While my hubby went to watch the KC Chiefs lose play on Sunday, I stayed home and sorted through my scraps. You see, during the night, when I couldn't sleep, I'd decided to start on this "mindless sewing" quilt. (Sometimes, it fills my cup just to sew random pieces of fabric together!)
Fortunately, I have a scrap saving system in place, so preparing for this low volume quilt was quick and painless. Because I routinely cut my fabric leftovers into 4 sizes of strips and squares, it was just a matter of picking out the lighter colored strips. From the strips, I lopped off chunks long enough for the blocks. In no time at all, I have the makings of a lap size quilt!
As I was looking through my fabric containers, I came across the one containing all of my Farmer's Wife Sampler fabrics, which I hadn't put away yet. After using these fabrics for over the last year, I am a little tired of looking at them to be honest!
But, then I thought that maybe one of you would be interested in adding them to your scrap drawer, or possibly even starting a scrap system if don't have one yet. So, as just a little perk to someone who would love them, I'd like to send my scraps to you. I'll fill up the little pink polkadot mailer with as much will fit into it.
To enter, just leave a comment telling me what your system (or lack of) is for the leftovers from a quilt project. I'll randomly pick a winner on Wednesday at noon. (Please be sure that your email address is available to me or your name will be taken out of the drawing.)
^The giveaway is now closed.^
What a great giveaway! I use my scraps a lot since I do applique! I have large fabric pieces in labeled bins by color and smaller pieces ironed and sealed in gallon sized zip-locs in bins also labeled by color. I have never cut them in strips as you do since for applique I need many shapes and sizes of fabric.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful leftovers!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I have much of a system for leftovers. If they are substantial in size, they are wrapped around card stock and arranged like books (do this with new fabrics too). If enough to inspire at least a small quilt for our prayer quilts ministry (or, occasionally, a doll quilt for a child), I make a grouping. All my little tinies, pieced or unpieced, go to a local woman who creates things for craft shows to supplement her extremely limited income--she also pieces gifts for our local charity storehouse (with a thrift store) to benefit people who need things because of losses of property or jobs. I keep a small box (about 9 x 9 x 9 inches) on hand and am always filling one for her.
OOOhhhh.. I am spotting some great finds in your scraps. I have been just putting my scraps into a rubbermaid bin and using them to make converging corners blocks. The blocks all turn out awesome because no matter how you put the fabrics together they look great.
ReplyDeleteI am envious when I see photos of sewing rooms that have all scraps sorted by color and size. :-)
I am beginner quilter and still don't have too many scraps. I have two containers. One for larger scraps and the other for smaller scraps. I do fold my scraps neatly. Don't like to just toss them into the container. I recently created an improv lap quilt using my scraps using a blind grab from the bag method if there is one. It was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, I sure need a system! Something better than 1-1/2" squares in that basket and 2" squares in that bin, and strips in that garbage bag. I think your FW fabrics would be fabulous to own! You'd have to give me some ideas of what to do with them though. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI just stuff scraps into plastic storage containers by color except for novelty fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI am also a beginner, so I don't have many scraps. I've had to borrow scraps from friends for 'scrap' projects! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been quilting for long so I still don't have that many scraps. Did you ever buy animal crackers in bulk? They come in 3 lb. clear buckets that are shaped like bears (very similar to the bears that make honey bottles, but bigger)? I have two of those clear bear buckets filled up. Right now I just dump everything out to find what I'm looking for - clearly I need a better system!
ReplyDeleteChaos -- is that a system? I save all but the smallest bits but they're mostly in disarray. I do use them, but I'm sure there is a more efficient way.
ReplyDeleteI have some of those stacking clear drawer things from walmart. I cut my scraps into 5" squares (I can always cut these into quarters if I want 2-1/2s), 2" squares, or 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 strips. I also have a drawer for novelty/kid scraps and one for holiday scraps. The last drawer is a mess of too small, too thin, but too nice to throw away tangles. I would love to win your scraps! Patchwork quilts in bright colors are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteLinda
PS Thanks for the chance to win :)
I put FQ's in a bin and everything smaller is put in boxes ( CD holders from IKEA) marked by color. Strips are in a large tote and pieces that are really tiny are in a glass canister--one for cool colors and one for warm colors. Thanks for the great giveaway--I'm always looking to add to my small stash :)
ReplyDeleteMy scraps are sorted by colors but not cut into any specific size. My tiny tidbits are random in glass jars and scraps that aren't yet sorted are in bigger open bins. I would love to win your scraps! Thanks for a chance.
