Turns out that's not true. I've got a 4-drawer unit full of fat quarters. This is how the contents of those drawers looked:
I did some ironing, some folding and some colour arranging and now the pink/red/orange and black/white/grey/brown drawers are nice and neat like this!
I removed anything that was less than a fat 1/8, folded all the FQs, then folded the fat 1/8s nicely too. Anything smaller is to be a scrap. Want to see my scrap cupboard?
Yeah, I know. Just call me Mrs Organised. Actually, that's only some of my scraps. The rest live in this linen basket:
As you can see, I've started sorting them by colour. At the time of writing I've sorted all the scraps in the linen basket, but none in the cupboard.
I decided something needed to be done. These scraps had to be tamed and organised. Cue a lot of ironing and some quilting as you go. Wow QAYG takes FOREVER.
I'd think I was going great guns when I'd find a bit of raw edge hanging out or a spot I'd missed! I resorted to folding the edges of a scrap and stitching it down. Eventually, after a LOT of sewing and one and a half spools of thread, I had enough...
... to make this basket. It measured 33" x 14" when it was a flat piece. I QAYGed (can I say that, or should it be QAIW?) onto a piece of wadding with part of an old sheet behind it. I then applied firm interfacing to that and it stands up really well. As I couldn't be bothered with binding, I made a lining from an old pillow case. It's a simple tote construction with boxed bottoms, no pattern.
It has a large hanging loop as I'd like to fix a rail up somewhere to hang them all on, but so I can take them off. It requires some more thought. I didn't interface the loop which may be a mistake.
I intend to make one for each colour of prints, then I'll think about solids. I don't have so many scraps so I'm thinking I might do divided baskets to hold 2 colours - possibly à la Vera as I LOVE her basket. I doubt I'll do them all as QAYG as it's so time consuming. I think I'll also use it as a way to make blocks that I like and then practice my FMQ.
I put some ironed scraps in. I've now added all the ironed scraps from the linen basket, I think it will be full when I've done! Maybe it's time to start on the Tula Pink's City Sampler: 100 Modern Quilt Blocks quilt! *
*affiliate link. If you click over and buy something, I get a few pennies towards a voucher.
p.s. my craft room is an absolute tip!
28 comments:
Oh my goodness, *hangs head in shame looking at her black sacks* Well done you!
Well that loos like a lot of work. I hate organising but its great when it's done.
Jill
Wow - how organised you are! My fabric is folded but shoved in clear plastic boxes, with no thought to colour at all. However, as I have a whole houseful of 'stuff' which needs sorting through (as both my husband and I are total hoarders and it is all becoming a bit much), I think my fabric stash will have to wait...
Best wishes
Ellie
You certainly have whipped those scraps into line. I love the fabric basket.
Valspierssews
I LOVE your fabric basket, Wendy!!! What a great way to use fabric scraps. I once made a zippered pouch similar to, but not the same as QAYG and there were a couple of raw edges I'd missed and had to fold under. No one other than me could see them, though.
Sorting my scraps was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Still have too much blue and green and hardly any red though.
Have fun ;)
Hug
Anna
I did my first ever QAYG recently and it really did take a long time for such a small piece. Your sewing looks great, I love aqua as it is such a happy colour.
Wow, good job organizing! I love that you made a basket out of the scraps. Looks great! :D
Great use of your scraps and a handy thing to have
Great basket
Beautifully done!!!!
I sort my scraps by colour too - mine are stored in ugly plastic salad containers, which are starting to overflow!
Using scraps.....now there's an idea.... Loving your work
I always thought QAYG would be really quick, until i tried it, but you're right, it is soooooo slow, and a real pain as you forget to quilt etc, well done for persevering!
Hi Wendy, thank you for your comments on my blog and for the tip on QSnap frames - I might give it a go, although my 'grab and stitch' technique seems to work, providing I have clean hands that is! Love your scrap basket. Enjoy the rest of the week.
Jane
My,you sure have been quite the busy bee! Love the QAYG scrap basket.
Clever, clever lady! A scrap basket made of scraps...brilliant! I need some of those here...Chrissie x
You must be feeling very virtuous now, those scraps have definitely been tamed :)
So great, all this organizing. I'm in awe. And then this absolutely gorgeous box for your scraps. Hmmm, I should get busy as well ...
Lovely basket! I had a look at the divided one as well and that is fabulous. There is always more mess in the middle of reorganising something than in the beginning, but it will be worth it in the end.
I love your quilt as you go piece and how you turned it into a basket! The quilting will give it extra sturdiness!
Gorgeous basket!
wow! you have done some super organizing out there.Have fun for the rest of the week!
I could easily see all kinds of uses for this basket - lovely! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such kind comments.
Nice to meet you. You created a very lovely basket.. The blue colors are wonderful. Hugs Judy
Oh, I love your basket. I can't wait to see a line of them in different colours
not sure how I miswsed this post but glad I have found it now. Love what you have done with the scraps I plan to have a go too, well one day I will. You must do the Tula quilt, I have done all 100 blocks and have made a lap quilt out of 24 of them and have black sashing on them Now have to make up my mind what to do with the other76 blocks they are allrady sashed.
I like how you've constructed you box! It looks fabulous too!! Funny, I have Tula's book too and have made one pink one so far...love it!
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