Monday, October 4, 2010

Scrap Happy - Design Board Monday

Well it took me two weeks, but finally I completed the background for my Christmas wall hanging.  Just as I started it, I changed my mind and decided to do 2.5" squares rather then 4".  A big ADUHHHHHHHH on me.  Should have figured out that although it would make the gradation of values nicer, it was A LOT more work.  Then to add to the drama, was the fact that I pieced it and didn't like it - so had to rip it a part and do it again - of course!  I mean why do it once when you can obviously do it a couple of times (read dripping with sacrasm)
All that said, there were some nice things, learned in this piecing.  First of all, I think 17 years later, I have conquered the scant 1/4" seam.   Most of my blocks were proper size and I did very few pins.  I also got to use up a good bunch of hand dyed blue scraps.  This took more time to cut them down individually but I felt very thrify and vindicated that I wasn't just saving them for nothing!




Speaking of that - I was wondering. . . .....................

How do you all store your scraps? For years, I tried different methods.  One that worked well for me was taking any scraps left over from a project and cutting them down into usable charm sizes.  Then they were stored by size in shoe boxes.  This was great when I was doing a lot of traditional work.  Now that I'm doing a lot of art quilts, I had to find a new method.  So I decided to start storing them in zip lock bags by color.  I have one set of baggies of hand dyeds and one set for commercial prints.  Each set  goes in a tote bag  for easy storage and travel.  When I finish a project I just throw all the scraps into a zip lock bag - then when I have some TV time I just take them out and sort into their respective color family.  Two years later it seems to be working out well.

Oh and yes - Kali was there helping out - if only she would learn to use a seam ripper - sighhhhhhhh

11 comments:

scraphappy said...

Pretty colors. I'm sure it was work all the work -- and rework.

Chris said...

Your gradation turned out beautiful. I have a cross stitch that reminds me Sew You Rip, LOL.

I cut many of my scraps into strips and store them in bins marked with the strip widths.

Charlene S said...

Anything that can be cut into 2" strips is cut and put in a bin. The rest is put in a separate bin.

Kathie said...

I cut things into 2 1/2 strips (can be used for binding or any jelly roll pattern) and the rest of my scraps I give away. I just don't have room or time to deal with all of them.

Judy Ferguson said...

I do not make quilts. So, my method for scraps is to fold them into 2 to 4 inch squares and sort them by color. I then bind the squares in a stack with twine. Just like you see in quilt shops. You can toss the stack in a storage container or on a shelf. Takes a little time at first, but then becomes routine. Nice piecing. Not my thing.

Gari in AL said...

I did one "art" quilt using 2.5" squares and before that I hadn't realized how much work went into setting the squares and then sewing them all together. Your background looks great. Can't wait to see what goes on top.

AnnieO said...

That is a lot of unsewing and sewing! I just did a couple of borders using 2" squares and man that took a lot of thread :) It's great to be able to use treasures you've saved in the form of scraps. I have boxes and drawers for my scraps cut to different widths--soon I will have to sort them by color as it is not simple to pull out the colors I want. But don't your pieces get all wrinkled being put into baggies?

Nina Marie said...

Hi Annie - yes - they get wrinkled - BUT they only have to be ironed if you are going to use them LOL!! So its really not that big of deal till them :)

henny said...

The blue one is gorgeous, absolutely beautiful! You made remind me that I had ever did such a gradation project (but with crayons and water colors) when I was still at college. I enjoyed it very much at that time and got A! maybe I should try on fabrics someday :)
About the scraps..
I also keep them in ziplock plastic, but not sorting them into colors first. Bad isn't it? hehe..

Kate said...

The background turned out great. It should be a nice compliment to your applique.

Quilter Kathy said...

I like your scrap system...easy to see the pieces you want to pull out to use!