ReplyDeleteI have boxes for squares, strips, and bricks I cut from my scraps and throw my strings and other odd bits into a big bin, which is always overflowing. I don't NEED more scraps, but I'd love to play with yours!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely pile of scraps! I am in the process of organizing a scrap system. So far it is composed of 2.5" strips which I can subcut into squares and 5" squares. When the scraps get smaller than that, I add them to a bucket and when the bucket is full, I put it in a pillowcase. Once it is fluffy enough, I stitch the end up and take it to the animal shelter for them to use in the cages. I am working on a Color Box Quilt like yours using leaders-enders. I have loved that quilt since I first saw it.
ReplyDeleteNo system I stuff them into plastic bags by color.This year I began doing string scraps blocks and did 87 blocks 15x15cm ,they are now in a plastic container,I need to sew more to a big quilt.
ReplyDeleteAlso I use leftover for applique and smalls projects.
At the moment I don't have that many scraps so they just get put in a box. Occasionally I sort through them and cut them into hexies, I would love to get your scraps of fabric.
ReplyDeleteHi!!! I am a new quilter!!! I don't have a lot of scraps yet. but yours looks lovely to me!!!!
ReplyDeleteCurrently, my little scraps go into a clear file/tub thingie. All of them unless there is enough to cut a strip from...which I put back in the "color" boxes that I have. Not very organized YET...but I am trying to get there. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI do not have too many scraps and my college daughter is learning to quilt too so this would be wonderful for some scrappy quilting! I think I would sort my scraps by color - when I get enough! lol thank you!
ReplyDeleteI chuck all my scraps into a cardboard box - then every so often I cut them into 2 1/2" and 1 1/2" squares
ReplyDeleteI love scraps!
I have mine arranged by color in clear plastic drawers. I'd love to make a fun super scrappy quilt sometime and added scraps would be very welcome! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI try to divide the scraps up into Strips, squares and if they're bigger pieces I add them to color coded buckets. I love your pretty scraps!
ReplyDeleteCould this parcel possibly find its way to Australia....I can dream can't I? I have scraps in sorted in a very random system! Ugh!
ReplyDeleteOh MY GOODNESS, that scrap basket looks delicious! I'm a newbie, so I've no real system just yet, except that all scraps (including those the size of a stamp and selvedges) are deposited in the bottom drawer of my fabric bins. I live for the day I have enough scraps to make something bigger than a potholder. :)
ReplyDeleteWell that looks just yummy! I sort all my scraps by colour in plastic shoeboxes. My green, blue and pink are over flowing! Eek! I love scraps!
ReplyDeleteI use most of my scraps in the backing of the quilt, it's sort of a challenge to use them all up. but nice to have a few around to piece little bags and such.
ReplyDeleteI love scraps! Mine are sorted by color. I keep them in open plastic baskets.
ReplyDeleteLeftover system?!?!? What's that. They just go on top of the pile in the big ole rubbermade tub!
ReplyDeleteI sort my scraps by color into wire baskets that sit on a shelf near my cutting table. I keep thinking I should cut them up into pre-set sizes, but then the "what if"s start... What if I need bigger pieces, what if I need different sizes, what if I need strips... Silly really, because they're not being productive in their current state :)
ReplyDeletei would love them if no one else does thanks
ReplyDeleteMy scrap storage system is a wreck! Well, part of it anyway. I have a bin of 5-inch charm squares; a couple of bins of 2.5-inch strips. I also have a bin just for 2.5-inch squares that are soon to become a scrap vomit quilt. But then, I have bins of "good" scraps and "really good" scraps and lesser-quality scraps. I have a bag of strings. There are snippets somehwere and FQs everywhere. Just a wonderful, beautiful mess.
ReplyDeleteBUT - all my FQ bundles and precuts are nicely stored and waiting patiently for their time to shine! Thanks for the chance to addmore scraps to the mix!
