Projects made from my fabric stash

January 4, 2025
Stitchin’ Heaven New Year’s Day QAL Blocks 1 & 2 made from fabrics in my patriotic bin
Curvy, lined zipper pouch for class sample. Pattern drafted by me using Boxed Bag template by Carolina Moore.
Placemats using Mini Yellow Brick Road pattern (basting outside at the library during Sew Day)

What do you do with leftovers from previous quilt projects?
How about using them in new projects? It doesn’t have to be an entire quilt.
1. Make mug rugs, pot holders, placemats, table runners, journal covers, pillow covers or zipper pouches.
2. Use the larger leftover bits make quilt sandwiches for FMQ practice.
3. Use some of the smaller leftover bits to make a practice blocks to try out new patterns before cutting into your project fabric.

How to store your scrap and leftover fabrics?
Your system can be as decorative and elaborate as you wish. Personally, I prefer simple. I keep small bits and partial strips in a pretty basket. Random 5″ and 10″ squares are kept with my charm packs and layer cakes. Cut strips that are WOF are stored with my jelly rolls. Larger chunks are stored by color with FQs and yardage. Novelty, dog and patriotic theme fabrics are kept separately.

Periodically, I will go through my scrap bin and cut the leftover jagged pieces into 2-1/2″, 3-1/2″ and 4-1/2″ squares. The smallest size kept is 1-1/2″ strips and I’ll cut 1-1/2″ squares from them as needed because they tend to get lost in the scrap bin.

With the current Bonnie Hunter Winter Mystery quilt, I’ve made good use of random charm squares, forgotten FQs, white/cream hunks leftover from previous quilt tops, and turning all the leftover triangles from trimming stitch & flip units into 1-3/4″ HSTs.

The key to managing your fabric scraps is to organize them, then actually use them.

Quilty Plans for 2025

January 1, 2025

Can you believe it’s 2025 already?

Do you map out an entire year of quilting projects or do you just go with the flow? Last year, I attempted to plan out my year of projects similar to Kimberly Jolly at Fat Quarter Shop. It was nice to have one binder with everything in it, but the reality is I only made about 1/3 of the projects I’d written in there. Why? Because several other projects called my name louder than the projects listed on a page in my binder. That’s okay.

This year, my focus is going to be finishing what I started.

  • Continued detashing of fabric, supplies and books.
  • Rehome all kid craft materials leftover from teaching.
  • Finish assembling all partially done quilt tops.
  • Select 3 tops I want to submit for entry into an upcoming juried quilt show and get them completed, including the label, by year end. I will do the quilting myself.
  • Get current on BOM and QAL blocks.
  • Complete EQ online classes 2 & 3.

My main priorities right now are to complete the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt, finish up the 5 or so quilt tops in various stages of assembly and clear out the kid craft materials leftover from teaching Monday enrichment classes.

Sew with friend days and retreats will be perfect for getting/staying current on BOM and QAL blocks. For now, community service efforts will be limited to making placemats and pillowcases for my guild since our partners indicated they have enough quilts on hand. I’ll continue to practice my FMQ on existing tops and use those quilts for Sadie’s therapy dog visits. My home also needs one new bed quilt, refreshed kitchen table linens and accessories. Fat Quarter Shop is sponsoring a QAL featuring Lori Holt’s Vintage Christmas quilt. This particular quilt has been on my “to-make” list for some time and is the only “brand new” project I plan to undertake in 2025.

A fun, personal challenge is going to be to see how long I can go without spending any personal money on quilting supplies. Santa brought me a 6 month Sew Sampler Box subscription and family members gave me gift cards to some of my favorite places to get sewing/quilting goodies. I’m certainly up to the challenge!

May your needle always stay threaded and your dates with Jack few in 2025.

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

EOY Quilty Reminders

December 31, 2024

Today is New Year’s Eve.

Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels.com

If you run a small crafty biz, do you need to renew your business license by midnight tonight? Check.
Reminder: the deadline is also tonight for any purchases you plan to write off in 2024.

If you participate in free monthly QALs, have you downloaded all the blocks and finishing instructions before they go *poof* at midnight and convert to a paid pattern in January? Check.

If you are joining a virtual quilting event on New Year’s Day (like the one offered by Stitchin’ Heaven), have you pulled your fabrics, tidied up your sewing space and assembled your favorite snacks? If you are sewing in person at your LQS or with friends, have you packed everything you’ll need for tomorrow’s shenanigans?

Now’s also a good time to check your sewing supplies and/or see if there are any fabrics you need to purchase for upcoming projects as the big box craft stores run big EOY and New Year’s Day sales. You may also want to check any sales at your local LQS, too.
Need needles, thread and interfacing? Joann has them (and fabric) on sale.*
Need fabric or Fiskars products? Hobby Lobby has them 40% off.

*Tip: be sure to print off the Joann web-based coupons before heading to the store. You can often use them along with any coupons in the Joann app.

Happy New Year!