Scraps

[Carla G.]

After finishing my March BOM at MIL's over the holiday, I moved on (back) to my other carry along project, a scrappy honeycomb quilt, and made lots of progress... until I ran out of bright & colorful scraps! All I had pre-cut left were muted, browns, tans, etc... And much to my dismay, of 3 fabric stores listed in her phone book, 2 were closed for the entire Easter holiday/spring break! :cry:

I guess I'm funny about scraps, and I'll have to get over it, but I hate to "make" scraps out of a "perfectly good" piece of fabric!! What I mean is, I have plenty of FQ's F8's, even charm squares, but I keep thinking I want to keep them "whole" for some unknown project or another.

My LQS has a scrap basket where you can fill a baggie w/ scraps for a few dollars, I love it when there's a good selection after a class or something! I looked at a few websites last night that sell scraps by the pound, but even some of them tout "each scrap is at least F8 or larger!" when all I really want is 2.5" square!! :roll:
If any of you know of a website that has good scraps, or if YOU think 2.5" is too small to save, let me know!!
Florence

[Carla G.]

Florence do you buy the scraps at Summit sewing Center? I have never taken a quilt class so I signed up to take the beginner class in April. I hope it doesn't get canceled.

Sheryl

[Carla G.]

After finishing my March BOM at MIL's over the holiday, I moved on (back) to my other carry along project, a scrappy honeycomb quilt, and made lots of progress... until I ran out of bright & colorful scraps! All I had pre-cut left were muted, browns, tans, etc... And much to my dismay, of 3 fabric stores listed in her phone book, 2 were closed for the entire Easter holiday/spring break! :cry:

I guess I'm funny about scraps, and I'll have to get over it, but I hate to "make" scraps out of a "perfectly good" piece of fabric!! What I mean is, I have plenty of FQ's F8's, even charm squares, but I keep thinking I want to keep them "whole" for some unknown project or another.

My LQS has a scrap basket where you can fill a baggie w/ scraps for a few dollars, I love it when there's a good selection after a class or something! I looked at a few websites last night that sell scraps by the pound, but even some of them tout "each scrap is at least F8 or larger!" when all I really want is 2.5" square!! :roll:
If any of you know of a website that has good scraps, or if YOU think 2.5" is too small to save, let me know!!
Florence

Hi Florence,

My quilt guild has something called a "Free Table" where members leave their unwanted quilt fabrics, scraps, magazines, UFOs, etc. You wouldn't believe some of the goodies I've acquired from it. If you are a guild member of a guild that does not have a "Free Table", then you might want to start one. One suggestion is that someone is assigned to clean it up after each meeting.

[Carla G.]

Sherry, yep, Summit Sewing Center. I just don't get out there as often as I'd like, I'm on the other side of town. But she keeps a basket at the back over the "dog house" fabrics. I took a beginning piecing class and a beginning machine quilting class there several years ago, but just can't seem to find the time lately. But I definitely picked up good information! Everything else I learned from Alex on Simply Quilts or from books! I'd love to take one of Venita McCall's classes, her quilts are beautiful and I hear she's a great teacher, but it just hasn't happened yet--maybe this summer....

Nancy I really enhanced my scrap collection by purchasing 2 BIG plastic jars (think economy peanut butter &/or snack mix) full at a silent auction at a nearby show 2 years ago. It was fun looking at the colors & shapes & imagining the quilts that these were left from I don't belong to a guild (ya'll are it!) but that could be another idea for those of you who do... The mere idea that some people throw out scraps just kills me! I have a hard time parting with the itty-bitty things... ops: I have to think somewhere there'a a project that needs them...
Florence

[Eileen K.]

Florence,
What about charm squares? Would they serve your purpose? Lots of fabric manufacturers sell charm packs of their latest lines.
Hope this helps,
eileenkny 8)

[Eileen K.]

