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Sunday, November 16, 2014

All about the scraps


Leanne at She Can Quilt hosts a once a month Scraptastic Tuesday.  You can link a post about a scrap project or a post about scraps.  This post is all about scrap management.  I like to try to keep it all under control.  I keep a small basket on my sewing table.  It is small on purpose.  I don't want to let the scraps go too long without dealing with them.  Scraps have a way of taking over.  Just saying.  When the basket gets a little overfull, I know it is time and I sort the piles into colours.  I keep linen scraps in a separate pile and if the solids are substantial, I pop them into their own pile.  Once the scraps are sorted, I stuff them into their respective colour plastic shoebox.


You can see all the plastic shoeboxes here on my shelves.  I have double boxes of some colours.


I also keep 5" and 4" squares in their own bin, especially if they are leftovers from certain projects because they are a good start on another project.  I am not yet convinced this is always a good idea but I am going with it right now.  I try to keep strips in a separate bin but I am not sold on this idea.


I have started keeping leftover binding in a tin.  I used to just toss them in the strip bin but then I started thinking that I would have binding available for small projects if I was better organized.  I like this idea.

All the little bits that are too small go into a Britex shopping bag.  I fill it up and then pass it on to a guild member who loves to make little HSTS out of all those little leftover triangles.  The rest of it goes into pin cushion stuffing apparently.  I have to say that getting rid of a large quantity of the little sawdust bits felt fantastic!


Another great way to deal with scraps is swapping with a buddy.  I just did that this past week with Cynthia.  Her scraps are so much more interesting than mine.  And I think she feels the same way about mine.  He he he.  Perfect.  Look.  Gnomes!


Linking up with Leanne.  
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21 comments:

  1. BrendaNovember 16, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    I do some of the same things. lately I've been cutting bits and pieces up with my new Go cutter, and tossing the leftovers. And I love giving away bags and getting some new scraps from other folks.

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  2. LeanneNovember 16, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    Your bins make me feel much better. All piled up so neatly, they are sort of a scrap mountain too. I have scraps in bins by colours but they are difficult to reach and so I don't reach for them. Maybe more smaller bins, I am working on it. thanks for joining us for Scraptastic Tuesday.

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  3. CarlaNovember 16, 2014 at 6:47 PM

    I ave that same tin! So fun. Lovely scraps

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  4. JudyNovember 16, 2014 at 11:18 PM

    My scraps have overtaken my sewing space. I have some by color but not by size. I guess that will be nice project for the winter.

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  5. KateNovember 17, 2014 at 3:58 AM

    It's always nice to get some new ideas on how to deal with scraps and I like your idea of colour coordinating them. I have a wee cookie tin that is overflowing with 2.5" and 3" squares and I was encouraged to read that I'm not the only one with leftover binding.

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  6. Lorna McMahonNovember 17, 2014 at 5:12 AM

    You certainly have a wonderful way of taming those scraps. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them all!

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  7. sew.darn.quiltNovember 17, 2014 at 7:23 AM

    You never cease to amaze me with what you do with scraps! My Mom had those very same canisters with the roses when I was a kid :D

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  8. AnonymousNovember 17, 2014 at 8:37 AM

    When I have leftovers from my projects, I usually cut them into various sized squares or strips and kept in bins by size - it doesn't matter the colour. The smaller bits are kept by colour in the clear shoe boxes and can be used for paper piecing small blocks or for crazy quilting. I keep a fabric "bag" and throw anything not big enough to use for another project into it, with bits of batting too and when it's full, stitch it closed to create a pillow. I drop off the finished pillows to Sew Sisters, who donate them to a local animal shelter for the animal cages.

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  9. sherryNovember 17, 2014 at 10:10 AM

    i cut my leftovers into 5" squares and 2 1/2" strips and the rest in to the dust bin they go...

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  10. AnitaNovember 17, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    It's so true that other people's scraps are more interesting than our own.

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  11. andrea @ tideline quiltsNovember 17, 2014 at 1:22 PM

    I thought I kept my fabrics pretty well organized...until I read your post! Love your scraps, and your storage system! Just great...

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  12. RosaNovember 17, 2014 at 2:53 PM

    Looking forward to seeing what you do with them .Have fun playing with them!!

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  13. ChantalNovember 17, 2014 at 2:59 PM

    Great idea Cathy. I cut up all my leftovers and store them per size not colour. I think I will switch and try your system for awhile because, right now, my scraps are invading the sewing room. (I don't have the time to cut them up). Thanks for the inspiration. Love the gnomes,

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  14. Cynthia FNovember 17, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    I am never letting you look at how I store (I tried bins but that didn't stick) my scraps lol- nightmare on scrap street haha! I found more gnomes for you too. I think I got the bigger end of the stick so watch out, there may be a bit more coming your way haha! ;D

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  15. SheilaNovember 17, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    I like the way you sort your scraps , great job !

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  16. JanetNovember 17, 2014 at 5:03 PM

    I am feeling overrun with scraps! I must get a system going. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  17. Linda HNovember 17, 2014 at 7:02 PM

    Stopping by on the Blogathon. Had a quick look around your blog and I'll be back! :) I too love trading scraps. I make miniatures so only throw out anything smaller than 1/2" sq. Hope you'll visit me tomorrow on the Blogathon tour...

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  18. quiltmom annaNovember 17, 2014 at 7:39 PM

    I am a full day kindergarten teacher who loves to quilt when I get the chance- I am afraid my scraps do have a way of taking over my boxes. I do have strips in some semblance of order and boxes of yardage but the scraps not so much LOL. They do have a way of multiplying.
    I hope you get to meet lots of new to you bloggers and quilters from all across this great country of ours. I do have a blog but have not posted much this last year. I just don't seem to find the time to blog, make quilts and teach all at once. Perhaps I will get a new post up this week. I have made a similar quilt to the one on this post. Mine was a pattern from the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
    Regards from Alberta,
    Anna.

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  19. Teatime CreationsNovember 17, 2014 at 7:51 PM

    What a great way to organize your scraps. They do tend to take over any free space.

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  20. What Comes Next?November 18, 2014 at 9:13 PM

    some great scrap management ideas!

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  21. MoeWestNovember 19, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    Your scrap organization looks very efficient and pretty! Organizing scraps so it works for you is the main thing. I mostly cut my scraps into 2.5" and 5" squares and strips and store them in clear plastic bins by colour. I like that they are ready to use that way. I also save my leftover binding in a container for scrappy binding or small projects.

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