Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Scrap Inspiration

Sometimes I find it funny where my quilty brain takes me, especially where scraps are concerned.  There are times when one thing leads to another, and another, and another... You know what I mean, right?!

A few weeks ago, Cynthia shared a post about her scrap organization process, and I decided it was time to work on my scraps again, too.  Over a year ago, in the winter, I started sorting my scraps by color into plastic bins, and that has worked really well for me.


Except...


this brown basket that I keep under my cutting table was full again.  (Because I'm lazy and throw everything in there when I'm working on a project instead of cleaning up!)

So, I sat for a few hours one afternoon and sorted until my color bins were full again, and the brown basket was empty.


Of course there were a couple of piles that didn't fit in the color bins.  I guess I'm going to have to add a teal/turquoise bin and a multi-color bin.

But then... since I had so many teal and turquoise scraps, I couldn't leave them just sitting there - I "needed" to sew them together :), and ended up with these slabs.


I was about to put them away, when...

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I was reading a blog about turning little bits of patchwork into needlebooks!  So... I cut the big turquoise slab in half, found something that matched for the lining, and a little bit of batting...





stitched the layers together and added some wool in the center.  Voila!  A little needlebook!  (It's about 4x5 inches.) There's even an "N" for needles right up there in the corner!


There is still some of the turquoise slab left, so I put it with all the other crumb/slab blocks I've been making this year.  

Hmmm... maybe I have the start of another Scrap Vortex quilt?  Lol!  

Sharing at Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun than Housework!







13 comments:

Preeti said...

The needle book is the bomb. Even better than a mug rug, cause you do not lose mugs or prick your fingers when you accidentally find one. I need to make a needle book or may be just receive one from a quilter buddy :-)

Vicki in MN said...

So many ways to use our scraps, love your slabs!

Linda said...

That is a gorgeous little needle book and such a great idea! I've been organizing my stash this weekend - the scrap bins are next!

Jayne said...

I know how one thing leads to another and another all too well! I love what you did with the teal scraps. Those make a beautiful addition to all the other blocks!

Ariane said...

What a great idea! I love your little needle book. I have a big scrap bin that I need to sort too. But, I also have a ton of sorted scraps that need to be used up! Lol!

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

I love the needle book. I too throw my cutting scraps all in one container, then when it's full put them in their own bins. I have been making improv 10inch (ish) strip blocks with the lighter shades when I just need to sit and do mindless sewing! It's fun.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Great job getting those scraps organized. Whenever I start managing scraps I always get sidetracked by a pretty stack of bits. Your needle book is a clever idea. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Chantal said...

Love how you turned some scraps into a beautiful needle book. Great job! I too have a "brown bin" near the cutting table where I just ditch everything. Every now and again, I trim it down. Enjoy! ;^)

margaret said...

good to see such organisation with your scraps,the needle case is a good way of using up a few scraps. I have mine in size not colour thinking maybe I will rearrange them. Have made 93 blocks just randomly picking up pieces so like you a scrap quilt is well into the making but there seems no dent in the scraps!

Kate said...

Great way to use up those scraps. You'll be so glad you took the time to organize everything. Now you've got a very easy to use set of scraps.

Cathy said...

Once upon a time I sorted my scraps by color but that didn't work well for me.

I have a couple of needle books but never seem to use them! I leave the needle in the quilt and if I'm finished with it and it's not bent I stick it in a spool of thread like a bad little girl! Your needlebooks are cute and a great way to use scraps. And there's nothing wrong with a Scrap Vortex quilt...or two...or three...

Cathy said...

I sort my scraps by color, too. I have them in 2 plastic drawer units, and the drawers are varied sizes. I find that I generate more green, pink and blue scraps, so get larger drawers than, say, black/gray or purple. My multis are in a basket because I ran out of drawers. I'd suggest getting rid of the "dump all here" bin and just put your scraps in their appropriate bins as you generate them. Then use that bin for batting pieces or selvages or multis. Anyway, your needlebook is cute! Both of my needlebooks are crazy-quilted; I need to do a cute pieced/quilted one. Thanks for the idea!!

FlashinScissors said...

I have scraps in many places, and really must follow your example! Thanks for sharing!
Love your needlebook ..... such a great make for scraps!
I have many needlebooks, but am always looking for the perfect way to keep my needles safe, and even though I have just made myself a new Mini Travel Sewing Kit I know I will be tempted to make more!
Barbara x