Pages

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Scrap Busting on Two Fronts

I'm determined if nothing else! I have a couple of scrap bins that are full. I mean packed in and shoved down to keep it from bursting over the top. I have got to get it under control.

To that end, I am working on the scraps in two different ways. Firstly, I cut up some of the thin, cheap fabric that I've had for a long time. These skinny strips of about one inch each are now in a basket next to my favorite chair, ready for me to make fabric rope. 

I'm winding the rope onto a cardboard and plastic cone that held ribbon once upon a time. (I keep a few of these cones in a box along with other sewing organizers. You never know when you'll need a free organizer.) 




I filled the cone and piled on a bit more of the rope before getting started on the actual project. We need a small run in the camper bathroom, so yesterday I started sewing up the rope into a rope rug. It's much easier than I expected and I ran out of rope quickly. I still need to add about four inches to the rug, so I'm back to making rope while Rich watches television. 



The second scrap project that I'm working on is an improv quilt using the scraps in my neutrals bin. Actually the bin holds neutrals, browns and whatever is sewn onto either.  This is where I was last night, but I added a few more chunks today.



There's no guarantee that I'll use up most of these scraps, but at least I'm giving it a go. Plus, I can see the difference in the baskets, so there's that! 

How do you handle scraps? What projects have you found to bust up some scraps?


Linking up with
AHIQ with Ann at Fret Not Yourself and Kaja at Sew Slowly

10 comments:

  1. Wow. How are you sewing your rug together? Machine with heavy thread or by hand? I tried a toothbrush rug once to use selvedges but it didn't work out. Yours looks lovely. I know you'll enjoy it in your camper.
    The beige scraps look good together. I need to remember to stick with analogous color scheme when making these blocks. So much better!
    Thanks for linking with AHIQ. It's such fun to read about many different projects everyone has.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ann this is one of the easiest projects I've taken on. I tried ro crochet a rag rug once and that didn't work. I'm machine sewing this one but hand sewing seems very doable.

      Delete
  2. I love rag rugs but had never thought of using my quilting scraps to make one. Yours is looking splendid. I agree with Ann, that your scraps look good and that the colour scheme helps this to work, with little flashes of other colours, like the blue, just adding their magic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kaja I have tons of this cheap rayon from years ago. It's too light for clothing and doesn't last like quilting cotton. But twisted into a rope, it's pretty strong.

      Now that I've added more pieces to the quilt, it's getting too busy. I'm pushing along anyway. Maybe it will end up in the donation pile, but even so it will get lots of love.

      Delete
  3. Your neutral blocks are gorgeous, Mary! They really caught my eye in the link up. You are off to a great start!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work, inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your neutral blocks are dynamic because of the variety of tones, especially the rich Browns. Love seeing them. My mother used to make braided rugs, similar idea, indestructible. Good going. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love your neutral improv blocks,great scrapbag challenge to start the new year with!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very nice. I also have so thin fabric that would be good to make into rope, and then into a little rug - great idea! If you have a link to the directions you used, please send it along!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the neutrals piecing with pops of color. Congratulations on finding a way to use up all those scraps! I guess we all need to have a strategy for that, although I have established a minimum size threshold beyond which I do put them in the trash!

    ReplyDelete

I read every comment and will visit your blog. Responses to questions and comments will be here, so come back for answers and let's have a conversation. You get the next word!