Scrap Happy - Using it Up!

Hi!  Thanks for stopping by!  By now, you've probably seen TONS of awesome projects and ideas for using up your scraps (and let's admit it - you probably have more batik scraps than anything else, because.....well, because batiks are awesome, and most of your fav projects are out of batiks, right? Right!).  

As an alum of the fabulous Island Batiks Ambassadors program, I've been lucky enough to stitch up many, many, many batik projets- and it never gets old.  So I have to admit - I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to focus on for you.  I settled on sharing some of my thoughts on working with scraps.

1.  Scraps - to keep or not to keep?

Do you keep your scraps?  Ok, it SEEMS like a silly question.  But I have quilting friends that value a pristine sewing space, and get rid of (yes, they do!) any scraps left over from a quilting project.  No, I don't take them up on the sharing - I generate enough scraps on my own, thank you very much!  But I understand where they are coming from.  Scraps can really pile up, and the temptation to toss can become overwhelming, especially when you are in clean out mode.

2. Scraps - how to organize?

                

So you've decided to keep your scraps.  Wonderful!  But.....how do you organize them?  Of course, this is quilter's preference.  While I'm in project mode, I prefer the basket method.  What's the basket method?  Well, I have one very large basket right under my cutting table, and this is where all of the selvedges and trimmings go.  Trimmings, you're thinking? What the heck would I do with those?  More on that later.  Since I prefer to keep my scraps organized by collection, I put larger scraps from the same collection/project into yet ANOTHER basket (did I mention I have a basket problem as well?).  Ok, baskets are great.  But is that how I store my scraps?

3.  Scraps - how to store?

              

Once I've finished a project, I move the scraps out of the basket and onto my shelves.  I may love baskets, but I only have so much floor space!  I typically fold the scraps and create a stack, with the largest pieces on the bottom, and any smaller, but usable pieces on the top.  Often, but not always, I'll use a small strip to bundle the group together.  This makes it super easy to pull a group out when I want to work with it.  I can also tell at a glance if I have any larger quantities of a fabric within a group, especially when I'm thinking of using a fabric for a background or border.  Some folks like to store their scraps by color, either in boxes or in drawers.  Find what works best for you, your quilting style, and your available space.

4. Scraps - so what size is a scrap?

Ah - wonderful question.  Again, this is quilter's preference.  For me, unless it is SIGNIFICANT yardage (ie more than 1 1/2 yards), the fabric will go into the scrap stack (again, by collection/project).  And yes, you'll notice I included selvedges in the trimmings basket.  But if you are fan of selvedge quilts, you might create your own special selvedge basket or bin so that you can tackle a selvedge quilt once you have enough.  For me, selvedges go into the trimming basket, as well as anything less than 1" wide.  

Consider your piecing preferences.  If you are a fan of miniatures or intricate paper piecing, you might keep smaller pieces.  But if strip piecing and larger blocks are your thing, you might only want 2 1/2" wide strips or larger.  You decide!

5.  Scraps - what do I do with them?

IMHO, there is no right or wrong answer here.  Again, think about your project preferences.  Here are some of the fun ways I've used scraps:

• Sample blocks:  when you start a new project, it is a wise idea to stitch up a sample block before cutting into your project yardage, just to make sure you understand the cutting and piecing instructions, and to make sure there aren't any errors.  I ADORE my fabulous pattern testers, but let's admit it.  We are all human and mistakes DO happen.  This can also provide a terrific opportunity to play around with fabric combinations.  Thinking about using an orange background?  Or making a quilt all in neutrals?  Try out a sample scrap block first. Making a sample block can save you tons of headaches! 
• Try a new technique:  never done paper piecing and not sure you'll like it?  Or trying needle turn applique forthe first time?  Want to brush up on your quilting skills (do I have a project for you!  More below)?  Why not use some of your scraps for practice, before you move on to the "real deal".
• Gifts:  I once challenged myself to make small gifts for a group of friends, using just the fabrics in my scrap drawers (this was before I graduated to so many I needed a shelving unit!).  So.Much.Fun!  I had to think creatively about color groupings (I could tailor each project to the friend and her preferences), what blocks I could make, based on the size of the scraps, AND (bonus) I reduced my scrap stash.  Which we all know is an AWESOME reason to go buy more fabric!

Hopefully these tips gave you some food for thought - or some scraps to consider.  And as an added little bonus, here's one of my fav ways to use up small scrap strips, brush up on my quilting skills AND make some terrific little gifts as well!  

I find that small, partial strips are great for stitching up my fun little quilted bracelets.  It only takes a few inches to of assorted strips to create a fun strip set AND practice my quilting (free motion, a specific design, or just random stitching - up to you!).  I did these samples out of my recent Elementz line from Island Batik.  

And it just so happens that Elementz works wonderfully with my Aurifil Florida Oranges thread collection.  Yep - bright colors again!  So you can play around with new threads, or try a new thread/fabric combination.  And I worked up this fun little stash busting bracelet project using multiple threads for quilting, and different strips for a bright quilted cuff bracelet.  I love this project, because it gives me a chance to try out different quilting techniques and styles and as well as different color combinations, and gives me a fun addition to my wardrobe as well.  Talk about easy gifts - nothing better! You can find the project sheet on my website, here.

Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me. Happy stitching!

If you are interested in having me teach at your shop or guild, please contact me!

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!

There's still more scrap busting fun going on - so check out the other Island Batik Ambassadors' posts:

#IslandBatikAlum  #IslandBatikUseitup

Here is a list so you can follow along:

Monday April 16

• Lemon Tree Snippets https://lemontreesnippets.wordpress.com/
• Beaquilter                    http://www.beaquilter.com/

Tuesday April 17^th

• Seams To Be Sew      http://www.seamstobesew.com/
• Mary Macks Blog        http://teachpany.blogspot.com/

Wednesday April 18^th

• One Quilting Circle     http://www.onequiltingcircle.com/
• Seams Like a Dream  http://seamslikeadream.com/blog/

Thursday April 19^th

• Tammarinis                 https://www.tamarinis.com/
• Kathy’s Kwilts and More         https://kathyskwiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

Friday April 20^th

• Inspired Layers           https://inspiredlayerslinda.wordpress.com/
• Kissed Quilts               http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com/

Saturday, April 21^st

• Purfect Spots              http://www.purrfectspots.blogspot.com
• Patchwork Breeze      http://patchworkbreeze.blogspot.com/

Sunday April 22^nd

• For Quilts Sake           https://forquiltssake.blogspot.com/