Sunday, May 23, 2010

The state of my scraps, and a giveaway

There comes a time in every quilter's life where, well, the scraps just seem to have taken over. I'm thinking that it's time to consider the old saying "necessity is the mother of invention." Because if I don't manage to invent a solution, my scraps are going to take over my sewing room.

What do I mean?




I just spent an hour and a half sorting through a ginormous heap of scraps and selvages, bagging scraps according to color (I've had to start a second bag of green scraps--uh oh!). I've made about 20 8" string blocks out of my blue scraps, and the bag is somehow still full. My aquas and white/cream bags are also reaching critical mass.

Now, I loves me some string blocks. And I could potentially do a good-sized throw of nothing but greens, or do a bed-sized using strings from all of these.

But.

I'm thinking maybe something different? The blues can continue to get funneled into the blue string blocks until I have enough to turn into a real quilt. I've gotten all sorts of ideas on flickr, but I'm wondering if anyone has any additional suggestions? I've got things ranged from 5" wide strips to little 1" squares. Leave me a comment telling me about your favorite uses for your scraps? Any scrap quilts out there you just love? Please share! I'd love to see them! I'll leave comments open until midnight on Thursday, 5/27, and then on Friday morning, I'll pick a winner.

What am I giving away? Silly question! I'm giving away some of those scraps! Among them, Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt, Heather Ross, and Joel Dewberry--and LOTS more!

Can't wait to see your suggestions!

Edit: Please, please, please--I'm going to need a way to contact the winner, and a number of you lovelies don't have an email in your profile for me to contact you. Please either edit your profile or leave a contact email in your comment--I'd hate for anyone to miss out!

48 comments:

Mystica said...

I cant believe I am the first in a fabric giveaway!

cynthia said...

For the best inspiration for scraps, I go to quiltville.com. Bonnie Hunter saves EVERYTHING--right down to the crumbs!!! She inspired me to cut many of my blues and neutrals into strips for My Blue Heaven. And I had still had enough strips to make Honeyberries from Evelyn Sloppy's 40 Fabulous Quick-Cut Quilts. Two full-size quilts from the stash! Next on my list is a scrappy houses quilt, also from Quiltville.

SewCalGal said...

I love, love, love scraps. Always have, and probably always will. Love how they breed too!
Actually, I really enjoy making charity quilts. And as I love scrap quilts I love using discarded scraps with my fabrics, to give them a better scrappy look. I've also fallen in love with the AccuQuilt, which really helps for cutting bizarre scraps and turning them into beeautiful quilts. So, I'd love your scraps!

I'd be happy to introduce your scraps to my scraps and arrange for them to live happily ever after together, after they turn into a charity quilt!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

sharon said...

I love scraps, I 'm always looking for a little bit of this colour or that little design, when working on applique. A great scrap buster is a 9 patch, easy and looks great with tons of different fabrics. Sharonj.

isa & marta said...

Hago la mayoria de mis trabajos con las sobras, me encanta poder utilizar toodaaa la tela. Amo los restos pero no tengo oportunidad de tener los de diseñadores que tu nombras, coso con lo que consigo, a veces desarmo camisas o vestidos viejos para construir un quil.
Espero tener suerte.un abrazo gracias por compartir.

Kat said...

I recently made a rainbow string quilt with my scraps (see it here http://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/rainbow%20strings). It was a lot of fun and turned out well. I also made a double Irish chain with 2" squares. Although an 80" square quilt didn't put even a dint in my 2.5" squares box (http://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/double%20irish%20chain). I haven't made one yet, but I'm a big fan of ticker tape quilts for the crumbs. They just look so colorful and fun! For more oddly shaped and already-pieced scraps, I once made myself a bed quilt out of the leftovers of a jelly roll. I had a lot of triangles made of bits of multiple strips because of the way I'd cut the pieces for the first quilt, so I sewed them into squares and set them on point. (http://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/2010/03/authentic-scrap-quilt.html) I Love scraps, and feel most at home in a scrappy quilting medium. I hope this gives you some ideas :-)

Jocelyn said...

I do love scraps. I've made my first string quilt. It is so fun to dig around in fabrics and come up with projects. My goal is to make a postage stamp quilt, sewing strips and cutting them into 1 1/2 squares. Thanks for sharing.

Kim D. said...

I save my scraps for applique quilts, but I love making 4 patch and 9 patch quilts. I'm also a fan of wonky log cabins. Thanks for the chance to win some of you scraps.

Retrogirl said...

I'm saving scraps for small HST blocks---and maybe a postage stamp down the road. Long pieces & selvages are put aside for strings.

Children's prints are saved regardless of size for charity quilts and applique.

It sounds like you've got QUITE the stash!

Pat said...

I would surely love to introduce some of your scraps to some of mine in a "purty" quilt or quilts. I have been quilting over 50 years, and would love to add some to my collection. You can visit my blog: http://quiltingcanbefun.blogspot.com and you will see some scrappy quilts that I have made over the past several years. Thank you for the chance to "rescue" some of your scraps so you can see them in a "purty" quilt. Thank you so much for sharing, my friend.
Happy Quilting!

