Making A Lather

2. easy angle ruler

3. slotted trimmers

4. wool pressing mats

5. just do it

I am linking:

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

scraps time

I decided it was time to dig out another box of scraps and work on taming them. I adore my scraps and I almost feel guilty taking the time to play with them. But, it does create roadblocks to production if they aren't corralled from time to time. I had a low energy evening, a perfect time to sit and sort. This time I decided I wasn't cutting 10 inch squares until I have actually used them. I divided what was in the box into 2 piles. I had one pile of anything I thought would be at least 5 inches, and pieces that could be strips.

5 inch box

strip box

It took another evening to cut the 5 inch box. I was surprised at how many I cut. I didn't count but the stack is a little over 4 inches. They weighed 10 ounces = about 2 yards

This box of scraps was very wrinkled and most of the scraps needed a pressing. That is when I realized how much I depend on my wool pressing mats. I own 3- one that is upstairs next to my sewing machine, one that is next to my treadle in the living room, and a small one in my sewing machine bag that I take to my group sews. Oh, and my ironing board in my sewing room is covered by a wool blanket. My hubby made it for me in 2017. I just feel the pressing is better on a wool mat.

My favorite tools for scraps

2. easy angle ruler

3. slotted trimmers

4. wool pressing mats

I am linking to:

oh scrap sunday

Sunday, February 13, 2022

stash Report february 13, 2022

I have been dyeing wool for an upcoming rug hooking project. Otherwise, nothing happening with the fabric stash.

background, grass, border

stash report February 13, 2022

fabric added -0 yards still haven't added any! I have been a good girl. There was a free basket at sewing group and 3 fat quarters at goodwill that I did not bring home. I need to celebrate the win.

fabric added year to date -0 yards

fabric used 7 yards -gray flannel finish

fabric used year to date 58 yards

58 yards used more than bought. I am starting the year ahead on using fabric.

I sewed 5 days last week.

I have filled a small box of soap sacks for the rescue mission in town. I spent one evening attaching the labels and adding the soap. I have 26, but, my daughter had 250. I have a few more odd skeins of cotton yarn, I might make some more. Luckily someone sent me a link for the homeless initiative https://www.soapsacks.com/

26 bags

I am linking to:

sunday stash at quiltpaintcreate
patchwork and quilts

15 min to stitch at life in pieces

Sunday, February 6, 2022

stash february 6, 2022

I am sorting through blue strip bags looking for aqua/teal for the rainbow scrap challenge at so scrappy. I have them all mixed together. Someday, I will have a bag for each...maybe.

My last stash report was Jan 23.At the time I was worried about the guild meeting. Next week will be a challenge. We will have our guild meeting and there might be a free table. what will I do? Covid took care of that problem - So I haven't added any fabric to my stash this year so far.

stash report February 6, 2022

fabric added -0 yards still haven't added any!

fabric added year to date -0 yards

fabric used 0 yards

fabric used year to date 51 yards

51 yards used more than bought. I am starting the year ahead on using fabric.

I sewed 2 days last week. I sat down at the sewing machine Friday - I was missing it

I have my hexie project out again, trying to reorient myself to what little bits I could be adding on quiet winter evenings. I am always surprised how much I like it when I get started again.

I am linking to:

sunday stash at quiltpaintcreate
patchwork and quilts

15 min to stitch at life in pieces

Sunday, January 23, 2022

stash january 23 2022

This week I worked on the last of the scraps from the scrap bucket I am trying to tame. These scraps weighed 6 ounces which is almost a yard of fabric. I cut some 3 1/2 inches, then 2 1/2, 2, 1 1/2 and the rest went into a chunks bucket. It has helped to keep me from buying more of anything. Next week will be a challenge. We will have our guild meeting and there might be a free table. what will I do?

stash report January 23, 2022

fabric added -0 yards still haven't added any!

fabric added year to date -0 yards

fabric used 21 yards -end of rainbow finish + 1 yard sent to goodwill

fabric used year to date 51 yards

51 yards used more than bought. I am starting the year ahead on using fabric.

I sewed 4 days last week

I have my hexie project out again, trying to reorient myself to what little bits I could be adding on quiet winter evenings. I am always surprised how much I like it when I get started again.

