough for a project.
This year I decided to reduce the size of my Christmas scraps. I made a scrappy table runner for a charity raffle and a 5 foot scrappy Christmas tree wall hanging which we had the smallest kids at our church decorate with paper ornaments that they colored, cut out, and stuck on the tree with double sided tape. It is really adorable and I encourage anyone with small kids/grandkids to try it.
Of course, the other ladies in my quilting group donated scraps for both projects, so I ended up with more fabric than I started with. Oh well, loaves and fishes quilting!
Karen, i like the afterquilt . I like that i saw with Terry with a square in the middle of the smal block
great tips for saving & organizing those bits & pieces ... can also apply this advice to almost anything in my house !!! thanks for sharing, encouraging & inspiring !!
Thank you Karen. You gave good advice of learning to let go !! I have a difficult time doing it❤❤😂😂
Love your channel! Live n mental health saver!!
Consigli molto utili.
Attualmente sto utilizzando un po' di scarti per fare delle pochette.
Intanto ho iniziato facendo strisce colorate . complimenti per i suoi consigli complimenti
My local Seattle Goodwill recycles bags of my cotton garbage -- I give them things that are too small, tiny strips, threads, batting bits, etc. I put them in a white garbage bag & label it "RAGS" with a Sharpie, and they will send them off to be made into industrial rags. I know some people make them into dog beds, but I don't have a source for that. This is for the scraps after the scraps so nothing goes to waste!
So many place won’t take beds with that kind of fill
Hmm I didn't know that was a thing. I will try that.
I am currently sorting scraps to finish a couple of small quilts for Christmas.
Thank you Karen.. hope you are not getting a cold!
I have finally, several years into my sewing journey, figured out what to do with my mountain of scraps. I have discovered making coasters and baskets with cotton rope, and made several that I gifted friends and family for Christmas. I have also discovered creating literal artwork with fabric, putting fabric onto heatbond in patterns and then sewing it together into scenery and artwork, my final scrap projects are patch skirts for little girls, these are so beautiful and flowey - my daughter loves them. (They come out full circle and spin beautifully!)
I am starting a little craft business to use up the scraps and have finally figured out my Scrap Stream - I am not a quilter but a clothing sewer, so I get some random shapes and such. So now as part of my cutting process I immediately deal with the leftovers - pieces that could be used for another project are squared off and put back on my fabric shelf (I have a section dedicated to smaller pieces for making things for kids). The rest is split into as many squares for the skirts as possible, then sorted by colour into a set of drawers. Then any long but unusable pieces are cut into strips for bowls/coasters etc in one big container. Then the last small and unusable bits are put into a cabbage patch for fabric art (which has sections based on size rather than colour -lg-med-sm). This works for the current projects I intend to make, but can be fairly easily adapted as my end products evolve.
Hopefully, my little shop will be able to fund my ongoing hobby! Especially as my journey has gone on, I have become a bit of a fibre snob and want only natural fibre fabrics.....
As part of figuring out this process, I gave myself permission to let go of the very large black sack of scraps I currently have, it is a jumbled mess and I just needed a clean slate. It was so hard to do - sustainability is a big part of my motivation for sewing!- but it means I can now move forward with my scrap process in place. My intention is to always make at least one scrap project to get my creative juices flowing, between every other project. Its very freeing to just sit down and sew.....
I've been using my scrap strips to make a scrappy pineapple quilt. It's addictive.
Thanks for the system! I love that you started with the thought provoking question of what do you want to do with the scraps! Thanks again. Love your channel!
Thanks, Karen, for great ideas about scraps. In the last two years, I gave away lots of my scraps 😊.
I dumped all of my scraps into 2 huge tub last week. I knew that I really need to deal differently with them, but was dreading it. I think I need to cut them down into a size I’m actually going to use. It is silly to think that those tiny crumbs are going to work with even if I drop my seam down to an 1/8”. I think for me 2” and above for anything plain and batik. I will use those on my appliqué quilts. I seldom buy prints, but will have to deal with them too. Thank you for the great and very timely video.
Good for you. Don't be afraid to experiment and tweak the process.
