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Spring Cleaning Time for the Quilter Too!

Even though spring supposedly started a month ago, it’s still cold and windy here in north Iowa. I am anxiously awaiting temperatures in the 70s with sunny skies. Maybe someday. So since spring is here, that usually means time to clean and organize. In this post I’ll share some tips for spring cleaning your sewing space and quilts, including storage. Let’s get started!

Spring Cleaning Fabrics & Tools

This is a good time to organize and clean the space you sew in. But it’s also a good time to organize your fabric. This will help you to know what you have and what you need so your next trip to the quilt shop is a happy shopping experience.

TIP #1: Organize your fabric stash by size and color. This is key if you are a scrap quilter like me. Here is how I do it. If I find a piece of fabric I really like, I will buy a yard of that fabric. Then I will cut that yard in half and have two half yards. I fold up one of those half yards and store it in a tub with others of the same color:

Next, I take the remaining half yard and cut it in half along the fold to make two fat quarters. I take one of those, fold it up and store in a fat quarter/quarter yard tub.

Then I take the remaining fat quarter and cut that in half (photo below) into two fat eights. I roll the fat eighths instead of folding them for easier storage. 

If there is any yardage left, I cut that into strips. I like 2 1/2″ and 1 1/2″ strips. Or if you only want one fat eighth in that particular color, you can cut the remaining fat eighth into strips for your stash. So when I am done with a yard of fabric, this is what I can end up with:

I now have that color print in every size in my fabric stash so it’s ready to be used in my next scrap quilt! Here’s my mini video tutorial on this topic:

TIP #2 Put strips and scraps into organized containers. I like to have those organized just like I do with the fabric I cut up in tip #1. I organize my strips by size and color and store them in shallow tubs.

As you can see, these tubs are easy to stack in my storage cupboard. The labeling makes it easier for me to pick out the tub that has the size and color strips I need for my current project.

Now for the random scraps of fabric that are smaller than fat eighths and not the right shape to cut into strips, I also have those stored in tubs sorted by color. I use these scraps for my fabric appliqué and for making test blocks, like the one on the right. A test block is where I audition fabrics to see what colors I want to use for a pattern without cutting into my good fabric.

Doing these things with your fabric scraps will keep your sewing space and cutting table clean so you can work.

TIP #3 Tool Storage. It’s a good idea to store your tools in a way that makes them easy to reach or find when you are needing them. I shared a few tips over the last few weeks, but here’s a few more. This is what I do with important cutting tools and my rulers:

The cutting tool storage is actually a used coffee mug holder I found at a garage sale. The ruler storage is a metal peg board made for tool storage in a garage. It’s hung on the wall by my sewing table. If you do not have a permanent sewing space, you can hang your rulers in a closet using jump rings and a hanger made for hanging ties.

Cleaning and Storing Quilts

Next it’s time to focus on the quilts in your collection and to give them some TLC. If you like to display quilts around your house like I do, you will need to do a few things to keep them clean. Here are some tips on what I do. Please note: these tips are not recommended for antique or family heirloom type quilts. For those types of quilts, it’s best to look for advice from textile preservation professionals.

TIP#1:  Light Cleaning: For wall quilts that can collect dust or cobwebs, use the soft brush attachment (like pictured below) of your vacuum cleaner and, on the lowest suction setting, brush gently across the surface of the quilt. Keep the tool moving constantly and do not to stop to avoid having suction concentrated on an area of your quilt. Never use any type of attachment that has moving parts.

Carefully test on a corner of the quilt on the back to make sure it will not do any damage.

If the wall quilt has picked up a musty smell or another smell from the room it is in, it can be aired out by placing it outside (in a shady area) on a clean sheet. I would cover it with another clean sheet to keep it from getting any dirt, leaves, etc on it. For cleaning a large quilt, lay it out on a flat surface and vacuum with the soft brush attachment, lowest suction setting again. It can also be aired out using the same method as a wall quilt.

Do not shake quilts like you do for rugs since that can weaken seams.

For cat or dog hair, I use the lint rollers made for clothes. Gently rolling these across the surface of the quilt will pick up the stray hairs without damaging seams.

TIP #2: Washing. If you must wash a quilt, be sure to use a gentle soap.  I wash on gentle and I throw in a few Shout Color Catcher sheets in case I’m worried about a fabric that might bleed. Be cautious of this if your fabric was not pre-washed. If you do not pre-wash and you are unsure of a fabric in the quilt, I would advise against washing and just stick with tip #1 above.

