Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Scrap Therapy

I was anxious to organize my scraps last week in anticipation of what arrived in the mail yesterday.


Last week Kathie, on her Inspired by Antique Quilts blog, mentioned this great shop that has reproduction fabric scrap grab bags. She ordered a few, and then, when they arrived she was so pleased she went back and ordered more. A lot  more, in fact, LOL. I knew I had to act quickly because I am a scrapaholic myself and I had to have some new scraps too, before she bought out the entire store. Buying yards of several pretty fabrics is fun and they're very nice but I adore tons of scraps. Really good scraps make me want to jump and sing. I needed some SCRAPS!!


 Did I tell you, these are some really good scraps. I only bought 2 bags to begin with but I will be going back for more too.






As you can see, these are not small pieces.

When I first began to quilt, I used to visit a shop that tossed all of their leftover scraps from classes and kits into a large basket. For $5.00 you could buy as many as you could fit into a large zip-lock bag. Of course, I used to go there often and spend an hour picking through their fabric and filling up bag after bag. That's how my fabric collection started - with scraps. I had fallen in love with scrappy small quilts you see and no scrap was too small for me to use. In fact, I loved having a wonderful variety to comb through  -  hundreds of prints - and I'm sure if I look hard enough I can still find some of those same scraps stored away somewhere in my baskets or in a drawer. The shop owners would laugh at me (and roll their eyes when I wasn't looking, I could tell) because I used to go in there often only for scraps and bought yardage when I needed  fabric for borders or backings. They had no idea what I was doing with them because small quilts hadn't really taken off yet. Well, if you make lots of small scrappy blocks from 1 1/2" or 2" pieces, scraps are the way to go sometimes. At the time, I wasn't making large quilts so I never had any leftovers to use up for my doll quilts.


If you need to increase your stash of reproduction fabrics (Honestly, who doesn't??), then check out what Homestead Hearth - is offering. I e-mailed them this morning to tell them you were coming and they said to mention that, because of the recent extreme demand (Kathie!), processing and shipping of individual orders may take up to 7 -10 days to make sure everyone gets a nice variety. Glad I got my order in early! So now go shopping. Everyone needs some good scraps to make some great scrap quilts.


Made from scraps


Made from scraps


Yes, made from scraps, just in case you were wondering what I do with all those little pieces . . . . 



20 comments:

Shuttle, Hook and Needle said...

I just ordered a couple of bags! My nearby quilt shop has five dollar bags of scraps which I always buy. What I don't want my daughter takes, so we both have fun pieces of fabric to work with.
I love the scraps because I can get a larger variety that way especially when you don't have a lot of money to spend on larger pieces of fabric.
I love your little quilts. I almost have together 2012 last two quilts. Better late than never?!
Have a great week!
Louise

Pia said...

Seeing what you an Kathie got, I can't wait for mine to arrive :-)

antique quilter said...

my 12 bags arrived today....I am in AWE!!!!!!!! can't wait to whip up a few more little quilts with the scraps, nothing better is there????
glad your happy with them!
kathie

Kathleen Tracy said...

And I am in AWE of you with your 12 bags!! LOL

Monique said...

I ordered a couple of bags too! I can hardly wait! Thanks for letting us know.

Janet O. said...

I don't often comment here (though I love reading), but I had to today. There used to be a quilt shop here that sold their scraps for $3 a small bag. I called myself "the bag lady" and they concurred. I would stand in front of the scrap basket sorting out what I wanted and then spend time at a classroom table folding it all neatly so that I could cram as much as possible into a bag. I think the most I bought at one time was 5 bags.
Yes, I ordered 1 bag of scraps when Kathie first posted about them. It arrived yesterday. I didn't already own a single piece of the fabrics I received. It was wonderful. I'd like more, but I am over budget for the month--already!! Yikes!
Love all your little quilts!

Sydney said...

Just ordered 2 bags! So excited!! I have all your books and I love every one!!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful assortment of scraps! Your quilts are so gorgeous.

Frog Quilter said...

I just received my two bags and a few pieces of yardage. All good quality fabrics. I like your small,quilts.

Tammy said...

I followed Kathie's lead last week too and ordered two bags. They arrived yesterday and boy oh boy were they crammed full of wonderful scraps just like yours. I'm definitely going to be ordering more. I hope they "keep on a cuttin'."

Cindy P said...

I'll cut up scraps to use when I won't cut up pretty yardage! People give me their scraps all the time. Stuff they were going to throw away! I can't imagine!

Great post, Kathy.

Ruth said...

I ordered a bag too! I'm on a trip right now, so it should be waiting for me when I get home. I LOVE scraps. I also have a LQS that has a scrap bin. I love to fill up a baggie there and have gotten some wonderful reproduction fabrics.

Candy said...

So funny! I read Kathie's post and did the same thing. Then I emailed the info to my sister who did the same thing. Guess we're all scrap-aholics!

Me and My Stitches said...

I love scrap bags - and you all are really making me want to order some, which is CRAZY because I already have loads of scraps, not to mention a closet full of fabric! You quilting friends are a terrible influence on me!

Anonymous said...

Oh Kathy, I guess there is a small "Log Cabin" quilt in my future - first the sweet post about the L.C. mug rug for your daughter (using fabrics that SHE picked from your scrap basket), then the free Log Cabin book download, and now, beautiful scraps from Homestead Hearth. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Ann in PA

Patty Nordahl said...

I went straight from Kathie's blog and ordered 2 bags also. Haven't received mine yet but now that I know others have I expect them soon. I went to the most marvelous shop on Monday with my quilt group. It is a fabric consignment shop and she has Bolts, cuts anywhere from 1/4 yard to 5 yards. Kits, trims, notions,and on and on. She gets her stock from stores closing or cleaning, people who call and say my grandmother passed and I don't know what to do with all this fabric. You would be amazed at the bargains we got. What a great idea for a shop. Do you have any of this type of store in your area?
Thanks for spending your time on the blog and all you do for us.

The Civil War Quilter said...

My 2 bags plus 3 one yard cuts came in the mail yesterday...yummidy! I only had a couple of the prints. The assortment was great. Love what you do with all your scraps. Real "rags to riches"!

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

I just had to order two of these bags, though I absolutely do not need more. But it is such a joy! I resisted when I read about them on IAQ, but you pushed me over the line of resistance!

Kathleen Tracy said...

Kristi - You're welcome LOL.

Anonymous said...

Roll them and you can get more in the bag. Quilter taught me that and it works!