Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Fabric Scrap Overflow : :

Scrappy Improv Quilt

Almost two years ago actually to the day I finished my first scraps quilt. It was only the third quilt I had ever made, the first that was larger than a crib size. It took me forever and I learned so much about quilting as it evolved from the tiny bits I had saved from all the projects I had made while learning to sew that first year, to a finished, useful quilt. I thought back then that I'd continue on making smaller projects, pillows, bags, home decor items, sell-able things, and that I would save my quilt making for all the scraps those projects produced. If you've been following, you know I changed my mind on that!

Now, since that was the only true scraps quilt I've ever made and that was nearly two years ago, you can imagine the fabric scrap situation in my studio today. It's astounding! My drawers are so packed full they don't open without a forceful pull!

Fabric Scrap Drawer

The solution, since my last Instagram detsash was such a success although a bit overwhelming, I decided to begin slowly sorting and packaging up my scraps for a scraps bag destash!

Making Scrap Bags!

For Fabric Scrap Destashing!

Each scrap bag will include a cute yet heavy-duty, 100% cotton drawstring bag filled with lots of colorful fabric scraps! Some will consist of all the pretty fabric that I've used together to create one of my quilts, like these photos show from my almost finished Endless Summer Quilt.

Bundling by weight

However, in most you’ll find a range of patterns & solids, the occasional out of print fabric, in both sizable strips and pieces of my studio scraps from the variety of collections that I've used to create my quilts and sewing projects. I plan to fill each 10 x 12 inch bag with approximately 1 to 1 1/4 yards of fabric pieces by weight. Of course each scrap bag will vary in colors, designers, manufacturers, etc.. I plan to offer these for $10 a piece plus shipping, just as soon as I fill the 50+ bags I have on hand. 

Making Fabric Scrap Bag!

If all goes well, I do hope to continue to bundle up my scraps like so to offer at the end of each project and to avoid this scrap overflow situation from ever reoccurring, I hope you're interested!

How about you, do you keep all of your project scraps? And if so, how do you keep them from taking over?! I'd love to read your tips for organizing and for how you handle your scraps, share away!!

Maureen

51 comments:

  1. I LOVE scraps! In between a "WIP post" and a "Finish post" there's often a "Look what I made from the scraps post"! Count me in for however many bags you can fit into a $26 envelope for Italy :)

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  2. I use scraps all the time for my appliques! Love me some scraps!

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  3. I was just thinking last night about asking you what you do with your scraps. I love using small scraps for quilts and pillows. How much will shipping be?

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  4. This is a great idea! Love the mystery and excitement behind a secret scrap collection!

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  5. I am in, I use scraps to make little bags like the ones you are packing the scraps in as well as making fabric letters for kids.

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    1. These scraps will be wonderful for patchwork projects!

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  6. I'm a sucker for scraps and so bad about letting go of all the possible things they may become. Good for you for spreading them around rather than getting buried under them.

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  7. I ran into the same problem yesterday when I was going through mine. Mine are all in a large basket and it is a mess. I was thinking of pulling them out and putting them by types of fabrics since some are modern and some prim, then start sewing them all together and making up yardage of crazy quilted pieces that I can use for animals and ornaments as gifts for next Christmas.

    Debbie

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  8. Having a chance to get some of your scraps would be amazing but I am not on instagram. Where do you plan to offer these bags?

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    1. Honestly Instagram is so convenient for destashing quickly! I don't have to worry about the fees that I would pay to list and sell on my etsy. The problem with facebook is that I've noticed the comments are never in the order they are received and that would be too confusing to follow the first come, first serve rule. Maybe I can list a few in my etsy, but just like anything I sell on there, the price includes the fees so I don't lose profit. I hope you understand! xx Maureen

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  9. I had so much fabric that I went through it and gave two boxes to the church. We have a group called Busy Needles. We knit, crochet, quilt and sew and I can't tell you how much I love it!!!! I don't have a lot of scraps at this point but I have started saving again. I really want to do a scrappy quilt so I'm in for the $10 bag for sure!

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  10. Does anyone know how many ounces is equivalent to a yard of fabrics? I just tried to look and I'm getting inconsistent info.

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  11. I keep anything and everything that's 1 1/2" and up, so I have lots of scraps, but I love making scrappy quilts, too, so that helps. I love your bureau - the handles look like eyes and eyelashes!

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  12. I would love to purchase one of your scrap bags. Do you know what the approximate shipping charges would be? I don't have a lot of scraps. Not sure why. LOL

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    1. In the states I'll probably stick with flat rate shipping for these at $5.90/package and $19.80/package for Canada. I'm not sure yet about the cost of other International orders. I'll have to look further into that option once I have the scrap bags ready.

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  13. what a fantastic idea Maureen. I know exactly what you mean about scraps taking over, I sometimes find them too overwhelming and paralyzing. How wonderful that you found a solution to your scrap problem.

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  14. Can putting my name in here count as first come first serve? Pretty please? I tried to purchase some of the destash from instagram and although I was within 15 minutes of the listing and had kept watching I did not "win" the prize of purchasing any :( I have several diapered pumpkins that keep me from being online all the time but would love to be able to make a free quilted bag for myself with your scraps :-) It is totally your right to do it anyway you choose, but just am not above begging as a mom of many lol!

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  15. I would love to buy some scraps from you. I keep my scraps in recycled small wooden crates from clementine oranges by color. I use them for all sorts of things. I just saw a post on making fabric twine from scraps. It is really cool.

