Okay, friends. You’ve heard of people choosing a word to focus on at the start of a new year. Maybe it’s something inspirational – like a value they want to live more fully. Maybe it’s an aspiration – a new skill or achievement to obtain. The idea is usually to choose your theme for the year as something to help you grow in some way.
That’s all fine and good – personal growth is important but there are QUILTS to make and colors to spread about and bring joy to the world.
So, what do you say we make our word of the year ‘scraps’? (-: ….You’re going to like where this is going.
Let’s talk about fabric: you’ve got it -probably LOTS of it- and there are so many fabulous new collections coming all the time. The last couple years I’ve been focused on making new quilts from fabric in my stash or using pre-cuts for collections I just can’t resist. It feels so good to get those favorite prints and colors off the shelves and onto the cutting mat, under the needle, and made into something to enjoy.
As fabric gets more expensive, I’ve gotten way more choosey about what I buy – I suspect many of you are the same. We have lots of really great fabric in the stash (that’s why we bought it, remember?). On the other hand, a huge part of the fun of quilting is collecting the fabric. We happily anticipate what our favorite designers will release next. Looking at the colors, the beautiful and creative prints, mixing and matching to find just the right palette for a new quilt is what fills us up.
I’ve discovered that pre-cuts are a great way to get a lot of fabric and a lot of variety at a much lower cost and with far less scrap or leftover fabric than buying individual fabrics for stashing. You can achieve that wonderful scrappy look with 5″ or 10″ square or 2 1/2″ strip packs. Fat quarter and fat eighth bundles give you the same variety of prints in larger pieces for making more intricate designs and patterns that require larger pieces of each fabric. Win-win!
So, all that is to say it feels amazing to sew with our stash and use up those scraps, while pre-cuts let us feed the need for something new! That is why I have created a new division of quilt patterns especially for Stash, Scraps, & Pre-Cuts.
Coming in 2024, you’ll see a lot of new patterns popping up around here that are especially for using Stash, Scraps, & Pre-Cuts. These designs will be simple to sew – ideal for beginners or quick projects – but with the creative, original style you love about Color Girl Quilts’ patterns. Each pattern is designed and written specifically for use with scraps and pre-cuts, not just regular patterns made scrappy. The special layout and format means you’ll see instructions for cutting for both options, fabric requirements for pre-cuts and that are easy to adapt for what you have to work with, and lots of flexibility in design depending on the style you choose. Although you will use the pattern, your quilt will be 100% unique!
I cannot wait to see what you all make! Over the next couple weeks I’ll share some of my favorite scrap projects and introduce you to the first Stash, Scrap, & Pre-Cuts pattern. I hope you’ll join me in digging into that Stash, sorting your Scraps, and thinking about turning them into things that are useful and pretty.
Consider joining the scrappy quilting group! I’ll send notifications about the patterns and invites to Zoom meet ups for sewing together. << Click Here >> to be on the list.
DON’T WORRY – those curvy and fancy patterns are still coming too! I’ve been busy and have TONS of new projects for your Classic Curves Rulers, too. Check out the Zoom classes scheduled for January and February << here >> . I love sewing with you ‘in person’ and helping you fall in love with curves.
shop current selection of patterns and start sewing your stash today! <<click here>>
More soon!
Great idea! I’m sure the patterns you design for scraps will be great! I’m not sure I can commit to participating in the group but I signed up for more information.
( and wishing you all the best in the new year, Sharon!)