Tag: sewing

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.

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!

Holiday Festivities

December 18, 2024

It’s been a quiet December. A number of local holiday gatherings have conflicted with family plans and therapy dog activities this year. The one event I could attend was lunch with my Friday Sew Squad. Unfortunately, I had to pass on this one because I had the upper respiratory ick that’s currently making the rounds. Ditto for the neighborhood holiday gathering that was rescheduled due to weather.

When not sleeping, I read and made HSTs for the Bonnie Hunter Winter Mystery Quilt. My chosen color way is blue (Bonnie used red), aqua/teal and green (Bonnie used coral) with an assortment of white and cream fabrics. As with the FG for Week 1, I had to rework the instructions to incorporate my green charm squares. The HSTs are done and I’m happy to say all the miscellaneous green charm squares in my stash were used up in the HSTs.

Half square triangles for Bonnie Hunter Old Town mystery quilt.

After four days, I felt human again. My final Monday enrichment class was yesterday. Sadie and I made our last therapy dog visit for 2024 today. One of my private sewing students completed her craft apron. The finished project is absolutely adorable; however, the project’s poorly written directions made it a true pain the posterior to make. I’ll modify the instructions with our methods for her to follow as she wants to make aprons for her crafty homeschool friends.

Student modeling her craft apron.

All the family gatherings happen between now and next Monday. This means I’m really looking look forward to a quiet Christmas at home! I plan to make good use of the three week break before 2025 therapy dog visits resume and classes at the SQTM begin.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2025!