I am linking to:

sunday stash at quiltpaintcreate
patchwork and quilts

15 min to stitch at life in pieces

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

a lifetime of scraps

This has been an eclectic scrap bucket. Sorting this scrap bucket, I have found some fun surprises. I obviously just threw everything I wanted to clean up into the bucket at one point. I really like old blocks and feel a real urgency to rescue them. But, I don't know what to do with them. So, with indecision, they were doomed to a scoop and tidy.

aren't these wonderful vintage fabrics?

I had already cut the 10 inch square. This was the pile of scraps that I thought were big enough to have a 5 inch square cut from them.

I layered them with the right side as even as I could get it and used my stripology ruler to even the right and cut 5 inches.

But the only ones that were 5 inches were these. The rest I put in the less than 5 inch strip pile. Some were close but about 1/4 inch too small.

The strip pile is the biggest group in this bucket. I will work on them next. If I can get 3 1/2 , 2 1/2 , 2, 1 1/2 inch out of it, I will. and so on. If it doesn't make a strip I have started a small chunk bucket for them. I am also putting more into the string/crumb basket and even the trash than usual. I am trying to be brutal. If each small bucket takes a week, then I will be done in a little over 100 years. I actually enjoy doing it, I just don't like the mess.

My favorite tools for scraps

2. easy angle ruler

I am linking to:

oh scrap sunday

Sunday, January 16, 2022

stash report jan16 2022

I found these lovilies in a scrap bucket I am trying to tame. I am not sure why a piece of yardage was in the bucket, unless there was a mass cleanup and everything went into a bucket. The rest of the scrap bucket had mostly really small pieces.

I sorted the scraps into piles of pieces that were big enough to cut of 10 in, 5 inch, strips, and chunks. I've only recently started cutting 10 inch pieces.

only 1 piece at least 10 inches.

After I cut the 10 inch piece I threw the left and right pieces into the strip pile.

stash report January 16, 2022

fabric added -0000000yards still haven't bought any! or brought home any scraps - a new record

fabric added year to date -0000000yards

fabric used 22 yards -hourglass leader/ ender finish

fabric used year to date 30 yards

30 yards used more than bought. I am starting the year ahead on using fabric.

I sewed at least an hour every morning last week. It was good to get back to my projects after a few weeks of the flu.

I finally worked on vivians rug and I did the peach color to the bottom left. By my count, I have done everyone's rug, so, I just wait until mine comes home to work on the background and border. I have another rug ready to start, so I might work on that first, or when I am bored with my sheep rug.

vivians rug - I am the peach

I am linking to:

sunday stash at quiltpaintcreate
patchwork and quilts

15 min to stitch at life in pieces

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

scrapbusting tool

Another favorite tool I use when I am taming the scraps is the easy angle ruler. I bought mine years ago from the lady who invented it. I used it for years. I bought Bonnie Hunter's ruler too, but, find it a bit confusing, so I revert to the easy angle almost every time. I think you can still buy them at Joann fabric but it is a different brand

I needed to cut hsts for my star and crown block, so, when I grabbed the easy angle ruler, I realized how important this little ruler is to me. I like to start with the black diamond at the top so I use it upside down. I am sure there are other demonstrations on line. I was using a 2 inch strip for 2 inch hst.

Then, I flip it to continue down the strip

I cut my scraps into strips and that is how I store them. If I need hsts in any size, I can grab a strip in that size and my easy angle ruler and I have them.

My favorite tools for scraps

I am linking to:

Thursday, January 6, 2022

taming the scraps

My favorite tool for taming my scraps is my creative grids stripology ruler. I have the strip dies for the accuquilt and I use them a lot. But, when I have odd sized smaller pieces of scrap that I plan on using to add variety to my bins, I like to use the template. I have both sizes. I use the original template with a larger scrap, and, the smaller one for ( wait for it) smaller scraps.

It is a quick cut or 2, and I can make several sizes from one scrap.

This is a scrap print that never ends

I like to use it with the 0 at the bottom right

The left piece will go into the string/crumb bin. The middle is a 2 1/2 inch strip, and the right will go into the trash- no waste.

The left piece is 1 1/2 inch, then 2 inch, then 2 1/2 inch. All with out moving. I enjoy this in the evening when I am too tired to do much of anything. I find it very therapeutic. I don't worry about cutting it the wrong sizes anymore, because, I have a huge collection of scraps. If I want matchy matchy, I have plenty of other options as well. I am sure the red bear print will show up in a scrap bag for years to come. And at my estate sale, if 5 people buy my fabric. It will be in each of their bags. It is just magical fabric.

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