What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

I blogged about making a cutting hit list here. And, I am surprised at how successful it has become. I was able to add to my projects on the list, and, I had a few leftover scraps to add to the scrap users system that has served me well for many years. I have a tray of 2 1/2, 2, and 1 1/2 inch strips.

I am frustrated with the scrap piles again. A little bit here and a little bit there, can really add up over time. I have let a lot of time pass since the last time I have been sitting to cut scraps. I dumped all the bits into a container, and started cutting. This time, I  made a hit list. I have several projects, that I still need pieces cut to finish. When I pick up a scrap, I check to see if I could use the color in any of the projects. If so, I start cutting the sizes ...

One of my favorite quilting helpers is this little rolling 3 drawer plastic unit. It rolls underneath my table when not in use. I have an ironing pad and a wool pressing mat on top, and, it is to the left of me when I sew. I can turn and iron very easily anything I want to iron. I have had it for years.

As I am cleaning around my sewing machine, I have found scraps and more scraps from projects and messes. I cut as I go. I have an odd assortment of fabrics this way. I cut 2 1/2, 2, 1 1/2 in strips and squares. I cut bricks this time in to 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 and 2 x 3 1/2.

Now, I can change my mindset to think about the new Quiltville leader ender challenge called triple treat. and use more of my 1 1/2 inch scraps. I have been working with them ...

It's time to clean up around my sewing machine. I just can't pile anything else there. Since I am trying to be deliberate about it. I am sorting, and ... being distracted by little projects that are not done yet. I found these zipper parts that just needed the outside sewn to the centers.

 I have 5 quilts that I am actively trying to finish. But, sometimes scrap management becomes a priority. I started cutting a box of scraps a bit ago, and the mess was getting to me. Time to finish. A few TV shows later, I have strips and squares to use in another quilt.

I had previously blogged about 5 inch squares and they were 10 oz.

3 1/2 in = 9 oz

2 1/2 = 10 oz

2 and 1 1/2 in = 4 oz

I have been cutting recycled shirts again. I have a few quilts I am cutting, as I go through the shirts. After, those are cut, I am cutting the leftovers into useable sizes. The pile to the right on top is for a brick quilt. I need 70 some and I have 40 some. next going left, any stripes, I am cutting a 4 inch strip for a one block wonder... for someday. next left is 3 1/2 squares. a piece missing from another project,  all the way left is a size big enough to cut for ohio stars ...

  I have a 2 gallon zip lock bag of odds and ends and leftovers in blue, that I need to go through before I cut for my projects. waffle stamps were already cut, so, I could sew them for last week easily. I always enjoy an evening sorting and cutting scraps. Anything less than a fat quarter, I cut into my scrap user's sizes.

2 pound 5 ounces = 6 1/2 yards = $60.00

From chunks I cut 2 1/2 inch HSTS - ( half square triangles ) for my crumb stars. I made 6 crumb blocks so I needed 48 ...

Shhh I am not really working on this project. It is not on the list for the month.. or the year.. 

It was part of the huge reorganization of ufo projects. I felt sorry for it. I knew it would not get picked as the top ten projects for many years to come. It would just sit there, looking sad every time, that it was not chosen. And, all I would have to do is sew a few 2 1/2 inch strips together, that are already cut.

This is a quilt called almost amish from Jos country junction here ...

I have a strange new addiction. My old label maker was acting funny, and, I couldn't read the labels on the project boxes during a search.  I happened to find this label maker at goodwill, and, had no idea if it would work or not. I took the chance and ordered the cartridges.  I really, really like it, and, all I want to do is re sort all my project boxes and add the new labels. 

First, I was happy. Then, I was depressed - I have way to many. Then, I was content to just keep after it.  Now ...

It starts innocently enough. I am digging through the string bucket for yellow for crumb stars, that I am making for the rainbow scrap challenge at so scrappy. I let the thought pass through my head that it is a big mess, and, then, I find a few half done wonky courthouse blocks. And poof, I am playing in the strings. My table is a scrappy mess, and my treadle is whirring. Such fun. And I believe if I just sew all these together, it will be clean.

On another front, I find a box of scraps that need to ...

Sometimes, while cutting shirts into useable pieces, there are off cuts that are not really useful for big pieces. I tend to throw them into a bucket to deal with later. I was in the mood to sort and cut. Some of these pieces will be great for string or crumb blocks.

As I dug into the bucket, some just went into another bucket for strings, but, a few, I could cut into HSTS. Most of my goals this month involve the longarm, which is currently busy.  I had fun just playing in the scraps.

 I had a box of recycled shirts that I wanted to cut for quilt patterns I am hoping to make. I had already taken the shirts apart, so, I made a box for each size I wanted to cut, 10 inch, 5 inch, 2 1/2, 3 1/2, 2. I decided to cut largest to smallest, so, that, the leftovers can be fed into the smaller sizes. I cut 10 inches. I used the front of the shirt without the pocket for 10 inch squares. The front with the pocket, I put in the box for 5 inch squares ...

I had some great Christmas gifts from my hubby. Probably a big favorite is my new mister for spray starch. He also bought a gallon of best press. I really like how it works. At our last sew in, the hostess made home made spray starch with vodka. It worked great too, but, I wouldn't know my way around a liquor store. I plan on starching everything. haha

best press and mister

I asked for these go dies. I own the studio and usually stick to studio dies, but these were a good deal. And I want to try ...

I had a big milestone yesterday - I added the finished in 2021 tab to the top of the page. I felt hopeful. Not that I can't add one last quilt to 2020.

I think I need to spend the rest of this year cleaning up from all the projects this year, and, try to get a bit more organized for next year. First, I need to reclaim my cutting table. I find, that I will travel around the house to cut, since the cutting table is a mess. It's embarrassing, but, I am sure it will be fun ...

Coming home from a quilt retreat is a challenge to unpack and get back to normal. I crammed a lot of projects into my weekend, and my bags. I wanted to pull them out, one by one, and, make sure everything is taken care to put where they belong.

The first project I worked on, was the big easy Christmas. This was my one monthly goal for November. I had it quilted before I left. I used the big tables at the retreat to trim it, and, then, I attached the binding by machine to the back side of the ...

I opened another project box thinking it would be an easy decision. This quilt kit was a Joann fabrics block of the month called peaceful paisley from 2013. It was not an easy decision. All the Joann kits come with precut pieces and instructions. I like that, sometimes, as an easy piecing project when other projects become stressful. I found a complete set, and the setting kit, and the precut binding in the box. But, I also found several other block kits.

 I decided it was time to sort another project box. This one was a bit confusing. I am trying to be very hard core on making decisions, but, it is very difficult for me not to finish everything I come across, or rather, to believe I will finish everything. But, reality, says otherwise. 

I have labels on the boxes to help figure out what I was planning. Still, The black elastic doesn't appear to belong to anything in the box.hmmmm