Sunday, November 2, 2008

Waste Not, Want Not

An old saying, but still as true as ever. As good quality quilting cottons approach $10 per yard in some quilt shops and are actually priced at $10 per yard now in others, it becomes increasingly important to me to use every bit of fabric to best advantage. I'd been saving selvages for a while because it appealed to me to have those color dots as a reference; but after Karen Griska released a book called Quilts From The Selvage Edge, I began collecting in earnest. My friend Barb commented that she thought selvage quilts were ugly; and that may be true, but I also find them really interesting to look at.

I was delighted the other day to find that Wanda from Exuberant Color was also collecting selvages. Not only did Wanda have a link to some photos of an entire dress made from selvages, but she also had a link to Karen Griska's blog. Now I am discovering all sorts of interesting things to do with selvages--pincushions, handbags, scarves, postcards, and doll quilts.

I thought about the "waste not, want not" theme again the other day, when I saw Sherry throw away a big handful of trimmings. Some people refer to these trimmings as quilt confetti, and I have seen a photo or two where people put them in an attractive clear glass jar or clear table lamp base. That never appealed to me, but then I remembered that someone in my Friday quilt group was collecting them to make dog beds for a local animal shelter. I thought that was a worthwhile endeavor; so I retrieved Sherry's scraps from the trash, then went home and dug mine out of the trash too. I now have about a quarter of a bag full of trimmings, and I feel downright righteous that I am using every single shred of my $10 per yard fabric! At least as long as someone will make dog beds out of them, I suppose..... or maybe.... a floor pillow!

8 comments:

Margo in Maine said...

You are a busy gal!!! love everything....your quilting...your quilts....I finished Theresa Star and posted ....I always have so many UFO that I was bent on doing it until it was done....just have to quilt now...

Vicki W said...

I hate tossing scraps (and I mean the tiny bits) too but I got to the point where the scraps were taking over my sewing room. I do make dog beds with some but I finally had to get over it and toss them.

Lurline said...

I have lots of friends who save all little scraps and make quilts - not me! I have enough trouble keeping track of my stash. The price of fabric is sure rising and our dollar is so weak, so I must be a bit more diligent about it all. Love your quilts and you get so much done!
Hugs - Lurline!

Barb D said...

You need more scraps - I'll bring you some on Friday.

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

I have been saving my scraps and hope to make 'Treasure' quilts as Christmas gifts from scraps I normally would have thrown away last year. :)

Quilter Kathy said...

Thanks for this great idea!
I do save everything but selvages, until now!

Martha said...

Donate your scraps to your local school's kindergarten or preschool classes. Children love to have fabric to use in their art projects. I put scraps in my art center all the time. (I teach Kindergarten.)

em's scrapbag said...

I put my scraps in a big bag and then when it gets full I cut them up into useable strips and squares. Then when I want some mindless sewing I have things to sew together. I just made some bookmarks. Selvages would be great for these. Thanks for the idea.