A crafts forum. CraftBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » CraftBanter forum » Textiles newsgroups » Quilting
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

OK, you've finished the quilt, now what to do with the scraps? Have fun!



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old January 4th 04, 11:34 PM
QUILTKITTY
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default OK, you've finished the quilt, now what to do with the scraps? Have fun!


It's done, it's beautiful...the quilt you finally finished! But, what do
you do if you have scraps and blocks left over? If you have nothing, or very
few pieces left, congrats, you estimated your fabric requirements perfectly!
If you have a smidge left, just cut them up into squares or strips to use on
your next scrap quilt.

However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks that
were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you fussy cut
your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey" fabric....what can
you do with it? I've learned how to have fun. Forget patterns...you can
piece any which way you want. With my leftovers, depending how much I have,
either I make a large, large pillow for a coordinating backrest (26" square) to
the quilt, a lap quilt or doggie quilt. No pattern whatsoever! You don't
need one.

Start with all the larger "good" pieces and decide whether you have enough
for a lap quilt (say, 50" x 60") or just a smaller pillow. Readi-made pillow
forms come in a variety of sizes. Cut the "holey" fabric around other motifs,
as large as possible, if they're slightly "cut off" it doesn't matter, just cut
them all out the same way so you have a pile of them. Arrange all the fabric
scraps into like sizes. On a counter, start with the large pieces or blocks,
and then add here and there the smaller scraps where-ever they "fit". I try to
make things semi-symetrical, if I have 3 good blocks left I'll do 2 on the top,
and one center in the middle under it. Then just fill in till you have a mini
"top" (pillow, lap or doggie). The emphasis is on "NO PATTERN", you just piece
with what you've got. If you can do a lap or doggie size top, I recommend just
getting a high loft batting and tie it off. For a pillow, just put more pieces
into 2 overlapping rectangles for the backing so that you can insert the pillow
form easily. It doesn't matter if it "matches" the main quilt, as long as the
fabrics are the same it matches!

Then, when you're done, you'll really just have a few "scraps" good for your
scrap pile, and really....another quilted item to keep or give away! This
method is fun because you just piece-as-you-go!

The dog will just love his/her new quilt if it's fluffy, you'll like looking
at it, it'll be washable, and you'll have something to remember those great
fabrics you used on that other quilt.

~Monique (quiltkitty)
Ads
  #2  
Old January 5th 04, 01:28 AM
georg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

QUILTKITTY wrote:


It's done, it's beautiful...the quilt you finally finished! But, what do
you do if you have scraps and blocks left over? If you have nothing, or very
few pieces left, congrats, you estimated your fabric requirements perfectly!
If you have a smidge left, just cut them up into squares or strips to use on
your next scrap quilt.

However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks that
were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you fussy cut
your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey" fabric....what can
you do with it? I've learned how to have fun. Forget patterns...you can
piece any which way you want. With my leftovers, depending how much I have,
either I make a large, large pillow for a coordinating backrest (26" square) to
the quilt, a lap quilt or doggie quilt. No pattern whatsoever! You don't
need one.


(You can also hack of a square and send it off to be part of a HUG
quilt) Not that I've ever done that.

-georg
who planned the borders of the HP WHs to make blocks with the extra.

  #4  
Old January 5th 04, 02:31 AM
nzl*
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

i was just going to say,
how bout for every quilt you make, make one extra block and send for the
next hug quilt request that the colours match up with. most are 6 inchers so
one 6 inch or a 12inch even is the same as 4 x 6inch so will easily fit in
the quilt somewhere. pretty typical size blocks too.
can we ever have enough blocks for those hugz that give someone so much
pleasure and warmth in their time of need...
jeanne
--
http://community.webshots.com/user/nzlstar
real reply is san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz

"georg" wrote...
| QUILTKITTY wrote:
|
|
| It's done, it's beautiful...the quilt you finally finished! But,
what do
| you do if you have scraps and blocks left over? If you have nothing, or
very
| few pieces left, congrats, you estimated your fabric requirements
perfectly!
| If you have a smidge left, just cut them up into squares or strips to
use on
| your next scrap quilt.
|
| However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks
that
| were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you
fussy cut
| your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey"
fabric....what can
| you do with it? I've learned how to have fun. Forget patterns...you
can
| piece any which way you want. With my leftovers, depending how much I
have,
| either I make a large, large pillow for a coordinating backrest (26"
square) to
| the quilt, a lap quilt or doggie quilt. No pattern whatsoever! You
don't
| need one.
|
| (You can also hack of a square and send it off to be part of a HUG
| quilt) Not that I've ever done that.
|
| -georg
| who planned the borders of the HP WHs to make blocks with the extra.
|


  #5  
Old January 5th 04, 02:35 AM
Jalynne
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

That's a great idea. I think i'll do that, too....hmmm, my head is spinning with
ideas tonight...
--
Jalynne - Keeper of the Quilt for ME club list
Queen Gypsy (snail mail available upon request)
see what i've been up to at www.100megsfree4.com/jalynne