If you do wash it and need to dry, it’s best to air dry it. You can put it in the dryer for 10 minutes or so on “air fluff” setting to get the dampness out. Then lay the quilt out on a clean sheet on a flat surface to finish. Never hang a quilt on a clothesline which can put stress on the seams. Also, do not wring out a quilt, which can damage and distort seams.

TIP #3 Storage. First, it’s a good idea to learn how to fold a quilt in a way that is the least damaging to the seams and fabric fibers. This is for large quilts. To begin, lay the quilt out flat and make a first fold on the bias:

The next 3 photos show the next 3 folds you need to make to end up with your quilt folded and protected:

Even though the bias option is the best, the other way I fold quilts is in thirds. The following photos will show how that is done. Here are the first 3 folds:

And the final folds:

When you have quilts folded and stored, be sure to refold them periodically. It’s recommended that refolding every 3 to 4 months is a good timeframe. This keeps the fabrics from breaking down in the folds or developing permanent creases. It’s also a good idea to refold large quilts that you have displayed on beds, ladders or draped over sofas or chairs.

For smaller quilts like wall hangings or table toppers, I hang them on skirt or pant hangers to store in a closet when I am not using them.

Here are some random do’s and don’ts for storing quilts:

Do not store them in the basement or attic of your home where the temperature and humidity is not at ideal levels.

Do not stack too many folded quilts on top of one another.

Do not store quilts in plastic containers or bags. Plastic can trap moisture which could develop mold that will stain quilts.

Do use clean white sheets to cover a stack of quilts for protection. You can also store single folded quilts in large pillow cases or make a case for the quilt out of an old white sheet.

Two other ways to store quilts is to roll them or to drape them over extra beds. Rolling large quilts may be difficult for storage since there would need to be a large space to store those rolls. But rolling them is a good way to avoid any creases from folding, so if you have the storage space, consider doing this.

If you drape them over guest beds, be sure they are not in direct sunlight that could fade a quilt. If there is direct sunlight into that room, you can cover the stack of quilts with a clean, white sheet to protect them.

So that’s it for this week. I hope these tips get you started on your spring cleaning in your sewing space and cleaning & storing your quilts. Leave a comment or ask questions below and I will enter you into a drawing for my quilt pattern for Strips & Stars.

The drawing will be on Monday, May 1st. Good luck! **We have a winner! Congrats, Pat W.!**

Happy Quilting!
Deanne

Random Scrap, Fabric & Other Random Tips

Are you tired of me talking about scrap quilting yet? I hope not! I never tire of making scrap quilts so I never tire of talking about it. From teaching classes, doing daily posts and from other communications with quilters, I often get questions that I haven’t covered yet in a post, so I figured I’d do this one today sweeping a lot of that information into one place. Maybe I will answer a question you have asked or have been wanting to ask. So, sit back and enjoy the fun!

Strip Storage

I talked about storage of strips a few weeks ago, but since then guess what I did? I updated how I store my strips! I used to use these deep tubs:

However I have found that, just like with the large zip loc bags I used to store strips in, the deeper the stacks of these strips got in the tub, the more jumbled they became. Towards the bottom of the stacks, I would have crumpled strips with fraying sides. Some were frayed bad enough that they no longer measured the size I wanted.

My solution? A great shallow tub from Sterilite that I partitioned off with acid free cardboard cut to size.

These tubs are only 2 3/4″ deep as opposed to the almost 6″ depth of the deeper tubs. I think I’ll be able to maintain control of my strips better in these! 

Here’s how they look in my cabinet by my sewing machine. They are clearly labeled with color(s) and size so when I am looking for a strip for a scrap quilt, I can pull out the right tub quickly.

I still have a few deeper tubs with strips that need to be switched out, but I am making progress!  These tubs are also shallow enough to store charm squares or squares that you cut from scrap fabric, if you collect those.

Now it’s time for me to start my next scrap quilt.

On to Random Scraps

So what do I do with a scrap like this?

Yes! I keep these scraps. If you have followed me a while, you know I love to do fabric appliqué. Scraps like these go into tubs like the one below, labeled with colors. This way, when I need a small piece for an appliqué motif I don’t need to cut into a larger piece of fabric.

