Chantal asked me last week how I organize my scraps and keep so many scrappy projects on the go at the same time, so I thought I'd share about how I work with my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects. These are some of the storage bins I use for my small scraps. Some are sorted by theme (ie. dots) but mostly by colour. The batik scraps have their own bin.
**When Angela announces the colour of the month, I dump out that bin and sort the scraps into lights and darks, or in the case of aqua month, I separated the blue from the aqua scraps.
**I decide if there is enough variety to sew a Palm branch block and if so, I pull those pieces out and set aside. I need 14 different scraps for a Palm block.
**All my 1" strips for Omigosh are always stored in a separate tin, so I check in there to see if there are enough pieces to make some blocks for the colour of the month.
**If there are enough 2.5" squares, I will sew a Carrie Nation block or two, or more.
**Then I look to see if there are enough larger scraps for pumpkin seeds (I need 4 different ones to make a block) and cut those with my Leaves Galore ruler.
Here are the pumpkin seed blocks I have sewn so far. I made 3 purple blocks last month, and can't wait to get started on the green blocks... this quilt definitely needs some green don't you think?!?
My ultimate goal is to keep my scraps organized as I create them. But until then, each month I cut them into useable sizes and have them ready to sew whenever I have time throughout the month.
To see what other quilters are making with their scraps, hop over to SoScrappy.
23 comments:
Fantastic organization and work plan - just like a flowchart. :)
I am not being very productive at the moment and I am pretty sure it has to do with a lack of organization!!
So many of the quilters are so organized! I seem to work best in chaos - as that is usually the state of my sewing room. Some green would look great in that quilt. I hope you have enough greens to make a few. If not - I can send you some!
Sounds like a great organization scheme. Your bins of separate colors are such a happy collection. Hope you find plenty in your green bin to keep you busy this month.
This helps to make sense ( to me ) of how you have so many different projects going at any one time! :)
I need to get more organized with my scraps, thanks for the tips!
First, thank you sooooo much for showing me the "how-to" of an organized sewing room. I've learned a lot reading this post and I appreciated you taking the time to show me. Now I understand how you can do all. My problem is that I store my scraps by size. My fabric is stored by colours but not my scraps. So to do even one of your many projects, I have to look into 7 bins! LOL!
Second, I love your pumpkin seeds quilt; some greens will definitively be good seeds to plant in this quilt. LOL. Now, if you will excuse me I have some scraps reorganization to take care of. Thanks for sharing Kathy.
Your scraps are well organized and you have a plan. I store my scraps by color in plastic zip lock bags and tossed in a plastic basket. I was just tossing them in the basket but was always hunting for what I needed.
Whoever created those plastic shoeboxes deserves a great big thank you from every quilter. It is definitely easier to find and organize scraps when you can see what you're looking for. Great system, Kathy. Thanks for sharing.
All good ideas, Kathy! Sorting by color is something I need to do too. My storage space is very limited but organizing it differently would help.
You know me, every quilt needs a lot of green!
You are doing a great job with all your scrap projects.
Keep it up
Lovely post with great information. My system is similar, but a little different to fit my style. But organization really is a key.
A little information goes a long way.One project at a time in a box and you are off. Take out a box and get sewing. You make it sound so easy! Happy sewing this weekend. Can't wait to see what you are up to at class today!
Your Northern Blog Stalker
It was fun to read about your process ... it looks a lot like mine. I have four on-going projects for which I'm making blocks for the rainbow scraps challenge. I almost always start with the ones that need the largest pieces and work my way down to making the 2 inch HST units in my broken dishes blocks.
I enjoyed seeing how you operate. Looks like a good system.
Green pumpkin seeds will be a nice addition to a great quilt!
Thanks for sharing! I started the colour challenge this year, but quickly fell of the wagon. I do sort by colour, but where I failed was to decide on specific blocks to work on. Now I'm going to revisit my projects and see where I can improve. Thanks again for the inspiration!
It sounds like you have an excellent system! I need to get more containers so I can sort my scraps into more manageable groups. Love you pumpkin seed blocks!!
Sounds like organization is the key. I think what I am lacking is energy.
Wow! You are working on lots of quilts all at the same time. Love the blocks!
Hugs
Thanks for the great post! Can I get you to come and sort my stuff? I really need some organization here.
Great post! Very interesting apprpoach to scrap quilting. Thanks for sharing!
I need you to come and organize me....
Sounds like you have a good system all worked out. I've been using this year's scrap challenge to do more organizing of my scraps.
Most excellent organizational ideas. Thanks for sharing.
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