A. I do NOT want your scraps, so don't count my comment please. I'll be having a little FW giveaway of my own. Soon. (I'm taking you up on your challenge of complete my FW quilt,BTW!).
ReplyDeleteB. What is your system again??
Currently I just have a basket that everything gets chucked into, lol. But after reading a couple of posts this week about folks who cut their scraps into strips and blocks, I think I may take some time to do that and organize by color. I love the thought of having something at the ready for a quick scrappy quilt!
ReplyDeleteI typically toss things in a bin and then organize it into separate colors once every several months...or so, but not as often as I would like.
ReplyDeleteI love the dollar bins at Walmart, I buy several of those and organize my scraps there :)
ReplyDeleteCurrently I just shove everything into a plastic bin. I keep hoping that when I have more space, I'll be able to organize them better.
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely no system haha. I just kinda put them in a bag, and then hope I don't lose them... :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have many scraps. I normally cute them into 2.5 inch or making 1.5" strips for future project.
ReplyDeleteAfter quilting for 30 years, I've got a lot of scraps. When we moved into this house, I bought my cutting table at IKEA (love that store!). But it's really a kitchen counter with a wood top and 12 drawers. I use the Quiltville system of storing/sorting scraps. I cut my fabrics into different sizes of strips and squares, and have them sorted in the drawers. One drawer for 2 1/2 inch strips that are WOF, one that is for partials widths, one for smaller strips, another for 2 1/2 inch squares, etc. Then I have one drawer for all my selvages. I love my cutting table! I also have big bins of scraps that are bigger sizes, but less than a FQ. So when I want to make a scrap quilt, it's all there, ready for me.
ReplyDeleteI really don't NEED any more scraps, but I could sure make some room for your cute ones! Thanks for the opportunity.
Oooh! I love scraps, what a wonderful giveaway. I will keep anything down to 3/4 inch. Unfortunately I have no system. Just put them in a sack, when I want to make something just dump them all out and go wild.
ReplyDeleteFirst I take all the leftover scraps of a certain fabric and enclose it in a ziploc bag. These in turn get thrown into drawers, sorted by color.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to adhere to a version of Bonnie Hunter's model. I take the hunk of fabric and cut it into strips. The largest strips are 3.5", then it goes down by .5" to 1". That's the smallest I keep. Bonnie cuts hers into blocks (like 1" squares), but I just leave mine in strips. So far, it's a scrap SAVERS model for me and not a scrap USERS model. LOL. Amanda's book has me thinking I should be storing them according to color and not size....Hmmmm.....
ReplyDeleteMy scraps are made into various widths of strips and sorted by color into clear plastic shoeboxes.
ReplyDeleteMy scraps, no matter what size or shape, are sorted by colour: blue, green-blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, brown, light neutrals and black & white. All scraps that don't fit the colour categories are sorted into darks or lights. That's it -- simple but works for me because I have been making scrap blocks for the Rainbow Scrappy Challenge since late last year.
ReplyDeleteI love scraps I have bigger size scrap baskets I made out of scraps, one for cool colors, one for warm colors, and one for neutrals. I also have mason jars for my bits and small squares that I have cut up, and one basket for strips.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep my scraps cut into strips and squares of 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, and 3 1/2 inches. I store them in wire baskets according to size and light and dark colors. Thanks for the chance to win your lovely box of scraps.
ReplyDeleteIt would be so COOL to win YOUR sraps!!!! I didn't know I needed a system, til I happened upon your leaders/enders/uniform size scrap revelations!!!! So now, I am up to 3 sizes and "miscellaneous", which is mostly for squares.
ReplyDeleteI don't have many, so they are in zip lock bags :) Thanks for the giveaway! You are such a dear!
I would love to have your scraps! I'm just starting to learn quilting, so haven't accumulated many scraps yet. I have a few and they are kept in a plastic bag.
ReplyDeleteSo far I only have one box of scraps. I was planning to use them before they outgrew the box but I'm sorely lacking reds and yellows and might have to do some precutting while waiting on those colors to multiply. I'm getting good ideas from you and your commenters.
ReplyDeleteYour FW adventure has been totally amazing to me. I've never tried anything like that and I'm in awe of your work and your patience.
Thank you for inspiring me and for a chance to win a bit of Lollyquiltz!