I just reach into the tub and find the perfect scrap of fabric that will complete my design. Now if there is a fabric in there that I feel I may not use, or perhaps its fairly old, I may then cut it into squares that can be used in a later project. 

Random Tips

Some of these random tips tie into my strip and scrap talk above. 

Tip#1: Use your scraps to audition colors for blocks. If you are not sure what fabric colors you think look good for your new project, make what I call “test blocks”. Here’s a few I made for a project:

By doing this, I can get an idea of what color combinations look good for my project before I cut into some expensive fabric. I pull out scraps from my bins that hold the appliqué scraps to make these blocks. Or I use some strips from my strip stash if the block pieces can be cut from the size strips I collect.

Now, what do you do with all these test blocks? I actually create small quilts from them to give as gifts. And to make those, I use…. you guessed it… my stash of strips! Here’s one of mine:

As you can see, I framed the star block with a series of borders made from strips. Once I quilted it, I had a cute mini table mat/candle mat to give to a friend.

Tip#2: If you don’t do appliqué like me but still save those odd scraps of fabric, consider making crazy quilt blocks or crumb blocks. I made a brief mention of those in my blog post of April 25th.

A quick google search of both of these terms will lead you to designers who make these types of quilts and who may have some really fun patterns for you to try.

Tip#3: If you go through your fabric stash and find a piece of fabric that makes you say “what was I thinking!” Consider cutting it down into smaller pieces. If it’s a 1/2 yard, you can cut it into a fat quarter and then cut the rest of it into strips. Here’s an example:

Keeping this piece big and using it as a background would be hard to do since it’s so busy. However, when I cut it into strips or squares (below), it tones down the pattern and makes it perfect for a scrap quilt. Since it’s a small strip or square, the pattern won’t overpower other fabrics.

If you really, really don’t like a piece of fabric and don’t think it would even look good in a scrap quilt, consider doing a fabric swap with quilting friends or members of your quilt guild. Someone else might really like it! Or, donate it to a group that makes quilts they give away to needy families or sick children. They’re always looking for fabric donations. Then you know your money spent on that fabric is not going to waste.

That’s it for this week’s post. Comment below or ask any questions you may have. I will enter you into a drawing for my pattern, Follow the Stars:

This pattern uses a lot of scraps and strips! The drawing will be on Monday, May 16th. Good luck! **We have a winner! Congrats Barbara Jansz!**

Happy Quilting!
Deanne

Do You Collect Fabric Strips?

When I am cutting out a project and I have left over yardage that is less than 1/8 of a yard, I like to cut strips to save for other uses. My favorite size of strips to keep are 1 1/2″ and 2 1/2″. Those are sizes I use the most in my scrap quilting and also for bindings. Because of this strip saving habit I have a lot of strips in all colors! In this post, I will talk about storage to keep them organized and what I use these strips for. Maybe it will inspire you to start a strip collection of your own.

Storing the Strips

When I started quilting, I used to just throw strips and scraps into a big bin and rifle through it when I needed one. Let me tell you …. big mistake! Over time, that pile of strips became a giant jumbled mess. The fabric was fraying and the strips were getting so tangled together they became unusable. My first attempt at organization was Ziploc bags of strips.

As you can see, this was OK at first, but looking closer you can see the strips starting to jumble together. Plus I didn’t separate them by color. My newest solution is the Sterilite tubs you can find at any big box store. Here’s what some of my bins looks like:

I made dividers from acid free cardboard cut to fit. Then I organized strips by color and size. Now, when I am looking for a strip of a certain width and color it’s easier to find it. And since they are carefully folded and stacked, they are less likely to get tangled or jumbled up.

Using the Strips

Binding: So, what can be done with strips? So many things! As I mentioned above, by having this stash of strips I always have fabric for binding! I like scrappy binding on my scrap quilts so this is an ideal use. I use the 1 1/2″ strips for single-fold binding and the 2 1/2″ strips for double-fold binding. Here’s some of my projects with scrappy binding.

Borders: Have you ever completed a quilt and thought it was not big enough or that it was missing something? Strips can help you with that! One of the easiest borders to do with strips is a checkerboard border.