"nzl*" wrote in message
...
i was just going to say,
how bout for every quilt you make, make one extra block and send for the
next hug quilt request that the colours match up with. most are 6 inchers so
one 6 inch or a 12inch even is the same as 4 x 6inch so will easily fit in
the quilt somewhere. pretty typical size blocks too.
can we ever have enough blocks for those hugz that give someone so much
pleasure and warmth in their time of need...
jeanne
--
http://community.webshots.com/user/nzlstar
real reply is san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz

"georg" wrote...
| QUILTKITTY wrote:
|
|
| It's done, it's beautiful...the quilt you finally finished! But,
what do
| you do if you have scraps and blocks left over? If you have nothing, or
very
| few pieces left, congrats, you estimated your fabric requirements
perfectly!
| If you have a smidge left, just cut them up into squares or strips to
use on
| your next scrap quilt.
|
| However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks
that
| were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you
fussy cut
| your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey"
fabric....what can
| you do with it? I've learned how to have fun. Forget patterns...you
can
| piece any which way you want. With my leftovers, depending how much I
have,
| either I make a large, large pillow for a coordinating backrest (26"
square) to
| the quilt, a lap quilt or doggie quilt. No pattern whatsoever! You
don't
| need one.
|
| (You can also hack of a square and send it off to be part of a HUG
| quilt) Not that I've ever done that.
|
| -georg
| who planned the borders of the HP WHs to make blocks with the extra.
|




  #6  
Old January 5th 04, 02:37 AM
Julia Altshuler
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

QUILTKITTY wrote:

However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks that
were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you fussy cut
your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey" fabric....what can
you do with it?



This is one of the central mysteries of quiltmaking.

I make a quilt. I plan it. I choose the colors carefully for each
block. Each part of the quilt is a masterpiece both individually and in
relation to the glorious whole. I match up the points. I pay attention
to ironing so the seams nest. I pin. I rip out the parts that didn't
come out right and redo them. I use a calculator to make sure I get the
border measurements figured right. I have a design board so I can
examine my quilt in progress from close up and far away. I call in
friends because we all love considering and rearranging.

I end up with a huge box of scraps. That's blocks that didn't make the
cut, pieces leftover from the end of the strip, half square triangles
that didn't fit in the block, fabrics that were close to the right color
but that didn't look right when all was said and done, math errors.

I take the scrap basket and sew everything together willy-nilly. I pay
no attention to pins or the direction of seams. I just take any 2
pieces that are close to having one side the same size and sew. I trim
away the excess with wild abandon. I sew everything into oddly sized
blocks. I supplement with charm squares from my collection. I square
everything up, slap a border on it and machine quilt.

THAT quilt always comes out better than the planned one! The planned
quilt gets compliments like "nice work" and "pretty fabrics." The odd
leftovers quilt gets compliments like "Wow! creative!" and "can I have a
picture for inspiration?"

I haven't sold many quilts, but the few I have sold have been the
unplanned ones. I figured they weren't very good so I had more nerve to
put them in the shop or donate them to the fundraiser.

Will someone please explain this to me?

--Lia

  #7  
Old January 5th 04, 02:51 AM
nzl*
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

chaos!! the one rule of the universe
we all love that which proves whatever that theory is bout chaos.
jeanne
--
http://community.webshots.com/user/nzlstar
real reply is san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz

"Julia Altshuler" wrote...
| QUILTKITTY wrote:
|
| However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks
that
| were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you
fussy cut
| your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey"
fabric....what can
| you do with it?
|
|
| This is one of the central mysteries of quiltmaking.
|
| I make a quilt. I plan it. I choose the colors carefully for each
| block. Each part of the quilt is a masterpiece both individually and in
| relation to the glorious whole. I match up the points. I pay attention
| to ironing so the seams nest. I pin. I rip out the parts that didn't
| come out right and redo them. I use a calculator to make sure I get the
| border measurements figured right. I have a design board so I can
| examine my quilt in progress from close up and far away. I call in
| friends because we all love considering and rearranging.
|
| I end up with a huge box of scraps. That's blocks that didn't make the
| cut, pieces leftover from the end of the strip, half square triangles
| that didn't fit in the block, fabrics that were close to the right color
| but that didn't look right when all was said and done, math errors.
|
| I take the scrap basket and sew everything together willy-nilly. I pay
| no attention to pins or the direction of seams. I just take any 2
| pieces that are close to having one side the same size and sew. I trim
| away the excess with wild abandon. I sew everything into oddly sized
| blocks. I supplement with charm squares from my collection. I square
| everything up, slap a border on it and machine quilt.
|
| THAT quilt always comes out better than the planned one! The planned
| quilt gets compliments like "nice work" and "pretty fabrics." The odd
| leftovers quilt gets compliments like "Wow! creative!" and "can I have a
| picture for inspiration?"
|
| I haven't sold many quilts, but the few I have sold have been the
| unplanned ones. I figured they weren't very good so I had more nerve to
| put them in the shop or donate them to the fundraiser.
|
| Will someone please explain this to me?
|
| --Lia
|


  #8  
Old January 5th 04, 11:25 AM
Tamara
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I give my scraps to a local school. These days they have hardly anything for arts
and crafts. Its greatly appreciated.