Umm...all of my scraps are messily piled in an old laundry basket. I'd really, really like to organize them better though!
ReplyDeleteEstou trasformando blocos em papel inglês,então todo e qualquer tecidinho é bem vindo.Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI really need to get a system in place. I have 7 wire pull out baskets that I keep them in, somewhat organized by color, but not by size or anything. And I have a lot more scraps than i have room for, but I would love to win yours, since I am tired of mine! :)
ReplyDeleteI sort them by intensity in bins. Sometimes, I leave fabric lines or fabrics I used in one quilt together.
ReplyDeleteMy Farmer's Wife Sampler is about 3/4 done, and the fabric and blocks take up space on my cutting mat. Not a good thing. When I finish a quilt, if there is just a little fabric, I make 9 patches of the remnants. Next, I might cut it into 2/5 inch strips and put those in a box with others. If there is enough left, it gets folded and sorted by color. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYour scraps are lovely. I think that they would like to come to my house to play with my scraps. I use plastic shoe boxes to store my cut scraps. Until I get a chance to cut them into useable pieces, they live in a large basket. Thanks for the giveaway and for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI would love your scraps to come and join my hexagon EPP quilt! So far, my scrap system is: one box for largish, or odd shaped scraps, and one box for long strips of various widths, and one box for selvages. I don't have a ton of scraps as I do use them up, so it works okay. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI am a pretty new quilter so I do not have too many scraps and no real system yet. I love Costco's spring mix salads that come in these clear plastic bins that I then use to sort fabric and store scraps. I have only two bins of scraps so I would a chance to place with yours. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI put all my scraps into one very large Rubbermaid container...haven't figured out a system yet for organizing. Would love to give your scraps a new home...thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI sew a lot of clothes and bags as well as quilts so many of my fabric pieces have very odd shapes cut out of them. When I am done a project I try to trim down the left overs to the largest possible piece that is still WOF which goes back on the fabric shelves. Then the weird leftover piece gets trimmed down to any available squares (I keep any 6" squares for Alzheimer's touch quilts) then the rest is cut into strips of varying sizes as the shape allows. These are then stored in clear shoe boxes as "squares or strips". There aren't enough of them for a colour arrangement.... but, I have the shoe boxes ready for when they breed!!
ReplyDeleteUhhh, I kind of just stuff all the scraps into a big ziploc bag! I should probably have a better system!
ReplyDeleteI'm a beginner ...so....I haven't a a lot of scraps. And I haven't yet a system to save my scraps! I have to learn your system. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble cutting into fabric on a good day--mainly because once it's cut--it's cut. for good. no exceptions.
ReplyDeleteso when I'm done with a quilt I often fold even the tiniest pieces up and stash them in a drawer, uncut, unplanned, un-anything.
We've recently moved and I now have a proper sewing room. I found that drawer and thought, I don't use this fabric from fear of not having it anymore and the fact that it's not convenient sizes... so I think I need to cut it up!
what sized strips and squares do you do?
Scraps just continuously grow and my system is plastic containers with out rhyme or reason. But I would love to add your scraps to mine.
ReplyDeleteI currently do not have a system, but I keep meaning to start one! Right now all my scraps are just shoved into a plastic container. Maybe this winter I'll start organizing. Wish me luck. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love scraps and strips! My system? I have one but it is somewhat flexible! I cut strips from left overs as long as they are 6" long and anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. Smaller than that I give to an elementary teacher who uses the scraps for art classes in fabric collage. I cut blocks from leftovers in 2 1/2, 3, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, and 5 inch blocks. Whatever the scrap best lends itself to. I store these in marked totes. I do not sort by color, just by size. I have to say my favorite size strips and squares are 2 1/2 inch. I can always use more scraps! If you look at my Flickr account, I'm smalltown97038, you will see I do use my scraps! Thanks for this opportunity!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful scraps! I don't really have a system for storing my scraps...they seem to just be in piles and some are in boxes. I would love to make a scrap quilt someday.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you'll send to Ireland or not, but what a great giveaway! I stopped quilting a few years before we moved from the US to Ireland. I just got back into it recently and don't have (m)any scraps. I was looking through your comments and writing down tips on what I could do for when I do! Right now the excess I have fits into a small table top basket.
