Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Wasting Away in Fabricville

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In general, I am not too squeamish about sacrificing a bit of fabric.  I tend to buy a bit more than I need, so if I miss-cut or find that I want extra of something, I am covered.  This project I am working on for my Friday Finish this week is off the chart as far as wasting fabric is concerned.  Do you see how my ruler is positioned?  That is one of nine two and a half in strips I need for a fussy cut lattice.  The fabric to the right of the ruler is what I am wasting to get to the next repeat of what I need.  I started with four and a half yards of this pretty Alex Anderson fabric, and cut it to ribbons.  Here is my scrap pile.


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I was very grumpy about all this waste.  As it turned out, I was not thinking creatively enough about the manner in which my fussy cut strips were going to meet up and work with each other, so it was a very good thing I had some extra fabric to play with.  I ended up having to piece the lattice, but at least I was able to achieve the effect I desired.  So, in the end, most of the fabric I squandered was due to my own ineptitude!


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42 responses to “Wasting Away in Fabricville”

  1. But it’s blue!!! Everything blue is beautiful!!!
    I’ve been saving blues and blue and whites. I just might have to dig into them when I get back from our Alaskan cruise! (PS I love the title of this post.)

  2. But it’s blue!!! Everything blue is beautiful!!!
    I’ve been saving blues and blue and whites. I just might have to dig into them when I get back from our Alaskan cruise! (PS I love the title of this post.)

  5. If you would like to trade your waste, let me know your heart’s desire and we can swap. I could put that waste to good use on my Living the Dream Quilt.
    n, np

  6. If you would like to trade your waste, let me know your heart’s desire and we can swap. I could put that waste to good use on my Living the Dream Quilt.
    n, np

  7. You have certainly accomplished a lot. Log cabin blocks are some of my favorites and I am with you on cutting all the “logs” and then making the blocks. I have tried several other techniques and mine always come out kind of wonky. Great job on your quilts!

  8. You have certainly accomplished a lot. Log cabin blocks are some of my favorites and I am with you on cutting all the “logs” and then making the blocks. I have tried several other techniques and mine always come out kind of wonky. Great job on your quilts!

  9. Couldn’t agree more, I always precut my logs. How do you get so much done? Must be that sweet four-legged helper you have!

  10. Couldn’t agree more, I always precut my logs. How do you get so much done? Must be that sweet four-legged helper you have!

  11. if you want to get rid of it, just send it to me. I want to do a blue and white quilt and that would just make a perfect addition. I’m not afraid to use scrapes! PattiO

  12. if you want to get rid of it, just send it to me. I want to do a blue and white quilt and that would just make a perfect addition. I’m not afraid to use scrapes! PattiO

  13. I honor your determination! I look forward to the entire picture. I’ll bet this is going to fantastic. I might jump up and down…just a feeling I have.

  14. I honor your determination! I look forward to the entire picture. I’ll bet this is going to fantastic. I might jump up and down…just a feeling I have.

  15. Ooo – but it will be so pretty! Glad you were able to work it out. You can always use the pieces on the back if you want to go to that much work, or it sounds like a trade with another blogger might be just the ticket!

  16. Ooo – but it will be so pretty! Glad you were able to work it out. You can always use the pieces on the back if you want to go to that much work, or it sounds like a trade with another blogger might be just the ticket!

  19. if there are any selvage edges in those waste strips, I’ll gladly take them off your table/floor/etc. I’m guessing you’ll have lots of offers to swap those leftover strips for fat quarters or half yards… I’m adding my name to the group!

  20. if there are any selvage edges in those waste strips, I’ll gladly take them off your table/floor/etc. I’m guessing you’ll have lots of offers to swap those leftover strips for fat quarters or half yards… I’m adding my name to the group!

  21. Your quilt looks, from that picture, like it will be absolutely fabulous!
    The “scraps” could be used in another, less controlled, quilt or even as background fabric for small blocks of applique or — yes, I know — traded! That is gorgeous fabric!!

  22. Your quilt looks, from that picture, like it will be absolutely fabulous!
    The “scraps” could be used in another, less controlled, quilt or even as background fabric for small blocks of applique or — yes, I know — traded! That is gorgeous fabric!!

  23. Well it might be wasteful but it will be beautiful when it’s done. I’m sure that fabric could be used somewhere down the line – in fact there’s another challenge for you 🙂
    Hugs – Karen

  24. Well it might be wasteful but it will be beautiful when it’s done. I’m sure that fabric could be used somewhere down the line – in fact there’s another challenge for you 🙂
    Hugs – Karen

  25. Speaking of scraps, my squishie arrived today and and I was oohing and aahing all over the place. I love your scraps!!! Thanks so very much. BTW, I cannot wait to see this Friday finish. I think it’s going to be my favorite yet!!!

  26. Speaking of scraps, my squishie arrived today and and I was oohing and aahing all over the place. I love your scraps!!! Thanks so very much. BTW, I cannot wait to see this Friday finish. I think it’s going to be my favorite yet!!!

  29. Like they said… not “waste”! SCRAPS… you could pile them up and cut more matching strips / pieces for something else. You could also incorporate them into accompanying pieces for the room… pillows, bed-skirt, valances, table-runners… you name it!
    Would they work for a kaleidescope style quilt? Looks like a lot of white space, but it might create a loose, spidery, lacy looking design…

  30. Like they said… not “waste”! SCRAPS… you could pile them up and cut more matching strips / pieces for something else. You could also incorporate them into accompanying pieces for the room… pillows, bed-skirt, valances, table-runners… you name it!
    Would they work for a kaleidescope style quilt? Looks like a lot of white space, but it might create a loose, spidery, lacy looking design…

  33. I think you should have a drawing for the (scraps). We could help clean up for you!!! :>) I save everything, never know when you may need it. That is beautiful fabric!

  34. I think you should have a drawing for the (scraps). We could help clean up for you!!! :>) I save everything, never know when you may need it. That is beautiful fabric!

  35. Nicole Its Not waste You can always use it in another project In my life I dont have waste I always find something else to make with Put it away till a later day then you might find a use for it.
    Hugs Mary.

  36. Nicole Its Not waste You can always use it in another project In my life I dont have waste I always find something else to make with Put it away till a later day then you might find a use for it.
    Hugs Mary.

  41. Hi, I’m very new to quilting and have a question. You mentioned having to piece the lattice – how would you manage to *not* piece the lattice? I’m plotting out a quilt with a lattice and I’m curious. 🙂 Thanks!

  42. Hi, I’m very new to quilting and have a question. You mentioned having to piece the lattice – how would you manage to *not* piece the lattice? I’m plotting out a quilt with a lattice and I’m curious. 🙂 Thanks!