SCRAP HAPPY SEWING
If you’re the type that chucks out your remnants, stop now! Fussy cutting fangirl Angie Wilson talks about the beauty in ‘fabric Swiss cheese’.
I’m a fussy cutter, and one of the by-products of being a fussy cutter is fabric scraps. Fussy cutters’ scraps are not like normal fabric scraps, they’re more like fabric Swiss cheese. I can take a half yard of fabric and make it look like a mouse has gone to town on the fabric. It’s brilliant fun. The downside of cutting into my fabric with such abandon is that I have to have a scrap storage system that works so I can find things once I’ve had my fun with motifs.
I strongly believe that when it comes to fussy cutting you can use every bit of the fabric, there’s just a priority of use. I tend to use the elements for fussy cutting first (think full versions of the print motif) and then I use the left-over bits as filler for scrappy projects.
When fabric comes in, I store it either by designer in specific tubs or by colour in my open shelves. As I use it I continue to fold it and put it back in its place until I can fold it and store it neatly no more… then it heads to the scrap storage.
I don’t cut my scraps down, I just pop them in the tub and then go dumpster diving when I need something for a project. I don’t save anything that’s smaller than 1in in any direction, there’s just one exception to the rule. I remove the selvedge before the fabrics go in the scrap bins. These I keep in their own specific tub so that one day I can make an epic selvedge quilt.
There’s so many amazing scrap projects available online, in magazines and in books. I’m a big fan of Amanda Jean Nyberg (Crazy Mom Quilts) who makes so many fabulous scrappy projects – all perfect for those left-over fussy cutting scraps. Foundation Paper Piecing and English Paper Piecing are also great for using up those oddly shaped scraps that can be left behind when you are fussy cutting.
For me, scraps provide a great opportunity to look at colour over print. It’s a great exercise in understanding the anatomy of the prints you have in your collection. There’s so many great colours that don’t necessarily jump out at you when you’re focused on the main motifs, but once you get down to using the offcuts you’re forced to look at what colours are in the prints.
If fabric wastage is holding you back from really giving fussy cutting a try then trust me on this one – no fabric ever goes to waste. It’s all about effective storage and being open to trying new things.