Thursday, July 19, 2007

Using the stash

Interesting discussion on Stashbuster about using *up* the stash. Having seen the stashes of some of those quilters as well as those on this Stash Quilt ring I'd say there is no danger for many of us of actually using the stash up.

It wasn't until I started making string quilts for HeartStrings that I realized how little fabric it took to make a scrap quilt and how much of it I had not only in my scrap bins but on my shelves. I've come to realize that the best I can do is try to use more than I buy.

Even with all the string quilts made this year (along with pieced backings) my scraps are multiplying not being used up.


14 comments:

YankeeQuilter said...

It is that age old problem of strips reproducing themselves...I still have a huge basket of reproduciton strips from my king size log cabin!

Vicki W said...

Depressing, isn't it? They reproduce - I'm sure of it!

Granny said...

I was thinking the same thing this morning. I may never make a huge dent in my stash but as long as I can have a net loss each month, I'll be happy.

Tazzie said...

I'm entirely convinced that my scraps reproduce. But not the lovely scraps that I would covet, always the icky scraps. I just found myself thinking that if you're not seeing any reduction in your scraps, and knowing how prolific a scrap quilter you are - then there is definitely no hope for me!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

meggie said...

My stash grows faster than I can pare it down! It will be growing while it is all packed away for a week!

Jeanne said...

I totally agree. Maybe we need to sew even faster to keep up. Well, as long as we're having fun, it can't be all bad.

Vicky said...

Oh, boy, those scraps look familiar! I, too, thought a scrap quilt would make a big dent in them! Nope! Not even a little tiny ripple. If you figure it all out, let us know! LOL

mereth said...

How many more quilts are in those scrap boxes? It boggles the mind, doesn't it? All we can do is keep on sewin' and try to keep ahead of them!

Passionate Quilter said...

seems like it's an age old dilemma, doesn't it? LOL I think I have enough fabric for SEVERAL quilters to work on until we die and there will STILL be leftovers! You, if anyone, should be able to make a dent in the stash/scraps--and if YOU can't, where does that leave the rest of us? :)

Norma said...

I think they are like rabbits. When you aren't looking, they just multiply. I found not only are there more, they start coming in different sizes and uses so you need to sort them differently....again!

I see some thrift store being a real heaven for someone when I die and the kids have NO idea what to do with all those scraps! LOL

Marla said...

Isn't it just awful. We have thrree boxes of scraps in our heartstrings group. We have made at least four tops and there is no end in sight.

Cher said...

I agree Mary, as long as you use more than you buy-it's progress...and the scraps do tend to take forever to use up...but eventually you can see the end of some of them...I am sure!

Betty J in OKC said...

I just had another Stashbuster tell me that it takes her about one plastic grocery sack to make a string quilt. I told her that I've got THREE paper-ream boxes FULL of strings. Guess I'd better get stitching, huh? I plan on sewing at the machine as soon as I can use it, beginning Aug 1st.

Betty J in OKC
Healing from R hip surgery

Patti said...

Boy, am I with you there! Seems like all I've been making this entire year is blocks and tops from my scrap bins, and they look fuller than ever! I keep telling myself that's because I can't see all the empty plastic boxes I put in the attic. It's a good thing I emptied that many - there isn't much room at all in my "new" sewing room for plastic boxes. And those that are there still seem to be stuffed to the gills with scraps.