Birgitte aka Bietje said...

Can't believe you give fabrica away. I have seen many beautiful quilt made from scraps of fabric. Maybe that's an idea of your pile of scraps.
But please count me in this give-away. I love fabric and am a beginning quilter, so a beginning collector of fabric too. So every fabric is very welcome in my house. Specially light green, blue and red

Ivona said...

I would find an inspiration on flickr or picasaweb. I made a quilt for my niece, look at my blog :-)
http://mallorca33.blogspot.com/2010/01/ako-to-zacalo.html
Greetings from Slovakia :-)

Doina said...

I used scrap material for baskets and baby dolls. I like playing with pieces of different colors! Thanks for the chance to win some of you scraps!

carmel said...

i have a idea!
what about making a coin quilt?
it only takes half the size of a charm square and coin quilts are always beautiful!

Lesly said...

I've been interested in the tile quilt idea - there's a newish book out that I've flipped through and it looks perfect for those little scraps. And a bit different, too. The best quilts are scrappy!

Mandy said...

Right now I am drooling over a postage stamp quilt where blocks of colors where made, each block with 100 1 inch blocks. I've already started sectioning out my own scraps (although it could take me years with that many squares!) Or how about a sampler style quilt, but make each block smaller, between 6-8inches, and go wild with piecing! Either way, whatever you make is going to be awesome, scrappy quilts are just gorgeous. :-)

Sipiweske Quilts said...

I love scraps and use them for paper piecing - you need lots of little pieces for some of the projects I do. Thanks for the giveaway. - Marlene

Chelsea said...

I am saving up scraps to make a ticker tape quilt... there are a lot of beautiful ones on Flickr, I just (gasp) don't have enough scraps yet (HINT That's why I could use your scrap giveaway!)! (I'm relatively new to quilting!!) You should check them out though, they're super cute!

Brenda said...

Bonnie Hunter has alot of great scrap quilt patterns on her website. I am collecting scraps to make a snowball quilt. I don't have a fabric stash so it takes a long time for me to collect fabrics for a quilt.

deserae said...

I love those ticker tape quilts! So cute! :)

Queen of the Unfinished Project said...

I love the look of scrappy quilts. I think my favorites are double wedding rings and any sort of Irish chain. I've done a couple of double Irish chain quilts. (neither was scrappy, unfortunately, as they were both intended as gifts...) I'm also thinking that I need to try out a string quilt and a postage stamp quilt... Of course, the ultimate scrappy quilt is the cathedral windows (if you have a ton of time and handsewing to commit to it). Good luck paring down the scraps! Its a project I need to start on as soon as my sewing room gets unpacked, so I can feel your pain...

free indeed said...

Lovely lovely scraps! I prefer quilting from my scrap bins rather than cutting into my folded stash...it's a sickness I guess! A triple Irish chain will be in my future...saw one on Little House on the Prairie :). I also have made several string quilts. I am a member of a monthly block lotto so I use up scraps each month to that affaire...fun fun to try new to me techniques and color combos. Come join us sometime!
Shelley
freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

Barbara Sindlinger said...

My local quilt store is part of the Scrap Therapy group where we make quilts with all 5", 3 1/2" and 2" squares. http://www.scrap-therapy.com/. But even tho I make all these quilts, my scraps continue to grow (or breed as some say).

Jenny said...

I love playing with scraps. I think log cabin blocks leng themselves to good use of scraps...also postage stamp quilts...which i LOVE. the quilt i made my niece is similar: http://www.flickr.com/photos/krousegirl2/4627545947/
also, i have seen much crazy quilting around blogland, but that is a great use of scraps too. and dont forget fabric covered buttons! i love doing that with my kids. thanks for a chance!

Lisa said...

My latest favorite scrap quilt is Bonnie K. Hunter's Carolina Christmas. www.quiltville.com (no affiliation). Before that quilt, I had not ever 'given in' to the process of a truly scrappy quilt, preferring to have selected colors for the quilts rather than using the 'if it's green it's in' thought process. Now, I like to have a scrap quilt in mind and save scraps according to color with that quilt in mind. For example, I may have some fall-colored scraps that will work in a maple leaf quilt, so I save HSTs of the right size and bits for the stems, and so on. I have four scrap quilts I am 'saving' for right now, with their patterns on a hook in my sewing loft for quick and easy reference. It works for me, though perhaps I will have enough sorted scraps for two of the quilts by the time I get to making them...I am okay with that! Hope that helps! Lisa

janet said...

There are so many possibilities with scraps, it's hard to narrow down the choices, log cabins, string quilts, applique, crazy quilts, paper piecing... Sorry, I am no help, just gave myself about 15 new ideas, which I don't have time to make;-)
My email is meatlessmama at gmail.com

Patty said...

I love scrap quilts. I'm thinking string quilts for now. paweis at yahoo dot com

Debi said...