I am a scrap nut. I am always looking in the remnant bins or keeping my eyes open for scraps to buy. I was at a shop in Intercourse PA a few weeks ago and they had these packs they called "Grandma's scrap bags" for $6. They were crammed full of all kinds of color coordinated scraps ranging in size from a full 1/4 yard down to one really pretty batik that was just a 2" strip. There were some really nice fabrics in those bags - I bought two for myself and one for each of my girls. It was like Christmas opening those and seeing what we got 8)

Another time I went to a local fabric store and they had scrap bags they were selling for $5 a bag. The scraps were various end cuts and designer samples. I bought two bags that were full of Thomas and Friends samples and had enough fabric to make a twin sized quilt as well as a small drag around one for my little boy who LOVES Thomas! I need to get back there and see if they have any more.

[Judith T.]

Mandy, which shop in PA did you go to? I will be there in May. Come on up and meet me. I will be in York for 3 weeks. Judy in AZ

[Judith T.]

It was The Old Country Store - right across from Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse PA. - about 5? miles outside Lancaster on the Old Philadelphia Pike. That whole area is like quilter heaven :lol: On the second floor of the store is the People's Place Quilt Museum, which is fabulous and currently is featuring works by Fons and Porter. Right across the street is a store that sells Amish made quilts that just knock your socks off, and you have to go around the back side of that building and get a good look at the quilt themed mural they painted there. Start walking in either direction and you will find all kinds of little Amish quilt shops too. There was this one little house I remember in particular that was stuffed to the gills with quilts and a couple of Amish ladies were sitting there working on the most fantastic quilt. I seriously felt like I had OD'd on quilts there, lol. Another really nice shop I went to was between Lancaster and Intercourse in a little town called Bird-in-Hand. That one was fairly good sized and had a nice selection of fabric and books, but I don't remember its exact name. - Gee, can you tell I love that area, lol :lol: :lol:

As for meeting up with you, I will be in the area again the weekend of April 12 - my dh plays with a Sr.Drum and Bugle alumni corp out of Harrisburg and their big spring concert is that weekend. Saturday I will be free to roam the countrside while RJ rehearses, so I figured I would shoot down that direction while I had the chance.

[Judith T.]

I lived in York for 5 years and have been in the stores you have mentioned. My DD is currently living in our condo there and I will be staying at there for 3 weeks and plan to get together with my old quilting buddies and shop. On Rt. 30 on the other side of the outlets in Lancaster past Ronks Rd. is a wonderful place to eat Mennonite food called Dineers. It is past Millers' which has expensive buffet but this place is so good with fresh made food right out of the kitchen. If you are down that way at lunch time, go early 'cause busloads of quilting women stop there often for lunch. And around the corner is a great little quilt shop.
Judy in AZ

[Judith T.]

At our every-other-year quilt show, we have a Scrap Dive. We all donate scraps, which are in large plastic bins, and the folks who come to the show can purchase a quart-size zip bag to fill with any of the scraps that they want. It's very popular.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Mary H.]

Florence I used to think kinda like you - I couldn't cut into a perfectly good fat quarter or half yard cut to get a "scrap". It finally dawned on me that I can't keep my fat quarters forever and when you cut that first "scrap", then that makes the whole fat quarter become a scrap -- so your scrap pile grows. (if that makes sense). Besides it helps make room for new fat quarters, however, I made a vow to start using my fat quarters because they were taking up too much space. It's surprising how the stack has come down. Mary in warm MS, where the azaleas are blooming.

[Mary H.]

Pat, that is a great idea. How much do you sell those quart size bags of scraps for?

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

[Mary H.]

About a month or so ago, I weeded out my fat quarters & scraps. I decided I would never use them and they needed to go. ..... But in my normal can't toss anything mode, I didn't toss them, I stored them in the basement. Now I find myself rummaging through the bag to find little treasures.

Love the scrap dive idea. Wish I were in a guild.

[Margo C.]

I love scrappy quilts, and have found a lot of wonderful ideas from
Bonnie Hunter's web site, both about quilts to make, and ways to manage a scrappy stash! Fix a cuppa tea, and plan to spend some time exploring her site!

http://www.quiltville.com/machinequilting.shtml

[Margo C.]

We've been selling them for fifty cents, which I think is too low--you can get a lot into one of those bags. I think a dollar would be better, and still fair.

Pat in Rockport, TX