I had time yesterday to get some borders onto my Secret Santa Sew Along top. I also cut the binding, and even made up an odd block for my orphan collection before clearing the remains of this project off the table and putting them away. Not sure if I'll have time to get it quilted this week, but in any case the top is now hanging over the upper stair railing looking festive, and meanwhile my work table is slightly more empty :)
I've always been a scrappy quilter, which means I've always saved everything. In the past I would have set aside selected leftovers from a project into a ziplock bag and kept them together in case I ever wanted to revisit them for repairs. All other odds and ends went into my general assortment of scraps, and I'm talking tote-tubs-full. Through the years I've made more than 700 quilts, so you can imagine that I've generated a LOT of scraps.
After decades of drowning in scraps, I've recently made a decision to change my procedure: I'm now making an effort to eradicate leftovers and scraps! Large-enough leftovers are being folded and put into a donation stack. Medium-size leftovers are being cut down immediately into charm squares or strips. Smaller bits are being flat-out discarded -- I have more fabric than I will ever possibly use, even if I never save another bit again. This approach still feels radical to me, but it's freeing also -- I'm lightening my load!
(And we're not even talking about my actual yardage stash.)
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6 comments:
I like that you put a border on your quilt; that makes it perfect. I try to do that too...make little things out of my scraps, as I go along. Do you feel lighter??!!
That quilt makes me think of those green and white peppermint Christmas candies. My intentions are good regarding upcycling my bits and bobs, but you'd never know it looking at my work tables!
It's fabulous! I'm going to list a few of these finishes on a blog post this week because I just love seeing all these versions!
thanks for the lightening load pep talk.... we all need it!
Your quilt is a wonderful example of scrappy goodness. LOVE it!!
I love your version with the scrappy green border and continuation of the chain into the border. Good Idea! Your bonus block is fabulous! 700 Quilts!! I might get there some day.
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