ReplyDeleteI have a cabinet that holds several large wire baskets, each color has a basket and there is a basket for neutrals. So easy to manage scraps this way! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThose scraps look fun! My scrap-keeping system used to just be quart jars, then it turned to gallon ziploc bags, now I'm pleased to say I've moved away from food storage and have graduated to a Trofast system from Ikea. So much better! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSystem??? haha... throw it in the bucket... then when I need something, go bucket diving :)
ReplyDeletewell i love your project, so i cant say no to a chance at the scraps!! thanks!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I try to have a system for storing my scraps... they go into a clear plastic container and a few times a year I take a memory trip into my scrap box to make a scrappy quilted project! Thanks for the chance to win your scraps... I do love scraps!
ReplyDeleteMy system is sorting as best I can by color and throwing the scraps in small bins.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty selection of colors in your scrap basket! Earlier this year I read on Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site about her scrap users system. Since then I have been slowing cutting and storing my scraps in her suggested sizes. So far I am pleased with my progress.
ReplyDeleteI just recently found your blog and love it!
ReplyDeleteCurrently I have my scraps in four little bins, sorted roughly by colour (reds and pinks together, neutrals, and blues and greens (two bins for those!) I'd like to organize them better by cutting them into reasonable strips or squares, but as most of them are leftover from other sewing projects, I'm just working my way through them trying to find interesting ways to use odd-shaped fabric! :)
I haven't really got a scrap system & hadn't even been saving them until just recently when I bought some books on scrap quilting & realized what I was missing out on! Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI love scraps and basically just add them to a pile for future ideas….also enjoy quilting some in what I call the Nancy Crow ways so love my scraps and would love some of yours…thanks
ReplyDeleteI don't have a system yet. I stuff my quilt fabric scraps, unsorted into a plastic storage bin. My sheet scraps I stuff into various plastic grocery bags. I should probably start going through them...
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a system for scraps. I'm always afraid if I cut up my leftover pieces, that sure enough, I'll need a piece half an inch longer or something. Guess that would give me a chance to go buy more though... I can definitely see how having scraps of a certain size already cut could be a bonus. Love your scrap fabrics!
ReplyDeleteMy scrap system needs help! It's just big buckets.
ReplyDeleteIf they are strips, I straighten them to 1.5", 2" whatever and keep them in paper carrier bags, labelled with the size of the strip. For scraps that can be cut into squares, 2.5 & 3" are my favouites I keep them in labelled Ziplock plastic bags. Tiny scraps are kept in a series of Ziplock plastic bags, according to colours, Pink, Red, Blue etc. then for all other weird scraps I kept them in a biscuit tin for making Crumb blocks. And then I make so many Scrap Quilts with all of these lovely scraps. Would love to win yours to add variety to my mix!
ReplyDeleteLinda on travjonuk@ yahoo.com
Hope I'm not too late as I love your scraps and would put them to good use. When on my game, I follow Bonnie Hunter's scrap system!
ReplyDeleteI do not have a scrap system. Which is a problem. The most I do is keep all the scraps as I go for one large quilt project together. That leaves me with a mess once the quilt is done. I would enjoy winning some scrpas from you becuase the fabric is different than what I have. I love the colors and it would be fun for me to create something new.
ReplyDeleteI love your scraps and would love to win them. I have to admit however I don't have a system for storing scraps, other than bins filled with all sizes and colors :>)
ReplyDeleteThe Farmers Wife fabrics are so pretty and charming! I'd LOVE to have them. My scraps are sorted into strips (all widths & lengths), large scraps (anything larger than a 4-inch square), small scraps (pieces for 1,2,3,4-inch) and crumbs(bits that I use for applique or hexies) Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteCarla!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you are offering these! I love your FWQ and all the fabrics you've used...especially the dots!!
Lately I've been obsessed with half square triangles and have made pillows with HSQ's from the last 2 quilts. That and 2 1/2" strips...guess that's about it!
Mostly it all gets shoved into a drawer- yikes! But I use up scraps and sort through them regularly so that makes me feel a little better. Should get a system going though. Thanks for sharing your scraps with us.
ReplyDeleteWould LOVE to have your scraps! As a fairly new quilter I don't have many yet but your system sounds great!
ReplyDelete