06 August, 2007

Scraps And Leftovers

I was asked by a friend if she could bring her Home Extension Club here to see my sewing room. "Sure", I answered, I was flattered to think of becoming a destination and am always happy to fling open the door to like-minded ladies. I began to think about the bags and boxes lurking in the dark corners of my stash closet. They should be pulled out and the closet could definitely use some tidying, I reasoned. They're coming this Thursday. Saturday was deemed cleaning day. I had convinced myself it wasn't too cluttered, it was quickly apparent that I'd been operating under serious delusion. The only truth was that all those scraps and leftovers stuffed away were cleverly out of sight. They only grew in magnitude when exposed to the light of day! I easily filled a big, black trash bag with junk. The jagged fabric scraps were piled high onto the cutting table for trimming, the pile grew into two and eventually spilled over onto an auxiliary table! I spent the better part of yesterday cutting these pieces into usable bricks and squares. I've assigned bins for this purpose, employing Bonnie's Scrap User's System, I've been filling up these bins all year. It's taking me a long time to convert to storing my leftovers in this orderly, pre-cut fashion, but I've been quilting (and hoarding) using the alternate 'cramming and hiding' method for twenty four years now. Anything worthwhile takes time. I'll be pressing and trimming more today, I've worked my way through the cutting table piles and I'm onto the secondary batches. Progress! Nothing is wasted, nothing. The wastebasket's empty. The smallest scraps that fail to measure up get cut in to slivers and strips for String Quilts and the crumbs and morsels go into a box destined for a kindergarten art center to be pasted onto construction paper by aspiring fiber artists! The closet is clean. I'm ready for company, and I feel more organized than ever. It's a good feeling, one that's going to take some getting used to!
Life is Good!

11 comments:

leigh anna said...

i'm super excited to find out exactly what those precious aspiring fabric artists decide to do with all the scraps you send to them! :)

CONNIE W said...

I think sorting through fabric scraps is the more enjoyable type of cleaning & sorting as say the junk drawer for example. At least you're fonding fabric while actually working. hee hee
I will enjoy getting back to my sewing room to do that part of my cleaning but unfortunately there are few more rooms that taking priority. The reward will be the day I get to do some stash management. Happy Monday :)

YankeeQuilter said...

Now I have a name for my method..."cramming and hoarding!" I knew there was a catagory for me somewhere!!!

Kidding aside - the new organization looks wonderful. You are very kind (and brave?!) to open your studio/sewing space to these folks.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I spent the 4th of July turning many of the smaller pieces in my stash into usable 2-1/2" strips as I gradually work toward Bonnie's Scrap User System. (see posts on my blog for All About Soul - the quilt that came out of all that rotary cutting). I love scrappy quilts above all others - and I, too, was immediately drawn to the cover quilt in the last F&P magazine. I'm adding your blog to my list so I can check back often. Happy stitching!!

Libby said...

I still currently enjoy the cramming and hoarding method - but I did buy a couple of nice boxes to store wool and 1 1/2" strips (a size I seem to enjoy above all others *s*) Your shelves look lovely and neat - great job!

Laurie Ann said...

I'll bet that feels good!! Looks good too!

Paula, the quilter said...

I've got my scraps organized. Now if I only had the time to use them. *sigh*. BTW, you and I have the same shelving system. Love it.

meggie said...

Wow! Well done! I agree with Connie's comment too. More chance to fondle & admire the fabric!

Shelina said...

I am glad that you are feeling better, and are working not only on a beautiful red quilt, but also on playing with your scraps.
When I first started reading your post, I thought you were making a bag for everyone as parting gifts!

Carole said...

Wow, another one with the cleaning bug! I will admit it does feel good once you've accomplished what you set out to do! I re-organized my scrap bin last year. It's a 10 year thing for me! ;o) Keep well!

atet said...

Can I just say -- WOW?!?