The Great Purge of 2019
I'm not sure what started me on this path the other day but in opening up one of my scrap bins to find some fabric, I realized that I have saved every single scrap from the time I started quilting in 2012. Originally it was because I didn't have a stash to speak of, but eventually I'm sure it just became habit. I decided then and there that enough was enough and it was time to just get rid of all those tiny scraps and start fresh.
Over the last few days, I went through my clear shoe box bins for each color and got rid of all the small scraps that I know I would never realistically use. I also got rid of most of those edges that I cut off from squaring up quilts after they'd been long-armed. By the end of this afternoon this is the pile I had:
Now the question is - what do I do with these? I hate to just throw them away so I'm going to see if anyone in my guild wants them for anything. I think there are a few members who use scraps to make pet beds out of them and another guild member is known for making quilts with super tiny scraps (she won a 2018 QuiltCon award for her quilt Leftovers). All I know is that I feel lighter somehow when I walk into my stash closet.
~ Diana
Over the last few days, I went through my clear shoe box bins for each color and got rid of all the small scraps that I know I would never realistically use. I also got rid of most of those edges that I cut off from squaring up quilts after they'd been long-armed. By the end of this afternoon this is the pile I had:
Now the question is - what do I do with these? I hate to just throw them away so I'm going to see if anyone in my guild wants them for anything. I think there are a few members who use scraps to make pet beds out of them and another guild member is known for making quilts with super tiny scraps (she won a 2018 QuiltCon award for her quilt Leftovers). All I know is that I feel lighter somehow when I walk into my stash closet.
~ Diana
I've been doing the same thing! Spent today going through the red scraps since they were already out for RSC. Pulled out an ice cream bucket of tiny bonus HSTs. Decided I am NOT going to trim them down to 1.75"!! I may do a give-away on the blog. And there's always a trash bin nearby. Why are we so hesitant to dispose of fabric?
ReplyDeleteI think it's great to purge occasionally. I hope that someone in your guild will be thrilled to get and use these scraps. :)
ReplyDeleteI've done a few scrap swaps with friends too. I had a friend who was looking for purple scraps, so I sent her a flat rate envelope stuffed with purple and a few other pieces and she sent me back a bunch of her stuff that wasn't purple and it worked out great!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure someone will want them! I save all my off-cuts and trimmings for a woman who makes dog beds. I'm glad to give her a bag every month and keep it out of the trash can AND out of my house!
ReplyDeleteHi Diana, what a fabulous way to start off a new year, a good clean out is great for the creative soul!
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