Thursday, May 21, 2015

The Clearing Begins


And you thought I was kidding - there is a little light at the end of the day.  The large tubs are still under the board because my 'muscle' didn't come today like planned - hopefully this weekend.  BUT one of the tubs was emptied - all those pieces of scrap batt plus a big box of fabrics went off to the local church group  No, not scraps but a bit of a clear out of yardage.  That seems to sit on the shelf as needed fillers, background, and blenders.  There were things that have sat too long and now I know they will get used up.


This is what was cleared from that spot.  I had two baskets and a small tote and a baggy (or two or three) of all these plaids, stripes, dissected parts of shirts, chambry, and light weight denim scraps.  I see three, maybe four, quilts in this pile.



Of course when a pile of fabric gets dumped on the table, it calls for some serious snoopervising.


Once I got some organized piles to work with, the first project tackled was some log cabin blocks with the greens and yellows.  42 blocks that now need some trimming up to 7.5" square for a gender neutral baby quilt.  There were 20 more 2.5" center squares, but I used all the greens and yellows up so they went into my barrel.  Maybe I can find something to machine applique on this one. (and just noticed - not even a planned RSC15 - green)


I swear, someone waved a magic wand and that cat changed color!!  Somewhere along the way there was a changing of the fabric guard.  Did you notice?  Moe chose the dark pile and Bella chose the reds.


Sorry Miss Bell, I am working those reds - a lot of women's dissected shirt parts and I pulled my shoe box of leftover neutral JR strips for some Sawtooth Stars.  And why waste those geese cut offs - they make perfect smaller blocks.  This one will take a little longer because of the double star making, then I will tackle that dark pile.

Do you dump a pile of fabric and just play?
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

21 comments:

Val's Quilting Studio said...

You know I do! SMILES! Have fun playing!

Barbara said...

You're sneaking some fun in with the organizing. Glad to see your helpers are there at the ready.

Dee D said...

I've never dumped my scraps ( maybe it's because they are here, there, and ginger) and played but I have started saving my smaller cut offs for use later. I've even squared up some leftover sewn pieces that are put together in different ways. Soon I'll be ready for an interesting quilt or table runner!

Dee D said...

I've never dumped my scraps ( maybe it's because they are here, there, and ginger) and played but I have started saving my smaller cut offs for use later. I've even squared up some leftover sewn pieces that are put together in different ways. Soon I'll be ready for an interesting quilt or table runner!

Quilter Kathy said...

I do sometimes, but my results are never as beautiful as yours are!

Dana Gaffney said...

Did Bella tell Moe to move since those yellow and greens are just right for her? I don't dump my scraps, I just reach in and grab handfulls.

Kris said...

Your kitties crack me up!! Organizing - yuk!! I am in that same mode though becuase my brother will be here first part of August and I need a whole room cleaned out for his bedroom!! Yiks!! Maybe I can borrow Bella and Moe to help supervise!! :-))

Marei said...

I do dump and play but at the end of the day I seem to have more scraps that what I started with! I'm obviously doing something wrong!! It must be because I don't have any cat helpers...just my cutie Scooter dog.

Sheila said...

I love what you did with that pile of fabrics , wow , those are great blocks! Makes me want to go play :-)

Dee D said...

It should say that my scraps are "here, there, and yonder"!

Scrappy quilter said...

Wonderful what you have done. I don't dump fabric from containers however like you when I start cleaning I always end up making blocks from scraps.

Sheila said...

Well that was fast. When I start cleaning up the sewing area, I start sewing blocks, too. Laying out fabric for another project, usually. Always find a forgotten project that was out of sight and out of MY mind. Then I rearrange my quilting priorities.

Monica said...

Wow, I love your plaid stars! You have some great fabrics there. Good luck with the clean up!

Sherry said...

I don't usually just dump fabric and play. That sounds like something I should try some time soon. I have been trying to sort my scraps and cut them in to usable sizes though. Now to play with them and make something.

Dar said...

You did good with your cleaning, scrap dumping and having such good snoopervisors to help you through it. Just look at what you accomplished with those great star blocks all because of your great help, I'm sure. Love it when things turn out so well.

Linda said...

Beautiful, and the cats are precious. :)

Kate said...

That's a lot of progress for one week! Those yellow and green blocks are beautiful. They will make a sweet little baby quilt.

Needled Mom said...

I can see that I need to do a bit ore dumping if such beautiful blocks appear!

Teresa in Music City said...

I've just done a general clean out of my studio too Sharon! I found a few kits that I'd forgotten and I'm wondering where I'll find time to do them. They may end up going to the Chinese Auction table at my guild meeting next month :) Love those little yellow and green LC blocks! Nothing sweeter than a baby quilt in those colors, and some applique on top will be fabulous!!!

Sarah said...

Adorable that Moe and Bella color coordinate their fabric beds!
I guess I can't say I'm a fabric dumper for sewing purposes. Sorry. I do need to "dump" some scrap bags I've been given, press and trim them into my scrap bins but that's as far as the dumping goes...unless I have "help."

Carla said...

One day I want to dump my scraps and play but my room is such a mess I have no where to dump. But it will grow space soon. My daughter is moving out all her stuff and I can move my desk and chair in her room and buy a daybed and I can put a design wall in my sewing room and be able to walk around and not squeeze by my desk and cutting table. YAY but it's bitter sweet at the same time.
Love your green and yellow squares oh and the chameleon cat is very pretty.