I love scrap quilts as well. In addition to charity quilts, I make charity pillowcases for the woman's shelter in Dallas so scraps are awesome.

Cynthia Stockdon said...

I love scraps and making crazy quilt table runners, quilts, coasters, purses... See some examples http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com SewCalGal sent me!

throuthehaze said...

I use scraps for paper piecing, softies, and making patchwork bags and totes
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Anita in Florida said...

I do alot of paper piecing and just recently did a 9 patch scrap quilt and loved every minute of it. But I need different scraps! Hope you get lots of ideas to use your scraps and thanks for the giveaway.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Scraps never go to waste at my house - string quilts are the rage!!

Bev C said...

I just love scraps, I use it in applique and hexagons. You have to use your imagination when using scraps and this is good. Have a Happy Day.
Bev.xoxo

Janet said...

I love scraps - small or smaller. I am making a postage stamp quilt, square in square and the blocks are 2 1/2 inches. I like to use scraps to make small quilts or postcards that I send to people (especially when I win something from them :)). Thanks for the chance to win.

tich said...

Get in touch with Mercy Ships to make quilts, Linus Quilts, Have a scrap challenge day at local guild and make charity quilts, lap quilts for old folks' home, premmie quilts, Bonnie Hunter @ Quiltville, Smallquilttalk yahoo group, Flicker, pineapple blocks to use up strings, (any blocks to use up strings!), make a quilt and raffle it for ...? - yourself!, donate some to local school - kids will have a ball, or teach in local school - kids and teachers will love you!
Just some ideas - scraps are fabulous!!

Ashley said...

I love scraps and find them to be so inspiring. I'm currently working on building my scrap collection as I have only recently begun building a stash. I received a few scraps a couple weeks back and planned entire quilts around a few of them. I would love to have your scraps to be inspired by also!

Some ideas:
- Log cabin blocks are an option for the strips you have. And the squares can be used for the centers. There are numerous layouts for those blocks so you should be able to find one you like. My first quilt was a log cabin and it was fun and easy to make.
- I also like the ticker tape quilts, placemats, and rugs I have seen, but I haven't gotten a chance to make one yet.
- Doll quilts for little friends and family members are a fun use for scraps also. I paired one I made with an inexpensive dolly and the little girl I gave it to was absolutely tickled with it and showed it to everyone she saw for weeks.
- Quilted pillows can also use up scraps. I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts has a beautiful pillow tutorial that you could make with scraps.

There are just so many options for scraps. The possibilities are endless. Thanks for sharing yours!

Kristen said...

I have always wanted to make string quilt, wonky log cabin or crumb quilts like those on quiltville.com. I am years or decades away from that! I am jealous of all those colorful scrap quilts out there.

kerrykatiecakes2 said...

I love the look of a scrap quilt. Just about any traditional block done in all different scraps looks wonderful to me!
Hugs,
Kerry
kerrykatiecakeskeb43@gmail.com

Aimee said...

I like Crazy Quilt blocks. Lets you use up all the really small & odd shaped pieces. A sampler quilt is neat, but takes forever. (Especially if you do something silly & make the blocks six inches. Make them bigger. Trust me.)Pop holders & hot pads whip up quick with scraps.

Amanda said...

I love spiderweb quilt blocks, very similar to the string quilts but a little different look.
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Shirley said...

Are you taking international entries? I don't have enough scraps yet to make a scrap quilt but when I do I'd like to make something using the method in this post. http://sugarnspicecreations.blogspot.com/2009/09/scatter-sunshine-scrappy-quilt-tutorial.html

Sandy said...

I am collecting scraps to make a string quilt and love to applique so having a good stash is so helpful.My grown daughters love to come and raid Mom's stash when they are doing projects. Thank you so much for sharing.
Sandy
cha16946san@epix.net

Anonymous said...

I love the look of scrap quilts..so am drawn to any new patterns that include 100's of fabrics in one quilt. Right now I am working on hexagon flowers.

Lisa at lrfrank@yahoo.com

momhooten said...

I'd love to have your scraps come play at my house. I love to make string quilts!

Hand Quilting Nana said...

My favorite quilts are scrap quilts. Right now I am addicted to putting together strips and cutting them into five inch squares. Then I put them together with 2 1/2 in strips of white sashing. Stunning with reds and dark colors.

Deanna said...

Yay for scraps! I like postage stamp quilts and string quilts but would like to branch out.

QuiltyBee said...

Wow, 100 posts! I love scraps and can't bear to pitch the tiniest scrap. If I take time, I like to make postcards with the smallest ones, and i like to make improv pieces with the bigger ones.

Brenda said...

Does this mean I get to sneak a comment in after all? There really is no such thing as "scraps" in my dictionary. No piece is too tiny to save. When I get loony and am lying on my death bed, and I hear people talking about what a mess her sewing room is, I'll just tell them that it's insulation since it IS on the north side of the house and over an uninsulated garage!!

B/