I think you've cemented my decision to finally actually buy a sewing machine. I've been trying to have a sewing hobby by hand-sewing everything... relaxing, but time-consuming and not really realistic for me if I want to make bigger projects.
Love your videos. I have learned so much from you. Can you tell me where you bought your tray? I really want to organize my scraps better, and I like the tray idea. Thanks again for your tips and tricks.
Scraps! I love the scrap quilts, but organizing them can be a headache. I'm planning a couple of different scrap projects, and I'm always tempted by patterns I see, so your Tip #3 is a big one for me - deciding exactly what I want to do with them.
Thanks! I hope you feel better soon.
I have a small basket by my machine and when I need a starter or ender I sew two small scraps together. Have another bracket I toss them in. I also discovered that I can do a scrap quilt with medium size scraps right on my long arm. Quilting as I sew the scraps on. I do a raw edge approach. Sewing about a 1/2” apart on the overlap of scrap pieces. The raw edges will naturally fray to a soft quilt. I just put a scrappy back o. And did a twin size quilt. Used up half of my scraps.
I saw someone do that, it looked like fun
For those really small scraps and threads you might want to use them in junk journals or see if anyone you know makes them. They can also be used as a base for paper mache or collages.
I don't have a lot of scraps now. Thank you for helping me
I looked at the website for the chair because I need a new one but every single model had arms. Why would anyone want a sewing chair with arms? They are just in the way. I like the idea of storing scraps in different precut sizes.
Can the arms be removed? That is possible on some chairs.
I agree...arms on chairs get in the way. The chairs require some assembly, so you don't HAVE to put the arms on
for the threads use a sweater fabric shaver over your quit top it sucks up thread and cut them off love it jane
I used to cut 2.5" squares until my first half square triangle quilt. Now, I cut to 3" so I have more options.
I didn't know what kind of scrappy quilter I would be at first, so I just sorted my scraps into 3 sizes: 1-3" , 3-10" , and >10" . When those over-ran their containers, I sorted the 2 smaller groups by color. I now have 3 scrap projects started and I can just cut what I need as I go.
Even Serena hits some out of bounds sometimes - or however you said it. Fun shots as you are talking. I'm going to try the chair. I've gotten several items you have recommended and I've been pleased with them. Do you have your Christmas recommendation video ready for this year?
you always have awesome on how to organize and keep things simple, thank you so much
I love all your videos. Especially the ones that talk about scraps. I make quilts for the QOV Canada program and I would love to live near you, I will ring your doorbell to get your scraps, no matter the shape or color!!!
Will you be doing a video about your adding machine tape scrap quilt soon?
I got my flexichair for Christmas, thanks for helping my hubby choose a great gift
This is great and very timely! What sort of tray do you have (and where did you get it) for sorting/storing the sizes of your print scraps?
I like your sizes for the scraps- good idea- i have to figure out to get the sets in a drawer- to separate the sizes- do you use cardboard for separate or something more tough? Hmm
I use foam board
I hv yardage of fabric & finally said 1/4 of a yard or 3 yards for backing or just a panel. I have ttttoooo much fabric & not enough space to see it because it's not even all in 1 room
I didn't realize you had so many video lessons about scraps! I will definitely keep them saved for future reference.
I love scraps 😎
I prefer working with fat quarters or smaller. I Iove crumbs and clean edge shreds. Serious yardage is such a huge commitment to me and expensive mistakes can happen. But small pieces are essentially free or without cost since the cost was absorbed by the initial project. This gives me permission to use them up instead of saving or collecting them. I work on small items for a couple of local gift shops and stocking my Etsy store. I work in a seasonal palette so the scraps are automatically cut into my standard shapes for bookmarks, origami butterfly hair ties, rice hand warmers, or pocket tissue holders and the crumbs I use to make fiber art coffee cuffs or zipper makeup bags or decoupaged photo frames. I basically use up a few yards of fabric completely before moving onto the next project set. The scraps are exhausted shortly after a set of projects. Scraps that weren't deemed suitable for these crumb projects are thrown away.
Thank you Karen, inspirational as usual