February Studio Organizing, Task One
Posted on February 11, 2023 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeWell, here’s my bag of scraps. Not empty, but I’ve sure made a dent in it. And not much of it has gone into my pre-cuts! This bag had mostly really tiny pieces in it, but I use a lot of tiny pieces, so it works out great for me.
From this bag, so far, I’ve cut pieces for NINE scrap quilts that I already have going, sorted the triangles for my friend, Barb, put the strings into the string bucket, and thrown away whatever was seriously not usable. That means that when this bag is empty, it’s just GONE — not relocated — GONE! And it moves several scrap quilts along, so I’m really happy about that.
If you haven’t already, I recommend that you go back to the last post HERE and read the comments — there are some really good ideas and suggestions about dealing with the scraps. And about that topic . . . I’m getting ready to begin a series of posts talking about scraps and ways to deal with them, so stay tuned.
But now it’s time for the next organizing challenge. What shall it be? Hmmm . . .
Let’s
Pick an older project and get it back on track
Have you noticed that the first few times you go through a mess, it’s easy to make the decisions about some of it, but then when you have to do it again with the remains of the same pile, the decisions get harder?
As I’ve been cleaning up the piles around here, I’m trying not to just move the stuff around, but actually deal with it. The further along I get, the harder the decisions get, and the more work needs to be done to deal with the things that are left.
So as I’m working on a pile, I’m trying to actually work my way through the pile, rather than choose yet again to not deal with it at the moment. At some point, those decisions are gonna have to be made, so I’m trying to keep myself from procrastinating on those decisions.
In one of my piles, I found fabrics that I had pulled for a veteran’s quilt. When I was sorting my blue bins, I added a few more choice pieces to the pile, and now, rather than letting it sit any longer, I plan to get it out and try to figure out what my plan was, and maybe even start getting it cut out.
Since I’m working on my red fabric bin this month, perhaps I can pull some more reds that will go with it, and use up even more fabric! Then again, maybe I’ve pulled enough fabric for two or three quilts, so I’ll have to see.
That’s what I’ll be working on this time.
How about you? Do you have an old project that you keep pushing aside for some reason?
Can you pull it out, see what it needs, and get it back on track for finishing?
Getting it done will get rid of another pile, after all — that’s my ultimate goal!
I am just back from Maine Art Quilts February meeting. I got excited over a friends quilt that used some delightful bits in it.
Yes will continue to sort scraps. ( How large is that plastic bag in the photo? Could you say put a small Goat in it)
I made a Kathleen Tracy quilt last year that has prairie points as an inner border. They’re bulky and I think that’s what’s making me avoid finishing it. I decided this morning that I’m going to take off the prairie points and just put a plain border on it. Your post came at just the right time! Thanks, Shelly.
I have all my wip in the bedroom closet that I use for my fabric room. I retired 7 years ago, some of those projects are ones that I started up to two years prior to retirement from classes from my local quilt store prior to their closing! I feel confident enough to finish my Long Time Gone -Jen Kingwell quilt, the last portion, my seams were off, and will have to add /subtract to make it work. I will channel Tim Gunn this week and give it the old college try…( If two semesters of Art and Judo count!)
I have been working my way thru bins that have things thrown in, or in this case a smaller bin with lots of HSTS. And luckily the pattern was there. I put it aside so I can trim them up, make the pinwheel blocks before the end of the month!
Barb used to want the fabric string labels. You might want to throw them at her. I am making quilt tops for community service a LOT. This keeps those scraps sorta sorted.
My Long Time Gone sections didn’t measure up correctly. I feel confident enough to attempt the finish. I won’t be ripping out, just channeling Tim Gunn to make it work!
I worked on my bag of scraps and started 2 quilts; both of your Strippers Delight patterns. They are so much fun to make! I was making progress until I brought home a bag of scraps from a friend who’s moving. Everything is on hold at my place now until I can get my long arm moved into the house I bought for that purpose. I do know some of my oldest UFO’s are in need of more fabric; I know I needed more white fabric for a couple. I may have also needed more advanced skills than I had at the time.
Old project – need to pull it out & see what needs to get done to get it done! Next on my list!
I also keep leaders/enders beside my sewing machine so the thread never stops! My sisters and I make a lot of charity quilts for our Guild from scraps/yardage that is donated for the cause. I made blocks from the 2022 Stashbuster Challenge last year, it was a lot of fun to see all the different layouts. We make Pet beds out of the very smallest scraps of fabric/batting. But I also need to work/clean my Studio…..gotta go!
Just incapable of making scrap quilts. Just looking at a bin of scraps makes my head HURT. Usually, I don’t have many; but, a year of getting ready to move, moving and unpacking destroyed my use-’em-up before they become scraps system. Fortunately, I have found someone who really, really wants them. I cleared one bin of them for her. Now, will start another. How the heck did I make that many scraps in ONE year??
I have finished all the quilts that had to be quilted (16) for January! Cleaned up my quilt rack and found over 25 that need labels (UGH) another project to do. Then I straightened up all of my fabrics in the Studio. Now this week I have started going through the pieces to cut into squares, etc. I am separating Moda’s from batiks.
Next, is the dusting job after I search for a pattern that I know is somewhere around here.
I am looking forward when I have all of the quilts bonded and can go forward on making a new quilt!
Cleaning quilt UFO’s has taken me over a year now to complete, but the end is now over and binding is Number 1! Hugs
I did get started on sorting my scraps…maybe 1/4 done? Hard to know they are stashed around the room😱. Starting is good. I will continue on that a little each time I’m in my sewing room.
For the new task, I pulled out a long forgotten heart quilt that I’m going to get on the longarm this week. Made backing and binding yesterday. Won’t be done for valentines but still will finish it before the end of the month. Started back on my leader ender that had gotten set aside too. Catching up on Blast from the Past and feeling the mojo coming back😁.
I’ve been working on cutting the scraps into usable sizes. I’m not real sure this is going to work for me but it sure is much neater than tossing them into a tub. As for an old project, I’ve been working on them also. Will be traveling for the rest of February so I can’t see many more finishes for the month.
I love all your ideas. I usually when I’m done with a project cut all the small pieces into 2.5 or 3 inch squares someday a scrap quilt will transpire ( I hope.). I hate anything smaller than that wi I had someone to give smaller scraps to. Also tri angle scraps I hate to throw them away but don’t want to mess with something that small. Any one who would like these I’d be glad to send them to you. I’m always trying to organise. I hate a mess and the you can’t find anything and you forget about that piece you just had to buy. Thanks for your ideas. I just found your site. Love everyone s ideas
Just found your site. Love all the ideas I hate tiny pieces but hate to throw them away. I’d be glad to send them to someone who could use them. Keep the ideas coming