Scrap Happy Scrap Purging

This blew my mind: According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in 2015, 10.5 million tons of textile waste (mostly discarded clothes) ended up in U.S. landfills. While I know it is a drop in the bucket; in a teensy way I am doing my part for recycling and reusing textiles. 

Like many quilters, I am a hoarder of fabrics. Ruthlessly tossing anything under 2” wide (and seriously, those pieces I knew I’d never use) I cleaned up my scrap bin. 

Ironed, cut into squares and strips and sorted by size. Seeing the fabric squares piling up has inspired me to make another scrappy quilt – which is one of my favorite styles… AND… hey! would make a great Scrap Happy project, right? *eyebrows wiggling up and down*

Scrap Happy is a fun reuse-recycle-reduce activity (hosted by Kate and Gun ) to help one use up scraps of anything from past projects (check out the link)! I am still working on a plan for the Alison Glass Scrap Happy Roundabout quilt blocks. 

Oh! I saw a quilted heart in a vintage/antique shop this weekend. I asked the proprietor if this was in any way connected to the First World War sawdust heart pincushions? Alas, he had no clue what I was asking about. It probably is not (upon closer inspection of the beads and lace), but it was exciting to think so. 

Have a good week! — Joanne

 

 

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Scrap Happy Roundabout 2

Between bringing my mother to her weekly outpatient visits, school holiday events and home life shenanigans not much sewing happening this month. However, I did get to play a little with my Scrap Happy project from last month (creating a new quilt block using strip scraps and the block trimmings). Scrap Happy is a fun reuse-recycle-reduce activity (hosted by Kate and Gun ) to help one use up scraps of anything from past projects.

DECEMBER SCRAP HAPPY PROJECT

I’ve cut last month’s project block into quarters. The quarters were then flipped (solid center pointing out) and sewn back together. Lining up the seams was not a priority. 😀

Turn these scraps into 1 block

 

I rather like this look…might even vary it a little. I’ve only had the chance to make a few.

Hopefully, during the school holiday break I’ll be able to work on this project. 

Have a good week! — Joanne

Be sure to visit these other posts to see what others have made for their Scrap Happy projects: Kate, Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan, Karen,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Johanna, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen and Connie

 

 

Scrap Happy Roundabout

My ScrapHappy Project (hosted by Kate and Gun ) has no pre-plan nor timeline this month.  It is made of a bunch of  strips and tiny square scraps left over from an Alison Glass quilt top. I have hoarded vibrant colors scraps and pre-cuts of her fabric for several years. So…of course, I can’t bear to throw out any of these scraps. Thank goodness for Scrap Happy! 😀 

NOVEMBER SCRAP HAPPY PROJECT

I can’t take credit for this block idea that I saw online a year or two ago. I’ve tried, but I can’t find it now. With solid fuchsia cotton squares I have on hand; I started sewing scraps around and around the edges. Not particularly worried about lining up seams. I am not even sure what direction I am going in, or what the end product will look like. 

I am saving and incorporate the lovely trimmed edges. This is a Scrap Happy project after all. 😉  I am thinking about cutting this block in half horizontally and vertically; then putting it back together much like a disappearing nine-patch. I am greatly open to block suggestions and ideas.  I usually worry that I’ll run out of fabric. Now? I hope I don’t run out of scraps! LOL. By the way, a couple of years ago I toured Alison’s home workshop studio. What a treat! Thought you might want to take a peek. 

Have a good week! — Joanne

Be sure to visit these other posts to see what others have made for their Scrap Happy projects: Kate (me!), Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan, Karen,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Johanna, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen and Connie