Recently, I purchased a magazine called Quilt your Stash!, and in it are some great projects from Joan Ford's ScrapTherapy program. The magazine is from the publisher of Threads, and I found mine at my local WalMart.
In this magazine Joan Ford explains her 7 steps of quilting your way through your fabric scraps. She explains that she pressed and cut her scraps into three sizes that played well together: 5 inch, 3-1/2 inch and 2 inch. As you work through your stash, keep telling yourself it is 'okay to throw away.' I know, it's difficult for quilters to waste anything but my new rule of thumb is if the scrap is less than 2" x 2", I throw it away. Once you get your scraps cut in these manageable sizes, you can store them in shoe boxes or small plastic totes and by doing so you will have a lot more space in your sewing area.
After cutting, I am sorting my pieces by color, theme, etc. For example, I have all of my colors in labeled boxes and all of my 1930s fabrics in another box, Christmas fabric in another box and so on. It is so liberating to get these scraps under control, and I am now actually able to see the floor!!
To learn more about Joan Ford's ScrapTherapy program and her great patterns for using up your cut scraps click HERE
I hope all of you have a great week and that you carve out a little time here and there for sewing and, yes, maybe even some time for reorganizing your own scrap stash.
Until next time . . .
Debbie
Looks like a magazine worth getting, Debbie. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Pat. Joan also has a book with even more patterns using the 5", 3-1/2" and 2" squares.
DeleteDebbie, quiltville.com also has the scrap system but it's online for free. This is what I use for cutting, sorting scraps. She also has lots of free patterns on her site for using these sizes of strips and squares.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marsha, I'll be sure to check it out!
DeleteHi Debbie, Thanks for mentioning my book and magazine on your blog! Working on a second book due out in early 2013. It's a fun process, with lots of variety! Never a dull moment, for sure.
ReplyDeleteJoan Ford
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog, Joan, I am honored! I am really enjoying your Scrap Therapy process and look forward to making some of your quilts. I have ordered your book and will definitely get the new one, too.
DeleteEveryone has to decide on their limit. Using scraps is so rewarding. You are certain to find many treasures and old friends as you sort. And, if you ever decide you have too many, I MIGHT know SOMEONE who would give them a good home. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I have enough scraps to keep me in quilts for years to come ~ lol! And, yes, I have found many unexpected treasures :)
ReplyDelete