Hands2Help - Guidance From An Expert!!

Hi, all!

Sunday has rolled around once again, and that means it's time for a little Hands2Help action!  This week we have another great guest blogger - Sharon from Vrooman's Quilts.

"The Airing of the Quilts" at Sharon's house in 2014

Sharon's was one of the very first blogs I started following, and I'm so glad I found it - she is the most prolific scrap quilter I know!  She's always working on beautiful blocks, sharing her storage tips, and creating beautiful quilts, all from scraps.  She's my hero - especially since I started on my own scrap odyssey!  She's got some great tips and ideas for us today - so I'll turn the blog over to her!

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Thank you Sarah for inviting me to guest host one of the Hands2Help posts.  I'm Sharon and blog over at Vrooman's Quilts .  I love to play with many techniques and styles of quilting, but my passion is SCRAPS.  I have developed my own system of fabric/scrap storage using a modified version of Bonnie Hunter's.  BUT I will never tell anyone how to cut down to a specific style.  You have to define yourself as a quilter and how you use your fabrics.

I am here today to discuss 'management' of scraps.  In other words - USE THEM.  You can't cut down or store them in any kind of system if you don't know how you are going to use them.  Do some research of basic blocks, beginner blocks, blocks that use a specific unit, blocks that use a specific technique.  File them or print them off and use them to form your system.

I love how Sarah has used the very basic 9-patch this year to showcase some stunning quilts by pairing them with another block or varying the setting to give it another look. I love playing with basic blocks and working with blocks that use squares  (a huge part of my storage system), but did you know that the 9-patch can be made using different techniques?

SCRAPPY OR PLANNED SINGLE SQUARES

Using single scrap squares either mixed scrappy, planned scrappy, or left overs from a project.  You can sew them single piecing or use the web method.

MIRROR STRIPS

Great way to use up those left over jelly roll strips, strings, and left over binding pieces.  If you need a tutorial or math chart - Good One HERE 

SINGLE STRIPS

If you are like me, you have an over flowing tub of strings meant for string blocks.  Two strips together, math is easy.  Mine here are 2" strips and I need four sets plus one single - 2 x 5 + 10"  plus 1/2 wiggle, but that strip set was long so no worries.  Lay them out as shown, piece the 'twosies' in a row, add the single to that one 'twosie' and add to the side.

TWO-SQUARES

And yes, you can make two 9-patch blocks using two squares.  Easy math and great way to use up those left over layer cakes or your larger scraps.  Rather than do up a mosaic, HERE is a great tutorial. 

Remember, scrap management isn't just 'how do I store them' - it really is about using them.  Thank you for visiting today.

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Thank you, Sharon, for a fabulous and truly helpful post!  Just a reminder, if you use scraps to make your quilt, it's like getting a free quilt - and giving those quilts to charity makes it so much sweeter!  

Be sure to come back next week when we'll have another great guest blogger!  I really enjoy seeing what others like to share with us - things I would never thing of sometimes, and always interesting.  And if any of you are interested in trying a guest post, keep it in mind for next year - I'm always looking for interested parties!

Hugs!

Sarah