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  16. Found the link if anyone is interested in making the fabric twine. http://makezine.com/craft/how-to-make-scrap-fabric-twine/

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  17. I use a bag similar to this and include scraps from quilts that I make and then gift. That way if something happens, a stain or rip, the recipient has a ready made repair kit.

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  18. I've been a fan of the fabrics you use in your projects for a long time. Count me in for a purchase of one of the bundles.

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  19. I started making my scrap baskets for my stash from Sunday Morning Quilts. Well I don't make lots of quilts, so I don't have enough scraps for all the colors & I used up all my blue scraps for this basket!

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  20. I save my scraps and donate them to a quilter on a limited income that makes quilt for charity.

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  21. I would love to get one of these

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  22. I would love to buy one or more of these bags of scraps!

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  23. Hi Maureen! Just saw this this morning and I totally thought of you!
    http://mypoppet.com.au/2014/04/scrapbusting-handmade-scrap-fabric-twine.html
    I plan to start on some myself :)

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  24. Super interested!! I hope I'm able to get one or two!

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  25. Would love to get a couple. Not on instagram though so will you do it here?

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    1. I'm considering doing that, at least with a portion of the scrap bags I have available. :)

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    2. Maureen, I would love to purchase if I could buy two to save on shipping costs. It would be wonderful to have some fabrics that I could not otherwise afford, AND, I so prefer to make scrappy quilts over any other. It would be heavenly for me!!

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  26. Don't you receive most if not all of your fabrics for free in return for blogging about the fabrics or from your sponsors?

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    1. That would be a good reason to donate them! Plus it would save the hassle of shipping and sorting.

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    2. I absolutely do not receive "most" of my fabrics for "free" in return for blogging. I have two fabric manufacturing sponsors, Art Gallery Fabrics and Cloud9 Fabrics that send me a certain amount of fabrics monthly in exchange for my hard work, and still I purchase lots of fabrics and supplies to complete all of my quilt and sewing projects. This blog is part of my business and being able to contribute financially to my family is very important to me. I'm so grateful for those who understand and support that!

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  27. What a interesting!! Love your scraps.
    I'd love to join this event. But overseas shipping is difficult? ^^

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  28. I love scraps and definitely am interested in yours!!!. Count with me at least with one bag!! This is great! Super excited! !

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  29. Love this! I tried to win some of your destash but wasn't fast enough ;c( Maybe you could run it later in the day so those of us who work outside the home could have a chance. I would definitely be in for a couple bags. I just can't check Instagram enough and usually miss things like this. If you do some here, I'd take two for sure and my PP address is shopgirl7232(at)yahoo(dot)com if you want to invoice.

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  30. I'd love to take one or two bags if still available.

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  31. Hoping to get my hands on one of these this time. They sold out too fast last time!

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  32. I keep almost all my scraps, except the teeniest tiniest crumbs (smaller than an inch square) and use them for all kinds of things - small projects, bee blocks, improv piecing, letting my nephew sew on my lap, etc. I even spent a great deal of time recently making itty bitty log cabins all with scraps.

    I have all my scraps sorted by size (large chunks - less than fat quarter but bigger than dessert plate; strips; small scraps) and then colour. My small scraps are in two clear file boxes and I use hanging dividers to corral each colour. Then I just grab the folder with the colour I want to use and it spreads out nicely on my work surface. I just fold it back up and "file it" when I'm done. And it looks kinda pretty that way. :-)

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  33. I saw a great post on a scrap management "system" but am afraid to precut my scraps in case that cut is not what I need for a certain project. I am on IG but have no idea how some people are so fast. I'd love for you to consider limiting each person to one, or at the most two, bags so more people can have the fun of sharing in your scraps. Obviously you don't have a shortage of "buyers". Count me in on the fun.

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  34. I can never find the winner of your give aways. I hope I have never won

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    1. I have won one of her recent giveaways from Intrepid Thread. She always post the winner at the end of the post that you entered. I All I had to do was send her my physical mailing address and my prize was in delivered within a week. Still can't believe I won. Go back to her blog and scroll down til you see where you entered. It will show name drawn. Good luck!
      akk_nana@yahoo.com

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    2. I'm late in announcing both the winners of the Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine giveaway and this past Fabric Giveaway Friday, off to do that now, sorry! I always add the winner's name at the bottom of the post and email them, as well. -M

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  35. Would it be possible to already buy two packages? Because of the time difference I would have to stay up at night in order to be able to buy when you destash on Instagram... Thanks :-)

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  36. I want one, how do i order?

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  37. Yup, that's exactly what I do at the end of my big quilt finishes :)

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  38. I have a bag in my closet for strips and a box on my sewing table for others. I recently did a "quilt as you go pillow". I borrowed the idea from a book, "Sunday Morning Quilts" and used the pattern, "Original Ticker Tape". With this, you have a quilt backing, batting, and top that you pin or baste together and then you save up, or use up fabric scraps and quilt them on the sandwich periodically. In the original pattern, they used squares and rectangles but I also included triangles, as I had a lot of these in my small scrap box. When I finished, it was about the size of a baby quilt, but I ended up making it into a pillow. It is very colorful and rides in my car with me.

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  39. I'd love to get a scrap bag too! I'm a scrap saver but find I sometimes don't have certain colors. I would also be very grateful if you could put some bags in your Etsy shop. I don't have Instagram and considered getting it just for your giveaway! I just wasn't comfortable having my paypal address displayed. I understand if that's the easiest way to sell this item. I can't imagine parting with all those glorious fabrics you have. You are a strong woman!

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  40. Thank you for your answer~~~^^

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