Rainbows and Scraps

Oh my word!  Has it really been that long since my last post?  Sometimes time just gets away from me.  I am going to blame the foggy brain I have had lately.  I am just having a heck of a time staying organized.

Let's see, what have I been up to?  Mostly I have been working on my Scrappy Picnic Plaid quilt for the Quilter's Planner Sewalong on Instagram.  #qp2016sewalong.  It has been a lot of fun sorting through my scraps and seeing it all come together.  I am just loving the rainbows of fabric.  I certainly see many more rainbow quilts in my future.


I have realized one thing though, I have quite a few fabrics in my stash and scrap bin that I am just about sick of.  I bought a billion yards of a few pieces when I first started quilting and I can't seem to use the last of the fabric.  I have probably ten fabrics that seem never-ending.  I swear they grow when I am not looking.  Of course they are in this quilt along with every other scrap quilt I have made.

Thinking about these fabrics that I no longer love has made me want to sort through all of my shelves and bins and re-organize.  Re-press and fold all of my fabric and sort it differently.  It is a mess right now.  I considered sharing a photo, but it is downright embarrassing.  I will take those not-ideal fabrics and either put them in one of the bins or put them on a shelf by themselves and use them for backs to get rid of them.

I have 2 very distinct fabric "tastes" from my past that are obvious when viewing my stash.  The first phase I went through when I started quilting was my bright/but pastel phase.  Those fabrics that are perfect for a 6-year old girl.  I have tons of them with flowers and hearts and swirls and all things girly.  In purples and pinks and minty greens.  They just don't really go with anything else.  And part of the problem is that I don't know too many young girls anymore.

The second phase I went through I like to call not-quite-neutral.  I have an entire shelf of fabrics that are light browns, tans, and greys that don't ever seem to go with anything else.  They all have a little pop of color or have just a slight tint of yellow or green that makes them stand out from basic off-white.  I have no idea what I was thinking.  Don't get me wrong, they are all beautiful fabrics on their own, but they just don't get along with others.

I am still plugging away at all of the little things I want to have done before the holidays.  I won't be travelling or having guests over Thanksgiving, so I am going to sew and cook all weekend long!  It is going to be fantastic.

I have shared most of these photos on Instagram, but they are so pretty I decided to share them again.  You can follow me on Instagram HERE.





Happy Quilting!
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Comments

  1. All those fabrics look wonderful to me, the cut pieces, and joined blocks, and the other " keep in the dark cupboard" ones, backing sounds a good plan.

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  2. I love rainbow quilts! Your fabric selection looks amazing!

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  3. Sometimes, it helps my creativity and prevent mental clutter if I get rid of unused fabric. One of my favorite lines of all time is Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley. I bought the entire line in fats as well as some yardage. It got to the point that, like you, I couldn't seem to use it up. I asked a friend if she wanted to play with my remnants, and she was game to take them off my hands. I still love that line (and sleep with a quilt made from it every night), but my stash it better without those leftover bits.

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  4. your fabric selection is great. I know what you mean about having some never ending fabric scraps. I guess you could donate it.

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  5. Something I like to do with fabric for which I've lost the love, or feel really uninspired by, is to do a #fuglychallenge - I challenge myself to take some uninspiring fabric and make something with it that I love. It doesn't always turn out to be something that I love, but it stretches my creativity.

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  6. I love your bright rainbow fabrics and if you cut them up small you won't notice the pattern, just thin 'blind man and galloping horse' theory. Like you I have fabrics I have had for years, I'm just waiting for furniture for my sewing room them I will have a grand clear out. It's dull fabrics, florals and directional fabrics that I find so difficult to use.

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  7. Yes, I can relate to you! I have fabrics I loved, dearly loved, and now they stare at me forlornly waiting to become a beautiful something! I love Sarah's idea of challenging myself. I have been simply sewing through my scraps. Some have turned into quite lovely string blocks for Covered in Love in Texas, some have become Christmas gifts in the form of scrappy pouches (thanks to my daughter!), some are becoming leader ender projects.

    And some yardage was simply rewashed, pressed and donated. Our local guild works with some children and grandparents to teach them how to make quilts. They're always in need of fabric, as is Project Linus.

    I've also been thinking about this: cutting the fabric into 1" - 1 1/2" strips and crocheting with it. A quick Google search reveals many tempting projects....oh no!

    Another project is forming in my mind! :)

    Seriously, I hope you find a sort of peace with your fabrics!

    I'm so glad I found you on Linky Tuesday!
    Patricia

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  8. I have lots of pink, pink, pink fabric, too - all bought at a similar time. I think I'll have it forever! Great choices for your rainbow quilt.

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  9. This is looking lovely - would love to have signed up for this but thankfully I didn't because life's got hectic!! Only just returning to blogland after a break of over a month - lovely to catch up with you.

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  10. Your rainbow blocks are looking beautiful!

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  11. Jen, your rainbow quilt is going to be wonderful!! Love the fabrics you've picked for it. About your fabric, that you're not thrilled with anymore, have you thought about organizing a fabric swap? I don't know exactly how those work, but it might be something fun to try!

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