Another easy one is a piano key border:

You can even use your strips just randomly like in this quilt border:

Making Quilt Blocks: Finally, these strips can be used to make all kinds of quilt blocks. One of the easiest is a four-patch or nine-patch block. Using 1 1/2″ strips you can make tiny 2 1/2″ four-patch blocks or 3 1/2″ nine-patch blocks. 2 1/2″ strips will make 4 1/2″ four-patch blocks or 6 1/2″ nine-patch blocks.

Bonus! you can make a lot of these blocks by using a strip piecing method I talked about in a blog post from last year: Strip Piecing Tips and Techniques.

Another type of unit used a lot in blocks that you can make from strips is a flying geese. Simply cut a 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″ rectangle from one fabric strip and then cut two 1 1/2″ squares from another fabric strip. Use the traditional stitch and flip method to make a geese unit that measures 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″!

If you use 2 1/2″ strips for your flying geese pieces, you need to cut a rectangle 2 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and two squares 2 1/2 x 2 1/2″. Then you will get geese that measure 2 1/2 x 4 1/2″. You can use these in all kinds of blocks like Evening Star and Dutchman’s Puzzle blocks. I’m sure you can think of others.

And then there’s my favorite block: the Log Cabin. Use the 2 1/2″ strips to cut your center square and the 1 1/2″ strips to cut your logs.

As you can tell… there’s a little applique I did on this quilt that shows in the right hand corner, but you get the idea! There’s also other versions of the log cabin block that can be made from strips like the courthouse steps (with or without cornerstones), a traditional log cabin with cornerstones and a star in the middle (also made with scrap strips!) and even a pineapple style.

So many blocks can be made from just strips that there’s too many to list here. What are some you can think of? Share in the comments and you will be entered in the ongoing drawing for my pattern Season of Joy!

The drawing will be on Monday, February 10th!

Happy Quilting & Strippin’
Deanne

Fun with Fabric Strips!

Looking for a new project or a unique way to border a quilt? Or even a unique way to bind a quilt? Look no further than your collection of strips! I like to cut leftover fabric, if it’s less that 1/8 yard, into strips. Specifically, 2 1/2″ and 1 1/2″ strips. I find those sizes to be the most useful to me. I also collect 2″ and 1″ strips for more variety, but I find that I do not use those as often. Here’s how I store my strips:

I sort the strips by size and color and then store them in 8 x 13″ plastic Sterilite tubs (found at Wal-Mart, Target or other similar stores). I made separators from strips of acid free cardboard for keeping the colors separate in the tubs. I like storing them this way so they don’t end up a jumbled mess. It’s funny how often they do when you just toss them into a tub with no organization. They seem to take a on a life of their own! So now onto the creative portion of this post. This week, I’ll focus on blocks and next week I’ll show you ideas for borders and bindings.

Making Blocks

You’d be surprised how many different quilt blocks can be made from 2 1/2″ or 1 1/2″ strips or a combination of both. Blocks made from these size strips can be as small as 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″ or as big as a 12 1/2″ block. Here are some of the blocks that you can make. And this is definitely not a full list!

A simple checkerboard block:

This is one made with pieces cut from 1 1/2″ strips so the resulting block is 3 1/2″. You can make the same block using pieces cut from 2 1/2″ strips for a block that measures 6 1/2″.

Flying Geese and Stars:

All you need here is a 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″ rectangle and two 1 1/2″ squares cut from strips for this unit. Make 4 of them and join them with a 2 1/2″ square and 4 more 1 1/2″ squares to make a star!

This star block is 4 1/2″. You can also make a Dutchman’s Puzzle from 8 flying geese:

This block is 4 1/2″. If you made your flying geese from 2 1/2″ strips, your geese would be 2 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and your Dutchman’s Puzzle block would then be 8 1/2″. 

Here’s a block from one of my patterns, Twilight Desert, that is all pieces from 2 1/2″ and 1 1/2″ strips!

Can you see it? The possibilities of what you can  make are endless with strips. Sit down with a tub of strips one day and play. You’ll be surprised with what you can come up with!

Here are some others:

I hope you enjoyed this! Share with me in the comments some blocks you have made or if you plan on starting to play with strips because of this post. If you comment, you will be entered into a drawing for my new pattern: Seaside Cottage.

All the checkerboard blocks in this quilt are all from strips! The drawing will be on Monday, August 26th. ***We have a winner! Congrats, Marsha B!***

Happy Quilting!
Deanne