Tamara

QUILTKITTY wrote:


It's done, it's beautiful...the quilt you finally finished! But, what do
you do if you have scraps and blocks left over? If you have nothing, or very
few pieces left, congrats, you estimated your fabric requirements perfectly!
If you have a smidge left, just cut them up into squares or strips to use on
your next scrap quilt.

However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks that
were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you fussy cut
your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey" fabric....what can
you do with it? I've learned how to have fun. Forget patterns...you can
piece any which way you want. With my leftovers, depending how much I have,
either I make a large, large pillow for a coordinating backrest (26" square) to
the quilt, a lap quilt or doggie quilt. No pattern whatsoever! You don't
need one.

Start with all the larger "good" pieces and decide whether you have enough
for a lap quilt (say, 50" x 60") or just a smaller pillow. Readi-made pillow
forms come in a variety of sizes. Cut the "holey" fabric around other motifs,
as large as possible, if they're slightly "cut off" it doesn't matter, just cut
them all out the same way so you have a pile of them. Arrange all the fabric
scraps into like sizes. On a counter, start with the large pieces or blocks,
and then add here and there the smaller scraps where-ever they "fit". I try to
make things semi-symetrical, if I have 3 good blocks left I'll do 2 on the top,
and one center in the middle under it. Then just fill in till you have a mini
"top" (pillow, lap or doggie). The emphasis is on "NO PATTERN", you just piece
with what you've got. If you can do a lap or doggie size top, I recommend just
getting a high loft batting and tie it off. For a pillow, just put more pieces
into 2 overlapping rectangles for the backing so that you can insert the pillow
form easily. It doesn't matter if it "matches" the main quilt, as long as the
fabrics are the same it matches!

Then, when you're done, you'll really just have a few "scraps" good for your
scrap pile, and really....another quilted item to keep or give away! This
method is fun because you just piece-as-you-go!

The dog will just love his/her new quilt if it's fluffy, you'll like looking
at it, it'll be washable, and you'll have something to remember those great
fabrics you used on that other quilt.

~Monique (quiltkitty)


  #9  
Old January 5th 04, 04:08 PM
Diana Curtis
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

It may be that all the careful planning makes for a *tight and nervous*
looking quilt and the unplanned one is full of joyous abandon. In a quilt
perfection doesnt seem as important as the fun.
I wonder if most of us get to hung up on the 'perfect' color choices, and
perhaps that makes for less than vibrant quilts. Its not that they arent
beautiful, but there is no suprise in them.
Thats my theory anyway.
Diana

--
Queen of FAQs
Royal Peace Maker
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message
news:Hd3Kb.220989$8y1.875725@attbi_s52...
QUILTKITTY wrote:

However, if you have a bunch of fabric leftover: say, several blocks

that
were too small for the main top, or a huge swatch of fabric that you

fussy cut
your quilt's motifs out of and now you're left with "holey"

fabric....what can
you do with it?



This is one of the central mysteries of quiltmaking.

I make a quilt. I plan it. I choose the colors carefully for each
block. Each part of the quilt is a masterpiece both individually and in
relation to the glorious whole. I match up the points. I pay attention
to ironing so the seams nest. I pin. I rip out the parts that didn't
come out right and redo them. I use a calculator to make sure I get the
border measurements figured right. I have a design board so I can
examine my quilt in progress from close up and far away. I call in
friends because we all love considering and rearranging.

I end up with a huge box of scraps. That's blocks that didn't make the
cut, pieces leftover from the end of the strip, half square triangles
that didn't fit in the block, fabrics that were close to the right color
but that didn't look right when all was said and done, math errors.

I take the scrap basket and sew everything together willy-nilly. I pay
no attention to pins or the direction of seams. I just take any 2
pieces that are close to having one side the same size and sew. I trim
away the excess with wild abandon. I sew everything into oddly sized
blocks. I supplement with charm squares from my collection. I square
everything up, slap a border on it and machine quilt.

THAT quilt always comes out better than the planned one! The planned
quilt gets compliments like "nice work" and "pretty fabrics." The odd
leftovers quilt gets compliments like "Wow! creative!" and "can I have a
picture for inspiration?"

I haven't sold many quilts, but the few I have sold have been the
unplanned ones. I figured they weren't very good so I had more nerve to
put them in the shop or donate them to the fundraiser.

Will someone please explain this to me?

--Lia



  #10  
Old January 5th 04, 07:48 PM
Joe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I use pieces down to 3/8" square, so all I throw away is lint,
practically. Yes, I am certifiably crazy :-)
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Why would needleworkers attend quilt shows Debra Needlework 32 April 1st 04 04:08 PM
Returned Quilt -- What to do with it?? Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply Quilting 20 March 8th 04 07:55 PM
Stolen Quilt Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply Needlework 9 September 15th 03 08:52 PM
A Favor of you Please judy in fort worth Quilting 152 August 26th 03 01:40 AM
When you take a finished quilt to your LQS, do you? rjwhite6 Quilting 9 August 14th 03 10:43 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 CraftBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.